Hardy Perennials (Part 1) – Updated

When I first started this blog, having removed any that had gone before, it was mainly as a brain exercise, plus, not a little, nostalgia. I came across the Six on Saturday meme run by Jim Stephens at Garden Ruminations and, through that, organically increased my presence on the web. This has prompted me to re-publish some of my old material some of which is updated. These posts are purely about the plants that I have grown and photographed, mainly in my previous garden, unless otherwise stated.

Whether it be in the herbaceous border or more natural settings such as the woodland garden or informal rockery, hardy perennials are the backbone of the majority of gardens. They provide colour from early spring through to late autumn, and even into winter when the dead stems can add form and colour. Unless you intend to grow from seed find a good independent nurserymen, although a dying breed, they are the people who have a passion for plants and are usually all too willing to give advice gained from their experience. Garden centres are another option but they tend to be impersonal and usually quite a bit more expensive. Online buying can be a bit of a lottery, pay attention to the pot size so you know what to expect. I actually planted out my new front garden with plugs bought online and had a good display the following year. It is important to remember that the above applies to the “standard” range of hardy perennials, when it comes to something more out of the ordinary specialist nurseries are the best option.

My preferred method is growing from seed, although I normally use society seed because I know it’s fresh, for the less invested gardener it is better to use one of the smaller seedsmen such as Plant World Seeds. The method I have always followed with hardy plants is to sow under cold glass, or in my case a poly-tunnel, usually in February to allow the seeds to germinate as they would do naturally. It would be just as good to sow outside except you haven’t the same control. Sowing from seed works well with anything which comes true from seed but in the case of most cultivars (hybrids) you need to buy in plugs or plants, many of which have been raised by micropropagation.

Achillea

From a traditional border plant achilleas (Yarrows) have been developed into a must have plant for the gardener, As with several genera it has been recognised by the industry as a very desirable plant, and many cultivars, in a wide range of colours, have been produced. It will grow in most soils, is hardy and attracts insects to its flat flower heads. I can say from experience it is not fond of damp and shade preferring an open sunny aspect and is even used in prairie planting. Fashionable.

Aconitum

Monkshood or wolfsbane is an easy hardy herbaceous perennial of medium height with delphinium-like flowers that prefers a rich moist soil to do well. Personally I think it does best in dappled shade rather than full sun. Easily propagated from seed. It is highly toxic to everything other than birds.

Actaea

Two totally different plants, Actaea rubra the red baneberry is an American native found in open woodland and therefore thrives in damp shady conditions. It actually forms rhizomes so should really have been included in an earlier post. The berries are toxic.

Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) is an Asiatic baneberry which prefers moist soil and shade, although I have found it to be quite adaptable, thriving for me in an herbaceous border. The dark feathery leaves make a perfect foil for the delicate white scented flower spikes which insects find attractive. Also known as Cimicifuga simplex.

Agastache

Known as the anise hyssop or giant hyssop agastaches make a nice plant for a sunny spot. Aniseed scented leaves and with flowers that attract insects it is a useful addition to any garden. Generally grown from seed, sometimes as a annual as it will flower in its first year, it will not thrive in a wet soil. Some of the woodier species are not entirely frost hardy.

Althaea

Althea officinalis or the Marsh Mallow Herb is a vigorous herbaceous perennial, which, to be honest, I tend to think of as more of a shrub. Definitely one for a sunny spot it does well in almost any soil and at one time was very popular but doesn’t seem to be so much now. The plant has been used in herbal medicine for years and has several remedial properties attributed to it.

Androsace

Alpines were really my first love, and I built a rock garden and peat bed in the garden of my first house. I was lucky enough to have a small specialist nursery nearby, who bought in from another specialist on a regular basis. This gave me an ever-changing supply of plants on my doorstep. The androsace genus is a member of the primula family and contains almost as many species. They are mainly high alpines originating in the Himalayas. The majority form small cushions studded with disproportionately large flowers, which make stunning specimens for the alpine house and tufa wall. They are not easy to grow but the end result is a reward in itself. I grew a couple of the ‘easy’ species but unfortunately when I was growing alpines it never crossed my mind to take pictures, I really wish I had now. The plant pictured above, who’s name is bigger than it is, was grown from seed and managed a solitary flower in its second year.

Anemone

Anemones, commonly known as wind flowers, are related to the buttercup. The genus contains something like 120 species some of which are fibrous rooted others grow from rhizomes or tubers. They are found almost worldwide and range in habitat from mountain scree to woodland. Because of their diverse habitats their cultivation varies equally. It ranges from the alpine house bench to the positively invasive such as Anemone tomentosa. For further information go to my earlier post.

