Herbaceous perennials bring a riot of colours into the garden. We offer hundreds of different varieties which are suitable for all sorts of situations and for flowering at almost any time of year
Ornamental thistle, native to the Balkans. Produces brilliant red flowers on tall stems in summer and will continue flowering if dead-headed. Silvery-leaves, intriguing bristly bronze-coloured flower buds and last well as a cut flower. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. Best in full sun and moist but well drained soils.
Centaurea macrocephala has many common names, including bighead knapweed, lemon fluff, or yellow bachelor's button. It is native to the Caucasus and enjoys growing in full sun and in any decent garden soil, being remarkably resilient and tolerant of poor conditions. In summer it will produce large, yellow flowerheads, atop tall stems, that will be very popular with bees and butterflies. Fully hardy, Height: 1.75m
White flowerheads with a clear purple heart are borne on dense grey/green woolly stems from late spring to summer. Moist but well drained soil preferred. Fully hardy. H: 45cm; W:60cm.
Centaurea nigra is a species of perennial flowering plant, and a stalwart of any meadow type planting intended to attract bees. The fluffy mauve flowerheads are in fact one of the very best sources of nectar of any plant found naturally gowing in Britain. Full sun and moist but well drained soil preferred. Fully hardy. Height: about 1m
A very fine form of 'ornamental thistle' but minus the spines and with loads of large soft pink flowers in summer. Very good for bees. Best in full sun and in moist but well drained soil. Very easy to grow and trouble free. Fully hardy. Final height will be up to 1m.
Hardy perennial for a sunny spot in any decent soil. Attractive dark green and deeply divided (pinnatifid) foliage, and sulphur-yellow thistle-like flower heads in mid-suumer. Best in full sun. H: 120
Giant Scabious. Lovely back of the border plant. Pale lemon pin-cushion flowerheads borne throughout summer. H:2m. Hardy. Grow in sun or partial shade in well drained soil.
Low-growing hardy perennial for a sunny and well drained position - good for tumbling over low walls for example. This gorgeous little alpine perennial is very long flowering. The attractive lilac-blue flowers with dark veins and a small yellow lip emerge in mid summer and carry on flowering into the autumn. Hardy. H: 20cm
Vibrant late flowering hardy perennial suitable for mid-border. Double bright orange flowers are borne on woody stems from late summer right into the autumn. Full sun preferred. H: 75cm
Clump forming perennial with leaves at the base of the plant. Long stems bear blue-white dandelion-like flowerheads in summer. H:1.2m. W:60cm. Hardy. Sun. Well-drained.
