9 long-flowering perennials to plant now
Geranium Rozanne (‘Gerwat’)
Spreading border essential that boasts lavender-blue blooms from May to October. Magenta pink G. x
riversleaianum ‘Russell Prichard’ is also long-flowering. Sun or semi-shade. Height: 2ft (60cm).
Verbena hastata f. rosea
Forming a veil of blush pink at the back of borders from June to October, this AGM winner is hardier than its floriferous cousin V. bonariensis, which lasts one to two years and will self seed. Full sun. H: 31/2ft (1.1m).
Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’
One of the longest-flowering heleniums, with deadheading this good doer will produce copper-amber flowers from June to October. Plant in moist, welldrained soil in full sun. H: 3ft 3in (1m).
Gaura lindheimeri
Has white blooms that float on willowy stems for months – sometimes from May through to November. Its airy, arching habit means it looks good spilling over a path, or among grasses. Full sun. H: 21/2ft (80cm).
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’
Blooms from May to September, forming a bushy aromatic carpet of violet-blue that hums with honeybees. Fellow AGM holder ‘Six Hills Giant’ is larger and will also flower for months. Sun or semishade. H: 2ft (60cm).
Astrantia ‘Roma’
Garden designer Piet Oudolf’s favourite astrantia, ‘Roma’ produces pink pin cushion blooms from May to September, while its airy form means it mixes well with other plants. Sun or semi-shade. AGM. H: 2ft 3in (70cm).
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’
Cheery sun-yellow daisies cover the fine foliage of this compact tickseed from July to September, and lure butterflies and bees into the garden. Can be grown in a container in sun or semi-shade. H: 11/ 2 ft (45cm).
Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’
AGM holder with upright indigo tapers that look striking at the front of a border, and are produced freely from June to August. S. x sylvestris ‘Blauhügel’ is also long-flowering. Sun or semi-shade. H: 11/ 2 ft (50cm).
Penstemon ‘White Bedder’
A semi-evergreen perennial with flushes of pretty white tubular flowers from pink buds, between June and October. Plant in well-drained soil, and keep snipping off spent blooms. Sun or semi-shade. H: 2ft (60cm).