herbaceous perennials... Do you like the idea of flowering plants that come back year after year? Plants such as Poppies, Lupins, Primulas and Peonies? Well, you may not know them as such, but in fact these are all referred to as 'herbaceous perennials' - plants that die back in autumn and grow again the following year and in a small number of cases actually produce fruit.
Whether you choose to plant your beds and borders entirely with the many types of herbaceous perennials available or mix them with bedding plants, shrubs and bulbs, they create real colour, depth and variety, easily and quickly, and they won't cost the earth!
Here are a few that will grow in most soils:
Anemone x hybrida varieties (Japanese Anemone). Pure white, pink or red flowers in late summer/early autumn. 60-90cm (2-3').
Aster novi-belgii varieties (Michaelmas Daisy). Deep red, pink, purple or white flowers during early autumn. 30-90cm (1-3').
Lupinus varieties (Lupin). Many colours during summer. 60-90cm (2-3').
Hosta varieties (Plantain Lily). A wide variety of leaf colours. White to purple flowers on stems. 15-90cm (6"-3').
Bergenia (Elephant's Ears). White, pink or red flowers in early spring. Evergreen foliage with good autumn colour. 23-45cm (9-18").
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart). Rosy pink and white flowers during June. 45cm (18").
Campanula lactiflora varieties (Milky Bellflower). Pink or lavender blue flowers d). Yellow daisy-like flowers during midsummer. 30-60cm (1-2').
Aquilegia varieties (Columbine). Wide range of flower colours during spring. 15-90cm (6"-3').
Other suggestions
Delphinium - White, lilac-pink and blues, flowers in mid-summer.
Papaver Orientale - Deep red, crimson and pink, flowers open from late spring to early summer.
Pinks (Dianthus) - Pinks, white, mauve and megenta, flowers in summer over long periods.
Digitalis (Foxglove) - Yellow, pink and white, flowering in early to mid summer.
Euphorbia (Spurge) - Yellowish-green in colour, flowers in spring and summer dependent on the variety.
Gaillardia (Dazzler) - A striking yellow-tipped and bright orange flower which apprea in the summer.
Geranium (Hardy Geranium) - White, pinks and blues, flowering in the summer.
Hemerocallis (Day Lily) - Yellow and orange in colour, with flower appearing in late spring and summer dependent on the variety.
Iris - Yellows, purples, and pinks. Flowering in spring and early summer.
Primula - Pink, purples, yellows, red and white, flowering early spring and summer dependent on the variety.
Sedum - Ruby red, silver, yellow and bright pink, flowering in the summer again dependent on the variety.
