Five-star plant selection

Part 7: Herbaceous perennials

FEW plants have undergone a greater change in conventional use in the past 25 years than herbaceous perennials. These plants, which were traditionally grown in herbaceous borders, are now rarely used in this way except in public parks. As gardens have become progressively smaller, it has become increasingly difficult to allocate sufficient space for borders devoted exclusively to herbaceous plants, which have had to take their place along with other types of plants in a partnership designed to create the greatest possible effect with the last expenditure of labour.

When these are the objectives, it becomes even more essential to make use of exclusively five-star varieties. Here are a few suggestions.

1 Acanthus

This is one Latifolius Group, or for short just , which is what it may be labelled in the nursery or garden centre.