Herbaceous Top Picks

At Johnsons, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of herbaceous perennials that are not only beautiful but also reliable performers in gardens of all sizes. Whether you’re planting for pollinators, looking to enhance year-round interest, or designing a vibrant flower border, our selection has something for every gardener.

Below is an alphabetical list of some of our most frequently purchased and beloved herbaceous plants. Please note: while popularity is often a reflection of garden performance and beauty, bulk purchases may affect their overall ranking.

📞 Need more information about a specific variety? Give us a call at 01423 330234 — we’re happy to help!

Our Top 5 Herbaceous

Echinacea Purpurea ‘Magnus’

☀️Position: Full sun

Flowering period: July – September

Echinacea ‘Magnus’ is a classic prairie-style perennial that bursts into bloom in midsummer, with large, daisy-like flowers featuring bold, deep pink petals surrounding a central cone of orange-bronze. Known for its resilience and attractiveness to bees and butterflies, it makes an excellent companion to ornamental grasses and other pollinator-friendly species. Leave flower heads in place to feed birds over winter.

💡 Garden Tip: Plant in well-drained soil and deadhead regularly to extend the flowering season.

Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue‘

☀️Position: Full sun – Partial Shade

Flower Period: May – September

One of the best-known hardy geraniums, ‘Johnson’s Blue’ forms lush mounds of deeply lobed foliage and bears a continuous display of soft lavender-blue flowers throughout summer. It’s a low-maintenance favorite for borders, containers, and naturalistic plantings.

💡 Garden Tip: Cut back after the first flush to encourage fresh growth and a second round of flowering.

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

☀️Position: Full sun – partial shade

Flowering period: August and September

‘Lucifer’ is a striking late-summer bloomer with tall, arching stems and vivid red tubular flowers. Its sword-shaped pleated foliage adds architectural interest even when not in bloom. A magnet for hummingbirds and bees, this plant creates dramatic contrast when planted alongside blues and purples.

💡Garden Tip: Best planted in bold clumps for a fiery visual effect.

Salvia ‘Caradonna’

☀️Position: Full sun – partial shade

Flowering period: June – October

Salvia ‘Caradonna’ delivers long-lasting spikes of violet-purple flowers held high above its grey-green aromatic foliage. With a tidy upright habit and extended blooming period, it’s perfect for modern borders and cottage gardens alike. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

💡Garden Tip: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming through autumn.

 

Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’

‘Honorine Jobert’ is a classic, elegant Japanese anemone renowned for its pure white, saucer-shaped flowers with bright golden-yellow stamens that bloom on tall, wiry stems. Appearing in late summer and blooming into autumn, it adds brightness and height to shadier borders when many other perennials are fading.

The dark green foliage forms a handsome clump that remains attractive throughout the growing season, while the tall flower stems sway gracefully in the breeze. Perfect for woodland gardens, cottage borders, or naturalistic planting schemes, it’s also deer- and rabbit-resistant.

💡Garden Tip: Plant in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Once established, it will naturalise and spread gently to form a stunning late-season display.

🌿 Why Choose Herbaceous Perennials?

Herbaceous perennials are the backbone of many gardens. They return year after year, often growing stronger and more beautiful with time. With careful planning, you can enjoy a succession of flowers from early spring through late autumn.

Benefits of Herbaceous Plants:

• Long-lasting seasonal interest

• Attract pollinators and wildlife

• Easy to divide and propagate

• Perfect for borders, containers, and mixed plantings