What is a perennial?

In horticulture, the term perennial is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than two years.

Perennials typically grow structures that allow them to adapt to living from one year to the next through a form of vegetative reproduction rather than seeding.

These structures include bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, woody stems and crowns which allow them to survive periods of dormancy over dry seasons, or turions - a type of bud which can be above or below ground, and is capable of growing into a complete plant. These structures typically store carbohydrates which are used to produce new growth once the dormancy period is over.

Some perennial plants are protected from wildfires because they have underground buds or roots that produce adventitious shoots, bulbs, crowns, or stems. Others may have thick cork layers that protect the stems.

Interestingly, it is estimated that 94% of all plant species fall under the category of perennials.

Are perennials evergreen or deciduous?

When it comes to perennials, seasonality is expressed as ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ periods rather than ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ periods (summer and winter). Deciduous perennials shed their leaves when growing conditions are no longer suitable for photosynthesis, so deciduous perennials lose their leaves in the dry season, which in many parts of the world just happens to be in winter, but in winter rainfall regions the cycle is reversed. When the first rains arrive deciduous perennials will quickly send up new shoots.  

Herbaceous types have soft green stems that go dormant and die back to the ground during the dry season.

Woody types may lose their leaves in autumn or winter, but the root systems and stems stay alive. Others are semi-deciduous, meaning they lose some of their leaves in either winter or summer.

In climates that are warm and moist all year round, evergreen perennials grow continuously.

Because evergreen perennials are not cold hardy, in cold and dry winter regions they are treated by gardeners as summer annuals that are planted out or sown from seed every year in spring. Tomato vines are a good example of an evergreen perennial which can live for several years in its natural tropical/subtropical habitat, but is grown a summer annual in temperate regions because it does not survive cold weather.

Which perennials are cold hardy?

Deciduous and Herbaceous types are typically cold-hardy plants because they become dormant in regions with dry, cold winters, re-sprouting again in spring with the first rains.

How long do perennials live?

When grown in favourable conditions, perennials often live a long time, but don’t assume they will last forever. Their life span is variable, and some may live for only two to five years.

How long do perennials bloom?

Generally perennials will bloom for only one season each year, either in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, but there are also re-blooming and long-blooming perennials that can bloom sporadically year round.

Why choose perennials?

Perennials bring effortless seasonal colour to the garden

Perennial plants are wonderful additions to the landscape. While trees and shrubs may act as the bones of a garden, perennials provide muscle. The season-long statement they offer is unmatched, as you can plan and design your perennial garden to shift with the seasons.

If you design it well, your garden will deliver colourful blooms all year round. And if you also include perennials for their bold or colourful foliage, you are guaranteed a prize-winning garden that is low on maintenance and good for your bank balance.

There are perennials suitable for every garden

There’s a breath-taking range of perennials to choose from, and this means you can find the perfect perennials for your gardens particular growing conditions and climate. There are perennials for sun and shade, and those which are cold hardy dormant types, to perennial evergreens or semi-evergreens. Some like lots of water and others are water-wise, so take all these factors into account before deciding on your final plant selection.

When you focus on the particular growing situations in your garden, it will narrow down a large list, but that actually makes picking the perfect perennials easier, and best of all, you will be confident that they will thrive.

A visit to your local garden centre will also be very helpful as they will only stock perennials that do well in your region.

Perennials are cost effective

Although perennials tend to cost more initially, they are a good long-term investment because, unlike annuals which complete their life cycle in one growing season, perennials come back year after year, making them a great economic choice for gardeners on a budget.

Perennials can save you on water bills

Unlike annuals, perennials have evolved to come back season after season, so they’ve had a lot of practice making sure their timing is perfect. During the dry season, and when there is a drought, they will go dormant until conditions improve, and they can remain in a dormant state for a very long time. They instinctively know when the rains are coming, and will quickly show signs of new growth. This adaptation is especially advantageous for gardeners in regions prone to droughts.

Perennials are easily propagated by division

Many perennial plants benefit from being lifted and divided every couple of years, and this is the best time to propagate new plants for free, or just to give away to family and friends.  

Perennials are great for container gardening

Gardeners naturally think about flowering annuals first if they are planting up pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, but perennials should not be overlooked as they offer some unique advantages.

Trailing perennial groundcovers can blend effortlessly with annuals in pots, and will outlast their annual companions. If they have outgrown the pots at the end of the season, you can remove and plant them in the ground.

