Summer Perennials

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.

Phlox paniculata ‘David’ produces large heads of pure white, sweetly scented flowers that light up summer borders and bring a fresh, classic look to cottage and wildlife-friendly planting.

Forming an upright clump to around 1–1.5m tall, it flowers over many weeks in mid to late summer, with dense, starry blooms that open progressively and provide plenty of long stems for cutting.

Plant in full sun or light partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Phlox performs best with consistent moisture and benefits from an annual mulch to keep roots cool.

Water during dry spells and deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, then cut stems back to the base in late autumn. Division in spring or autumn can refresh older clumps and improve vigour.

Ideal for borders and cutting gardens, ‘David’ pairs beautifully with grasses and daisies, and the nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies throughout the summer.

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 ‘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.

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.

Phlox paniculata Mixed produces an uplifting blend of scented summer flowers in a range of shades, bringing a classic cottage-garden feel to borders and delivering plenty of stems for cutting.

These hardy perennials form upright clumps and typically reach around 1–1.5m tall, carrying dense heads of starry blooms that open over weeks, providing long-lasting colour through mid to late summer.

Plant in full sun or light partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Phlox appreciates consistent moisture and benefits from a mulched root run to help prevent stress in hot weather.

Water during dry spells and deadhead to encourage further blooms. Improve airflow by spacing plants well, and cut stems back to the base in late autumn after flowering has finished.

Ideal for mixed borders and wildlife-friendly gardens, phlox pairs beautifully with grasses and daisies, and the sweetly scented flowers are also loved by pollinators throughout the summer.

Monarda ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ produces vivid, shaggy scarlet flower heads that bring hot summer colour to borders and cutting gardens, and it’s a standout plant for attracting pollinators in wildlife-friendly planting.

Forming a vigorous clump to around 90cm, it carries its blooms above aromatic foliage and flowers over several weeks in summer, creating a bold vertical accent and plenty of stems for informal bouquets.

Plant in full sun or light partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Monarda performs best where it isn’t allowed to dry out completely and where air can move around the leaves.

Water during dry spells, mulch in spring, and deadhead to extend the display. In autumn, cut back spent stems to the base, and divide clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous and flowering well.

Perfect for cottage borders and mixed planting with grasses and perennials, this bee balm is also valuable for bees and butterflies, making it both beautiful and beneficial in the summer garden.

Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’ is a low, spreading hardy geranium that produces crisp white flowers over a neat mound of foliage, making it ideal for the front of borders, rock gardens and pots.

Growing to around 15–25cm tall, it forms a weed-suppressing carpet and flowers through early to mid-summer. The foliage often colours attractively later in the season, extending the plant’s interest.

Plant in full sun or light partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils once established and suits informal and cottage-style planting.

Water in dry spells during the first season, then only in prolonged drought. Light trimming after the first flush of flowers can encourage a fresh burst of foliage and repeat flowering.

Perfect for edging, groundcover and underplanting, this easy perennial pairs well with roses and grasses, and it is also a pollinator-friendly choice for wildlife gardens.

Hosta ‘Patriot’ is a reliable shade perennial with bold, white-edged leaves that bring instant brightness to woodland borders, shady patios and large containers, adding texture and structure from spring to autumn.

Forming a clump to around 55cm tall, it produces spikes of funnel-shaped, lavender-blue flowers in summer. The leaves are puckered and sturdy, creating a handsome mound that works as groundcover or a focal point.

Plant in partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Hostas prefer cool roots, so they benefit from mulch and from protection from hot afternoon sun in exposed gardens.

Water regularly in dry spells, especially in pots, and mulch in spring to conserve moisture. Protect new shoots from slugs and snails, and remove spent flower stems after flowering for a tidy finish.

Ideal for shady borders, underplanting, and container displays, ‘Patriot’ pairs beautifully with ferns, brunnera and hellebores, and provides strong foliage contrast alongside finer-textured plants.

Hosta ‘Big Daddy’ is a statement perennial for shade, grown for its huge, blue-grey, heavily puckered leaves that form a dramatic mound in borders and large containers, bringing texture and calm structure all season.

A clump-forming plant, it can reach around 60cm high (and larger in time) with a substantial spread, making it ideal as a focal point in shady beds. In early summer it produces stems of pale, bell-shaped flowers.

Plant in partial shade in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Hostas prefer cool roots and benefit from shelter from hot afternoon sun to keep foliage looking its best.

Water regularly during dry weather, particularly in pots, and mulch in spring to conserve moisture. Protect new shoots from slugs and snails, and remove spent flower stems for a tidy finish.

Perfect for woodland borders, shady courtyards and container displays, ‘Big Daddy’ pairs beautifully with ferns, brunnera and hellebores, and provides bold foliage contrast alongside finer-textured plants.

