shop   info   how to   log in   search 

Perennial (n) - existing for a long or indefinite time, continually recurring

Perennials, also known as herbaceous perennials or Herbaceous plants, live for a minimum of 2 years, often for many seasons. Perennials, grow and bloom over the spring and summer, and generally die back every autumn and winter, reappearing on the same rootstock the following spring. Some perennials keep their leaves all year round and offer attractive borders and ground-covers.

Elegant sprays of pure white single and double, pom-pom flowers are borne over a long period above finely toothed, dark green leaves. It spreads to form a natural mound and is equally happy as a bedding plant annual or as a hardy perennial for the herbaceous border.

 

Evergreen perennial that looks a little bit like a cross between and Iris and a grass. The leaves are attractively striped in shades of chartreuse and cream. The foliage is unusually aromatic. Ideal for planting in bog gardens or at the edge of ponds to a depth of 20cm. Prefers sun.

 

Sweet Flag. This little perennial from Japan forms a clump of flattened green leaves with cream margins on short rhizomes both of which have a sweet cinnamon fragrance, especially when dried. Ideal for boggy spots or at pond/stream edges. Quite hardy and easy to grow. Semi-evergreen.

 

Gorgeous shrub with lacy dark foliage. New foliage emerges green and darkens to a dark purple/black colour. Upward curving spikes of white bottlebrush flowers, which are beautifully scented appear in summer. Prefers moist humus-rich soil conditions and requires a lot of water to grow. Plant in sun to part shade. Perennial.

 

This attractive spreading ground-cover has very interesting undulating foliage that is such a dark green/ burgundy shade it looks black. White flowers spikes appear in spring through to summer and contrast well with the leaves. Plant in sun or semi-shade. Perennial.

 

Well this is one Muffin you can't eat but plant it in a semi-shaded spot and will reward you by making a carpet of foliage topped off with spikes of sky blue flowers in spring. Great ground-cover with rosettes of dark green foliage. Tolerant of light frost but not hot dry conditions. Evergreen.

It is important that Ajuga does not completely dry out in summer. This plant will tolerate morning sun but must have afternoon shade or dappled light to do really well.

 

A quick growing and rewarding perennial ground-cover that forms bold rosettes of foliage and spreads by under-ground runners. In early spring spikes of beautiful bright blue flowers appear en masse. Prefers a semi-shaded spot with protection from hot afternoon sun. Evergreen.

It is important that Ajuga does not completely dry out in hot dry summer conditions.

 

A low growing plant that is ideal as a groundcover in the full sun or partial shade. Stems of pink flowers appear throughout Spring and early Summer. Bees love the flowers.

 

Alchemilla mollis 'Thriller' is larger and more robust than the species, forming mounds of lobed, grayish-green fuzzy leaves topped by airy yellow flowers in spring. It is best in moist soil in part shade. Great as a groundcover or for cutting.

The common name for this perennial is Lady's Mantle. The wavy edged leaves are meant to represent the cloak or mantle that covered Mary as she travelled to Bethlehem.

 

Black Taro is popular for its spectacular 1.5m high blackish-purple foliage on black stems. Perfect as a mass planting or as a stunning specimen in a pot/ container. Can be used near water. Fast growing and relatively easy care but needs protection from frost. depending on the tempature they can be evergreen or deciduous.