Kitaibelia vitifolia is a very useful perennial which is not often available in nurseries in the UK.

Related to hollyhocks, it grows 6-8ft high each year and displays large, showy cup-shaped white flowers from July to September. It forms a good sized clump and works very well at the back of a border.

Almost shrub-like, this is a rare tall plant that is happy in sun or shade, and normal or moist soil and really deserves to be better known. It's fantastic for providing interest for shady areas where you might normally struggle to find a flowering plant.