IT is easy enough to make the place pleasing and interesting for spring and early summer, such is the variety of early flowering bulbs and shrubs easily available. Then comes a lull unless a range of herbaceous plants is grown. Part of the problem is our propensity to shop for plants in spring and early summer when invariably we buy items in flower, forgetting that their season of show will be over in weeks. To acquire a range of plants which will carry us through summer and autumn, we need to spread the shopping and visits to garden centres more evenly. The temptation, especially for those new to gardening, will be to buy inexpensive and colourful trays of annuals to fill the many gaps while ignoring good summer shrubs, roses or perennials. The summer bedding has its place and brings brightness and cheer but we must not ignore more permanent plants. Apart from garden centres, the many gardens open to the public will give countless ideas and much new inspiration.