Perennials

The Joy of Perennial Plants

My love affair with perennial plants started in my very first garden, where a clump of peonies faithfully bloomed each summer, their pink petals unfurling like tissue paper in the June sunshine. These remarkable plants truly are the backbone of any British garden - once settled in their spot, they'll happily return year after year without fuss or much attention from us gardeners. Their ability to thrive across seasons makes them essential for creating beautiful garden plants that endure.

What fascinates me most about perennials is their incredible diversity and staying power. Some, like those peonies I mentioned, can flourish for decades - even a century if you treat them well! They're absolutely everywhere in nature too, making up nearly all the plant species we see around us. Unlike annual plants, which complete their life cycle in a single growing season, perennials offer longevity and sustainability.

I've always found perennials to be perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Whether you fancy creating sweeping borders or filling containers for your patio, there are perennials to suit every spot. The sheer variety of shapes, sizes, and colours available means you can create almost any garden style you could wish for. For those looking to add vertical interest, a perennial climbing plant such as clematis can transform walls or trellises into living works of art.

Over the years, I've learned countless tips and tricks for getting the best from these wonderful plants. Here I will share everything I know about choosing, growing, and caring for perennials - from selecting the right varieties for tricky spots to making more plants through division (a money-saving technique I absolutely swear by). Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your collection, I hope you'll find plenty of useful advice to help your garden flourish during the summer months and beyond.

Creating Beautiful Perennial Gardens

Over my years of gardening, I've learned that designing with perennials is rather like conducting an orchestra - each plant needs to play its part at just the right moment. The secret lies in thoughtful planning and careful placement; something I discovered through plenty of trial and error in my own garden borders.

Planning for Year-Round Interest

One of my earliest garden design lessons came from a rather bare winter display that taught me the importance of planning for all seasons. Now I always combine plants with different seasonal peaks, tucking in evergreen shrubs and trees that stand proud through winter snow, creating beautiful shapes and much-needed colour during those cold months. I've found that plants with striking foliage, like Pittosporum and Conifer, keep the garden looking rich and engaging even when flowers are scarce.

Choosing Your Colour Perennial Palette

Here's a tip I picked up from an old gardening mentor - stick to green plus just two other colours for the most striking effect. Through my own experiments, I've discovered that:

• Blues and purples truly shine in shaded corners where they catch the eye
• Reds and oranges need bright sunshine to really glow
• White perennial flowers create magical moments in shadowy spots

I particularly love how white flowers and paler blooms light up shaded areas like little beacons, while the hotter colours absolutely dazzle in full sun. When I'm planning a border, I also always mix in plants with different textures - perhaps pairing feathery fennel with bold hostas - to make the colour scheme really sing.

Finding the Perfect Spot for Your Perennials

My first lesson in matching plants to conditions came from a rather expensive mistake - planting sun-loving salvias in a shaded corner, only to watch them struggle and eventually give up altogether. Since then, I've learned that success with tender perennials starts with understanding exactly what each plant needs to thrive.

Shade-Loving Stars

The shaded areas of my garden have become some of my favourite spots, filled with plants that positively revel in cooler, darker conditions. Hostas absolutely shine here, unfurling their magnificent leaves before sending up elegant wands of blue, white, or lavender flowers. I'm particularly fond of Astilbe, which creates the most dramatic plumes of flowers above its ferny foliage - perfect for adding height to those darker corners.

One of my best discoveries for shade has been Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'. Its heart-shaped silver leaves edged with the most delicate green veining light up shady spots like moonlight and, come spring, this variety produces the sweetest sprays of blue flowers. For woodland-style gardens, you can't go wrong with Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) - they seem to dance in dappled shade.

Sun-Worshippers

In the sunniest parts of the garden and nursery, I've found that drought-tolerant perennials are absolute champions. Hardy geraniums have never disappointed me, flowering for months with barely any attention needed. Verbena bonariensis has become another firm favourite - its tall, willowy stems topped with purple flowers seem to float through borders, and the butterflies absolutely adore those beautiful blooms.

I must tell you about Phlomis (Jerusalem sage) - what a trooper this plant is! It thrives in conditions where other plants simply give up. In my experience, these sun-lovers offer:

• The most wonderfully woolly foliage with cheery yellow or purple blooms
• Remarkable resistance to pests and diseases
• Brilliant drought tolerance
• Next to no maintenance needed
  
  
  

Tackling Tricky Spots

What about those challenging areas that seem impossible to plant? Well, they've taught me some of my most valuable gardening lessons. For consistently wet soil (and we get plenty of rain in Lincolnshire!), certain iris varieties are absolutely brilliant:

Iris ensata, I. laevigata, and I. pseudacorus positively thrive in waterlogged conditions. Astilbe has proved invaluable in mixed conditions, producing gorgeous flower spikes while handling both wet soil and partial shade.

For those really damp spots, Eupatorium perfoliatum (Joe Pye weed) has been a revelation - growing strong without any pest or disease problems. Near our pond, Pontederia cordata (Pickerel weed) puts on a wonderful show with spikes of pale blue flowers from June right through to October.

Making the Most of Small Spaces

Have you ever looked at a tiny balcony or postage-stamp patio and wondered how to create a garden there? Well, I certainly have! Some of my most rewarding gardening experiences have come from transforming the smallest spaces into thriving perennial havens.

