This video is intended to provide you with ideas for your own garden. Many of us have borders where the front of the border is in sun while the back of the border is partially shaded either by fences or trees and shrubs. Rosy has designed this planting plan with this in mind. Rosy highlights several tough and reliable herbaceous perennials which either flower or keep their foliage over winter, ensuring borders remain colourful and have interest during the darkest months.

We have a produced a plan of the layout which Rosy describes, so that you can print out your own copy. Rather than treating this as a complete border design you could pull out elements from the plan to incorporate within your existing border. Find out more about positioning and planting your herbaceous perennials here.

Find the plants in Rosy's border here:

1. Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant' x 2 Lustrous purple foliage which looks good throughout the year. Semi-shade loving, ideal to grow beneath shrubs or trees. Combine with plants with contrasting foliage such as Epimedium and/or Lamium maculatum. Easy to grow, it will happily sprawl, but a quick trim will keep it in check. It prefers soil with a good organic content.

OR substitute

Ajuga reptans 'Braunherz' x 2 A low growing perennial which produces gorgeous rounded purple foliage. 'Braunherz' is usually grown just for its foliage however it produces dark blue flower spikes during spring. A fantastic ground cover perennial, producing a ground hugging carpet of leaves. Ensure that the soil is reasonably good and 'Braunherz' will flourish. The evergreen foliage looks sublime when dusted with frost

2. Amsonia illustris x 1 Blooms in late spring, producing striking pale blue starlike flowers in clusters at the top of its stems. The foliage looks good all through the year turning vivid yellow in autumn with purple stems, further enhanced by dark dangling pea-like seed pods.

3. Bergenia 'Bressingham White' x 3 A profusion of stems bearing white flowers in spring over largish leather-like deep green leaves. This older form of 'Elephant's Ears', much beloved of the Edwardians, maintains its popularity due to its free flowering nature and ease of maintenance. Excellent ground cover whilst also brightening up a slightly shady area in the winter. This plant will appreciate any soil that is damp but free-draining and a sunny to partially shaded position

OR substitute

Bergenia 'Bach' x 3 is one of those plants that really cheer on a cold grey day in early spring. A new evergreen cultivar, it has been bred for its clusters of sugar pink bell-like flowers with rosy centres that stand soldier-like over neat mounds of oval leathery green foliage on striking dark red stems. As the flowers mature they turn white.

Tough, hardy and long flowering, it is often grown for groundcover, helping to keep weeds out but it is actually far more versatile. In winter its foliage takes on rich dark red tints, making it a great choice for a winter container especially when combined with spring bulbs. To thrive it needs a fertile, free-draining soil with moisture in partial shade or sun, with the best foliage colour developing in good light levels.

4. Brunnera macrophylla 'Alexanders Great' PBR x1 Produces a sensational large mound of heart-shaped leaves. The foliage is silver with deep green veining. In spring petite bright blue forget-me-not like flowers contrast delightfully with the foliage. It can provide bright and beautiful ground cover for a shady area. Plant in any reasonably good soil, in either full or dappled shade. This perennial can be divided during the autumn. The foliage will die away in winter.

5. Carex buchananii x 3 A very striking foliage plant forming strong upright clumps of gently arching russet brown leaves like a fine bristled brush, the dramatic billowing effect further enhanced by clouds of seed heads in autumn.

We are impressed by how well this evergreen sedge keeps its form and unusual colour even through winter. Perfect for adding informal structure and movement to a mixed border, its uncommon hue makes delicious combinations with yellows, oranges and pale pinks, but especially so with pale blue-green foliage. Native to New Zealand, it thrives in a free-draining soil, if protected from winter wet, in sun or partial shade.

6. Carex comans bronze-leaved x1 A great choice for adding texture, movement and sound into a garden, the fact that it retains its colour and structure over winter only increases its appeal, especially when dusted with frost. To thrive it needs a moist but free draining soil that does not dry out totally, in either full sun or part shade.

7. Epimedium x versicolour 'Sulphureum' x1 A wonderful reliable old variety that creates large swathes of evergreen greenery under trees and shrubs giving year round interest in the garden. The dainty soft yellow flowers appear in mid spring over bronze tinted young foliage. It's easy to grow and makes a great ground cover. It is best if the winter foliage is cut off before the new growth and flowers emerge in the spring.

