The best perennials for the UK are columbine, poppy mallow, purple prairie clover, milkweed, and sulfur buckwheat. You have many perennials to choose from for the UK, but these five native herbaceous perennials will be the best to grow. They are easy to avail of in nurseries, and since they are natives, you are sure that they’ll be well-adapted to your British garden.
More than the fruit trees that grow in States, growing perennials in the UK is also rewarding to grow because of their performance. However, you can always study the plants’ preferred growing conditions to prevent future problems. Check the hardiness of your chosen perennial if it will thrive in your location.
List Of The Best Perennials For UK Gardens
The Royal Horticulture Society provides an extensive list of the best perennials for the UK. However, these five native plants will give you a head start because of their growing conditions and requirements. Learning about each perennial will get your UK garden looking good without setbacks.
Columbine
If you are in a higher and colder part of the UK, the columbine makes an excellent perennial. It needs moderate watering and prefers full sun. There are also different columbine species to choose from, including the Colorado blue columbine.
Poppy mallow
A perennial that is commonly available in nurseries is the poppy mallow or prairie wine cups. Its bright magenta flowers bloom beautifully in the summer and will die back in the autumn. Poppy mallow has low water needs and requires total sun exposure.
Purple prairie clover
While it may take a year for a purple prairie clover to start blooming, the purple flowers are worth waiting for. It has moderate water needs and can tolerate partial shade. Because it has nitrogen-fixing bacteria on its roots, the purple prairie clover helps the other plants in the garden.
Milkweed
If you need a perennial that can attract pollinators in your UK garden, the milkweed is a worthy addition. It has unique-looking flowers, and there are a lot of species to choose from. Milkweed thrives in full sun and can survive with low water requirements.
Sulfur buckwheat
The sulfur buckwheat makes an excellent summer groundcover for the UK. For instance, its yellowish-orange flowers are a perfect match for pavers. Sulfur buckwheat also loves full sun and has low water needs.
What Perennials Will Grow In Containers In the UK?
Perennials like sedum species, geranium, rosemary, and even strawberries will grow in containers in the UK as long as you protect them from extreme conditions. This will be easier to do in the polytunnel, especially in the winter. Refer to Krostrade.com to know more about polytunnel gardening and its advantages for you.
What Planting Zone Is the UK?
Besides using a polytunnel, be aware that the UK has planting zones with ratings 3 to 10. Some areas may experience freezing winters, while it’s also possible to be warm in other locations. The frost in the UK is a common problem for gardeners, so consider the hardiness of your plants or start indoor gardening in a polytunnel.
What Flowers Grow Best In the UK?
According to Alan Titchmarsh, a famous horticulture specialist in the UK, there are many flowering annuals for the country. They will bloom all summer long but require replanting in spring. It’s also important to know the annuals for colder areas like pot marigold and rose periwinkle for the lower elevations in the UK.
What Plants Look Good All Year Around In the UK?
Annual blossoms will be your solution if you want to have a garden that looks good year-round in the UK. Consider the three plants below that will bloom all year in the country. Still, do note that maintaining the ideal growing conditions will dictate an attractive year-round garden’s success.
Plants That Stay In Bloom All Year In the UK
African daisy and swan river daisy are best for the warmer areas in the UK. The latter needs regular sun exposure, while African daisies can tolerate moderate sunlight. If you are in a colder region, you can plant annual sweet peas for a garden in bloom all year.
What Are The Best Potted Plants For Full Sun In the UK?
Amaryllis, Arizona sun, and blue flag iris are the best flowering potted plants for full sun in the UK. They grow best under ideal polytunnel conditions, and you can set them outside after the frost has passed. You might notice that these potted plants are hardy, but it’s still crucial to protect them against extreme conditions.
Conclusion
There’s a growing interest in gardening in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Columbine, poppy mallow, purple prairie clover, milkweed, and sulfur buckwheat are the best perennials for the UK because they are suitable for their conditions. You can also grow sedum species, geranium, rosemary, and strawberries in containers.
Since the UK is in the USDA planting zones 3 to 10, gardeners can expect some challenges in climates and temperatures. You can protect your plants from frost and drought using a polytunnel. This practice is beneficial if you’re interested in flowering potted plants, but you can also grow other species indoors until the conditions outside are feasible.