Anemonella

This beautiful plant is a cultivar of the single species in the genus Anemonella. A native of North America, where it found in woodland, and is known as the rue-anemone. This tuberous-rooted beauty would usually obtained from a specialist nursery but the specie plant can be grown from seed. Best grown in moist soil in dappled shade as you would expect from a plant found in woodland.

Anemonopsis

This beautiful Japanese plant requires a moist lime-free soil in light shade to thrive. Best propagated from fresh seed. Obtainable from specialist nurseries and society seed lists.

Angelica

Wide spread in Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia, angelica has tall hollow fluted stems and large flat flower-heads reminiscent of cow parsley. Its edible stems and roots have many culinary uses (candied angelica), flavouring spirits and more. Easy to grow, it is a biennial and sets copious amounts of seed, in fact it self seeds everywhere which can produce some interesting results. The self-seeded plant above has the dark foliage and the lesser stature of Angelic ‘Ebony’ but has crossed with the specie plant and has contrasting white flowers rather than the dusky pink of ‘Ebony’. It makes a good ‘spot plant’ in the border because of its height.

Aquilegia

A traditional cottage garden plant having some 60-70 species occurring in diverse habitats in the Northern Hemisphere. The traditional easy to grow garden varieties known as Columbine or Granny’s Bonnets maintain the spurred flower shape but vary greatly in colour and height. Most aquilegias seen in gardens today are the result of much interbreeding and self-seeding through generations. The earliest introduction of a strain that I remember were the McKana Hybrids which are still available today. I later saw the introduction of such as the Songbird Series of F1 Hybrids which although smaller in stature carry large flowers. They grow best in a damp gritty loam although it isn’t uncommon for them to seed into seemingly inhospitable spots but still live happily. There are a number of species from the mountains which need to be grown in the rockery or alpine house. One species illustrated above worthy of special mention is Aquilegia fragrans, not only does it make a superb specimen but, as its name suggests, is scented.

Astilbe (Spirea)

Ideal plants for a damp spot, astilbes or as they are sometimes known spireas are another plant that seems to have been around in gardens forever. Once established they are easy to divide and share. The common name spirea is confusing because Spiraea is a genus of small shrubs. Astilbes come in all sorts of colours and heights and there are many named varieties. Basically they are a good solid garden plant.

Astrantia

Astrantias are another border stalwart, many varieties have been introduced in a variety of purple and pink shades developed from the specie plant. Astrantia major ‘Claret’ is the deepest red I know. They prefer a medium loam and do not tolerate wet soils readily

Primulas (Updated)

Primula, along with meconopsis, is my favourite genus, the slightly acidic damp soil and the areas of dappled shade present in my previous garden provided an ideal micro-climate for both. These conditions made it possible to grow the mainly Asiatic types along with some European and American species, it did mean however, that the lime loving, mainly European species, were excluded.

The family Primulacae includes cyclamen, androsace and soldanella to name a few. The genus Primula is very large and diverse and because of this was split into 20 sections at the beginning of the twentieth century since when it has been updated into seven sections which are probably more botanically correct, however I will stick to the old classifications as I find them easier to comprehend. I have only included sections where I have grown plants and can provide pictures unless stated.

Section 1 Cortusoides

These attractive plants have soft velvety leaves which die back to rhizomes in winter, in drier conditions they will tend to go dormant very quickly after flowering which impedes growth. To ensure strong healthy plants a damp spot preferably in light shade is much preferred.

Section 5 Obconica

Once a very popular house plant found everywhere, Primula obconica has now waned in popularity and is rarely seen. Some people had a skin reaction when the plant was handled but I very much doubt this was the only reason for its demise, more probably the advent of orchids being everyone’s favourite was to blame. The picture is not mine and is of a T&M selection.

Section 9 Vernales

The Vernales Section is a large European group containing primroses and polyanthus both of which are very familiar as bedding, in containers and even as house plants. I could only find a couple of pictures of primroses as, to be honest, I have never been a great fan as I have always felt that many primulas, particularly polyanthus, tend to be artificial looking and have consequently been neglected when taking ‘photos. They tend to prefer slightly acid moist soils and can generally be propagated by division or from seed. It is worth noting that most of the primulas that are pictured on this site have been raised from seed.

