What is a Herbaceous Perennial or Herbaceous Plant?

Perennials are plants that will normally live for a long time – several or many years. Some perennials die down to ground level each autumn/winter and start to re-grow the following spring as it gets warmer. They normally increase in size each year, because they will be re-starting life with a larger root system left over from the previous year.

Other perennials do not die down each year. Trees and shrubs are typical examples!

Herbaceous Plants – or herbaceous perennials are often mistaken for herbs! Some herbs can be herbaceous. Herbaceous perennial simply describes the way the plant survives. In this case, it hides away for the winter. Think of it as a hibernating being! If a plant is described as a herbaceous plant, it dies down!

Herbaceous borders are typical, in that they grow and flower through the spring and summer, then die down in the winter – making it easier for the gardener to maintain and control the border. Some of the plants used in herbaceous borders are in fact normal evergreen perennials and not herbaceous. This way you can extend the flowering season for up to twelve months.

A well stocked herbaceous perennial border
A Herbaceous border at Great Comp Garden in Kent.