How To Have Success With Tender Perennials

There’s no need to be frightened about having tender perennials in your garden, says Tamsin Westhorpe, as they’re easy to grow and very rewarding.

- Tasmin Westhorpe

IMAGINE a plant that flowers longer than any annual or hardy perennial. You’d want one, wouldn’t you? Well, such plants are not just the things of fairy tales. They do exist and among them they produce the most wonderful show-stopping flowers. I’m referring, of course, to tender perennials.

Before you hastily turn the page – stop! Tender perennials are largely easy to grow, very rewarding and you don’t need a greenhouse to overwinter them. Those that step away from tender perennials at the nursery and garden centre are missing out and should think again.

Just in case you don’t believe me, I’ve spoken to expert growers to validate my claim. Derry Watkins of Special Plants Nursery (specialplants. net) and Jane Lindsay of Tynings Climbers (tyningsclimbers.co.uk) have years of experience in growing such plants. “Don’t be frightened of these plants. They require little, if no care in the winter and some will flower for up to ten months of the year,” explains Jane.