Hardy Perennials

Q: What is a hardy perennial?

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Q: Do perennials need replanting every year?

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Q: Can I grow perennials in pots?

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Q: When should I plant hardy perennials?

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Q: How do I care for perennials over winter?

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Hardy perennials with an exotic edge for UK gardens: long-lived, bold-foliage species that return every year without fuss. Cannas, hardy Begonia, Brunnera, Pachysandra and other reliable plants for exotic borders, shade and pots.

15 products

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Siberian Bugloss 'Silver Heart'

Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Heart'

£14.99

1

Silver Velvet Senecio 'Angel Wings'

Senecio candidans 'Angel Wings'

£14.99

1

Japanese Spurge

Pachysandra terminalis

£5.59

1

Golden Club

Orontium aquaticum

£13.99

1

Siberian Bugloss 'Jack of Diamonds'

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack of Diamonds'

£16.99

1

Calla Lily (Arum Lily)

Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink

£13.99

1

Coleus 'Main Street Bourbon Street' (Painted Nettle)

Coleus scutellarioides 'Main Street Bourbon Street'

£9.99

1

Coleus 'Main Street Spacecake' (Painted Nettle)

Coleus scutellarioides 'Main Street Spacecake'

£8.99

1

Streaked Hosta 'Party Streamers'

Hosta 'Party Streamers'

£24.99

1

White-Edged Hosta

Hosta 'Francee'

£10.99

1

Giant Blue Hosta

Hosta 'Elegans'

£10.99

1

Yellow Montbretia 'George Davidson'

Crocosmia 'George Davidson'

£19.99

1

Vermilion Montbretia 'Carmine Brilliant'

Crocosmia 'Carmine Brilliant'

£19.99

1

Golden Japanese Rush

Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'

£7.99

1

Variegated Sweet Flag

Acorus calamus 'Argenteostriatus'

£7.99

1

The GrowTropicals Guide to Hardy Perennials

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are non-woody plants that return year after year from a persistent root system. In a hardy exotic border they play the connecting role between big structural anchors and low ground cover: Cannas that die back in winter and re-sprout at 1.5 metres by August, hardy Begonia grandis for late-season colour in shade, Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds' with silver-leaved presence under trees. They are the reliable engine of a mature exotic scheme. Read our honest guide to what to expect from hardy exotics through the seasons before ordering.

Care essentials for hardy perennials

Position: Species-specific. Cannas and hardy Begonia want sun to partial shade. Brunnera and Pachysandra want real shade.
Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained. Hardy perennials reward heavy soil enrichment at planting and a spring mulch of compost.
Hardiness: Individual RHS bands per product. Most stocked here are H5 or better and survive UK winters unprotected.
Autumn: Do not cut back too early. Hollow stems shelter overwintering insects. Wait until late February or March for the annual clear-up.
Division: Divide clumps every three to five years to keep plants vigorous. Best done in early spring as new growth emerges.

Explore the hardy perennial range

Combine hardy perennials with exotic border plants for a layered scheme, with pollinator plants for wildlife value, and with shade plants under trees. See the full Hardy Exotics range for compatible companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hardy perennial?

A hardy perennial is a plant that lives for many years and survives winter outdoors, dying back and regrowing or staying evergreen. Plant one once and it returns each year, which makes perennials the backbone of a low-effort garden.

Do perennials need replanting every year?

No, that is their great advantage. Perennials come back on their own each year and generally grow larger over time. The only occasional job is dividing big clumps every few years to keep them healthy.

Can I grow perennials in pots?

Many perennials grow well in containers and make long-lived patio and balcony plants. Use a good loam-based compost, water in dry spells, feed in spring, and repot or divide when the plant outgrows its container.

When should I plant hardy perennials?

Spring and autumn are the best times, when the soil is moist and roots establish quickly. Pot-grown perennials can be planted through summer too, as long as you keep them well watered.

How do I care for perennials over winter?

Most are fully hardy and need little. Cut back faded growth in autumn or late winter, leave some seedheads for structure and wildlife, and mulch in spring to feed the soil and lock in moisture.

Hardy perennials that come back every year

Hardy perennials are the dependable heart of any garden: plant them once and they return, bigger and better, year after year. The perennials in this collection lean towards the bold and the exotic, with strong foliage and striking flowers that add a lush, slightly tropical feel to a border without the work of replanting each season.

Perennials for pots, patios and balconies

Plenty of perennials are happy in containers, which makes them a great, long-lived choice for a patio or balcony. Unlike bedding, they earn their keep season after season, and many bring fresh foliage in spring, flowers in summer and seedheads or evergreen leaves into winter. Group a few pots together for a layered, generous display in a small space.

Building a perennial border

In a border, perennials do the heavy lifting. Layer them by height, repeat a few favourites for rhythm, and combine bold foliage with airy flowers for contrast. Because they come back each year, a perennial border only gets fuller and more beautiful as it matures.

Planting and care

Plant in spring or autumn into soil improved with organic matter, water well while they establish, and mulch each spring. Cut back faded growth in autumn or late winter, and lift and divide congested clumps every few years to keep them vigorous. Most need very little beyond that.