If you have some prized perennials that need shelter in winter, or don’t quite fit your area’s climate, you can plant them into pots that can be moved around to keep them in the most suitable environment throughout the year.

Perennials are good for wildlife

Perennial plants provide pollen, nectar, seeds and nesting material for birds and butterflies. Planting perennials, both indigenous and exotic, will create a welcome habitat for pollinators and other local wildlife, so try to include as many of our gorgeous indigenous plants to your list as possible.

Plant List of Summer Flowering Perennials for Shady Gardens

I hope this short plant list will inspire you to plant more perennials in your garden for all seasons. Visit your local garden centre to find those most suitable for your growing region.

Australian Violet Australian Violet (Viola hederacea)

The Australian violet is a low growing, spreading evergreen perennial groundcover which is excellent for moist, shady areas and grows well under a canopy of trees. It forms mats of bright green leaves and masses of tiny white and violet flowers in spring, summer and autumn, and in warmer subtropical gardens it can flower all year round.

Although these plants grow well in shaded conditions like forests or anywhere under heavy tree cover, they do need sunshine to flower well and will be more prolific in more sun. If watered regularly this little violet will also take full sun, making it perfect for beds which receive sun and shade, or where the shade pattern varies greatly between summer and winter.

It is lovely planted between pavers, stepping stones and alongside pathways. And in areas where grass struggles to grow, this plant can be a beautiful alternative. It is good to stabilise the soil on banks and perfect next to water features and ponds. And its lovely trailing habit makes a wonderful addition to mixed container plantings and hanging baskets.

Members can click here to read more about growing the Australian Violet

Creeping JennyCreeping Jenny (Lysimachia)

Creeping Jenny is a low growing evergreen perennial that is particularly associated with damp or even wet areas where it flourishes in semi-shade. However, in cultivation it will tolerate drier conditions, and can even grow in full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist.

Due to its creeping growth habit it can reach considerable widths, quickly forming carpets along the ground and clamouring over stones and rocks, and the European species (Lysimachia nummularia) with its lovely bright green leaves can become invasive.

However, the yellow cultivars like Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' are much less aggressive and suitable for judicious use in ornamental plantings. 'Aurea' is grown for its lovely yellow foliage, and can produce bright yellow cup-shaped flowers in summer. However, in South Africa flowering can be erratic or non-existent. Because seed capsules do not form readily, Aurea does not spread by seed as readily as the green type will.

Members can click here to read more about growing Creping Jenny

Oortjies Picture courtesy www.randomharvest.co.zaWhite Carpet, Oortjies (Falkia repens)

Oortjies is an evergreen perennial groundcover that is endemic to the Eastern and Western Cape where it can commonly be found growing in damp or temporarily inundated soil alongside streams, in damp coastal flats and seeps, damp grasslands, and in vleis or along their margins.

The small greenish yellow leaves are shiny and slightly succulent, with rounded tips and bases, looking rather like little ears. From spring to December an abundance of delicate paper-like flowers that resemble miniature poppies appear, opening a pale pink and fading to white.

Oortjies remains popular worldwide because it looks great all year round and grows quickly, taking only one year to reach maturity. The plant can spread 30 to 46cm to form a flat mat of foliage. Although it thrives in semi-shade, in too much shade the plant will grow taller, and as long as it gets lots of water, will also grow happily in full sun.

It is great planted in solid stands, and works beautifully in combination plantings where it covers the ground fast to suppress weeds. The plant is also excellent to plant between stepping-stones, and even to replace lawn where there is little or no foot traffic. It’s just as effective flowing over rocks or walls, and most elegant cascading over pots and hanging baskets. 

Members can click here to read more about growing Oortjies

Ajuga reptans 'Burgandy Glow' Picture courtesy Ball StraathofBugle Flower (Ajuga reptans cultivars)

The bugle flower is a spreading evergreen perennial groundcover which thrives in moist shady to semi-shaded areas of the garden. Although their dense spikes of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink or white are charming, they are merely an added bonus, and bugle flowers are grown mainly for their beautiful leaves. There are many garden cultivars to choose from and selections include foliage variegated in green, bronze, purple, white, red, yellow and pink.

If planted as a groundcover bugle flowers will create a lovely carpeting effect, and surprisingly they even grow well in dry shade if they can be watered a bit. However, in dry shade they will not be as luscious looking as those growing in moister areas.

