Perennials - Shade & Woodland

Astilbe japonica ‘Bonn’ produces soft, feathery plumes of deep pink flowers that bring a light, elegant feel to shady borders, woodland gardens and moisture-retentive containers in early summer.

A compact, clump-forming perennial, it typically reaches around 10–50cm, carrying flowers just above attractive, fern-like foliage. Plant in drifts for a glowing, cloud-like effect through June and July.

Grow in dappled or partial shade in moist, humus-rich soil. Astilbes dislike drying out, so they perform best where the soil stays evenly moist, including near ponds or in consistently watered borders.

Water during dry spells, mulch in spring to conserve moisture, and cut back spent flower stems if you prefer a tidy look. Alternatively, leave seedheads for gentle texture into autumn.

Ideal for shady borders and waterside planting, ‘Bonn’ combines beautifully with hostas, ferns and brunnera. The plumes also make charming stems for cutting or drying.

Anemone nemorosa 'Robinsoniana' is a woodland classic, bringing soft lavender-blue spring flowers to shady corners in early spring. The starry blooms appear in a fresh carpet above finely cut foliage, brightening banks, underplanting and the front of borders when little else is flowering, and they look especially beautiful planted in repeating groups.

Reaching about 15–25cm in flower, wood anemones spread steadily to form natural-looking colonies. They are ideal for planting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where they enjoy spring light before the canopy closes, and they naturalise beautifully in woodland-style gardens.

Plant rootstocks in autumn or early spring in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. A position in partial shade is ideal, though they will tolerate sun in cool, damp ground. Water after planting and keep soil just moist while new growth establishes.

Once settled, wood anemones are low maintenance. Leave foliage to die back naturally after flowering so plants can recharge for next year. A light mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn supports healthy colonies and helps retain soil moisture.

Use wood anemones to create spring drifts under shrubs, along pathways and on woodland edges. The flowers are pollinator-friendly and provide early nectar, while the spreading habit helps knit planting together for a soft, natural finish.

Anemone nemorosa 'Blue Eyes' is a woodland classic, bringing white flowers with a sky-blue eye to shady corners in early spring. The starry blooms appear in a fresh carpet above finely cut foliage, brightening banks, underplanting and the front of borders when little else is flowering, and they look especially beautiful planted in repeating groups.

Reaching about 15–25cm in flower, wood anemones spread steadily to form natural-looking colonies. They are ideal for planting beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where they enjoy spring light before the canopy closes, and they naturalise beautifully in woodland-style gardens.

Plant rootstocks in autumn or early spring in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. A position in partial shade is ideal, though they will tolerate sun in cool, damp ground. Water after planting and keep soil just moist while new growth establishes.

Once settled, wood anemones are low maintenance. Leave foliage to die back naturally after flowering so plants can recharge for next year. A light mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn supports healthy colonies and helps retain soil moisture.

Use wood anemones to create spring drifts under shrubs, along pathways and on woodland edges. The flowers are pollinator-friendly and provide early nectar, while the spreading habit helps knit planting together for a soft, natural finish.

Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ is a classic Japanese anemone prized for elegant, semi‑double white flowers on tall, wiry stems from late summer into autumn. The clear white blooms brighten borders and work beautifully in twilight gardens. Each flower has a bright boss of yellow stamens for contrast.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in soil that remains moist but drains well. It’s happiest in richer ground and is well suited to the back of a border, where it can rise through neighbouring perennials and shrubs. It’s a good choice for brightening slightly shaded borders and underplanting shrubs.

As it settles in, it forms a clump and may gradually spread, so give it room and avoid disturbing it unnecessarily. The flowers are excellent for cutting, and the foliage stays attractive for much of the season. Try pairing with ferns, hostas and grasses for a calm, natural look.

Mulch annually with compost and water during dry spells to encourage plenty of blooms. In exposed sites, neighbouring plants often provide enough support, but discreet staking is helpful in windy positions. A spring mulch also helps keep roots cool, especially in sunnier gardens.

Cut stems back in late autumn, or leave them for winter structure and tidy up in spring. A timeless, award‑winning plant for late‑season colour. Given time, it can become a generous clump with a long run of blooms.

