Perennials - Just Arrived
In designing with plants, it is the perennials that ensure that there is constant change, and that there is always an element of surprise or interest in the garden.
Getting to know the dormant and flowering periods of the plants is essential to achieving the right balance in the design, so that as one perennial goes to sleep, another awakens.
Perennials, perhaps more than any other group of plants, are available in a huge range of colours, forms, textures and fragrances in both foliage and flower. There are perennials suitable for almost every area of the garden: from full sun to full shade, in large gardens or small beds and to suit every mood or style. Popular perennial plants include Penstemon, Gaura, Canna, Dahlias, Salvias, Lupins, Columbines, Lilies, Delphiniums and Hellebores - oh! the list is endless.
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A perennial plant (Latin per, "through", annum, "year") is a plant that lives for more than two years, unlike an Annual which grows, sets seed, gayly disperses it and then dies - all in a single season. Perennial plants are divided into two large groups: those that are woody and those that are herbaceous. They can be short-lived (only a few years) or they can be long-lived, and can vary in size from only a few millimeters to over 10 meters tall. They include a wide assortment of plant groups from Ferns to the highly diverse flowering plants like Orchids and Ornamental Grasses.
Perennials typically grow structures that allow them to adapt to living from one year to the next. These structures include bulbs, tubers, woody crowns, rhizomes plus others. They might have specialized stems or crowns that allow them to survive periods of dormancy over cold or dry seasons during the year. Many perennials have adapted to survive under extreme environmental conditions: some can survive hot dry conditions, or cold temperatures. These plants tend to invest a lot of resource into their adaptations and often do not flower and set seed until after a few years of growth.
Many perennials produce relatively large seeds, which can have an advantage as they produce larger seedlings after germination that can better compete with other plants or more quickly develop leaves, ensuring their survival.
In warmer climates, perennials grow continuously. In seasonal climates, their growth is limited to the growing season. For example, in temperate regions a perennial plant may grow and bloom during the warm part of the year, with the foliage dying back in the winter. These plants are deciduous perennials. Regrowth is from existing stem tissue. In some species, perennials retain their foliage all year round; these are evergreen perennials. Come in and take a look around. We've always got something pretty, perky and persuasive in the perennial line.
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aka Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemone. One of the glories going into autumn, single pure white flowers with yellow stamens. Flowers inautumn and again in summer. Prefers full sun or shade in well drained soils. Flowerspikes 70cm. Ideal for woodland planting where it will spread quickly. Perennial
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): Spreading
Anemone Snow Queen
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 2.5l ?
$26.99
aka Granny Bonnets
A mixture of dwarf, pastel toned flowers of pinks, blues, lavenders and whites that will lovingly stand about their fern like green foliage to give a great display, whether in a pot, rockery or en mass in the garden. from late Spring through Summer. Part shade/ full sun. Deciduous.
Unless these are flowering it will be a surprise as to what colors you will receive.
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 20cm x 25cm
Aquilegia Cameo Mix
Current Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$16.99
aka Wormwood
The beautiful, aromatic silvery grey leaves of this top performing perennial are wonderful for combining with other colours to bring harmony to a mixed planting. Hardy and easy to grow in a sunny well drained position. Benefits from a good trim back every now and then. Seldom flowers.
Habit: Perennial Short
Leaves: Deciduous, Light
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 90cm
Artemisia Powis Castle
Current Stock Height: 15/20 cm ?
Container: 2.5l ?
$16.99
aka Sedge
Attractive NZ native grass that forms a clump of tussock-like foliage. The leaves are a dark bronze purple. Upright and graceful, looks fabulous planted in large drifts. Hardy to just about any conditions but happiest in a sunny position that does not dry out completely in summer. Evergreen.
Leaves: Evergreen, Brown
Mature Size (HxW): 80cm x 50cm
Carex Buchananii
Current Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?
Container: 0.5l ?
$9.99
aka Bronze Tussock Grass
Native tussock grass with an attractive densely tufted fine bronze foliage. This grass does best in full sun and will grow in quite swampy conditions. Useful for special effects in landscaping when mass planted. Brown flower heads in summer. Evergreen.
Habit: Grass weeping
Leaves: Evergreen, Brown
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 40cm
Carex Tenuicalmis
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 0.5l ?
$9.99
aka Tussock, NZ Sedge
This native 'grass' is really tough and hardy tolerating cold winds and almost any soil. The brick-orange foliage looks very graceful as it waves and dances in the wind. Ideal for planting in large drifts. If the clumps become a little untidy just chop back hard for renewed vigour. Evergreen.
