Summer heralds a symphony of colours in our English country gardens as numerous herbaceous perennials begin to bloom. Among the standout choices are the striking Agapanthus, the ever popular Salvias, delightful Dianthus, and resilient hardy Geraniums. Agapanthus, known for their tall fireworks of blue and purple flowers, are a favourite for gardeners aiming to add vertical interest. Salvia is cherished for its long flowering time and resistance to drought while Hardy Geraniums add colourful groundcover to almost every garden space.
Salvia Hot Lips is a favourite with its dainty flowers starting off white and red before turning fully red over time. Geranium Rozanne is the modern favourite hardy Geranium with lilac blue simple open flowers all summer above soft mottled green foliage. Scabious Pink Mist is another summer long flower with rich pink pincushion flowers that the bees and butterflies love. Agapanthus Ever Sparkle is 60cm tall and strikingly blue and white in colour while Dianthus Tickled Pink is well known for semi double cerise pink edged flowers and spicy scent.
Other perennials to try include the architectural thistle Eryngium whose metallic coloured flowers stand out strongly in the midsummer border when covered with bees. Eryngium Big Blue is a great variety. Heucheras are a family of plants that provide an evergreen groundcover rainbow of leaf colour. They grow in moist soils and so plant them with lots of peaty compost and mulch regularly. Tried and tested varieties include Heuchera Timeless Night, H. Lime Marmalade and H. Solar Eclipse among many others. Rudbeckia Loving Smiley has large rich burnt orange daisies and dark chocolate brown cone centres while Helenium Short and Sassy has clusters of gorgeous little daisies with orange and yellow petals and chocolate brown centres both look lovely when planted with ornamental grasses and Red Hot Pokers.
Aster Island Tonga also has clusters of daisies, soft pink in colour with yellow centres, from July until late September. Sedum Dessert Black is a fascinating plant with almost black foliage and soft rosy pink flat flowers a lovely contrast if planted with yellow foliage shrubs like Euonymus Emerald and Gold or Choiysia Ternata Sundance.
To ensure that these perennials thrive providing the correct growing conditions is crucial. Agapanthus prefer fertile moist but draining soil and a location with plenty of sunlight. Salvia is drought tolerant once established and thrives in poorer soil conditions making it less demanding. Dianthus prefers chalky alkaline soil so avoid planting in heavy clay or acidic soils.
The cultivation of herbaceous perennials requires attention to various factors including soil quality watering and pest management. A draining soil mixed with compost is ideal. It is essential to amend heavy clay soils by digging in grit and compost to enhance drainage.
Watering should be consistent especially during the initial growing stages. Newly planted perennials require regular watering to establish strong roots. Mulching provides additional moisture retention and aids in weed suppression. Regular deadheading the spent flowers encourages further blooming especially for species like Dianthus.
Pest management is another aspect that cannot be overlooked. While herbaceous perennials tend to be relatively resilient, monitoring for pests such as aphids or slugs is necessary. Implementing integrated pest management strategies like encouraging beneficial insects can help reduce pest populations organically. Powdery mildew can sometimes be a problem in some species if the weather conditions are conducive so spray with a fungicide accordingly.
Herbaceous perennials are not only aesthetically pleasing but also play an essential role in supporting local ecosystems. They provide habitats and food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies which have seen population declines in recent years. Future plantings in the herbaceous borders may include a greater focus on a native plant selection to support the local wildlife.
Maintaining a beautiful garden can be challenging especially when planning a holiday. Ensuring your plants thrive while you are away means choosing the right plants not relying on friends and neighbours to “Do the Watering”. Better to choose plants that will withstand dry conditions and require less water once established.
Summer heralds a symphony of colours in our English country gardens as numerous herbaceous perennials begin to bloom. Among the standout choices are the striking Agapanthus, the ever popular Salvias, delightful Dianthus, and resilient hardy Geraniums.
You may think you know all about Britain’s Favourite Flower but they have more qualities than you may think. There was a time when in the pursuit of the perfect looking bloom plant selectors rather disregarded the beautiful scents. The “Old Fashioned Shrub” varieties which were often large and untidy in habit were abandoned for neat bushes with perfectly shaped flowers.
