Perennial

Actaea simplex Atropurpurea

A must have perennial for a shady spot. The ferny foliage emerges a lovely deep purple colour in spring before turning greener as it matures. It produces tall spikes of slender, bottlebrush-like, white flowers in late summer that are not only highly scented but age to a deep pink. Fully hardy, this actaea prefers fertile, humus rich, moist soil in full/part shade. HGT: 1.5m

Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen'

Although strictly speaking a bulb rather than a perennial, this allium is a must have for those wanting to attract wildlife into their garden. We've never seen so many bees as when these were in flower! Produces large, grey-green, fleshy foliage followed by 'balls' of ivory coloured flowers from May to June. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 25cm

Allium sikkimense

There seems to be some confusion as to whether this variety is 'sikkimense' or 'cyathophorum var farreri'. Whatever its called, it's a very pretty form of Allium producing masses of purple-pink flowers amongst the chive-like foliage. Flowers May to June, fully hardy, prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 50cm

Allium oreophilum

A rarely offered, small form of Allium producing loose 'balls' of pink flowers with deeper pink veins during May & June amongst fleshy, strappy foliage. Another wildlife friendly plant. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 25cm

Asclepias incarnata

A lovely perennial for a damp, even boggy spot in the garden. This asclepias produces clusters of vanilla scented, nectar rich, rose-pink flowerheads on tall stems from June to August. These are followed by long seed heads that split to reveal seeds covered in silky white strands. Very attractive to butterflies. Prefers fertile, damp soil in full sun or part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 1.2m

Astrantia major 'Abbey Road'

A particularly free-flowering form of Astrantia, producing wine-red flowers carried above the deep-green foliage on purple tinged stems. Prefers humurich, moist soil in part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 80cm 

Astrantia major 'Pink Pride' 

A very pretty perennial producing soft pink, papery flowers held on wiry stems above mid green foliage from June to September. Prefers humus rich, moist soil in part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 60cm

Astrantia major 'Roma'

A pink form of this traditional cottage garden perennial. Blooms are produced on tall, wiry stems from June to September. Fully hardy, prefers humus rich, moist soil in part shade. HGT: 45cm.

Astrantia major Rubra

A lovely form of Astrantia, producing wiry stems of deep pinky-red flowers from June to September.. Prefers humus rich, moist soil in part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 60cm

Astrantia major 'Ruby Wedding'

This picture does not do justice to the deliciously deep, wine red flowers this Astrantia produces from June to September. Fully hardy, this lovely perennial prefers humus rich, moist soil in part shade. HGT: 50cm

Astrantia major sbsp Involucrata

Another lovely, taller form of Astrantia, this time producing off-white flowers during summer. Again, fully hardy and preferring humus rich, moist soil in part shade. HGT: 1m

Brunnera macrophylla 'Dawson's White'

A lovely, hardy perennial ideal to brighten up a shady corner. Dawson's White has large rounded leaves with striking white & green variegation. Produces masses of tiny blue flowers in spring, not unlike a 'forget-me-not' but no where near as prone to self seeding everywhere! Fully hardy, prefers fertile, moist soil in full or partial shade. Strong winds may burn the leaves. HGT: 45cm. 

Brunnera macrophylla 'Hadspen Cream'

An ideal perennial for a damp, shady spot. Hadspen Cream has large, heart-shaped leaves with a distinct cream & green variegation. As Dawsons White, it produces masses of tiny blue flowers in spring. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, moist soil in full or partial shade. Strong winds may burn the leaves. HGT 45cm

Campanula takesimana 'Beautiful Trust'

A lovely, new introduction from Japan. Originally called 'Beautiful Truth', the name was mis-translated as 'Beautiful Trust' when it was introduced to Europe. However, we can still enjoy the beautiful, 'pagoda-like' flowers it produces during June & July whatever it's called. A vigorous, spreading perennial, this campanula is full hardy and is happy in most soils in full sun or partial shade. HGT: 30cm

Cardamine yezoensis

A rarely offered introduction from Japan via Crug Farm. This interesting perennial loves damp, shady spots and produces clusters of small white flowers that really stand out against the deep green foliage from April to August. Ideal for a woodland garden. Fully hardy and happy in most moist soils in full or part shade. HGT: 60cm

