Connacht Gold Garden Centres

Add a splash of seasonal colour to your garden with some herbaceous perennials which return year after year

Delphiniums

Delphiniums are grown for their towering spikes of exquisite flowers. These appear in early to mid summer and are available in a range of colours from white to pink and from sky blue right through to deep blue. Tall varieties can be planted in a mixed border or island bed with shelter to prevent them being blown over in strong winds. Shorter varieties are ideal for rockeries. The flowers are excellent for cutting.

Astilbe

A leafy clump forming perennial grown for its long lasting tapering feathery heads of flowers in summer, that later turn brown, keeping their shape well into winter. The leaves, borne on strong stems are divided into several leaflets. Ideal for growing in damp locations, woodland gardens or waterside planting. Look out for the varieties ‘Fanal’ and ‘Sprite’

Rudbeckia

There are numerous varieties of ‘black eyed Susan’ available but ‘Goldstrum’ is a great variety. These plants are valued for their strong upright form and large daisy like, golden-yellow flower heads with cone shaped blackish-brown centres. These appear above the substantial clumps of lance shaped, mid green leaves during later summer and autumn. Cut flowers last reasonably well in water.

Dahlia

The variety of hybrid border dahlias now available offers a dazzling display of colour and form to every gardener, and no special skills are required to cultivate them. In colour the floer range is huge. In size they go from tiny pompoms to large exhibition blooms. Dahlias are excellent for providing cut flowers. In the right conditions a single plant can produce up to one hundred blooms. Many are half hardy and after flowering the tubers need to be lifted and stored in a frost free place for replacing the following year.

Agapanthus

Lily of the Nile is becoming ever more popular with gardeners, with its low maintanence nature, crisp exotic look, and long lasting flowers. ‘Bluestorm’ is a great variety with its compact size and uniform growth, and masses of blooms. With lush tufts of dense strappy leaves, the plant adds flair even when not in bloom. It grows well in most soils and although best rewards will be gained by planting in full sun it will tolerate partial shade. Bluestorm also make a great container plant.

Hemerocallis

One of the best varieties of dayliliies, and easily available is ‘Stella de Oro’. This compact perennial produces clumps of dense green grassy foliage with upright stems of fgolden yellow trumpet shaped flowers. It grows quite happily in most soils, and is excellent for use in borders or containers and tubs. It will flower for months on end and mature plants can be divided in autumn or early spring. Grows happily in full sun or partial shade.

Leucanthemum

Shasta daisies are great for cottage and informal gardens. Look out for the variety ‘Snow Lady’. This upright, clump forming perennial appears in spring with dark green, deeply toothed leaves followed by masses of beautiful large daisy-like flowers all summer. Plant in a sheltered site and in colder areas it may be necessary to lift the crowns and store in a frost free area over winter.