How to care for Herbaceous Perennials

Posted by Esther Roberts on 17th Jun 2021

How to care for Herbaceous Perennials

Herbaceous perennials are the backbone of any garden display. Not only will they add plenty of colour and texture to your garden, but you can rely on them to reappear year after year!

Perennials, on the surface, seem easy to care for. And usually, they are! But by following these simple steps, you will help them to thrive throughout their season for years to come.

What Are Herbaceous Perennials?

Simply put, herbaceous perennials are plants with non-woody stems. This description encapsulates many different types of plants, from annuals to evergreens. Often enough, when people refer to herbaceous perennials, they typically are referring to plants without woody stems.


Although they are under the general umbrella of ‘herbaceous perennials’, not all of these plants will act the same. Evergreens, for example, will continue to thrive throughout the majority of the year, whereas others will die back at the end of their season.

Caring for your Plants Throughout the Season

Like we mentioned before, as long as you’ve chosen the correct plants for the climate in which you live, your perennials will need very little maintenance. However, there are some things you can do to help them thrive for longer!

In spring, add mulch as this will help the ground to maintain its moisture and will also mitigate the appearance of weeds. Taller perennials, like Lupins and Peonies, might need staking to help them reach their full potential. Do this in spring, so that their blooms hide the stake.

Keep your plants well-watered, especially during particularly warm weather. And finally, deadhead wilting flowers to help encourage a new one to grow, as well as keeping the area looking neat.

Shop our full range of perennials online.