Chelone oblique 'Turtlehead Flower'

An unusual upright plant having pairs of tough, dark-green, toothed leaves and producing slow building spires with deep pink, hooded flowers from midsummer. Prefers full sun/part shade & fertile soil. Fully hardy, deciduous. HGT: 90cm

Cirsium rivulare atropurpureum

A much sought after member of the thistle family, producing flowers of the deepest crimson on tall stems above a basal rosette of spiky foliage from early summer. If dead-headed, flowering can continue till first frosts and work beautifully amongst ornamental grasses. Fully hardy. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 1.2m

Cornus canadensis

A rarely offered, herbaceous perennial that makes ideal ground cover in a woodland or shady spot. It has deciduous, deeply veined, mid green foliage that develops good autumn colour. During late spring or early summer showy, white bracts that are occasionally suffused with pink, are produced that are followed by bright red, fleshy, inedible fruits in Autumn. Fully hardy, it prefers humus rich soil in dappled shade. HGT: 15cm

Corydalis cheilanthifolia 'Machu'

An unusual little perennial that is summer dormant. This means that in late winter/early spring we are treated to the wonderfully fern-like foliage and the spikes of spike yellow tubular flowers but then it disappears from view for summer. Happy in full sun/part shade in most soils. Fully hardy. HGT: 30cm

Crinum x powellii

The hardiest of the crinums, Powellii has mid-green strap-like foliage and produces highly fragrant, soft-pink, trumpet shaped blooms - sometimes as many as 10 on 1 stem from midsummer. Prefers well drained, rich, deep soil in a sheltered sunny spot. HGT 1.5m

Crocosmia 'Emberglow'

A lovely early flowering variety producing tall stems of orange-red flowers in late summer above mid-green strappy foliage. Fully hardy. Happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 70cm

Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

One of the tallest forms of crocosmia, Lucifer forms large clumps of mid green, sword-like foliage and in mid summer produces heads of bright red flowers held above the foliage. Stunning in the late summer sun! Fully hardy. Happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1.2m

Crocosmia masoniorum

Another lovely form of crocosmia producing tall stems of orange-red flowers amongst mid green strappy foliage in late summer. Fully hardy and happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m

Crocosmia 'Red King'

A shorter, deliciously deep red flowered form of crocosmia producing large flower heads in late summer amongst mid green strappy foliaage. Fully hardy and happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 60cm 

Crocosmia 'Severn Sunrise'

A superb form producing stunning salmon-orange flowers that fade to pink on tall stems amongst mid-green, strappy foliage in late summer. Fully hardy and happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 90cm

Echinacea purpurea 'Baby White Swan'

This 'butterfly magnet' bears masses of striking white daisy-like flowers with a spiny golden central 'cone' above lush green foliage from mid to late summer. Ideal as a cut flower. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Attractive seed heads in winter HGT: 50cm

Echinacea purpurea 'Double Decker' 

This striking perennial bears masses of purple daisy-like flowers which, in their second year, develop a second ring of petals on top of the spiny central 'cone' from mid to late summer. Ideal as a cut flower. Prefers fertile moist but well drained soil in full sun. Attractive seed heads in winter. Fully hardy HGT: 90cm

Echinacea purpurea 'Harvest Moon'

One of the new breed of Coneflowers, this out-standing selection forms a mound of mid-green leaves with upright stems bearing fragrant blooms with rich golden petals that have hints of orange and a burnt orange central cone from June to August. Fully hardy, it prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 75cm

 Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus Superior

This lovely new form of Echinacea produces masses of deep-red, daisy like flowers with a prominent, rich golden brown 'cone' on stiff stems held above lush, green foliage, from July to September. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. Fully hardy. HGT: 1m  

Echinacea purpurea 'Summer Sky' 

A delightful new coneflower with stunning, large, bi-colour flowers, each of which is light orange with a rose coloured halo and an orange cone. 'Summer Sky' is a prolific bloomer and wonderfully fragrant, it's also known to hold its colour longer then other varieties. Fully hardy, it prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 1m 

Echinacea purpurea 'Sundown'