8. Epimedium x warleyense 'Orangekonigin' x1 The orange flowers of this Epimedium appear in spring, held in clusters they show up really well over the evergreen, mid-green leaves. 'Orangekonigin' creates good clumps quite quickly. Easy to grow in most soil types it is also happy in partial shade or sun - ideal for small gardens where year round interest is desired.

9. Euphorbia characias Black Pearl x 1 This is a compact, upright cultivar of Euphorbia characias. Sun loving and happiest in light free-draining soil, 'Black Pearl' was selected for its black centred, long lasting flowers with lime green bracts which appear from March to July.

To encourage new shoots, you can cut back faded heads in late spring and early summer, but with extreme caution as it has caustic sap. Available late spring 2025.

OR substitute

Euphorbia × martini 'Rudolph'^PBRx 1 A fabulous variety with unique red growth tips in autumn and winter. Perfect for an early splash of colour in a spring container or in the border. Prefers full sun or partial shade with a free-draining soil. A hardy plant which should survive normal winter conditions, especially if protected from the hardest frosts. To encourage new shoots, you can cut back faded heads in late spring and early summer, but with extreme caution as it has caustic sap.

10. Globularia cordifolia x1 Commonly known as the 'heart-leaved globe daisy', it produces dainty, pale lavender-blue spherical flowerheads of feathery petals, over a carpet of glossy, evergreen leaves. Plant this ankle-high alpine where it can be best appreciated. Apart from avoiding planting it in acidic soil and excessive dampness in the winter, it is tough and easy to grow. A little beauty. It will thrive in full sun in a neutral to alkaline, very free draining soil.

11. Helleborus 'Anna's Red' (Frostkiss Series) x 1 'Anna's Red' is quite simply stunning, no if's no but's. From late winter deep into spring it produces lots of large single deep purplish-red flowers each boasting a boss of palest lime green stamens. These nectar-rich lovelies are held on dark red stems above delicately marbled evergreen foliage, a combination of jewel-like colour and interesting texture that will light up any cold grey day. Remove any damaged leaves in late autumn to enable you to see the flowers as they emerge and help prevent any fungal diseases.

12. Helleborus ericsmithii ViV Valeria x 1 Unavailable from Hardy's.

13. Helleborus x nigercors 'Emma' PBR Erect stems stand above the green-grey foliage, bearing large outward facing, saucer-like white blooms which age to pink and then green. Flowering from late winter into spring this evergreen Hellebore is happy to grow in sun or light shade, in any reasonable, free-draining soil. Remove any damaged or excessive leaves in late autumn to enable you to see the flowers as they emerge and help prevent any fungal diseases.

14. Helleborus ViV® Victoria Currently unavailable.

Substitute

Helleborus Walberton's Rosemary ('Walhero'^PBR) x 1 'Walberton's Rosemary' prefers a sheltered spot in partial shade with a humus-rich soil. Perfect for woodland gardens, under-planting of trees and shrubs and for flower borders. Remove the old leaves in late autumn to see the flowers as they emerge and to reduce the risk of any fungal disease.

15. Heucherella 'Cracked Ice' PBR Unavailable from Hardy's.

Substitute

× Heucherella 'Tapestry'^PBR x 1 'Tapestry's palmately lobed, silvery green leaves with dark purple veining are the perfect backdrop for its' delicate, starry pink and white flowers. During early summer Heucherella 'Tapestry' produces a profusion of flower spikes, this sterile bi-generic cross between Heuchera and Tiarella is guaranteed to bring colour to the garden for many weeks. Best when planted in light-shade, or a position which receives sun for part of the day, and in a fertile, moist but free-draining soil. 'Tapestry' would make a fantastic carpet of colour if planted en masse. Available summer 2025.

16. Lychnis coronaria 'Gardeners World' x 3 Recently renamed Silene coronaria Gardners' World ('Blych'). Double magenta flowers appear on tall branched stems during summer. 'Gardeners World' flowers for far longer than the straight Silene coronaria, it is sterile and therefore does not set seed, this maybe seen as an advantage by some. At the base of this clump-forming perennial is simple hirsute silver-grey, semi-evergreen foliage. It thrives within full sun and well-drained soils. Keep deadheading to prolong flowering.

17. PULMONARIA 'Trevi Fountain' x 1 Currently unavailable

OR substitute

Either Pulmonaria Opal ('Ocupol') or Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare'

Light or dappled shade are the preferred aspect for Pulmonaria. They will thrive in humus-rich, moisture retentive soils and are ideally suited for underplanting trees and shrubs or within woodland settings. A brilliant ground cover plant which can also be used for edging borders and walkways.