Section 12 Petiolares

The Petiolaris Section contains around sixty species which are themselves split into several subspecies, however for the sake of sanity, I will not go down this avenue. The whole section is notoriously difficult to grow although there are quite a few species in cultivation. Primula gracilipes minor now named P.’Linnet’ is one of the easiest. Primula tanneri is another that I have grown in a poly tunnel and in the garden. They all like cool conditions in a moist gritty soil. Primula ‘Linnet’ is very close in appearance to P. petiolaris itself which is rarely seen. The plants shown were grown from seed which is the best way, although very careful division is an alternative.

Section 19 Farinosae

The largest section of the genus, also the most diverse, ranging through Asia, Europe and the Americas including our very own Primula scotica. As the name suggests the prominent characteristic is that they all are covered in farina to varying degrees. Although requiring much the same conditions as all the other primulas that I have grown, I raise many of them under cover as they tend to be small in stature and are best established before planting out. All the primulas shown above are easily raised from seed.

Section 20 Denticulata

Primula denticulata is a plant with which nearly every gardener is familiar, commonly known as the ‘drumstick primula’ it has been an early spring flowering feature in many gardens for years. Easy to grow, you can even propagate it from its fleshy roots. The pictured specimen is not very strong having self-seeded itself into a gap with stone either side but it is the only picture I have unfortunately. There is also a rather nice white form, which I now have, with red and purple pink also being available.

Section 21 Capitatae

**Primula capitata ‘Noverna Deep Blue’**

Primula capitata is a neat little plant from the Himalayas, very definitely a peat lover it tends not to be long-lived.

Section 22 Muscarioides

The best known plant in this section is Primula vialii which is even available as seed and plugs from some of the main online garden companies. The name of the section relates to the flower shape being that of muscari or grape hyacinth. For some reason I have never grown P.vialii, perhaps because it just doesn’t appeal to me. Basically, members of the section need the same treatment as most of the primulas I have described, its smaller relatives are probably safer in a peat bed or alpine house. The primulas in this group that I have grown were all raised and grown in a poly-tunnel as they were a bit too delicate for the main garden. Truth be told the only plant I managed to raise from seed of P. cernua perished before it flowered.

Section 23 Soldanelloides

Primula flaccida, formerly P.nutans, from Yunnan is the only success I have had with members of this section, three plants came from seed but only one survived to flowering and then died. Very difficult group to grow but contains some of the most beautiful plants which are often scented. The star turn is Primula reidii which is not only probably the most beautiful, but has a particularly strong scent as a bonus. Definitely subjects for careful cultivation in the alpine house.

Section 25 Nivales

Primula chionantha, is the best known of the Nivalids. They are Asiatics which generally are to be found growing on damp meadows and prefer the damper peaty conditions to be found in the north of England and Scotland. The two pictured above, which are both robust species with large strap-shaped leaves, were raised in the poly-tunnel and then planted outside where they were perfectly happy. I have grown P. chionantha but unfortunately I can’t find a picture.

Section 27 Sikkimensis

Easy to grow section but needs peaty conditions and plenty of water to thrive. Many people will be more familiar with P.florindae, known as the Giant Cowslip, rather than the eponymous Primula sikkimensis, it comes in other colours ranging from red through orange. Generally easy from seed and division of vigorous clumps.

Section 28 Candelabra

Hailing from the Himalayas these easy to grow plants with their tiered flowers are what started my interest in all plants from the alpine regions particularly the Asiatics, I was also lucky in that living in North West provided almost ideal conditions for my favourites. I first saw these in any quantity at Fletcher Moss Gardens, Didsbury but large plantings can be seen at Ness Gardens and Harlow Car Gardens. Although they will grow in any good peaty soil they need water to really thrive and make an excellent pond-side planting especially in numbers.

Section 30 Floribunda

Primula x Kewensis is a remarkable hybrid bred at Kew, as its name suggests, which comes true from seed. It was bred from P verticillata and P floribunda and is not fully hardy as I found out to my cost when I first raised it. If kept under glass it will flower in very early spring.

That completes my review of the genus Primula where I have included all the sections that I have successfully grown. When it comes to my failures with some of the more challenging plants, I can only say a poly-tunnel is really not adequate when compared with a dedicated alpine house however the pleasure and satisfaction I gained from actually raising some of these subjects from seed was very much worth the effort.

In many descriptions I have mentioned peat as being an essential component to the growth of these plants, many of which grow best in a peat bed. In a future post I hope to show the totally illogical approach the government is taking by banning the sale of peat for horticultural use.

Peat for horticultural use is extracted from 4,500 hectares of peatland which is 0.15% of the 3,000,000 hectares in the UK. Why are the banning the sale of peat?