Herbaceous plants create a joyful and pleasant scene in the garden
They come in various shapes, sizes and colours, from blue, red to lilac and yellow. These plants flourish exceptionally well in different positions, whether it in sunny, shady or sheltered positions. Herbaceous plants create wonderful magnificent herbaceous boarders that will catch the eyes of on lookers.
What are herbaceous plants?
These perennial plants have very soft leaves and stalks. They do not become woody and sections of the herbaceous plant above ground tend to whether during the winter. Herbaceous plants develop fresh shoots each year during the spring time. The new shoots develop from buds close to the ground. Herbaceous plants can be categorized into groups based on various criterions.
Bedding herbaceous plants
These are propagated in common garden soil and are generally easy to raise. They are grown by most gardeners because of this.
Large ornamental herbaceous plants
These are actually a sub-group of bedding herbaceous plants. Ornamental herbaceous plants have big well defined flowers. There are numerous varieties of ornamental herbaceous species within each species.
Wintergreen herbaceous plants
Unlike other herbaceous plants, wintergreens do not shed their foliage in winter. The foliage only dies when spring starts and this is when new shoots develop. A perfect example of a wintergreen herbaceous plant is barrenwort (Epimedium)
Evergreen herbaceous plants
These herbaceous plants always have leaves throughout the year, irregardless of season. Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is able to regenerate its leaves by itself and never dries up in winter.
Sub-shrubs
These act like ordinary plants because their stalks become woody. The branches of sub-shrubs are able to endure mild winters. However if the branches do freeze (due to extreme cold temperatures) and die, new shoots develop from the rootstock. Lavender
(Lavendula) is a perfect example of a sub-shrub.
Bulbous and tuberous plants
These are not really herbaceous plants as they need care and treatment that is totally different from that which is normally given to proper herbaceous plants. Examples of Bulbous plants include crocus (Crocus) and tulips (Tulips)
Where do herbaceous plants come from?
The majority of herbaceous plants come from the temperate climatic regions of the southern and northern hemisphere, in the area between the polar and tropical regions. Herbaceous plants were able to cope with temperature changes associated with seasonal shifts. Herbaceous plants can also be grouped according to the origin. There can be classified into Alpine herbaceous plants and Mediterranean herbaceous plants.
Alpine herbaceous plants come from mountainous regions and examples are houseleek, saxifrage and the low growing campanula. The Mediterranean herbaceous plants originate close to the Mediterranean sea . Lavender, red valerian and Cupids darts all come from areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea . Both groups need to be protected from frost in the winter.