Top Ten Hardy Perennials from Champion Plants

Top Ten Hardy Perennials from Champion Plants

At Champion Plants in Somerset, we're dedicated to providing quality, UK-grown plants in peat-free compost. Our family-run nursery has been propagating plants for over 20 years, offering a selection of hardy perennials suitable for both novice and seasoned gardeners who are interested in enhancing their gardens via mail order.

In this blog post, we'll introduce you to our top ten hardy perennials for UK gardens, each selected for their beauty and resilience. Explore plants that can adapt to a range of garden conditions, from sunny spots to shaded areas, all of which you can conveniently buy online.

Phlox David

  • Known for its fragrant, pure white blooms, this Phlox is a garden classic, providing beautiful scent and colour to any border. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Phlox David is a reliable perennial that will return year after year, forming a dense, spreading clump that's perfect for filling gaps in planting schemes or adding height to the front of a border. Buy Phlox David for your garden

Phlox paniculata David - AGM - Champion Plants

Astrantia Roma

  • With its intricate pink flowers, this perennial is a magnet for pollinators and looks stunning in mixed borders. Astrantia Roma's delicate, pincushion-like blooms are complemented by its deeply lobed, green foliage, making it a versatile choice for adding texture and interest to your garden. Buy Astrantia Roma online
Astrantia major Roma

Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro'

  • This Daylily variety is celebrated for its long blooming period, offering golden-yellow flowers that are perfect for edging borders or in containers. Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that will thrive in a range of soil types, making it an excellent option for gardeners looking to create a vibrant, carefree display. Buy Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' online
Hemerocallis Stella de Oro (Day Lily) - Champion Plants

Geranium phaeum 'Lavender Pinwheel'

  • A unique geranium with lavender flowers featuring a distinctive pinwheel center, this perennial is ideal for adding a touch of elegance to shaded areas. Geranium phaeum 'Lavender Pinwheel' is a reliable, clump-forming plant that will slowly spread, ensuring a continuous display of its captivating blooms. Buy Geranium phaeum 'Lavender Pinwheel' online
Geranium phaeum Lavender Pinwheel - Champion Plants

Libertia grandiflora

  • This plant offers a lovely contrast with its strappy green leaves and white flowers, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders. Libertia grandiflora is a tough, drought-resistant perennial that will thrive in full sun to partial shade, adding a touch of architectural interest to your garden. Buy Libertia grandiflora online
Libertia grandiflora - Champion Plants

Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign'

  • Famous for its vibrant blue flowers and green, non-spotted leaves, this perennial is perfect for early spring colour in shaded areas. Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign' is a low-growing, mat-forming plant that will spread to create a stunning carpet of blooms, complementing other shade-loving companions in your garden. Buy Pulmonaria 'Blue Ensign' online
Pulmonaria Blue Ensign AGM - Champion Plants

Geum 'Blazing Sunset'

  • With fiery red-orange flowers, this Geum will light up your borders and is particularly effective when planted in drifts. Geum 'Blazing Sunset' is a long-flowering perennial that will add a fiery splash of colour to your garden, giving an eye-catching display from late spring through to autumn. Buy Geum 'Blazing Sunset' online
(photo courtesy of Kernock Park Plants)Geum Blazing Sunset - Champion Plants

Helenium 'Helna Gold'

  • Offering bright yellow daisy-like flowers, this Helenium is a must for late summer, attracting a host of pollinators to your garden. Helenium 'Helna Gold' is a robust, upright perennial that will thrive in full sun, providing a bold, cheerful accent to your planting scheme. Buy Helenium 'Helna Gold' online
Helenium Helena Gold - Champion Plants

Cirsium Atropurpureum

  • A striking addition with its tall, dark purple thistles, this plant brings architectural interest and is perfect for adding height and drama to your borders as well as pollinators. Its unique appearance and tolerance for poor soil conditions make it a valuable asset in the garden. Buy Cirsium Atropurpureum online
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' - AGM - Champion Plants

Nepeta Six Hills Giant

  • This catmint variety grows into large, lush mounds of grey-green foliage topped with spikes of lavender-blue flowers, ideal for both ornamental and functional garden spaces. Its aromatic leaves and ability to attract pollinators make it a must-have for any wildlife-friendly garden. Buy Nepeta Six Hills Giant online!
Nepeta racemosa Six Hills Giant -AGM - Champion Plants

Care Tips for Hardy Perennials

Caring for hardy perennials is relatively straightforward, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

  • Planting: Opt for well-draining soil. Most perennials prefer full sun, but some, like Pulmonaria and Geranium phaeum, excel in partial shade.
  • Watering: Water regularly during the first year for root establishment. Once established, they're mostly drought-tolerant, requiring water only during extended dry spells.
  • Fertilising: Use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring. Chicken manure pellets are a good organic choice, excellent for building soil biodiversity. 
  • Pruning: Deadhead to extend bloom time. Lightly trim Helenium and Nepeta for a second flush of flowers.

Benefits of Choosing Hardy Perennials

  • Low Maintenance: These plants are resilient, needing minimal care once established.
  • Long-Lasting Beauty: Return year after year, providing ongoing garden enhancement.
  • Cost-Effective: Investing in hardy perennials reduces the need for frequent plant replacements. 

Pulmonaria Blue Ensign AGM - Champion Plants

Conclusion

Transform your garden with Champion Plants' top ten hardy perennials, from the elegant Phlox 'David' to the vibrant Geum 'Blazing Sunset'. These selections are not only beautiful but also practical for any garden, ensuring you get the most out of your mail-order plants. Buy plants online from Champion Plants today and enjoy a garden that's both easy to maintain and stunning to behold. Explore our full range of hardy perennials by shopping online at Champion Plants.

Which of these hardy perennials are you most excited to add to your garden, or do you have any questions about caring for these plants? Let us know in the comments below!
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