Anemone × hybrida ‘Königin Charlotte’ (Queen Charlotte) is an award‑winning Japanese anemone with rich rose‑pink, semi‑double flowers carried on tall stems from late summer into autumn. The large blooms add colour and movement when many borders are fading. Overlapping petals give a fuller look, with a warm yellow centre.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well‑drained soil. It’s excellent at the back of a mixed border, where its stems can weave naturally through neighbouring plants and grasses. A little afternoon shade can be helpful in hotter gardens.

Over time it forms a substantial clump and can spread, so allow space and try not to move it once established. Pair it with asters, salvias and ornamental grasses for a long season of interest. It’s particularly effective in drifts, where repeated clumps create rhythm through the border.

Mulch in spring, water in dry spells, and avoid excessive winter wet. Stems usually hold well, but a light support can help in exposed gardens. Adding organic matter helps sandy soils hold moisture and supports better flowering.

Cut back after flowering, or leave stems standing over winter and tidy in spring. A dependable perennial for late‑summer colour with a soft, romantic feel. As an RHS AGM cultivar, it’s a dependable choice for late‑season colour.

Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ is a shade-loving perennial prized for its shimmering, silver-patterned leaves and delicate forget-me-not style blue flowers that appear in spring, lifting woodland borders and shady pots.

Forming a tidy clump, it reaches around 30–50cm in height and gradually spreads to create a generous patch of foliage. It’s a brilliant, low-effort plant for brightening darker corners all season long.

Plant in light to partial shade in moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. It copes with a wide range of soil types, but appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season.

Water during dry spells, especially in the first year, and mulch in spring to keep roots cool and soil moisture steady. Remove old leaves as new growth appears to keep clumps looking fresh.

Ideal for woodland planting, shady borders and large containers, ‘Jack Frost’ pairs beautifully with hellebores, epimediums and spring bulbs, and is also a great ground-cover plant in dappled shade.

Lamprocapnos spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis) is the classic bleeding heart, loved for its arching stems lined with heart‑shaped flowers in spring. The blooms are typically pink with white tips, and the softly divided foliage gives a graceful, traditional cottage‑garden look.

Plant in partial shade in moist, fertile soil that drains well. It’s perfect beneath light‑canopied trees, alongside hostas and ferns, or tucked into the middle of a border where later‑flowering plants can take over as it finishes for the year.

Set the crown at the same depth as it was growing and water well while it establishes. Mulch in spring to keep roots cool and retain moisture. In very dry spells, watering helps prevent the plant going dormant too quickly after flowering.

After blooming, foliage may fade back as summer arrives. Leave it to die down naturally, then clear away old stems once they are dry. Mark the spot so you don’t disturb the crown, and avoid digging close to the plant while it’s resting.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. With a little patience, it will form a long‑lived clump that returns each spring with a fresh display of dangling hearts, ready to welcome pollinators back to the garden.

Dicentra ‘Luxuriant’ is a fern‑leaf bleeding heart that forms a neat clump of finely divided foliage, sending up arching stems of dangling blooms from late spring. Unlike the taller, old-fashioned Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly Dicentra spectabilis), which typically goes dormant and disappears by mid-summer, ‘Luxuriant’ remains a presence in the garden throughout the season. It is a lovely choice for softening paths, borders, and woodland plantings where lasting greenery is required.

Plant in moist, humus‑rich soil that won’t bake dry. While the common spectabilis requires deep shade to preserve its foliage, ‘Luxuriant’ is more versatile and can cope with sunnier positions if the ground stays moist. Tuck it between hostas and ferns to fill the gaps that spring-only bleeding hearts would leave behind.
Set plants at the same depth they were growing and mulch in spring. The primary advantage over its larger relative is stamina; while spectabilis finishes its show in early June, a light trim and regular watering will encourage ‘Luxuriant’ to produce a fresh flush of growth and blooms well into summer.

The flowers are a rich cherry tone—deeper and more consistent than the classic pink-and-white hearts of spectabilis—bringing a warm accent to the garden. You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, ready to provide reliable spring‑to‑summer colour and attractive, ferny foliage that keeps borders looking finished long after other bleeding hearts have faded.