An aptly named selection from the new breed of Coneflowers from the USA. 'Sundown' forms a clump of mid green, lance shaped leaves with strong stems that carry large petalled, sunset orange flowers from July to September.  Fully hardy, it prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 70cm

Echinacea purpurea 'Sunrise'

Part of a series of fantastic new introductions from the USA, this new variety forms a neat, upright clump of deep green leaves and produces a mass of bright yellow flowers with slightly spatulate petals and a burnt orange cone from Jun to Sept. Fully hardy, it prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 75cm 

Erodium pelargoniflorum

Commonly called 'Sweetheart' this enchanting little perennial bears more than a passing resemblance to a tender geranium but is actually unbelievably hardy. With its scented foliage it's a lovely ground cover plant for the edge of a border or rockery. Produces white flowers with violet veins all summer long. Prefers well drained soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 30cm

Erythronium 'Pagoda'

Actually a bulb rather than a perennial, this erythronium is perfect for a shady spot, gradually forming large clumps that produce sulpher yellow flowers on elegant arched stems during May. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full/part shade. HGT: 45cm

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate'

An unusual perennial having purple stems and dark chocolate brown tinged foliage. Produces clusters of small, fluffy white flowers from July to Sept. Prefers moist but not water logged soil in part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 1.5m

Francoa sonchifolia 'Bridal Wreath Flower'

A lovely evergreen perennial with deeply lobed green leaves and spikes of pretty pink flowers with dark pink markings from Jul to Sept.. Prefers well drained soil in full sun/part shade.  Fully hardy. HGT: 80cm

Geranium pratense 'Splish Splash'

A very pretty geranium producing white flowers splashed with lilac/blue from June to September. Dark green, deeply divided foliage. Happy in any decent soil in either full sun or part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 75cm

Helleborous orientalis 'Double Queen'

A hardy, evergreen perennial with trifoliate, leathery, green leaves & large clusters of double 'waterlily' shaped flowers in shades of white & pink from Feb to April. .Prefers full sun or partial shade in any fertile soil. Caution: sap is a skin irritant. HGT: 45cm

Heuchera 'Jade Gloss'

Although similar to Frosted Violet at first glance, Jade Gloss has slightly rounded leaves and more accentuated veining. Heucheras will grow equally well in sun or shade but the colouring will be better with some shade. Produces slender spires of coral pink flowers in spring. Prefers fertile, slightly moist soil. HGT: 30cm (When in flower)

Iris pallida variegata

A vigorous semi-evergreen iris with gorgeous strap-like grey/green & cream striped leaves. Produces lovely soft blue flowers with a yellowish beard and a light fragrance from May to June. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Fully hardy. HGT: 1m

Iris 'Rikugi Sakura'

With its slender strap like leaves, this iris produces distinctive double flowers with pale violet-pink petals and a honey coloured base during May-June. Fully hardy. Prefers full sun or partial shade & well drained soil. HGT: 70cm

Iris x robusta 'Gerald Darby'

Another lovely iris having strappy, grey-green foliage and producing blue/purple flowers with a flash of yellow, on tall stems with a purplish tint in mid spring. Fully hardy, Prefers fertile, moist soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1.2m 

Iris sibirica 'Butter & Sugar'

An elegant iris that produces flowers with white standards & yellow falls, both with green veining,  amongst slender, mid green foliage, from mid to late spring. Fully hardy, Butter & Sugar prefers fertile, moist soil in full sun or part shade. HGT 90cm

Iris sibirica 'Dreaming Yellow'

This lovely iris produces creamy-white flowers with a splash of yellow at the base held above bright green, strappy foliage from mid spring. Fully hardy. Prefers fertile, moist soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m

Iris sibirica 'Sparkling Rose'

Flowering from mid to late summer, Sparkling rose produces pinkish mauve flowers with very distinctive markings above strappy green foliage. Fully hardy. Prefers fertile, moist soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m

Kalimeris yomena 'Shogun'

An unusual, hardy perennial having pinky cream variegated foliage and producing masses of small lilac daisy-like flowers from late summer. Prefers moist but well drained soil in part shade. HGT: 70cm