These versatile little plants are used to stabilise the soil on banks and thrive under tree and shrub canopies. Try planting them along the edges of shaded borders and flagstone pathways, and add them to mixed plantings in pots or hanging baskets for that ‘wow’ effect.

Members can click here to read more about growing Bugle Flower

Dead Nettle 'White' Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum cultivars)

Dead nettle enjoys a cool shady spot in the garden, even growing in full shade, and although it enjoys moist soils, once established it will even flourish in difficult areas of dry shade. Excessive sun and drought will scorch the foliage and lead to dieback.

Many exciting named selections are available to local gardeners, and most varieties will grow 10 to 15cm tall. Cultivars can have mottled green, silver white or gold foliage, and in late spring and summer they bear showy spikes of shell pink, pink, dark lavender, or white flowers, depending upon the cultivar.

Their gorgeous variegated leaves make them worthy garden subjects for adding texture, and as contrast plants in garden beds and borders. They are also beautiful planted in hanging baskets and pots, mixed with other plants and annuals.

Members can click here to read more about growing Dead Nettle

Creeping MazusCreeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Creeping mazus will grow very quickly in semi-shade or full sun and does best in a sheltered spot in the garden. It is a self-rooting, low-growing evergreen perennial with attractive bright green leaves. Masses of small lavender-blue or white flowers with yellow and white centres appear from late spring to mid-summer, with sporadic blooms in late summer and into autumn if conditions are right. There's also a white variety called 'Alba'.

Creeping mazus is a prized groundcover because it forms a dense ground-hugging carpet, and grows very quickly without being aggressive. In small areas with limited foot traffic it is sometimes used as a lawn substitute, and will tolerate the occasional mowing. It is also wonderful to stabilise the soil on slopes.

It is ideal planted between stepping stones and alongside steps, and thrives in rock and woodland gardens. It’s a good border plant and an attractive filler plant between larger summer flowering perennials. It will also trail down beautifully if planted into hanging baskets and containers. Because it grows well in slightly moist soil it’s a good choice for waterside gardens and next to water features.

Members can click here to read more about growing Creeping Mazus

Creeping Foxglove Picture courtesy Nu-leaf NurseryCreeping Foxglove, Isihobo (Asystasia gangetica)

Asystasia gangetica is a fast growing, evergreen perennial herb which flowers profusely in a sunny position, but also grows exceptionally well in shade, even deep shade, but in too much shade the flowers are sparse.

The creeping foxglove is widely distributed from tropical Asia to southern Africa, and is quite endearing with its lovely dark green leaves and profusion of small, fragrant cream flowers which can appear sporadically at any time in spring and summer, and all year round in warm climates.

The only bad attribute to be said about this plant is that it is perhaps a bit too obliging, and in the warmer, wetter regions of southern Africa, it can become invasive in the garden. As long as you are aware of this and are prepared to keep it in check, this indigenous plant is lovely in large or small gardens.

It is a useful groundcover for shady areas under trees, so if you have a large expanse that needs covering, try the magic of this indigenous beauty. Its trailing habit makes it quite spectacular in a large basket or tall pot, providing a lot of privacy on a small balcony. It can even be trained to climb up a trellis.   

Members can click here to read more about growing Creeping Foxglove

False HeatherFalse Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)

False heathers have gained widespread appeal not only for their lush foliage and tiny flowers in many pretty shades of lilac and lilac-pink, to purple and pure white, but also for their heat tolerance. Although the flowers are small, they make up for this by flowering abundantly throughout summer until the first frosts. In warm winter regions they are grown as evergreen perennials which will bloom all year round, but in cold and frosty regions they are often treated as summer annuals.

False heather forms mounds of small, glossy and finely textured foliage which can be bright green or a delightful golden to lime-green. Dwarf forms reach 15 to 25cm tall, often with an even broader spread, making them very useful as edging plants. The taller varieties grow about 45 to 60cm tall with a 60cm spread, making them perfect to fill in gaps in the middle of the flower border.

False heathers love full sun but will take some shade, and in extremely hot and dry summer regions, semi-shade or full shade at midday is recommended. They are excellent in so many garden situations, and can be ‘popped in’ almost anywhere to soften the corners of paving, to make a fine nest for the base of a fountain, birdbath or sundial, or just simply to fill out beds and borders with foliage and flowers.

