Border perennials provide long displays of flowers or bold colourful foliage to enhance most parts of the garden. There are two kinds: herbaceous perennials, which die down to the ground each autumn but throw up new shoots with the onset of spring; and evergreen perennials, which retain their leaves (often dramatically textured) all year round, giving interest even in winter. All the plants listed here are herbaceous, unless otherwise stated.
You should cut down the stems of herbaceous perennials each year in late autumn — not to leave “stubble”, as is so often seen, but right down to the ground. With evergreens, all you need do is remove any dead leaves. Most perennials thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil, and are easy-going.
Most should be lifted and split into smaller portions every three or four years to keep them vigorous and free-flowering. Otherwise they need little care apart from annual feeds — use a flower-garden fertilizer. Thin floppy stems vulnerable to being flattened by wind and rain need support from twiggy sticks or proprietary plant supports.
Six perennials which must not be disturbed
Some perennials do not like root disturbance: once planted they should be left alone, or you may lose them.
- Campion (Lychnis coronaria) “Shocking” pink flowers contrast beautifully with the grey foliage. Flowers all summer and into autumn. 60cm/2ft. A short-lived perennial for a sunny spot, which usually self-seeds.
- Chalk plant (Gypsophila paniculata) Produces clouds of tiny white flowers in summer. 90cm/3ft. Good for chalky soils and full sun. Favourite companion for sweet peas.
- Columbine (Aquilegia hybrids) Favourite cottage-garden plant with spurred flowers, in many colours, from late spring to early summer. 60-90/2-3ft. Short-lived. Enjoys moist soil and sun or partial shade. Self-sows.
- Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) Another favourite, with fat spikes of flowers in many colours during early summer. Russell hybrids are recommended. 0.9-1.2m/3-4ft high. Short-lived plants for acid-neutral soils and sun or partial shade.
- Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) Early summer display of large globular flowers (pink, red or white). 90cm/3ft. Moist soil, sun or partial shade.
- Red hot poker (Kniphofia species/varieties) Attractive evergreen with grassy leaves and bold spikes of red, orange, yellow, pale green or cream flowers in late summer/autumn. 0.45-1.2m/11/2-4ft. Ideal for hot dry spot. Tie leaves up in winter to keep crowns dry.
Five perennials which need frequent division
These are fast-growing, even rampant, plants which should be lifted and split every couple of years to prevent them getting out of hand or deteriorating in quality.
- Gardener’s garters (Phalaris arundinacea `Pieta’) A popular and conspicuous green-and-white striped grass which grows anywhere. 1m/3ft. Makes a good foil for highly coloured flowers. Gets out of hand if not divided regularly.
- Golden rod (Solidago varieties) Sprays of yellow flowers produced in late summer and autumn. 0.45-1.5m/11/2-5ft. Older varieties are more vigorous and spreading than modern ones. Sun or partial shade, any soil.
- Lamb’s ears (Stachys Janata ‘Silver Carpet’) Makes marvellous groundcover with its evergreen, silver woolly leaves, I 5cm/6in high. Ideal for a hot dry spot.
- Michaelmas daisy (Aster novae-angliae and A. novi-belgii) Almost a symbol of autumn — masses of daisy-like flowers, mainly in blues, purples, reds. 0.3-1.5m/1-5ft. Needs a sunny spot. Support tall ones on twiggy sticks.
- Yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) Spikes of yellow cup-shaped flowers over a long period in summer. 90cm/3ft. Ideal for poor dry soil — which keeps it in check.
Eleven perennials for cutting
If you have the space, it is worth setting aside a special bed for cutting flowers for flower arrangements. All the ones listed here last well in water.
- Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) Large yellow or orange daisy flowers in late summer/autumn. 60-90cm/2-3ft. May need support. Full sun. Avoid wet soil.
- Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) Evergreen. Greyish foliage, fragrant summer flowers in many colours. 30-60cm/1-2ft. Good for chalky soils. Not long-lived, so propagate frequently from summer cuttings.
- Chalk plant (Gypsophila paniculata)
- Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) Large yellow daisy flowers over a long period in late summer and autumn. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Likes sandy soil and sun. Twiggy sticks should be given to provide support.
- Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Popular border plant with clusters of scented flowers in brilliant or pastel colours, summer/autumn. 0.6-1.2m/2-4ft. Rich moist soil and partial shade. Ideal for herbaceous borders.
- Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum coccineum) Large daisy flowers in carmine, pink or white, early summer. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Ideal for light sandy soil. Needs sun, and sticks for support.
- Scabious (Scabiosa caucasica) Blue or white “pincushion” flowers in summer. 45-75cm/11/2-21/2ft. Needs sun. Good for chalky soils.
- Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum) Large white daisy flowers in summer/autumn. 90cm/3ft. Grows anywhere. Needs support if not to become sprawling.
- Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Daisy flowers in yellow or orange shades, late summer and autumn. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Sun and good drainage needed.
- Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Grandiflora’) Profusion of yellow daisy flowers in summer and autumn, feathery foliage. 60-75cm/2-21/2ft. Best on sandy soil, full sun.
- Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina ‘Coronation Gold’) Flat heads of yellow flowers in summer and autumn, very long flowering period. 90cm/3ft. Ideal for hot dry spot.
Five perennials for shade and dry soil
These conditions are typically found under large treeswhose roots dry out the soil and whose canopy of branches create shade. The combination of shade and dryness is difficult to most plants, but the following will thrive.
- Barrenwort (Epimedium species) Groundcover plant with dainty sprays of tiny yellow, rose-pink, orange or white spring flowers. Attractive foliage — often tinted with red or bronze in spring. 20-30cm/8-12in.
- Dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) Evergreen groundcover plant with attractive silver-striped foliage. Spikes of pink or white flowers, depending on the variety, appear in spring or early summer. 15-30cm/6-12in.
- London pride (Saxifraga umbrosa) Favourite old cottage-garden plant with evergreen foliage growing in rosette form (good groundcover) and sprays of pale pink flowers in spring. 45cm/18in when in flower.
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria species) Groundcover perennials with blue, pink or white flowers in spring. Leaves are heavily spotted with silver in some varieties. 30cm/12in.
- Yellow archangel (Galeobdolon luteum Variegatum’) Rampant evergreen groundcover plant with silver-splashed foliage and yellow flowers in spring. 30cm/12in. Easily controlled by pulling it from the ground.
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