Perennial Plants

What are Perennial Plants?

Unlike annuals or biennials, perennial plants live for several years. They're typically deciduous, dying back to the roots in winter and regrowing each spring, or are otherwise evergreen. They usually flower each year after reaching maturity, with blooms often persisting through multiple seasons.

Perennial plants include flowers, shrubs, grasses and herbs with individual preferences for soil, sun and shade, so you're sure to find options that would be a great fit for your garden in our extensive collection.

Why Grow Perennial Plants?

Growing perennials is a long-term investment for your garden. They provide enduring structure, colour and texture for beds and borders, making them great value for money. As a bonus, perennials require only minimal maintenance, like occasional pruning and dividing. Perennial plants also contribute to garden sustainability, improving soil structure and reducing erosion and providing habitats and food for key pollinators.

Why grow perennial plants?

Growing perennials is a long-term investment for your garden. They provide enduring structure, colour and texture for beds and borders, making them great value for money. As a bonus, perennials require only minimal maintenance, like occasional pruning and dividing. Perennial plants also contribute to garden sustainability, improving soil structure and reducing erosion and providing habitats and food for key pollinators.

What perennial plants are for sale?

You'll find hundreds of perennial plants for sale at Marshalls Garden, including flowering herbaceous varieties like fragrant phlox and hardy evergreens like hellebores. You can browse by planting or flowering month, size, colour and more to help narrow your search, or you can speak to our experts for tailored recommendations based on your garden conditions.

In addition to fully-fledged plants, we also have perennial seeds and seedlings for sale if you have time to devote to a deeper gardening experience.

Perennial plants FAQs

Which are the best perennial plants to buy?

Finding the right perennials for your garden depends on the effect you want to achieve and planting logistics, but some of the most popular include:

• Daylilies: Surprisingly hardy, with colourful, trumpet-shaped flowers in summer.
• Echinacea: Drought-tolerant, with daisy-like flowers attractive to pollinators.
• Hostas: Fantastic foliage plants that thrive in shade, available in many sizes and colours.
• Lavender: A sunny-spot classic, loved for its aromatic foliage and flowers.
• Salvia: A versatile, low-maintenance plant crowned by distinctive spiky flowers.

For more ideas, inspiration and expert tips on when and where to plant, read our guide to the top
10 perennials that bloom every year.

Do you have perennial plants for pots?

Many perennial plants are suitable for pots, and this gives you the flexibility to optimise sun and shade exposure and protect half-hardy varieties vulnerable to frost during the winter. Potted perennials are an easy and effective way to create beautiful patio and doorstep displays that last. Lavender, hostas, sedum and salvia are all great perennials for pots. We recommend using multi-purpose compost, with the option of adding perlite for improved soil aeration and drainage.

How should I plant my perennial?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for planting perennials, when the soil is reliably warm and moist. Spring planting helps plants establish well, as root systems have longer to grow and acclimate before facing winter conditions. Planting in the early autumn means perennials benefit from warm soil without suffering extreme heat, and should have a strong start when they return in spring.

Each perennial will have individual preferences for light levels, so consider these when choosing where to position it. Once you've chosen your spot, planting is straightforward:

1.   Clear away any weeds.

2.   Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot or clump.

3.   Set the plant level in the hole and fill in the remaining space with soil, using your fingers to firm the soil and eliminate air pockets.

4.   Water thoroughly.

5.   Add a thick layer of compost to help retain moisture around the roots and prevent weeds from germinating.

Why buy perennial plants from Marshalls Garden?

Your Trusted Gardening Experts

We’re more than just a team — we’re your gardening experts, here to provide trusted gardening advice, helpful guidance and expert support for all your gardening needs. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, we’re here to help you grow with confidence.

Explore our extensive collection of gardening guides, developed from our years of gardening experience since we were founded in 1948. From growing tips and plant care advice to seasonal gardening inspiration, our resources are designed to help you get the most from your garden.

Have a question about plants, seeds or gardening products? Our friendly team is available Monday to Friday. Get in touch to discuss our product range or chat with us about all things gardening.

When you order from us, you can expect a fast and reliable service. In-stock plants and seeds are dispatched within two working days, and all our packaging is recyclable, helping you make more sustainable choices for your garden and the environment.

You can shop with confidence knowing that our reputation is built on the experiences of our customers, with thousands of five-star Trustpilot reviews and a 100% happiness guarantee across our products.

We’re not just here to sell gardening products — we’re here to share our knowledge, support your gardening journey and help you grow with confidence.