Members can click here to read more about growing False Heather

Polka Dot Plant Picture courtesy NuLeafPolka Dot Plant - Hypoestes phyllostachya

In subtropical and tropical regions the polka dot plant is grown as a spreading perennial, but in cold and frosty regions it is grown outdoors as a summer annual. Polka dot plants require a protected spot in the garden where they will receive filtered bright light, but not too much direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.

This eye-catching little plant with its brightly variegated oval leaves is low-growing, to a maximum height of about 30cm with an equal spread, but what it may lack in stature it sure makes up for in colour. New garden cultivars are very compact and bushy, growing to a height of about 20cm, and there are several spotted or mottled varieties available in shades of blush, pink, rose, red, and white. In summer the bushes may produce tiny, solitary pink or purple flowers at the nodes.

Polka dot plants really ‘pop’ in the landscape, be it as a groundcover or as a contrast plant for other shrubs. They are perfect little ‘filler’ plants for mixed plantings in garden beds or pots, blending effortlessly with many colour schemes and garden styles in much the same way as flowers would.

In subtropical and tropical regions the plant can become quite rampant and may have to be kept in check. 

Members can click here to read more about growing Polka Dot Plants

Twinspurs Twinspurs (Diascia integerrima)

Twinspurs thrive in full sun or light shade making them good for beds which receive both sun and shade. They are immensely popular for their abundance of flowers throughout summer.  These little beauties belong to the snapdragon family, and all 70 species occur only in southern Africa.

Diascia species can be annual or perennial, with most of the perennials occurring in the summer rainfall regions, and the annuals in the winter rainfall regions.

Diascia integerrima is probably the most popular perennial species, and one of the most widespread, toughest and floriferous of all the species.

The varieties of twinspurs available at garden centres today are mainly new hybrids that have been bred to be even more floriferous, and come in many exciting shades of pink, white, red, lavender, mauve, deep plum, vivid orange, apricot and tangerine.

Some varieties will spill over pots and hanging baskets and others tend to grow more upright, varying in height from 25 to 40cm tall.

These little gems are perfect for mass plantings, putting on a brilliant show if planted in large sweeps in the garden. They are also pretty to fill little pockets between other plants in the garden or alongside garden paths.

Members can click here to read more about growing Twinspurs

SpurflowersSpurflowers (Plectranthus)

Keen gardeners love spurflowers because these perennials do really well in shade, and their attractive evergreen foliage looks good year round, providing interesting textures and colours.

Flowering starts in late summer and continues into autumn and winter, depending on the species. Spurflowers come in a number of flower shapes and colours, ranging from white and pink to dark mauves, and lavenders.

Plectranthus is a large family of plants and about 48 species occur in South Africa, mostly in the warm eastern regions of the country where they thrive in the deep or dappled shade of forests. The species vary in their growth forms, from prostrate ground covers to medium and large growing shrubs.

They look beautiful if planted in drifts in garden beds and are ideally suited to grow under the shade of trees. The large growing varieties are often used as informal screens and hedges. The smaller varieties are great planted individually in beds, together with other flowering plants, or in pots and hanging baskets.

Members can click here to read more about growing Spurflowers

Lady's MantleLady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

Lady's Mantle is an herbaceous perennial plant which grows about 35 to 45cm tall and can spread as wide. It grows best in semi-shade and if planted in too much sun, may scorch.

It is popular around the world for its ease of growth and ornamental value. It’s a fascinating garden plant because its soft, velvety grey-green leaves capture droplets of water that sparkle like diamonds in the sun. In summer the plant is hard to ignore with its abundance of huge spreading heads of tiny, star-like yellow flowers.  

Lady’s mantle is invaluable to add contrast in shady woodland gardens. It is often used as a groundcover and planted about plant 38cm apart, and its bold leaf texture is a very pleasing contrast with finer textured plants. Use it to soften the edges of an herbaceous flower border, or plant it next to ponds and water features.  This well behaved plant is suitable for a small garden and goes well with many other shade loving plants in a mixed container.

Members can click here to read more about growing Lady's Mantle

Plantain LilyPlantain Lily (Hosta)

Plantain Lilies are herbaceous perennials which have been cultivated for centuries by gardeners in Japan, growing beautifully in part shade to full shade. There are about 50 to 70 species of Hosta and over a thousand named cultivars and hybrids. These hybrids vary greatly in growth habit, with some reaching no more than 15cm tall and others up to 90cm, with a similar spread.

