Perennials are a huge group of plants that should survive year after year. The majority of perennial plants discussed here are herbaceous in that the leaves and stems die back and new growth restarts from the buried roots in the new year.

Choosing Shapes and Colour

• The delicate blossom of Oriental Poppies, the bristly blue spheres of Echinopsis Globe thistles, the Yellow daisy stars of Rudbeckia or the spikes of Red Hot Pokers can be a challenge for gardeners to mix in the same border.
• Some shapes and colours go well together whilst other clash.
• Some look good when massed together others need loose groupings or space to become a specimen plant.
• My tip would be ‘if in doubt keep it simple’.
• Generally put tall plants at the back of borders but occasionally vary the height in the middle.
• Consider the foliage, as much as the flower, as it will be with you far longer than most blossom.
• Bear in mind different flowering times, don’t expect primroses to flower with purple Monarda no matter how good the colour combination would look.

Build your Border around a Favourite Flower

• Peonies are one of my favourite perennials. As long as you do not bury the root stock too deep they will reward you for years or decades with superb blooms in spring.
• A little later the Delphinium will work well with Bleeding Heart or Lupins.
• For summer Canterbury Bells in various forms come into their own as do Penstemon, Coreopsis and Astilbe.
• Phlox and Carnations double up as a cut flowers and can be supplements by Gypsophillia and Achillea.
• For Autumn you are spoilt for choice; Asters, Chrysanthemums, Japanese Anemone and Sedum flower into early winter