Leaves: Evergreen, Brown
Mature Size 7-10 yrs (HxW): 60cm x 50cm
Carex Testacea
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 1.9l ?
$24.99
Carex Testacea
Current Stock Height: 60/70 cm ?
Container: 2.5l ?
$26.99
Carex Testacea
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 0.5l ?
$9.99
aka Globe Artichoke
Green Globe' is a thistle-like plant with arching silver leaves producing an edible globe vegetable just before flowering. Deserves a special place in the garden.
Plant in rich fertile well drained soil and full sun.
Habit: Perennial Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.2m x 1.2m
Cynara Scolymus Green Globe Improved
Current Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?
Container: 2.5l ?
$16.99
aka Blue Oat Grass
Blue Oat Grass. Highly desirable perennial 'grass' that has arching, blue-grey, needles of foliage that form a robust clump. Panicles of cream 'oat' like flowers appear in summer. Hardy and easy to grow as long as your soil is well drained. Looks great as an edging or mass planted. Evergreen.
Though this is generally a neat and tidy 'grass' it can be sheared back to encourage new growth if it starts to look a bit scruffy. This is usually done in late winter - just before spring.
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Blue
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 60cm
Helictotrichon Sempervirens
Current Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?
Container: 10.5cm ?
$9.99
aka Winter Rose or Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. A special form from the Clifton Homestead collection with stems of soft apricot, outward facing blooms that sometimes have a red blush on the reverse. Dark green, divided leathery leaves that form a clump. Plant in semi-shade in nice humus rich soil that is well drained. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Apricot
Current Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose double. A deliciously double and definitely delightful Hellebore or Winter Rose. The large ruffled flowers are pure white and look striking against the dark green glossy foliage. Plant in semi-shade in nice humus rich soil that does not completely dry out in summer. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Betty Ranicar
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$21.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. From the 'Clifton Homestead' breeding programme we offer these exciting and dramatic dark hybrids. Includes shades of slate grey, blue-black and deep burgundy. Some may also be spotted. No matter the colour they will be beautiful in the winter garden. Plant in semi-shade. Perennial.
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Dark Hybrid
Expected Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.
aka Stinking Hellebore
The handsome divided dark grey- green leaves combine well with the pale green cup shaped blooms which appear from winter through to early spring. The flower stalks and leaf stems are tinged with red. Quite an easy Hellebore to grow but will perform best in a semi shaded position. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 30cm
Helleborus Wester Flisk
Current Stock Height: 15/20 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
The handsome dark green leaves combine well with the pale pink cupped shaped blooms which appear from winter through to early spring. Happiest in a semi-shaded position, ideal to naturalize under deciduous trees. Well worth planting. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Pink Single
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. Bred in NZ at Clifton Homestead in the South Island this hardy Hellebore has dark leathery foliage highlighted with silver veins. The winter-spring flowers are an attractive lime green blushed with pink. Prefers a humus rich well drained site in sun or part shade. Evergreen.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Sternii Clifton
Current Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. An outstanding winter plant with crisp white, rounded, outward facing blooms that are complemented by dark green foliage. Happiest in semi-shade and humus rich well drained soil. Eventually forms a large clump and will really stand out in the winter garden. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus White Hybrids
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. The exquisite single white blooms of this special Hellebore are delicately outlined with a maroon edge. Something special from the 'Clifton Homestead' collection to show off in the winter garden. Plant in semi-shade in nice humus rich soil that is well drained. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus White Picotee
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Winter Rose, Lenten Rose
Winter Rose single. A beautiful single yellow Hellebore from the 'Clifton Homestead' collection that has soft primrose yellow blooms that have hints of green in the centre. Plant in semi-shade in well drained, humus rich soil. Cut off any old leaves looking tatty just before flowering. Perennial.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 45cm x 45cm
Helleborus Yellow Single
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$14.99
aka Cardinal Flower
Gorgeous rosettes of bronze red foliage are topped off with tall stems of vivid red flowers in summer through to autumn. The flowers are loved by birds and butterflies. Happy in the sun in soil that does not dry out in summer. Tolerates light frost. Perennial.
This perennial will add a real punch of colour to the border or around the pond/stream margins. It is very important that it does not dry out in summer so keep an eye on it especially the first season after planting. Will cope with quite boggy conditions.
PVR:
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Deciduous, Red
Mature Size (HxW): 1m x 25cm
Lobelia Queen Victoria
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 1.5l ?