They are grown for their striking leaves that grow in overlapping mounds, varying from tiny miniatures a couple of centimetres across, to large "elephant ear" types more than 60cm long. The leaves range from heart-shaped to elliptic and can be smooth, puckered or even twisted. Plain green varieties as well those with striking variegations of grey-green, yellow and cream are available.

In summer, lily-like flowers are held on slender stalks that stand above the foliage and their colours range from blue to lilac and violet, or green to white. Many Hostas produce a very floriferous floral display and some are fragrant.

Plantain lilies are lovely planted in groups in shady woodland or pebble gardens, and because they are so easy to divide they make a wonderful groundcover under trees. They love growing near water and are excellent bog plants, and they also grow happily in pots.

Members can click here to read more about growing Hosta

Watergras Picture courtesy Random Harvest NurseryWatergras, Weeping Anthericum (Chlorophytum saundersiae)

This little evergreen perennial is indigenous to South Africa, and occurs naturally in our subtropical regions. Because it will grow in sun or shade its particularly useful to plant in those difficult areas of the garden which receive both sun and shade. And an added bonus is the plants will grow in both dry and damp conditions, and are particularly good for dry shade.

'Starlight', also known as 'Variegata' is a highly prized plant, and  South African gardeners have embraced this garden hybrid because it is one of a very few variegated plants indigenous to South Africa.

Starlight forms a dense clump of slender grass-like leaves that are flat, up to 10mm wide and 750mm long, growing vertically before arching gracefully at their tips.  Multiple lines of variegation run along the entire length of the leaves parallel to the midrib and in ‘Starlight’ the variegation can range from green and white to a green and a golden cream colour, usually depending on the growing conditions.

Flowering time is from early summer right through to early winter, and in warm climates flowers can appear throughout the year, and just like the green form the star-shaped flowers are pure white with prominent yellow anthers, and are very recognizable as belonging to the ‘Hen and Chicken’ family (Chlorophytum comosum), but without the little ‘chickens’ this genus is so famous for. The fruit is a small, green to brown, globose capsule containing numerous black, angular seeds.

Members can click here to read more about growing Watergras

Shasta DaisyShasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The ever popular Shasta daisy is a robust herbaceous perennial which is easy to grow all over South Africa, from the subtropics to the coldest parts. Shasta daisies thrive in full sun but can be planted in semi-shade. In very hot regions some midday shade would benefit the plants, and some cultivars with double flowers do really well in partial shade.

Shasta daisy cultivars vary in height from 30cm to 1.2m and the plants have narrowly oblong leaves and grow in bushy clumps. From early summer to autumn brilliant white daisy flowers with golden yellow centres are borne singly atop long green stems.  There are many cultivars to choose from, with flowers varying greatly in size from tiny singles with simple petals to semi-doubles and huge doubles with frilly, feather-like structures.

Their clean white flowers will brighten up any bed, and blend effortlessly with other perennials, making them all-time favourites for perennial borders. The smaller cultivars make great groundcovers or edging plants, and also do well in pots. Shasta daisies are most impressive if planted in large or small groups, but can be just as effective if planted singly in a small garden.

Members can click here to read more about growing Shasta Daisies

Wild IrisWild Iris, Isiqungasehlati (Dietes)

These versatile evergreen perennials will grow in full sun or semi-shade and can be grown in moist boggy soils as well as dry well-drained ones, spreading by underground rhizomes and forming large clumps.  

The large Wild Iris (Dietes grandiflora) grows wild along the eastern coastal areas of the southern Cape, Eastern Cape and southern Kwazulu-Natal at forest margins and on exposed slopes facing the sea, under the protection of taller shrubs. The large white blooms are marked with yellow and violet.

The Yellow Wild Iris (Dietes 'Bicolor') has light yellow flowers with three dark purple spots, each surrounded by an orange outline. It occurs naturally in the Bathurst region of the Eastern Cape where it thrives in damp locations and can be found growing in large clumps next to streams and in marshy places. It is also remarkably drought hardy. This species tolerates mild frost and grows best in full sun, except in hot inland gardens where partial shade is best.

These plants are perfect to use as a groundcover in large garden beds or under trees. Although they do not flower well in very shady conditions, their foliage is attractive, and they are one of the few plants that can satisfactorily grow under trees in spite of tree root competition.