Anemone × hybrida ‘September Charm’ is an RHS Award of Garden Merit Japanese anemone with softly cupped, rose‑pink flowers that open from late summer into autumn. It’s a gentle, luminous colour that lifts borders as the seasons change. Petals are slightly deeper pink on the reverse, so the flowers keep their colour as they sway.

Grow in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile soil that stays moist but well‑drained. It’s ideal for the middle of a mixed border, where its wiry stems can rise through nearby plants without looking heavy. A spot with morning sun and a little later shade often keeps foliage at its best.

‘September Charm’ forms clumps and can spread once happy, making it useful for naturalistic planting and larger drifts. The flowers are also lovely in simple vase arrangements, especially with seed heads and grasses. It’s excellent with sedums, rudbeckias and grasses for a long‑season display.

Mulch in spring, water in dry weather, and avoid waterlogging in winter. Once established it’s resilient and will come back year after year with minimal fuss. If the clump expands too far, divide in spring and replant sections where you want them.

Cut stems back after flowering, or leave them standing for winter interest and tidy in spring. A pollinator‑friendly perennial for extending the season. It’s an easy way to keep borders looking fresh into autumn.

Anemone × hybrida 'Whirlwind' brings semi-double to double white blooms with a yellow centre to late-summer borders, opening on slender stems above handsome, deep green foliage. The saucer-like blooms hover gracefully and keep the garden going just as many perennials begin to fade, adding movement and light to mixed planting schemes.

Typically reaching around 75–100cm once established, Japanese anemones form clump-forming plants that spread gently by suckers over time. They flower for weeks from late summer into autumn and are excellent for weaving through grasses and shrubs, as well as for cutting when stems are harvested in bud.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the planting area with compost to help retain moisture. Water well after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish.

Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil, and water during prolonged dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers for a tidier display, and cut back stems once the plant has finished in autumn. Divide congested clumps in early spring if you want to control spread or increase stock.

Perfect for naturalistic borders, cottage-style planting and late-season pollinator support, these anemones also make long-lasting cut flowers. Their airy habit pairs beautifully with asters, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses, extending colour and texture into the autumn months.

Anemone × hybrida 'Rotkäppchen' brings deep rose-pink, semi-double flowers to late-summer borders, opening on slender stems above handsome, deep green foliage. The saucer-like blooms hover gracefully and keep the garden going just as many perennials begin to fade, adding movement and light to mixed planting schemes.

Typically reaching around 75–100cm once established, Japanese anemones form clump-forming plants that spread gently by suckers over time. They flower for weeks from late summer into autumn and are excellent for weaving through grasses and shrubs, as well as for cutting when stems are harvested in bud.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the planting area with compost to help retain moisture. Water well after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish.

Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil, and water during prolonged dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers for a tidier display, and cut back stems once the plant has finished in autumn. Divide congested clumps in early spring if you want to control spread or increase stock.

Perfect for naturalistic borders, cottage-style planting and late-season pollinator support, these anemones also make long-lasting cut flowers. Their airy habit pairs beautifully with asters, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses, extending colour and texture into the autumn months.

Astilbe ‘Brautschleier’ (also known as ‘Bridal Veil’) produces elegant, creamy-white plumes that float above fresh green foliage, brightening shady borders and moisture-retentive beds in early summer.

A fully hardy, clump-forming perennial, it reaches roughly 50–100cm depending on conditions. The tapering flower spikes create a soft vertical accent and look especially effective planted in groups.

Grow in moist but well-drained or even boggy soil in dappled shade or indirect sun. Astilbes are drought intolerant and can scorch in hot sun, so consistent moisture is the key to success.

Water during dry spells, mulch in spring, and cut back spent stems as needed. Divide established clumps in late winter or early spring to maintain vigour and keep flowering strong.

Perfect for woodland borders, waterside planting and shady containers, ‘Brautschleier’ pairs beautifully with hostas and ferns. The flowers are also useful for cutting and add texture to arrangements.

Anemone nemorosa 'Royal Blue' is a woodland classic, bringing lavender-blue spring flowers to shady corners in early spring. The starry blooms appear in a fresh carpet above finely cut foliage, brightening banks, underplanting and the front of borders when little else is flowering, and they look especially beautiful planted in repeating groups.

