Alan Titchmarsh names five 'must-have' plants that can be added to any garden
Many people will find themselves visiting the garden centre every spring, and buying plants to restock tired flowerbeds. But perennials – plants that live for more than two years – are the perfect low-maintenance solution for busy gardeners, providing blooms and foliage year after year.
Alan Titchmarsh, arguably the nation's favourite gardener, says that perennials are 'the backbone of any garden,' and he's picked out five that he believes 'will be good in any garden.'
Perennials are best planted in spring – between the beginning of March and the end of May – allowing them to establish a healthy root system before the summer heat. But there's little time to waste, so here's Alan's list of garden must-haves.
Scabious 'Pink Mist'
Alan says Pink Mist is a 'lovely' summer flower. It's a compact, somewhat hairy, herbaceous plant that forms a mound of grey-green ferny foliage with eye-catching deep pink 'pincushion.' flowers
It's a good choice for less active gardeners, he says. It thrives with sunshine combined with well-drained soil, and, given the right conditions, needs little further care: 'Whenever you're choosing a plant,' Alan says, 'find out what it likes best, give it that and it will grow in spite of you.'
Pulmonaria "Twinkle Toes"
Pulmonaria is a beautiful early spring plant, Alan says, providing interest in your garden throughout the summer. The flowers can change colour as they mature, so you'll often see pink and blue flowers together on the same plant. They will attract bees and other pollinators, so they're a great choice for vegetable patches.
But it's not just about the flowers. Long after they've died off, Alan says that 'the leaves will then take over and be interesting themselves.'
Ferns
Ferns, specifically Dryopteris, are ideally adapted to difficult conditions, Alan says: 'If you have a spot where very little will grow and it's a bit rooty and only ivy seems to do well there do, try ferns."
While they're not the most exciting or glamorous plant, they will provide interest and ground cover where few other plants will do well.
'Some ferns are very good for dry shade,' Alan says, 'and that's one of the most difficult parts of the garden to get things established.'
He adds that the very name Dryopteris is a clue pointing towards how the fern will do in poorly-watered areas: 'This is going in a shady spot under some trees in my garden.'
English Lavender
Another plant that is particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators is lavender. It's also pleasing to humans too: 'No garden should be without it,' Alan says.
Lavender, he adds, 'is another great plant to put in the veg garden where it will attract your pollinating insects but anywhere else in the garden in a really sunny spot it will make a lovely low border.'
Geranium 'Wargrave Pink'
Geraniums will do well in any moderately fertile soil, apart from waterlogged soils. They are happiest in full sun, but will endure shady conditions too.
'Plant this where you've got trouble getting anything else to grow,' Alan advises. 'It's good for soil which is inclined to dry out.'
If you already have geraniums, early to mid-spring is the best time to propagate them with a few careful cuttings.
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