Hardy Perennials


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.

103 products

    103 products
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    Zantedeschia aethiopica Pink

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    Tricyrtis 'Gilt Edge' 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Tricyrtis 'Gilt Edge'

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    Hosta 'Praying Hands' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Praying Hands'

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    Geranium maderense | Giant Herb-Robert Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Geranium maderense | Giant Herb-Robert

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    Astilbe 'Dark Side of the Moon' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Astilbe 'Dark Side of the Moon'

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    Canna indica Cannova Rose 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Canna indica Cannova Rose

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    Agapanthus africanus White Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Agapanthus africanus White

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    Kniphofia 'Flamenco' (Red Hot Poker) 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Libertia sessiliflora 'Caerulescens' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Libertia sessiliflora 'Caerulescens'

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    Pachysandra terminalis 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Japanese Spurge

    Pachysandra terminalis

    £4.49£5.59Save 19%
    1
    Crocosmia 'Red King' 11cm / 0.75L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Montbretia 'Red King'

    Crocosmia 'Red King'

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    1
    Hosta 'Frozen Margarita' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Frozen Margarita'

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    Hosta 'Sunset Grooves' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Sunset Grooves'

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    Hosta 'Brim Cup' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'Brim Cup'

    £6.49£7.99Save 18%
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    Hosta 'Delta Dawn' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'Delta Dawn'

    £6.49£7.99Save 18%
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    Hosta 'Summer Lovin' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Undulata Aureomarginata' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Undulata Aureomarginata'

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    Hosta 'Elegans' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Elegans'

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    Hosta 'Francee' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Francee'

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    1
    Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'

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    Hosta 'Gold Standard' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Catherine' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Hosta 'Catherine'

    £7.49£8.99Save 16%
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    Hosta 'Big Daddy' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'Big Daddy'

    £7.49£8.99Save 16%
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    Hosta fortunei 'First Blush' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta fortunei 'First Blush'

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    Kniphofia 'Sunningdale Yellow' 11cm / 0.75L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Kniphofia 'Sunningdale Yellow'

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    Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie'

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    Kniphofia 'Royal Castle'

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    Strobilanthes 'Brunetthy' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Hosta 'Party Streamers'

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    Hosta 'Twilight' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Hosta 'Twilight'

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    Tulbaghia 'Hazel' 9cm / 0.5L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

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    Tulbaghia 'Hazel'

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    Hosta 'First Frost' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'First Frost'

    £8.49£9.99Save 15%
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    Agapanthus africanus Blue 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    African Lily (Lily of the Nile)

    Agapanthus africanus Blue

    £12.99£14.99Save 13%
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    Hosta 'Guacamole' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'Guacamole'

    £7.49£8.99Save 16%
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    Canna indica Cannova Scarlet 17cm / 2L Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

    Indian Shot

    Canna indica Cannova Scarlet

    £15.99
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    Hosta 'Yellow River' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

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    Hosta 'Yellow River'

    £8.99
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    Hosta fortunei 'Let's Twist Again' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta fortunei 'Let's Twist Again'

    £7.49£8.99Save 16%
    1
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    Dianella revoluta 'Coolvista'

    £13.99£16.99Save 17%
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    Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALSSale

    Plantain Lily

    Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

    £7.49£8.99Save 16%
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    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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.