Alan Titchmarsh, one of the nation's favourite gardeners, has named five 'must-have' perennials that he says will thrive in any garden. Perennials, which live for more than two years, are ideal for low-maintenance gardening, providing blooms and foliage year after year. Titchmarsh describes them as 'the backbone of any garden' and recommends planting them in spring, between March and May, to establish healthy roots before summer.
The first on his list is Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist', a compact herbaceous plant with grey-green ferny foliage and deep pink 'pincushion' flowers. It thrives in sunny, well-drained soil and requires little care once established. Titchmarsh advises: 'Whenever you're choosing a plant, find out what it likes best, give it that and it will grow in spite of you.'
Next is Pulmonaria, an early spring plant with flowers that change colour from pink to blue as they mature, often appearing together on the same plant. It attracts bees and pollinators, making it a great choice for vegetable patches. Titchmarsh notes that even after the flowers fade, the leaves remain interesting throughout summer.
For difficult spots, Titchmarsh recommends ferns, specifically Dryopteris. These luxuriant foliage plants are adapted to dry shade, a challenging area for many plants. 'If you have a spot where very little will grow and it's a bit rooty and only ivy seems to do well, try ferns,' he says. The name Dryopteris hints at its tolerance for dry conditions.
Lavender, particularly the Hidcote variety, is another essential. Titchmarsh insists: 'No garden should be without it.' It attracts pollinators and makes a lovely low border in sunny spots. Finally, Geraniums (cranesbills) such as 'Wargrave Pink' are versatile, thriving in full sun or shade and in most soils except waterlogged ones. Titchmarsh suggests planting them where other plants struggle, and notes that early to mid-spring is the best time for propagation.