Kirengeshoma palmata var. Koreana

A rarely offered, beautifully elegant, woodland plant that, unusually for a woodland plant, flowers in late summer rather than spring as most do. It forms a clump of rich, deep-green foliage that starts to fade just as the tall, ebony stems that hold the flowers are produced. These are beautifully yellow, waxy bells that have been likened to 'pixie hats'. Fully hardy, this Kirengeshoma prefers cool, damp, humus rich soil in full/dappled shade. HGT: 1.6m (when in flower)

Knautia macedonica 'Melton Pastels'

Produces a mass of pin cushion flowers in shades of pink & red throughout late summer. The attractive, spherical seed heads provide vital winter food for birds. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. Hgt: 24in

Lathyrus vernus 'Rainbow'

A beautiful little, clump-forming perennial producing sweetpea-like, blue, rose, lilac & white flowers from March to June. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun/part shade. HGT: 45cm

Lillium philippinense

Rarely offered, this striking lily produces several long narrow trumpet shaped flowers on each stalk from Aug. The flowers have red streaks on the outside but inside are pure white with a yellow throat and have a gorgeous citrus fragrance. Prefers full sun in well drained soil. HGT: 50cm

Lychnis flos-cuculi 'White Robin'

A gorgeous little perennial that brings a touch of wildness to the border. Like its wild cousin, in late spring/ early summer it produces very 'ragged' flowers but pure white. Clump forming though it will self seed, this lychnis is very attractive to wildlife. Fully hardy and happy in most soils in full sun or part shade. HGT: 50cm 

Lysimachia atropurpurea

One of our favourite hardy perennials having lovely silver green lance shaped foliage that provides the perfect backdrop for the masses of deep claret flower spikes that are produced from May to September. Fully hardy. Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 60cm

 Monada didyma 'Prairienacht'

A lovely form of the herb Bergamot, that deserves a place in the flower bed. As well as the gorgeously fragrant foliage this Monada also produces a mass of 'tufted' purple flowers in mid-summer. Fully hardy and happy in most soils except very dry and very wet in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m 

 Monada didyma 'Twins'

Another very pretty form of the herb Bergamot that deserves to be grown more. As well as the beautifully fragrant foliage, 'Twins' produces a mass of the prettiest, 'tufted' pink flowers in mid to late summer. Fully hardy and happy in most soils except very dry or very wet, in full sun or part shade. HGT: 1m 

Pachysandra terminalis variegata

A lovely little low growing, evergreen perennial with very glossy cream & green variegated, toothed foliage and spikes of small white flowers in summer. Perfect ground cover in shady areas. Prefers any soil except very dry in part shade/full shade. Hardy. HGT: 25cm

Papaver orientalis 'Pattys Plum'

A lovely, flamboyant early summer flowering perennial producing large, frilly, deep plum coloured flowers above mid green, divided foliage. Cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth. Fully hardy, prefers well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 70cm

Persicaria bistorta Superba

A vigorous, spreading perennial ideal for a damp, or even boggy spot in the garden. It quickly forms a mat of large, deep green leaves that are semi-evergreen and form a great backdrop for the baby pink, 'bottlebrush' flowers held on wiry stems above them. Flowers from June to October and is attractive to wildlife. Fully hardy prefers damp spil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 90cm

Peucedanum ostruthian 'Daphnis'

Although the Romans vewed this a vegetable, nowadays we see it more as a lovely perennial whose large cream & green variegated foliage never fails to brighten a shady corner. The umbels of fragrant, creamy-white flowers produced in summer are another bonus. Fully hardy. Prefers moist but well drained soil in full or part shade. HGT: 60cm

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

A vigorous, hardy perennial which produces a round, bright orange fruit hidden within a paper 'lantern'. Commonly known as the Cape Gooseberry they actually have a pleasant tart flavour reminiscent of lemon. Prefers well drained soil in full sun/part shade HGT: 75cm

 Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'

In our opinion, the best of the variegated 'Jacobs Ladders'  having ferny, mid green foliage that is strongly edged with white. In the cooler spring weather the leaves are also flushed pink. Violet blue, lightly fragrant, bell shaped flowers are produced in late spring and if you cut down the foliage after flowering you will get another flush in mid summer. Fully hardy, prefers moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 50cm 