$16.99
aka Mat Rusher
This Aussie perennial is ideal for group planting in sun or part shade. Fine needles of lime-green foliage form an attractive clump and look good all year round. Little stems of yellow fragrant flowers in summer. Tolerates poor soil but likes good drainage. Easy to grow. Evergreen.
PVR:
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 60cm x 50cm
Lomandra Lime Tuff
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
$19.99
Lomandra Lime Tuff
Current Stock Height: 25/35 cm ?
Container: 2l ?
$22.99
Lomandra Lime Tuff
Expected Stock Height: 15/20 cm ?
New stock expected Beginning of August, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.
aka Mondo Grass
Black Mondo Grass. This unique perennial has distinctive stiff purple-black foliage which clumps together to form little mounds that can be used as a ground cover or edging. Small lilac flowers appear in summer followed by shiny black berries. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Brown
Mature Size (HxW): 25cm x spreadscm
Ophiopogon Black Dragon
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: Tube ?
$6.99
20 @ $6.00 each
.jpg "Ophiopogon Japonicus (Mondo)")
aka Mondo Grass
Great little ground cover with fine narrow dark green leaves that form soft mats that hug the ground. Trouble free and easy to grow. Palest mauve flowers hide amongst the foliage and are followed by little blue berries. Grow in full sun or part shade. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): Spreading
Ophiopogon Japonicus
Current Stock Height: 01/05 cm ?
Container: tube ?
$6.99
.jpg "Ophiopogon Nana (Dwf Mondo Grass)")
aka Mondo Grass
A grass-like perennial that forms tactile little clumps of very fine foliage. The soft dense mats look fabulous along pathways or edges. Small flowers hide amongst the foliage and are followed by little berries. Grow in full sun or part shade. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 20 cm x spreadscm
Ophiopogon Nana dwf
Current Stock Height: 01/05 cm ?
Container: tube ?
$6.99
20 @ $6.00 each
aka Mondo Grass
Rewarding perennial with green strappy foliage that forms a strong little clump and spreads well. Ideal for mass planting or using as an edge along borders and pathways. In summer pale mauve flowers appear and these are followed by attractive berries. Easy to grow. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 25cm x spreadscm
Ophiopogon Planiscarpus
Current Stock Height: 10 cm
Container: 1.5l ?
$14.99
Stock of this item is very low.
Ophiopogon Planiscapus
Current Stock Height: 01/05 cm ?
Container: Tube ?
$6.99
20 @ $6.00 each
aka Japanses Spurge
An invaluable plant for covering difficult shady spots in the garden. One of our favourites. The leathery dark green foliage with 'serrated' edges always looks good and is clustered on short stems. Tiny white flowers in summer.
Plant in semi-shade for best results. Spreads easily, evergreen.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): Spreading
Pachysandra Terminalis
Current Stock Height: 5/10 cm ?
Container: 1.5l ?
$16.99
A lovely summer perennial with green clump forming foliage and sturdy stems of purple bell shaped flowers that appear in summer. Plant in a sunny position in nice fertile soil. Penstemons appreciate not being too over-crowded in the border. Cut back after flowering.
Habit: Perennial Medium
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 70cm x 70cm
Penstemon Purple Passion
Expected Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Currently sold out. Add to your waitlist to be advised when next in stock.
aka Knawel
Native. The little crowded leaves of this moss-like plant pack together to form undulating mounds of foliage that gradually spread. Looks superb in shingle or gravel gardens set amongst larger rocks. Happiest in morning sun and must have good drainage. Evergreen.
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 5cm x 1m
Scleranthus Biflorus
Current Stock Height: 0/5 cm ?
Container: 5l ?
$29.99
Scleranthus Biflorus
Expected Stock Height: 0/5 cm ?
We are awaiting confirmation from our supplier for an expected delivery date. Express your interest by adding to your Waitlist.
aka Periwinkle
Periwinkle. A vigorous little ground-cover with glossy green, narrow foliage topped off with small white starry flowers in spring and summer. Will cover the ground quite quickly and can easily be trimmed back if it gets too carried away. Likes semi-shade and protection from harsh frost. Evergreen.
Periwinkle is very easy to grow but does not like soil that completely drys out in summer.
Habit: Groundcover
Leaves: Evergreen, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 15cm x 3m
Vinca Gertrude Jeckyll
Current Stock Height: 0/5 cm ?
Container: 1.5l ?
$24.99
HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: