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 Other Perennials
Perennial plants make for a great addition to any garden and many will
thrive when grown in containers. Perennial plants grow
for many years and will die back, often in Autumn, only to reappear
again come spring. They come in a wide range of colors and heights
making them truly versatile whatever your conditions or need. There are
many perennial plants on offer in seed form in the seed selection on our Links Page.
How to grow
Most perennials are easy to grow and once established plants will be
tolerant of changing conditions, although some plants will be hardier
and more tolerant than others. When you receive your
plants you should move them in to their final positions as soon as
possible. If you cannot plant immediately, ensure your plants are
watered and keep them moist and in a cool and bright space until
planting is possible.
Position
Perennials will differ in the position they require, however, most
plants enjoy a position in sun or part-shade. Plants that flower on
tall flowers spikes or plants that have an untidy growing habit may
require plant supports to keep them
in shape and stop them from snapping in the wind.
Soil
Soil type and fertility will be specific to the type of plant you wish
to grow. Most plants will appreciate it if the site is
prepared in advance of planting by enriching the intended area with
plenty of organic matter, well-rotted garden compost or multi-purpose compost will
be fine. At this point you may also wish to apply some general fertilizer , which will help
to promote strong and healthy plant growth.
Care
Water your new plants well after planting to ensure they establish well
and get the best start possible. Plants will benefit from regular
applications of fertilizer at intervals throughout
the growing season and you may also wish to add a mulch of well-rotted
garden compost, manure or multi-purpose compost in the spring each year
as this will help to encourage good growth, conserve water and keep
roots moist throughout summer. Remove fading flowers by hand or with secateurs to encourage new blooms.
Top
tip
To ensure plants remain healthy, you should divide them after being in
the ground for around 2-3 years. Not only will this promote healthy
growth but you will also create extra plants for the garden. You can
also propagate plants by cuttings.
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Other Perennials
Abutilon Megapotamicum Bring a touch of the exotic to your patio and garden with this stunning climber. If you've a shed, sunny wall or obelisk that's in need of a make-over, let Abutilon Megapotamicum transform it into a living palette of vivid color. Arching shoots carry bright green foliage and spectacular flowers that resemble miniature hot-air balloons. Semi-evergreen shrub.
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Ageratum Blue Danube A large-flowered variety of Ageratum with vigorous, yet dwarf and compact plants with a powder-puff head of soft blue. Ageratum Blue Danube is a wonderful specimen for bedding, borders and containers. Grow alongside soft pinks for a rather special effect. Plants prefer any well-drained soil in full sun.
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Alkanet Sturdy stems of deep blue summer flowers, turning blue-purple with age, appear in early summer above rosettes of mid-green leaves. This large blue Alkanet makes a striking and long-lasting statement in a sunny border and does not need staking. The flowers are attractive to bees, too.
Garden care: Anchusas don't like wet soil. Deadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers and in early autumn cut the stems back down to the ground.
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Amsonia These easy to grow perennials will create a massive impact when their dark blue flowerbuds open to reveal their star-like, steely blue flowers in late spring and summer. The flowers are loosely held, in slightly pendulous clusters on top of tall stems bearing slender, tapering leaves, which turn interesting shades of yellow before dying back in autumn. The flowers can be cut and used in floral arrangements, but to stem the milky sap the end of the stems should be seared in a flame before popping in a vase.
Garden care: Divide congested plants in spring.
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Angels Fishing Rod A distinctive-looking perennial with arching stems of bell-shaped, magenta flowers that hang above clumps of grass-like, mid to grey-green leaves, retained all year. The stems look delicate, but are actually very tough and appear to tremble in the breeze. Angel's fishing rod is perfect for introducing movement to a well-drained border in a sunny, sheltered site, or for overhanging water. Initially slow to establish, it looks particularly good with early autumn-flowering ornamental grasses.
Garden care: Water freely during the growing season. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.
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Barrenwort Sprays of tiny lilac-purple spring flowers suspended on delicate, wiry stems above bronze-flushed, light-green leaves. This elegant foliage plant is perfect for a lightly shaded site, with moist soil. Handsome leaves resembling lopsided hearts look lovely at the front of a shady border or growing next to woodland plants.
Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn.
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Bearaposs Breeches A fantastic, architectural plant that's justifiably popular. It is semi-evergreen, and produces enormous, jagged, deep green glossy leaves up to 90cm long. In mid-summer, spectacular spikes of white flowers with purple hoods shoot up from the foliage and last for several weeks. It thrives best in dappled shade and although it will take full sun, the leaves may scorch. Plant it en masse under trees or as a specimen plant in a mixed border. And give it plenty of room to spread itself out
Garden care: To minimize the risk of powdery mildew taking hold ensure that the plant is watered well during hot, dry spells. To rejuvenate and minimize congestion lift and divide large clumps in autumn or spring.
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Birthroot The flowers on this variety can be variable, and can appear in shades of white, yellow or purple. They are however usually a deep beetroot-red. The other distinguishing feature of this variety is its plain green leaves, so choose this one if you are not a fan of leaf variegation. It is a native of east and north-eastern areas of North America and is very hardy.
Garden care:Plant rhizomes 5cm deep and 5cm apart in autumn. Once planted they are best left undisturbed so they can build up their numbers. Mulch in the autumn with a generous layer of leaf mold.
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Bishops Hat Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and a spreading habit, Epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The young leaves of this variety are bronze-tinted and turn reddish-brown in autumn. In late spring a froth of tiny, crimson and pale yellow flowers appear, suspended on wiry stems. Slow to spread, it makes a good groundcover plant for shady areas or under deciduous trees.
Garden care: In early spring remove dead and damaged leaves before the flowers appear and apply a thick mulch of compost or well-rotted compost around the crown of the plant. Lift and divide large clumps in autumn.
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Bistort Dense spikes of soft pink flowers rise from midsummer to early autumn above semi-evergreen, deeply veined, mid-green leaves. This clump-forming, vigorous perennial has handsome foliage and quickly makes dense groundcover in sun or partial shade. Plant it in bold swatches to add vertical interest in the border right through till mid autumn, and give it plenty of space. Persicaria does not like dry soil, so performs best in a bog garden or beside a pond. Bees and other insects love it too!
Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in spring or autumn.
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Bowman's Root A charming perennial that bears masses of delicate, star-shaped white flowers in midsummer. In autumn, the pretty, three-leafed foliage turns fiery red and the winter seedheads are a bonus too. Lovely towards the front of a shady, woodland border, where the flowers can be appreciated.
Garden care: Divide congested plants in spring or autumn. Protect young shoots from slug attack.
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Black Lilyturf This small, easy to grow, clump-forming evergreen perennial has strappy, inky purple, grass-like leaves. In summer, small spikes of bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers appear, followed by spherical, dark blue fruit. This unusual plant looks fantastic with other grasses, especially if grouped in tubs or planted into gravel, and it provides a brilliant contrast with silvery plants in sun, or bright green ferns in shade.
Garden care: Top-dress plants in autumn with leaf mold.
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Brook Thistle Spectacular, deep crimson thistles appear on erect spectacular, deep crimson thistles appear on erect stems in July and August above spiny, dark green leaves. This handsome, towering thistle is a valuable addition to a summer garden and looks equally at home in a wildflower meadow, beside water or in groups among other perennials. Although it will tolerate dry conditions and partial shade, it does best in a moist, sunny border.
Garden care: Divide congested plants from autumn to spring and cut back to the ground in autumn to prevent self-seeding.
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Bugle A useful plant for the edge of a shady border, Ajuga also makes good groundcover as it soon knits together to form an evergreen carpet. This one has multi-colored, evergreen foliage with wine red splashes and cream margins and dense, upright spires of deep blue flowers in spring. Tolerates sun or shade and poor soils, but does not like to dry out.
Garden care: To rejuvenate and minimize congestion lift and divide clumps in late autumn or early spring every two years.
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Bugbane A dramatic, stately perennial, this is particularly useful plant because it comes into its own late in the season, when many flowers have finished, and because it thrives in damp shade. The slender, bottlebrush-like flowers emerge in autumn from green buds and open creamy white. Try it at the back of a border, between evergreens, or to light up a shady part of the garden. Avoid removing the faded flowerheads, since they develop into pretty, lime-green seedheads.In a recent article in the The Daily Telegraph, Dr James Compton - the man responsible for their classification - thought this plant needed atmospheric moisture to thrive. Think of trillium country, he said. On the acid side of neutral, light and leaf-moldy but able to retain moisture.
Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mold or composted pine needles when planting. Support using ring stakes well before the flowers appear. Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.
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Chinese Lantern Tiny, creamy-white flowers from July to August followed by bright orange-scarlet berries enclosed by papery, red lanterns. Chinese lanterns are perfect for providing autumn interest in well-drained areas of the garden. To prevent them from becoming invasive try cutting a slit trench around the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn.
Garden care: To check the spread of underground stems cut the area round the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.
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Clustered Bellflower Dense heads of large, rich purple, bell-shaped flowers appear from June to August and on tall stems with rosettes of oval, mid-green leaves. This beautiful Bellflower is perfect for a sunny, cottage-style or herbaceous border and is equally happy in partial shade.
Garden care: Avoid planting out seedlings until all threat of frost has passed. During the growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer each month. Cut back after flowering both to prevent self-seeding and to encourage a second flush of flowers.
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Cardinal Flower Stunning spikes of scarlet, five-petaled flowers rise up in late summer among beautiful, beetroot-colored foliage. This gorgeous cardinal flower brings a splash of vibrant color to the garden just as many perennials are fading. It is excellent for filling gaps left by early-flowering perennials in a mixed or herbaceous border and suits a planting scheme based on 'hot' colors.
Garden care: Divide large clumps of plants every second year in spring. Protect the crown of the plant during winter with a thick, dry mulch, such as straw.
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Cardoon The majestic, purple, thistle-like, honey-scented flowers of this stately Cardoon are held above clumps of magnificent, deeply cut, silvery-green leaves. Given plenty of space, this perennial makes an eye-catching focal-point for a large, sunny, mixed or herbaceous border, or potager, sheltered from strong winds. The flower are particularly valuable for use in fresh or dried flower arrangements
Garden care: Avoid the temptation to remove the faded flower-heads in autumn as they provide interest in the winter garden. Where temperatures fall below -15C (5F) protect the crown of the plant with a dry, straw mulch.
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Chocolate Clover A vigorous form of ornamental clover that is perfect for edging borders or for use as a groundcover plant. It also looks good planted between stepping stones or paving. The bronze-purple leaves have a green margin, and the large, fragrant, smokey-pink flowers are loved by bees.
Garden care: Grow in moist but well drained soil with a neutral pH in a sunny or partially shaded spot.
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Last updated 4/24/2012 3:30 PM
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