Perennials for the sun

Gazania flowers bloom from May to October and can be overwintered, yet one arch-enemy still troubles them

Gazania (treasure flower) brings dazzling, daisy-like blooms to sunny beds and containers from late spring into autumn. Give it sun and sharp drainage, and avoid its biggest downfall: cold, wet conditions.

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When the Soil Is Dry, Its Time Comes A Mediterranean Perennial with Silvery Leaves and a Curry Scent

Italian strawflower (Helichrysum italicum), often called the curry plant, is a sun-loving Mediterranean perennial prized for its silvery foliage and spicy fragrance. Give it warmth and free-draining soil and it will thrive with minimal care.

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Russian Sage Flowers from Summer into Autumn with Almost No Care

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia, also sold as Salvia yangii) brings airy texture and long-lasting lavender-blue colour from mid-summer into autumn. Once established, it thrives in sun and free-draining soil with very little maintenance.

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Don’t Cut Sedums in Autumn, Those Dry Flowerheads Have a Purpose

Leave sedum flowerheads standing through winter for structure, wildlife value and frost-kissed beauty. Cut back in late winter as new shoots appear, and keep plants compact with good sun and drainage.

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Grandma’s Favourite Flower Is Back and It’s Surprisingly Easy to Grow

Phlox is a classic cottage-garden perennial that brings rich colour, fragrance, and pollinators into the border with minimal fuss. Choose the right spot for the species, keep moisture even, and you’ll be rewarded with weeks of bloom.

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Hardworking Drought-Tolerant Perennials for a Beautiful Garden Without Daily Watering

Perennials are ideal for low-maintenance gardens, and many will stay attractive even through dry spells once established. Choose sun-loving, free-draining plants and you can enjoy a colourful border with far less watering.

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The Perennial That Loves Heat and Still Flowers When Others Dry Out

Common yarrow is a tough, sun-loving perennial that keeps flowering through dry spells when many garden plants struggle. Give it lean, free-draining soil and restrained watering for strong stems and long-lasting colour.

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Bergenia A Year Round Feature for Shade or Sun

Bergenia is one of the most reliable perennials, valued for its bold evergreen foliage and early spring flowers. It thrives in shade or sun, is easy to care for, and adds colour right through winter.

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Globe Thistle Brightens Sunny Borders, Attracts Bees and Looks Great in a Vase

Globe thistle (Echinops) is a striking, drought-tolerant perennial with steel-blue flower heads that pollinators love. It thrives in sunny, free-draining borders and also makes an excellent cut or dried flower.

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Low Maintenance Sun Loving Plants That Handle Drought and Summer Heat

Got a spot that bakes in sun from morning to night? These tough, sun-loving plants cope well with heat and dry soil, and many will reward you with long flowering and reliable ground cover.

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How to Grow Red Hot Pokers Successfully for Flowers All Summer and Into Autumn

Red hot pokers (Kniphofia) bring bold, torch-like flower spikes in warm shades from summer into early autumn. With full sun and free-draining soil, they’re long-lived, pollinator-friendly perennials that are surprisingly easy to keep going year after year.

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The perennial that smells like cola and brightens a sunny garden effortlessly

Southernwood is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with finely cut foliage and a distinctive cola-like fragrance. Give it sun and free-draining soil, and it will reward you for years with minimal care.

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