Geranium × oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’ is a hardy geranium that produces a steady flow of soft salmon‑pink blooms over a long season. The flowers sit above clumps of divided green foliage, making it an excellent, reliable plant for borders, path edges and relaxed ground cover.

It grows happily in full sun or partial shade and copes with many garden soils, as long as the ground isn’t waterlogged. Use it at the front of borders, underplanting roses and shrubs, or weaving between taller perennials to soften edges and fill gaps with colour.

Plant in spring or early autumn, water well to settle in, and add a mulch of compost to conserve moisture and feed the soil. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and lightly trim back after a flush to encourage fresh growth and more blooms later on.

The pink flowers are especially effective with blues and purples, silvery foliage and white accents. It’s also a helpful plant for pollinators, and its spreading habit helps suppress weeds once it has knitted together into a dense, low mound.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. Give it a little room and occasional water in dry spells, and it will quickly form an easy, repeatable patch of colour that returns year after year with minimal attention.

Hosta (Tardiana Group) ‘Halcyon’ is prized for its thick, blue‑grey leaves that form a tidy mound in shaded borders. In summer, slender stems carry soft purple, bell‑shaped flowers that add a gentle lift above the foliage without stealing the show.

Plant in fertile, moisture‑retentive soil that drains well. Partial shade is best, though it will tolerate some sun if the ground stays evenly moist. It’s ideal under shrubs, along shady paths, or as a calming foil to brighter, variegated hostas and woodland perennials.

Set plants at the same depth as they were growing and water well while they establish. Mulch in spring to keep roots cool, feed the soil and reduce watering. In autumn, let foliage die back naturally, then clear away old leaves before new shoots emerge in spring.

‘Halcyon’ brings dependable structure and colour contrast: pair it with ferns, bleeding hearts and astrantias, or use it to edge a border where you want a clean, repeating rhythm. The flowers can also be enjoyed as simple, understated cut stems indoors.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. With steady moisture and a little patience, it will bulk up into a long‑lived clump that returns reliably year after year.

Geranium ‘Brookside’ is a hardy cranesbill that quickly forms a spreading mound of dissected green leaves, topped with masses of clear violet‑blue flowers with pale centres. It’s an easy, generous perennial for weaving through borders and keeping the garden looking fresh for months.

Plant in moderately fertile soil that drains well, in sun or light shade. It’s ideal at the front of borders, alongside roses, or as ground cover between taller perennials. Once established it’s resilient, but it looks its best with occasional watering in prolonged dry spells.

For the longest display, deadhead spent flowers and give the plant a light trim if it becomes untidy—this often encourages another burst of blooms. A spring mulch of compost helps retain moisture and feeds the soil for stronger growth and flowering.

The cool, blue‑violet tones are perfect with whites, soft yellows and silvery foliage, and the open, saucer‑shaped flowers also make a natural partner for ornamental grasses. It’s a reliable filler that also feels special when planted in larger drifts.

You’ll receive one plant in the stated grade, dispatched in season for planting. Settle it in well for the first few weeks and it will soon knit into a long‑flowering patch that returns each year with minimal fuss.

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.

Hemerocallis ‘Frans Hals’ is a dependable daylily with eye-catching, bicolour blooms that light up sunny borders, cottage gardens, and low-maintenance planting schemes throughout summer.

Forming a tidy, bushy clump of strap-like foliage, it sends up sturdy stems topped with large, funnel-shaped flowers in warm orange and yellow tones, delivering bold colour with minimal fuss.

Plant in full sun for the strongest flowering, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Daylilies are tolerant of a wide range of soils and cope well once established, making them ideal for many gardens.

Water during prolonged dry spells in spring and early summer to support bud formation. Remove spent flower stems after flowering and tidy away dead foliage; clumps can be divided every few years if needed.

A brilliant choice for borders and cutting, ‘Frans Hals’ also supports pollinators and provides reliable structure at the front to middle of beds, pairing easily with grasses and late-summer perennials.

Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ is a much-loved perennial for shade, combining bold, puckered leaves with attractive variegation that brightens borders, woodland edges, and containers throughout the growing season.

The broad, heart-shaped foliage forms a generous clump and provides strong ground cover, while pale lilac summer flowers rise above the leaves on tall stems, adding a softer, seasonal highlight.

Plant in partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. A sheltered position helps prevent leaf scorch, and consistent moisture supports the best leaf colour and overall plant performance.

Water well in dry weather, mulch in spring to retain moisture, and remove old foliage once it dies back. Slug protection is helpful in spring, and clumps can be divided every few years to rejuvenate plants.

Perfect for shade borders and underplanting, this hosta also works beautifully in large pots and brings a calm, architectural feel to planting designs where flowers are secondary to foliage impact.

Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans is a classic shade perennial prized for its bold, heavily textured foliage that adds structure to borders, woodland gardens, and large containers from spring right through autumn.

Forming a broad, clump-forming mound, this hosta develops blue-grey leaves that become even more impressive as the plant matures, creating a strong backdrop for neighbouring flowers and underplanting.

Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in a sheltered spot with partial shade. It performs best where the ground stays evenly moist, especially during the first growing season.

Water regularly in dry spells, mulch in spring to conserve moisture, and remove tired foliage as it dies back. Protect emerging growth from slugs and snails, and divide congested clumps every few years.

Ideal for shady borders and underplanting, hostas also provide valuable cover for beneficial wildlife and bring a calm, architectural feel to planting schemes where flowers can be harder to achieve.

Kniphofia ‘Sunningdale Yellow’ produces elegant spikes of warm yellow flowers that fade to orange tones, bringing bold summer colour and vertical structure to sunny borders and gravel gardens.

Growing to around 0.5–1m tall in flower, it forms a clump of strap-like foliage and sends up multiple spikes through summer, making it a reliable performer for long-season impact in hot borders.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and choose a warm, sheltered position where winter wet is minimal. Kniphofia performs best where it isn’t shaded and where drainage is sharp in colder months.

Water to establish, then only in prolonged drought. Feed in spring and remove spent flower stems to encourage more blooms; tidy old leaves in spring as new growth appears for a clean finish.

Perfect for prairie-style borders and wildlife gardens, this red-hot poker pairs beautifully with grasses and echinacea, and it is also a strong pollinator plant in mid to late summer.

Geranium sanguineum (bloody cranesbill) is a hardy, spreading perennial that produces vivid magenta-pink flowers with darker veining, creating a jewel-like carpet at the front of borders and in rock gardens.

Staying compact at around 20cm tall, it spreads to form a neat, bushy groundcover that flowers over a long period in summer and often develops attractive autumn colour as the season cools.

Plant in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It copes with many soil types and is particularly useful where you need low, reliable cover without lots of maintenance.

Water to establish, then only during prolonged drought. A light trim after the first flush can encourage fresh foliage and repeat flowering, and dividing clumps in spring can rejuvenate older plants.

Ideal for edging, underplanting and wildlife gardens, this cranesbill pairs beautifully with roses and grasses, and it provides a long-lasting, pollinator-friendly summer display.

Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’ produces fragrant, green-yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that bring bright summer colour to borders and large containers, with a natural, cottage-garden feel.

A deciduous, clump-forming perennial, it reaches around 1m in flower and forms arching strap-like foliage. Each bloom lasts a day, but plants carry many buds so you get a long season of flowers.

Plant in full sun or light partial shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Daylilies are tolerant of a range of soils, including heavier ground, but flowering is best where they receive good light.

Water in dry spells from spring to early summer to support bud formation, and feed in spring for strong growth. Remove spent flower stems after flowering and tidy dead foliage as required.

Perfect for mixed borders, cottage gardens and cut flowers, daylilies are dependable and long-lived. They also divide easily, so established clumps can be split to create new plants.

Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ produces a vibrant mix of coneflower blooms in warm summer shades, bringing long-lasting colour and a wildlife-friendly feel to sunny borders and cutting gardens.

Reaching around 60–70cm tall, it forms sturdy stems topped with classic daisy-like flowers with a central cone. It flowers from summer into early autumn and is excellent for bees and butterflies.

Plant in full sun (or light shade) in deep, well-drained soil. Coneflowers dislike winter waterlogging, so avoid very heavy, wet soils or improve drainage with grit and organic matter.

Water to establish, then keep on the drier side once settled. Deadhead to extend flowering, or leave seedheads for structure and birds. Cut stems back in late winter or early spring.

Ideal for prairie-style planting, mixed borders and cut flowers, echinacea pairs beautifully with grasses, kniphofia and late-summer perennials for a long season of interest.

Kniphofia ‘Red Rocket’ produces vivid coral-red flower spikes that light up sunny borders, gravel gardens and prairie-style planting, bringing bold colour and strong vertical shape through late summer.

An herbaceous perennial reaching around 60cm in height (and taller in flower), it forms a clump of strap-like foliage and sends up repeated spikes that open gradually, extending the flowering display into autumn.

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil for best performance. A warm, sheltered position helps the stems stay upright and encourages strong colouring, especially in cooler or windier gardens.

Water to establish, then only during prolonged dry spells. Feed in spring, and remove spent stems to encourage more blooms. Leave foliage over winter for protection, then tidy in spring as growth resumes.

Perfect for hot borders and wildlife-friendly planting, kniphofia pairs beautifully with grasses, echinacea and late-summer perennials, and provides long-lasting cut stems as well.

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.

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.

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.