Tall plants for the back of borders

Foxgloves? You can get some nice different coloured ones.

In my (limited) experience, some lupins don't get particularly tall.

Hollyhocks are good, but can be tricky.

I have artichokes at the back of one bed. They are very structural with beautiful leaves . Left to flower like huge thistles You can eat them and they come back year after year , no trouble.

Hollyhocks are very tall and look good at the back. I’ve eventually got them established after a few tries. Fennel might also look good at back- ferny foliage and flower heads can be quite decorative. Delphiniums are very susceptible to slugs. Sunflowers- though have to replant every year.

Doesn't it depend on soil type, light and space as well as time of flowering? Some tall plants are quite spreading. What about colour?
Hollyhocks need to back onto a wall.
I like lychnis (maltese cross), astrantia and tall poppies.

We planted giant Alliums through the back of the border

Thank you for some great ideas. Hollyhocks sound lovely as they will go against the fence

I hve very tall white harebells, and also wonderful (very poisonous but never been a problem with dogs, chickens, cats, children, etc) Monkshood aka aconitum- the vivid blue is even better than delphinium and so hardy.

Thalictrum is gorgeous too - very cut leaves, and tiny flowers in big clumps, which open to fluffy bonnets- mine are pink- some are white. Flower for ages.

BBbevan you have already raised my interest in mistletoe,
I am now off to Google 'growing artichokes'.?

A vote for foxgloves here. Tall, pretty colours and very good at self seeding. Although biennial, there always seems to be some flowering. Jura will have a look for aconitum. Love delphiniums but never had much success with them.Thanks.

Delphiniums. Tall, elegant, beautiful blue flowers and, if you cut them after flowering, you'll get a 2nd showing.

And alliums, planted in clusters of 5 or 7. The dried flower heads are lovely sprayed gold and used in flower arrangements.

Also got some quite tall Veronicas, blue, pink and white, and Lysimachia Chlehroides - also long white spears that flower for ages.

Tall purple asters for autumn colour, and black eyed Susan for yellow late colour.

Japanese anemones are good for late summer and autumn flowering; pink or white.

They can be rather invasive so you have to keep on your toes with them

Also for later summer, montbretia (or whatever it's called now) . Lucifer (red) is tall and not as invasive as the common orange one.

Lillies would be nice if you have good drainage and are prepared to fight the slugs... l. Regale and the orientals have lovely scent.

And gorgeous Phlox of course, got dark pink, light pink and a wonderful white one that flowers quite a bit later. I always Chelsea Chop the back half, then cut the front after flowering and the back takes over.

Same with Veronicas (aka speedwell) and others.

Cherrytree Angelica is a lovely tall plant too.

Aah, Angelica !!
Remember the Day of the Triffids?

I'm so enjoying this picture of the border. How inspiring you all are.

I am trying to remember the name of the plant, it may be valerian, which flowers for ages in the great herbaceous border in our community garden.

Has anyone else noticed how florists love aconitum, although it's poisonous? Foxgloves and lupins shouldn't be eaten either but I suppose you have to train children early.

Cosmo are beautiful and flower up till October. They can be a bit 'leggy' and you have to deadhead regularly but they have nice foliage as well as flowers which come in many colours.

Anchusa can be good too. Lots of small vivid blue flowers. Ours didn’t need to be staked or tied up, which is always good. A vote here for Angelica too.

Verbena bonariensis is invaluable planted as a backdrop to a border; I wouldn’t be without it, but it is a bit thuggy. Another vote here for foxgloves, and Veronica spicata, too. Hollyhocks are prone to unsightly rust so you have to keep an eye on that.

I'd vote for any or all of the above as mentioned by responders to the original post plus giant dahlias and gladioli for late summer through to late autumn. Also roses especially hybrids which flower intermittently June to December.

Thank you ladies. Youv given me some lovely ideas I can't wait to try out.

Not mentioned so far - Antirrhinum (Snapdragon). I always include a line of them in my border. They grow around 1½ feet to 2 feet tall and flower late June to September/October.