Jun
7

Border Perennial

Categories: Autumn, Lighting, Plant Materials, Plants, Precipitation, Rose, Seeds, Soil, Spring, Summer, Water Garden, Wind, Winter

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.

Garden

  • 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.

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.

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.

  • 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) 
  • Scabious (Scabiosa caucasica) Blue or white “pincushion” flowers in summer. 45-75cm/11/2-21/2ft. Needs sun. Good for chalky soils.

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.

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Border Perennial

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