My Top 7 Hero Perennials
It’s January which can only mean one thing. We are all now dreaming of spring! While we might not be able to get out in the garden much just now, there is one thing that’s the perfect garden activity for the start of the year. And that’s planning. Whether it’s planning a brand-new garden or a refresh of a part of your existing garden, now is the perfect time to have a think and plan any changes.
When it comes to planning any new planting, these are my go to flowering perennials. Flowering for months and full of colour, you can’t go wrong with adding any of these to your planting scheme. Tall to small, I’ve picked things that have really thrived here in Edinburgh through the sometimes challenging conditions of the last few years. You could plant any of these this spring and enjoy in the summer:
Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane)
1. Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane)
Think gorgeous froth here! Loads of small white daisies, emerging white, then turning pink. The best as an edging plant, along paths, in a gravel garden, spilling over walls, or planted in paving.
Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (Gaura)
2. Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (Gaura)
Airy stems of pretty white star shaped flowers, fading to pink. Long-flowering and drought tolerant - lovely planted with grasses. Cut back in spring for winter protection.
Verbena bonariensis
3) Verbena bonariensis
Fitting in wherever you plant it, Verbena bonariensis introduces lovely airiness, height and colour into your planting from summer into autumn. Needs a bit of frost protection over winter so don’t cut back until spring.
Astrantia major ‘Large White’
4) Astrantia major ‘Large White’
My fave Astrantia - large white pin cushion flowers tipped with green. Perfect planted in mixed planting and with grasses, adding lovely texture and form.
Salvia Nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
5) Salvia Nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
A brilliant doer and another pollinator favourite. Caradonna flowers for months and brings lovely shape and texture to your planting.
Nepeta (Cat mint)
6) Nepeta (Cat mint)
Super pretty lavender-blue summer flowers and aromatic, green leaves, this is one of the larger nepetas Cut back lightly after flowering in summer to get a second flush of flowers and divide in spring or autumn to get free plants 👍🏼Lots of varieties to choose from to suit any garden.
Salvia x jamensis
7) Salvia x jamensis
So many varieties to choose from and one of the hardier Salvia varieties. Cut back once the risk of frost has passed. The best performing flowering perennial in my garden last year.
Plan these in now and plant in spring 🙌🏼👍🏼
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