Members can click here to read more about growing the Wild Iris

Japanese AnemoneJapanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)

Japanese anemones are the stars of the late summer and autumn garden, providing invaluable colour when the garden may be looking a bit tired after all the summer flowering perennials have finished blooming.

These herbaceous perennials are low maintenance and in our hot climate they thrive in partial shade. However, too much shade can result in leggy plants that flop over more readily.

Their  attractive leaves and simple but beautiful cup-shaped flowers can have single or double rows of silken petals, and come in soft shades of pale pink, darker pinks, mauve, or white. The plants will grow about 60cm tall with a spread of 60cm to 1m, but the flowering stems can reach 1.2m. It can take several years for the plants to reach their ultimate height and spread.

Japanese anemones look at their best if planted in drifts, rather than in isolated, small clumps. They are wonderful for mixed flower borders or in lightly shaded informal spots in the garden.

Members can click here to read more about growing Japanese Anemones

Purple BellsPurple Bells (Dyschoriste thunbergiiflora)

Purple bell’s is a fast growing and a colourful solution for those moist shady spots in the garden. It remains a popular garden plant because it produces masses of striking violet-blue trumpet flowers, marked with dark blue spots and lines in the throat, and the blooms just keep on coming almost all summer and well into autumn, and if the plant is kept well irrigated it will produce attractive lush foliage all season.

Purple bells is a much branched, upright to sprawling evergreen perennial shrub which grows quickly to around 1 to 1.5m tall with an equal or slightly larger spread. Although this plant loves water, it is reasonably drought tolerant, tending to go dormant in drought conditions.

It looks wonderful if planted next to a water feature or pond, and is an excellent low maintenance shrub for the shady mixed border. It grows well in a pot and is easily trained by light pruning, and can even be persuaded to clamour up a trellis or other support.

Members can click here to read more about growing Purple Bells

Arum LilyArum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

The common or white arum is widespread and can be found growing wild in the Western and Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and into the Northern Province. It is evergreen or deciduous depending on habitat and rainfall. In the Western Cape it is dormant in summer and in the summer rainfall regions it is dormant in winter. However, if grown in marshy conditions which remain wet all year around, it will remain evergreen.

This arum will grow in full sun or semi-shade and is a useful foliage plant in the shade under trees, but in deep shade it will not flower very well.

Its lush dark green leaves with their arrow-head shape grow vigorously to a height of 60cm to 1m tall. The large pure white spathes can appear anytime of the year, depending on climatic conditions.

The white arum lily grows easily throughout most of South Africa, as long as it can be watered regularly. It is an extremely versatile garden plant, and the most commonly planted arum lily.

Members can click here to read more about growing Arum Lilies

Falling StarsFalling Stars, Umlunge (Crocosmia aurea)

Crocosmia aurea belongs to the Iris family (Iridaceae) - a cosmopolitan family consisting of approximately 1 700 species, with over half of the species occurring in South Africa. They are found mostly in the eastern parts of the country from the coast to up to an altitude of 2 000m, in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland.

Crocosmia aurea prefers shaded positions in the garden, but the hybrids will also grow in full sun.

Plants are available to plant out year round, but the corms are planted from mid-September to October, to flower between December and March.

In ideal conditions the plant will grow up to 1.2m tall, bringing an openness or lightness to the garden with its dangling little orange flowers, and its architectural form gives it the allure of ornamental grasses as they move with the wind. Crocosmia is a deciduous perennial and will go dormant in winter.

Members can click here to read more about growing Falling Stars Lilies

Wild RhubarbWild Rhubarb, Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis)

Wild Rhubarb is a very ornamental herbaceous perennial which grows into a large clump with large dark green leaves and dramatically tall spires of ivory-white flowers, clasped by showy purple or slightly pink bracts. Flowers can appear in late spring and early summer, and again in late summer.

The plant itself will grow around 1m tall, but when in bloom the flower spikes can reach heights of 1.5 to 2m or more, standing proudly above the voluptuous leaves to create an eye-catching focal point in the mixed border.

Because of the sculptural nature of the plant it will impose an air of formality to classical and formal gardens, but it can be just as effective if used as a feature plant in informal and tropical gardens.

Wild Rhubarb will grow in semi-shade or full sun, but in very hot and dry regions it will perform best in semi-shade. It is excellent to plant in dry shade.

Members can click here to read more about growing Wild Rhubarb