Debi Holland reveals her five must-have perennials for adding effortless structure, vibrant colour and rich texture to your garden this summer.
Five must-have perennials
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If you want some real wow plants in your garden this summer, here are my five must-have perennials.
- Delphiniums.
Delphiniums rise out of borders like elegant towers, their tall spires covered in pollinator-friendly flowers. Stake them, as the stems can reach one to two metres. Group three to five plants for maximum impact. Wear gloves when handling them because the sap can irritate skin.
Delphiniums are hungry plants. Add plenty of organic matter to enrich the soil and help improve drainage, and feed them regularly.
- Penstemons.
These long-flowering perennials thrive in a sunny, sheltered, well-drained spot. Their upright stems carry narrow leaves and bright, tubular flowers like little foxgloves or snapdragons. Bees crawl inside for nectar and get covered in pollen.
Penstemons can flower until the first frost. They’re fairly short-lived perennials, often lasting three to five years, so take cuttings from mid-July to mid-September to keep a supply of plants.
- Russian sage.
Russian sage is a resilient, drought-tolerant perennial with aromatic silver-green foliage and airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers. The flowers look almost luminous in the border. This sun-loving plant flowers from late summer to early autumn, adds height and looks fabulous with other perennials and ornamental grasses. Give it a sunny spot with good drainage, especially if you garden on heavy clay.
- Geums.
Geums have brightly coloured flowers on slender stems and can flower from summer into September. Their neat clumps work well at the front of borders or in pots. Grow them in full sun or partial shade. They’re easy to grow, good for pollinators and useful as cut flowers.
Choose fiery reds, golden yellows or an apricot variety such as ‘Mai Tai’. These hardy herbaceous perennials come back to flower year after year.
- Astrantias.
Astrantias are herbaceous perennials with dainty, star-like flowers that bloom for months. They favour dappled shade, so they’re a good choice for brightening darker parts of the garden. They love rich, moist soil that doesn’t get waterlogged.
They’re ideal for woodland and cottage gardens and pair well with ferns, hostas and hardy geraniums. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
And that’s my five must-have garden perennials.
