Self-Supporting Tall Perennials

Long stems work well in cut-flower arrangements, but staking them is a timeconsuming task. Perennials that are self-supporting are the perfect solution

Ageratina altissima ‘Braunlaub’

Produces umbel-like clusters of o -white flowers from late summer to early autumn. Grow in part-shade.

Campanula lactiflora

A reliable, long-lived and productive perennial. There are a number of good cultivars, including ‘Loddon Anna’ (above).

Macleaya microcarpa ‘Spetchley Ruby’ Towering stems are topped by panicles of feathery terracotta flowers, turning into ruby-red seedheads.

x Alcalthaea su rutescens ‘Parkallee’ This tall herbaceous mallow/hollyhock cross is a robust plant with a long flowering period.

Cephalaria gigantea

An easy and fast-growing clump former, it prefers full sun and moisture-retentive soil to produce plenty of harvestable stems.

Persicaria alpina

Tough, self-supporting and will create a fast-growing shelterbelt for less selfsu cient plants. Position in full sun or light shade.

Artemisia lactiflora ‘Elfenbein’

These creamy sprays of flowers arch over at the top of upright stems. Cut when there are clean tight buds.

Echinops bannaticus These large plants are rather coarse in the leaf and stem, but worth growing for their silvery or steelyblue textural orbs.

Selinum wallichianum Mounds of fern-like foliage send up smart purple stems topped by billowing clouds of white umbels in late summer to early autumn.

Bidens aurea

Loose sprays of primroseyellow flowers are borne on willowy stems from fernleaved clumps. They hold up well without staking.

Feoniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’

In spring this produces a haze of intensely bronze feathery foliage followed by sulphur-yellow umbels.

Veronicastrum virginicum

These easy-to-grow perennials are quicker to bulk up than veronicas, so make a good substitute.