Perennial plants FAQs
Take a look at some of the frequently asked questions we
receive from those looking to buy perennial plants
in the UK. You can contact our customer service team or browse our general FAQs for further advice.
What are perennial plants?
Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically flowering every season after reaching maturity. Unlike annuals and biennials, perennials persist through multiple seasons, usually going dormant in winter and reemerging in spring. They are generally
low maintenance, requiring minimal care such as occasional pruning, lifting, or
dividing. Perennials come in many forms, including flowers, herbs, shrubs, and grasses. They are valued for their longevity, reliability, and the structure they provide to gardens. Popular examples include dahlias, verbenas, and achilleas, which add enduring colour and texture to garden beds and borders. Options like geraniumsare ideal perennial potted plants for those with less bedding space.
Why grow perennial plants?
Growing perennial plants offers numerous benefits for gardeners. They provide long-term value, as they live for several years, reducing the need for annual replanting. Their low-maintenance nature makes them ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. They contribute to garden sustainability by improving soil structure and reducing erosion as they generally require less interference in the ground. Perennials also enhance the garden's aesthetic appeal, offering a wide variety of colours, shapes, and textures that change with the seasons. Furthermore, they support local ecosystems by providing habitats and food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
What to consider when choosing perennial plants?
When choosing perennial plants for your garden, consider its micro-climate to find suitable options.
- Perennial plants for shady gardens: Lily of the valley and hellebores are
two hardy, shade-tolerant perennials that offer year-round foliage interest. Hellebores
are a festive favourite as they flower in December, when much of the garden is
dormant. - Perennial plants for full sun: Rudbeckias, cannas, echinaceas and salvias
are popular perennials that benefit from exposure to sunlight. Their variety of
colours and structures can help bring interest across multiple levels of your
beds. - Drought-tolerant perennial plants: If you
have free-draining soil in a south-facing garden, it may be an idea to find perennial plants that can get by when things are on the
dry side. Lavender, verbena, and perennial grasses are all great options. - Disease-resistant perennial plants: Hostas
have a tough reputation, although they are a favourite of slugs and snails so
you'll likely need pest-management measures in place. Achillea is another
robust genus that can handle pretty much whatever is thrown its way and keep
growing year on year. - Perennial plants for ground cover: Bergenia spreads its 'elephant ear'
foliage year-round before red stems and bright pink flowers provide springtime
excitement. Geraniums are another great ground cover, and many varieties can
flower twice in one year with a little assistance. - Perennial plants for cut flowers: Bring some of your garden delights inside to brighten
your summer interior. Dahlias, delphiniums, and peonies all provide a dramatic
look to borders that also works brilliantly in a vase.
Top perennial plants
Here are some top perennial plants that are favoured by gardeners for their beauty, resilience and ease of care:
- Geraniums: Known for their long blooming period and ability to thrive in various conditions, they offer vibrant flowers and attractive foliage.
- Echinaceas: Appreciated for their daisy-like flowers and medicinal properties, they attract pollinators and are drought-tolerant.
- Alchemillas: Valued for their scalloped leaves and yellow-green flowers, they're excellent for ground cover and thrive in partial shade.
- Hostas: Renowned for lush, attractive foliage and an ability to grow in shaded areas, they come in a variety of sizes and colours.
- Peonies: Loved for their large, fragrant blooms and longevity, they make a stunning focal point in any garden.
- Daylilies: Known for their colourful, trumpet-shaped flowers and hardy nature, they bloom repeatedly throughout the summer.
- Lavender: Famous for its aromatic foliage and flowers, it's great for sunny spots and also has culinary uses.
- Sedums: Popular perennial potted plants that are also ideal for rock gardens and borders, they are drought-tolerant and produce clusters of star-shaped flowers.
- Salvias: Chosen for their spiky flowers and ability to attract butterflies, they're a versatile and low-maintenance choice.
- Rudbeckias: With bright yellow flowers and a dark centre, they bloom profusely and are easy to grow, adding cheerfulness to any garden.
When to plant perennial plants
The best time to plant perennial plants is during the spring or autumn.
- Spring planting: Planting perennials in the spring, after the last frost date, allows them to establish their root systems during the growing season. This timing gives them a full season to grow and acclimate before facing winter conditions.
- Autumn planting: Planting in early autumn, typically between late August and mid-October, allows perennials to take advantage of the warm soil temperatures while avoiding the extreme heat of summer. This period also provides sufficient time for roots to establish before the ground freezes, leading to a strong start in the spring.
When you buy perennial plants from Marshalls Garden for spring planting, we'll send them when they're ready to go in the ground between March and May. If you're planting in autumn or buying perennial potted plants, all in-stock options will be dispatched within 48 hours of your order.
Why buy perennial plants from Marshalls Garden?
