Glossary

What is a herbaceous perennial?

Herbaceous perennials are plants that live for more than two years, sending up new growth from the ground each year. In autumn or winter their top growth often dies back completely. But the roots remain in the soil and produce new shoots in the following spring.

So the key feature of herbaceous perennials is that they overwinter in the ground and appear again in spring – without you having to plant them again.

Herbaceous perennials include many popular garden plants, such as:

• Peonies
• Coneflower
• Daylilies
• Asters
• Hostas

Herbaceous perennials come in all sizes, colours and shapes – some flower in spring, others in summer or autumn. They work brilliantly in flower beds, borders and natural gardens.

Not to be confused with:
Shrubs, bushes and trees – herbaceous perennials also last more than two years, but their growth is soft rather than woody, and they don’t form thick branches.