We love perennials in our garden borders. For me they're the unsung heroes of the garden, coming back year after year with a bigger and better display each time. They might not be as showy as bedding or bulbs, but they're real troopers and their value shouldn't be underestimated.
Better still, they tend to be low maintenance and fuss free. A little time spent choosing the right plant for the right place will reward you with years of pleasure. You'll find plenty of ideas in our perennials for beds and borders.
The short version
- Tall perennials go at the back, compact ones at the front.
- Plant in groups of three or five and repeat favourites along the border.
- Plant in spring or autumn and water well through the first year.
- Leave old stems for wildlife over winter and cut back in early spring.
How do I plan a perennial border?
Start with the spot itself. There's a perennial for pretty much every corner of the garden, sun, shade, wet or dry, so check how much sun the border gets and what the soil is like before you choose. Then decide on the look you're after. Some perennials give a more modern feel, others that romantic, traditional cottage garden look. Or embrace it all, the choice is yours!
A few simple tricks make a border look properly planned:
- Tallest at the back, shortest at the front. Delphiniums, digitalis (foxgloves) and eryngium give height and structure at the back. Tidy, compact plants like pulsatilla, aubretia and erysimum finish off the front.
- Plant in groups. Threes and fives of the same plant look far better than lots of singles.
- Repeat a few favourites along the length of the border, which ties it all together.
- Think about the seasons. Mix early, mid and late flowering plants so there's always something happening from spring to the first frosts.
When should I plant perennials?
Spring and autumn are the best times, as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. The soil is warm and damp, so roots settle in quickly.
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Join the Garden ClubHow do I plant a perennial border?
It's always worth a little preparation first. Clear any weeds and loosen the soil so it isn't compacted. Then dig a hole slightly larger than the rootball for each plant. We add some slow release fertiliser to the hole at planting time, as it'll feed the plants for around four to six months, so you won't need to think about it again until autumn. Pop the plant in at the same depth it was in its pot, firm it in and give it a good water.
The golden rules for the first year
- Give them room. Plants may be small when they go in, but they'll be there for years and need space to grow into.
- Water well in year one, even the drought tolerant ones. Once established, they'll need much less.
- Keep weeding between them. As they fill out there's less room for weeds, so those weeding days are numbered!
When should I cut back perennials?
It's tempting to tidy everything up in autumn, but try to resist the urge and step away from the secateurs. Old stems and seed heads give wildlife food and shelter over winter, and they look beautiful with a frosty cobweb on them.
Early spring is the time to have a good tidy up. Cut the old stems back to the crown or ground level (the chunky part where the new shoots come from), taking care not to snip the new shoots by accident. If a plant shoots from its old stems, just prune back to above a new bud instead. Clear any fallen leaves and debris from around the base and add a little mulch if needed.
Then comes the really fun bit: filling the gaps. Have a browse of our perennials and find something new to try this year.
Happy gardening,
Lou