Reaching about 10–25cm in flower, wood anemones spread steadily to form natural-looking colonies. They are ideal beneath deciduous trees and shrubs, where they enjoy spring light before the canopy closes, and they naturalise beautifully in woodland-style gardens.

Plant rootstocks in autumn or early spring in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. A position in partial shade is ideal, though they will tolerate sun in cool, damp ground. Water after planting and keep soil just moist while new growth establishes.

Once settled, wood anemones are low maintenance. Leave foliage to die back naturally after flowering so plants can recharge for next year. A light mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn supports healthy colonies and helps retain soil moisture.

Use wood anemones to create spring drifts under shrubs, along pathways and on woodland edges. The flowers are pollinator-friendly and provide early nectar, while the spreading habit helps knit planting together for a soft, natural finish.

Anemone × hybrida 'Pamina' (Pink) brings double, deep pink flowers held on strong stems to late-summer borders, opening on slender stems above handsome, deep green foliage. The saucer-like blooms hover gracefully and keep the garden going just as many perennials begin to fade, adding movement and light to mixed planting schemes.

Typically reaching around 75–100cm once established, Japanese anemones form clump-forming plants that spread gently by suckers over time. They flower for weeks from late summer into autumn and are excellent for weaving through grasses and shrubs, as well as for cutting when stems are harvested in bud.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot and enrich the planting area with compost to help retain moisture. Water well after planting and keep the soil evenly moist while roots establish.

Mulch annually in spring to conserve moisture and feed the soil, and water during prolonged dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers for a tidier display, and cut back stems once the plant has finished in autumn. Divide congested clumps in early spring if you want to control spread or increase stock.

Perfect for naturalistic borders, cottage-style planting and late-season pollinator support, these anemones also make long-lasting cut flowers. Their airy habit pairs beautifully with asters, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses, extending colour and texture into the autumn months.

Anemone hupehensis ‘Prinz Heinrich’ is a Japanese anemone that brings deep rose‑pink, semi‑double flowers to the garden from late summer into autumn. The blooms float above divided green foliage on wiry stems, adding movement to borders. The narrow, overlapping petals give a refined, airy finish.

Plant it in full sun or partial shade in soil that stays evenly moist but drains well. It’s especially useful for brightening the edge of woodland planting or mixed borders when many summer perennials are winding down. In hotter positions, a little afternoon shade helps flowers stay fresh.

Over time it forms a clump and can slowly spread, so give it space and avoid moving it once established. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, asters and late‑flowering salvias for a long season of interest. Plant in groups if you’d like a more natural drift over time.

Water during dry spells for better flowering, and add a mulch of compost in spring to support healthy growth. Stems can be lightly supported in exposed spots, but they usually weave naturally through neighbours. Avoid winter waterlogging, but don’t let the soil bake dry in summer.

Cut back in late autumn, or leave stems for winter texture and tidy in spring. A reliable choice for late colour with a soft, romantic look. Once established, Japanese anemones can flower reliably for years.

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as the Lenten rose, brings gentle colour to the garden when little else is flowering. Its nodding, cup‑shaped blooms open in soft pink shades from late winter into early spring, hovering above handsome, leathery green foliage.

This clump‑forming perennial grows to around 45cm tall and wide, making it easy to tuck into borders, underplant shrubs, or feature in large pots near a doorway. The flowers are long‑lasting and look lovely with early bulbs, grasses and spring woodland plants.

Plant in fertile, humus‑rich soil that stays moist but drains freely. A spot in partial shade is ideal, though it will also cope with some sun in cooler areas. Choose a sheltered position and mulch in autumn to keep the roots comfortable through winter.

Set plants at the same depth they were growing in the pot, water in well, and keep evenly moist while they establish. In late winter, tidy away tired leaves to show off the flowers and reduce leaf‑spot problems. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring.

Because hellebores flower early, they can provide nectar and pollen for emerging bees when other sources are scarce. Once established they’re low‑fuss, returning each year with reliable winter‑into‑spring interest and a fresh flush of foliage as temperatures rise.