Garden perennials that come back every year: hardy geraniums, salvias, catmint, thyme, echinacea, persicaria, hellebores and more, mostly in six-plant packs for planting in drifts. Suited to sunny borders and shady corners across Ireland, with free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which perennials are easiest to grow in Ireland?
Hardy geraniums, Salvia nemorosa and catmint (Nepeta) are the easiest perennials for Irish gardens: they are hardy in Irish gardens, tolerate most soils, flower for weeks and are loved by bees. For shade, add Geranium macrorrhizum, hellebores, Epimedium and Alchemilla; for late summer colour, persicaria, echinacea and Rudbeckia.
| Perennial | Flowers | Best spot | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigroot geranium Geranium macrorrhizum | Pink, early summer | Dry shade to sun | Scented, weed-smothering groundcover; hardy in Irish gardens |
| Balkan clary Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' | Violet spires, summer | Full sun | Bee-friendly; hardy in Irish gardens |
| Catmint Nepeta 'Walker's Low' | Lavender-blue, summer | Sun | Border edging; bee-friendly |
| Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' | Pink daisies, late summer | Sun, free-draining soil | Bee-friendly; dislikes winter-wet clay |
| Red bistort Persicaria amplexicaulis | Crimson spikes, summer to autumn | Sun or part shade, moist soil | Long season on heavier soils |
| Christmas rose Helleborus niger | White, winter | Part shade | Winter interest under shrubs |
| Foxglove Digitalis purpurea | Purple spires, early summer | Part shade | Bee-friendly woodland planting |
Planting perennials in Irish soil
Autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are the best times to plant pot-grown perennials, though you can plant year-round if you water through dry spells and avoid frozen or waterlogged ground. On heavy clay, dig in compost to open the soil, and put sun lovers such as thyme, echinacea and agastache where water drains away quickly. Space plants from our six-packs in groups of three or five so they knit into a natural drift within a season or two.
Feeding bees from spring to autumn
Single-flowered perennials such as salvia, nepeta, geranium, thyme, echinacea, Erigeron, Echinops and Verbena bonariensis provide nectar across a long season. Mixing early, mid and late flowerers supports the aims of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan in your own garden.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant perennials in Ireland?
Autumn and spring are ideal, when the soil is moist and warm enough for roots to settle before winter or summer.
What perennials grow well in shade?
Geranium macrorrhizum, Geranium nodosum, Epimedium, hellebores, Alchemilla mollis and Astrantia all cope with part shade. Note that foxgloves and hellebores are toxic if eaten.
Which perennials flower the longest?
Geranium 'Azure Rush', Salvia 'Caradonna', Nepeta 'Walker's Low', Gaura and Persicaria amplexicaulis give some of the longest displays, especially if deadheaded.
Explore more: perennial border packages, pollinator gardens and cottage garden plants.
Shortlists: Best Hardy Perennials for Clay Soil · Best Perennials for Pollinators