PerennialPlants& Flowers
In the world of flora and fauna, we know that all good things must come to an end. But, when you’ve put so much time, effort and love into establishing a floral garden or planters that is a haven for pollinators, it’s disheartening to see it die back.
You want lovely flower beds filled with blooms or pots overloaded with colourful delights. More than that, you want them to come back year after year. Then there is the range of plant types to choose from - do you go for a shrub, an annual, maybe a bi-annual or even a perennial? Which one will brighten your garden all year round?
You’re in luck! We’re here to explain everything you need to know about the large group of plants and flowers called perennials.
What are perennial plants?


Under the branch of perennials there are subcategories: herbaceous and evergreen. Herbaceous perennials look as if they have died in winter but bounce back the following spring. Meanwhile, evergreen perennials keep their greenery and leaves all year round.
There is then the question of what is the difference between an herbaceous plant and a shrub? Well, herbaceous plants have non-woody stems, whilst shrubs have more woody and rigid stems.
Herbaceous Perennials
If you’re looking for a burst of colour over the spring and summer months, then you’ll be looking for some herbaceous perennials. These plants are usually going strong over the warmer months before retreating underground through autumn and winter. Then the following spring they reappear, ready to bring joy to your garden and provide pollen for visiting bees. They really are perfect for every garden, adding texture and colour whatever the space.
Evergreen Perennials
When your garden is crying out for all-round-year joy, even when the flowers die away, then you need to look for some all year round plants. This lot are the evergreen perennials and, to put it simply, provide plants for all seasons. Yep, we’re even talking about greenery in the darkest, winter months!
Indoor Perennials
If you haven’t got much outdoor space and want to bring the perennials indoors, you’re in luck. There is plenty of choice with perennial houseplants and some of them you can even transfer outside if you want.
For a touch of drama, why not start with a bromeliad which, with its sword-shaped leaves and bright, spiky flowers, will make a real statement. They grow naturally on the bark of trees in tropical rainforests and love a warm, sunny spot (don't we all). Bromeliads are resilient and can be moved outdoors during the summer if they have a nice, protected spot.
Peace lilies are the perfect evergreen plant that is incredibly easy to look after. Should they bathe in enough light, they will go on to produce white flowers from early summer that keep coming back each year.
Popular perennial plants for the garden
Looking for easy-to-grow perennial flowers for your garden? Look no further, here’s some of our favourite perennial plants you can grow.
If you want the best of both worlds with an evergreen perennial, a plant like Barrenwort (its official name is Epimedium) delivers it all with both flowers and foliage. The low-growing plant will add greenery all year round, but in spring it also produces beautiful delicate flowers. Pick your variety carefully because some are semi-deciduous while others are semi-evergreen (they lose some of their foliage for a short period).
Evergreen doesn’t literally need to mean green. Go with Bergenia (which also has the incredibly cute name of Elephant’s Ears) which delivers colourful leaves all year round and small flowers in spring. Depending on the variety you get, they can take on a beautiful reddish appearance during the colder weather. Want to know how it got its other name – just take a look at the leaves! Or go with Heucheras which produces small flowers in summer but, without doubt, it is the rainbow of colours found in their leaves that delivers the real impact. You can choose from silver, berry red and even orange varieties.
Let’s not forget the bees with our perennial plants. In summer, what could be better than the rich pollen of a lavender plant? Sweet-smelling flowers in the bees’ favourite colour - purple. Your garden will look better with all those perfect pollinators buzzing around!
Who says your borders need to look boring once the days are getting shorter. That’s certainly not the case with Achillea (also known as Yarrows). With its feathery foliage and flat-topped flowers, this gorgeous perennial will see you from summer through to autumn. Even better, the bees love them too!
Perennial Flowers
Bring a splash of colour to your garden, pots and containers with perennials that are offer a riot of colour. Even better, all the perennial flowers we mention here are perfect for cutting and popping in your vase.