 Polygonatum falcatum variegatum

A variegated form of 'Solomans Seal' producing arching stems of fleshy green leaves strongly edged with cream and carrying lemon-scented, white bells in spring. Ideal for naturalising in moist soil in full or part shade, fully hardy. HGT: 50cm 

Rodgersia pinnata Elegans

A spectacular, architectural perennial, ideal for a cool, damp, shady spot at the rear of the border. The large, leathery, palmate leaves have a distinct bronze tinge when they emerge in Spring before turning green in Summer and a lovely red in Autumn. Tall stems topped with creamy white 'plumes' of flowers are produced in mid summer. Fully hardy. Prefers moist, fertile soil in full or part shade. HGT: 1.4m

Rodgersia sambucifolia

Another spectacularly architectural form of Rodgersia for a cool, damp, shady spot in the garden. This form has large, leathery, bronze coloured, palmate leaves that turn a lovely red in Autumn. Tall stems topped with pinky-cream 'plumes' are produced in mid summer. Fully hardy. Prefers moist, fertile soil in full or part shade. HGT: 90cm

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'

A star of the autumn flower borders. A clump forming perennial producing masses of black-eyed, single, bright yellow daisy flowers from August to October. Likes most soils in full sun or part shade. Fully hardy. HGT: 60cm

Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

This lovely Salvia not only produces the loveliest bright red flowers (sometimes splashed with white) but if you happen to crush the foliage you get the most wonderful scent of blackcurrant. The leaves can also be used in summer drinks and salads. Tender in frost but well worth over wintering. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. HGT: 1m

Saponaria officinalis Rosea Plena

Prized for the soapy lather produced by rubbing it's leaves together, this Soapwort produces a mass of the prettiest fragrant, double pink flowers from early summer onwards. Slowly spreading and deer resistant. Prefers fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Fully hardy. HGT: 60cm

Teucrium x lucidrys - Hedge Germander

A pretty, evergreen, shrubby perennial with small, dark green, glossy leaves that form the perfect backdrop to the spikes of small bright pink flowers produced in late summer. Can be clipped to form a low hedge. Grows best in full sun and poor soils. HGT: 30cm

Thalictrum aquilegifolium 'Thundercloud'

Another of our favourite perennials having very pretty, mid-green foliage not dissimilar to an Aquilegia (hence the name) and producing tall, wiry stems topped with 'clouds' of fluffy, pinky-purple flowers in mid summer. In windy areas these may need support. Fully hardy and happy in most soils that aren't too dry in full sun. HGT: 1m

Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double'

Another pretty form of Thalictrum having slender purple flushed stems amidst deepy divided, mid green foliage and producing panicles of double, pale pink flowers from mid summer. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, moist soil in part shade. May need staking in windy gardens. HGT: 1.5m 

 Thalictrum ichangense

A lovely species from Western China that forms an open bush of slender, wiry stems with seemingly delicate foliage that emerges a pale, pinky-red before ageing to grey-green. It produces stems of  airy, pale pink flowers from July to September. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, moist soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 30cm

Thalictrum rochebrunianum

A much more robust form of Thalictrum though still with the deeply divided foliage and light and airy stems in mid to late summer. The flowers are carried in panicles and are a pearly lilac colour with yellow stamens. Fully hardy, prefers fertile, moist soil in part shade. May need staking in windy gardens HGT: 1.5m

Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Charlotte'

A very lovely form of Tradescantia producing clusters of large, rose-pink flowers from June to September. These are perfectly set off by the narrow bluish green foliage. Fully hardy. Happiest in poor soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 50cm

Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Osprey'

Another lovely form of Tradescantia but this time producing clusters of snow white flowers with violet centres. Fully hardy. Happiest in poor soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 50cm

Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Zwanenburg Blue'

A stunning electric blue form with a bright yellow centre. Fully hardy. Happiest in poor soil in full sun or part shade. HGT: 50cm

Tricyrtis formosana

Commonly known as the Toad Lily, Tricyrtis are a lovely addition to a shady border having lush green, spotty foliage and producing sprays of star shaped white flowers with purple spots in autumn. Fully hardy. Prefers moist but well drained soil in full or part shade. HGT: 80cm