Balconies and Patios

Speaking of small spaces, balcony gardening holds a special place in my heart. The first thing I always tell clients is to check their balcony's weight limit and exposure. For those shady balconies, bleeding hearts and hostas work beautifully, while sun-baked spots are perfect for silver-leaved plants like lavender and artemisia.

One of my favourite tricks for sheltered balconies is using slow-growing Japanese maples - varieties like 'Crippsii' or 'Baldsmith' create stunning focal points. For a touch of traditional charm, I often recommend miniature roses - they give you all the beauty of their larger cousins but on more compact stems.

When it comes to year-round interest on patios, you really can't go wrong with evergreen perennials like heuchera and hellebores. I have these in pots right outside my kitchen window, and they keep the view interesting even on the greyest winter days.

Perennials with Annuals and Bulbs

Here at the nursery, we've had tremendous success pairing early spring bulbs with emerging perennial foliage. Snowdrops and crocus look absolutely magical emerging through Heuchera 'Caramel', whose copper-toned leaves unfurl at just the right moment.

For late-summer drama, you simply must try combining Sedum spectabile with wood's purple aster. The butterflies absolutely adore this pairing, and it gives such a magnificent finale to the perennial border. Mind you, the key to success is matching plants that enjoy similar growing conditions - no point fighting nature by mixing sun-lovers with shade-seekers!

Planning for Continuous Interest

Keeping a garden interesting throughout the seasons requires careful planning. Here are my main tips:

• Map out the flowering times of existing plants to spot any gaps
• Choose complementary plants to fill those quiet periods
• Mix early, mid and late-season bloomers in each area

The best results come from selecting perennials that earn their keep across different seasons. It's rather like conducting an orchestra - you want different instruments playing their parts at just the right moment. I always aim to have at least three types of plants in flower at any time - this keeps the garden looking fresh and keeps us and the insects happy!

The Art of Division

Timing is everything with division. Spring and autumn bloomers do best when divided in late summer or autumn, while those autumn-flowering beauties prefer a spring split. A tip I learned the hard way - always water the plants thoroughly the day before if the soil's dry.

You'll need these basic tools (I keep mine specially marked for propagation):

• A really sharp garden fork or spade
• Clean, sharp secateurs
• Good quality multi-purpose compost
• Watering can with rose attachment

When it comes to the actual division, I've found a gentle approach is best - work outwards from the crown's centre with your garden fork to avoid damaging those precious roots.

Success with Cuttings

Through years of trial and error at the nursery, I've discovered that softwood cuttings taken in spring and early summer give the best results. For semi-ripe cuttings, I wait until late summer or early autumn. Here's a little secret - I always take cuttings first thing in the morning when plants are full of water.

The process itself is quite straightforward: use a sharp knife to cut just below a leaf joint, aiming for sections about 8-10cm long. Remove the lower leaves and, if you fancy using rooting powder (though I often skip this step), give the base a little dip. Pop them into a mix of vermiculite and peat free compost; we also add powdered dried eggshells and cinnamon to the mix.

For the best chance of success, you'll want to:

• Keep temperatures between 18-24°C (64-75°F)
• Find a bright spot away from direct sun
• Keep the compost consistently moist but not waterlogged
• Give them a daily breath of fresh air to ward off fungal problems
  
  
  

The Endless Joy of Perennial Gardens

Looking back over my years of growing perennials, I'm still amazed by how these remarkable plants have shaped my gardening journey. From those first tentative steps with a few hardy geraniums to now running a nursery filled with thousands of plants, I've learned that perennials truly are the most rewarding plants for any British garden.

What I love most about these plants is their incredible versatility. Whether you're working with a sprawling country garden or a tiny urban balcony, there's always room for perennials. I've seen the most stunning displays in the smallest spaces, and some of my favourite garden moments have come from watching a newly planted perennial border mature and flourish over the years.

The secret, I've found, lies in understanding the basics - matching plants to their preferred growing conditions, combining them thoughtfully with companions, and giving them time to establish. Here at the nursery, we always encourage gardeners to start small, perhaps with just a few reliable varieties, and then gradually expand their collection as their confidence grows.

Frequently asked questions about Perennial Plants

How long does it take for perennial plants to establish and bloom? 

While some perennials can flower in their first year when grown from seed, most take 2-3 years to fully establish and produce abundant blooms. Once established, they return year after year, providing long-lasting beauty in your garden.

What size range can I expect from perennial plants? 

Perennial plants vary greatly in size, ranging from small ground covers just a few inches tall to towering specimens reaching up to 12 feet. This diversity allows for creative layering in garden designs, with shorter plants in front and taller ones at the back.

What type of soil is best for growing perennials? 

We use a peat free mix from Rocket Gro and for us the container and basket mix works best. This blend supports healthy growth and abundant flowering.

Are all perennial plants evergreen? 

No, not all perennials are evergreen. While some perennials retain their foliage year-round, many are herbaceous, meaning they die back to the ground in autumn and regrow from their roots in spring. Both types offer unique benefits to the garden.

How can I incorporate perennials in a small space or container garden? 

Perennials are versatile and can thrive in containers, making them perfect for small spaces like balconies or patios. Choose compact varieties, use large pots with good-quality compost, and consider vertical gardening techniques to maximise your space. Many perennials, such as hostas, lavender, and miniature roses, are well-suited for container growing.