18. Santolina pinnata ssp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles' x 2 A small, evergreen form of 'rosemary-leaved cotton lavender', it carries soft yellow button flowers, that develop from small creamy buds, over fine, deeply divided rosemary-like foliage. Aromatic leaves. A good hair-cut in spring after frosts have finished will encourage fresh growth.This popular cottage garden plant is ideal for that sun-baked spot in your border, which is very free draining and lacking in nutrients. It loves our chalky soil here, but can also tolerate more acidic to neutral pH soils too.

19. Saxifraga umbrosa x 3 Commonly known as 'true London pride', it bears graceful, pale pink star-like flowers on stems that stand tall above a spreading mat of evergreen rosettes with leaves like scalloped, glossy spoons. This Saxifraga is a real gem for the garden. Its foliage is quite sculptural and has so many potential uses, including underplanting roses and deciduous shrubs, edging a path, or as ground cover. Low maintenance and easy to grow in any soil with drainage and some moisture, it prefers a partial shade

20. Saxifraga ‘Monarch’ x 3 Extraordinarily tall flower stems bear white blooms with red basal dots. Mat forming, evergreen foliage. Happy to grow in either sun or partial shade but it must have a well-drained soil. Drought resistant. Available summer 2025.

21. Seslaria autumnalis x 1 Silver-flowered grass with lime green autumnal foliage. Happy to grow in either full sun or partial shade and most soils types, especially alkaline. We hope to have stock available in summer 2025.

22. Teucrium x lucidrys x 3 Commonly known as Hedge Germander, Teucrium x lucidrys has vibrant pink, tubular flowers, during summer. This bushy, woody-based evergreen shrub has fantastic small rounded dark green leaves. Its low growing habit makes it the perfect alternative to box, especially in areas where box blight is prevalent, as its name implies it can be clipped to make a low hedge.Hedge Germander requires a well-drained soil and a pH which is neutral to alkaline. It is a salt tolerant plant making it ideal for coastal locations. It can also easily withstand periods of drought. It prefers to be planted in full sun, in sheltered situations.

23. Tiarella 'Spring Symphony' PBR x 1 T. 'Spring Symphony' has deeply lobed, green maple-like leaves with dark markings. Multiple flower-spikes open from bottom to top producing tawny-pink to white, starry blooms during late spring.

Faded blooms should be removed to prolong flowering - preferably by pulling the whole flower spike out from the base. A fabulous ground cover perennial especially in a shady situation. Woodland situations, underplanting roses or shrubs are all ideal uses for this plant which thrives in a humus-rich, moist soil but which will tolerate drier situations.

24. Tellima grandiflora 'Rubra Group' x 1 The common name Fringe Cups perfectly describes the small, fringed cup-like flowers. Spires of these small green, highly scented flowers appear during late spring and early summer. The rounded, lobed foliage beneath the flower spikes is tinted purple during spring and autumn. It loves shady situations making it perfect for a woodland garden or shady border. It is also an excellent choice for a perfumed or sensory garden. Moisture retentive soils are preferred, however it can cope in drier soils as long as it is shaded.

25. Veronica gentianoides 'Tissington White' x3 Spires of beautiful pure white flowers, with striking blue veins appear in spring. The flowers rise from basal rosettes of lance-shaped leaves, which form a carpet of green throughout the year. Removing the flowers after they are spent will keep the plant tidy. Any reasonable soil is ideal for this perennial, it will be happy in either sun or partial shade. A fantastic low maintenance plant that is often used for underplanting roses or shrubs and edging borders and walkways.

As mentioned in the video Rosy has suggested a few shrubs to provide winter interest:

Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange'

Osmanthus delavayi

Sarcococca

Ilex *Dwarf

Please note these shrubs are not available via Hardy's.

The planting area Rosy has outlined in her video is 1.5 metres wide x 3 metres long and moves from an area of semi-shade into a sunnier and drier area. The planting plan and key can be downloaded here.

For Mail Order. Our mail order team is very small, so we’re unable to advise you on bespoke design, the specific numbers of plants you’ll need for borders which are bigger or smaller than the plans detail, or to complete quotes for online purchasing. We can only do this type of work if you visit the nursery. If you wish to purchase the plants online, use the links in the plans to find the plants. We may not have all the plants listed on the plans for mail order delivery at any one time. Our nursery shop often has alternatives and substitutes, but we can only advise and provide these if you visit us.

Cottage Garden Border with Winter Interest Layout Example

Rosy's Winter Pots