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Tall perennials similar to helianthus and rudbeckia

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  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Thanks for the suggestions, I've made a note of them all and will delve deeper into them later tonight . I havequite a few of what's mentioned already but things like the echincea don't get very tall in our soil and others like the tall asters just become rampant thugs. We have one that's been in the family for about 50 years that I have to be absolutely ruthless with every year and I'm not that big a fan of plants that run at the root because I prefer to leave the borders as undisturbed as possible. I know helianthus runs but it doesn't pop up everywhere and I can just dig a clump up and move it.

    Moerheim beauty is one I'd considered but I didn't know if there were similar cultivars of helianthus, rudbeckia and helenium that were really tall and not yellow. Vernonia is something I've been looking for but I think a white eupatorium might work as well. I've grown giant scabious from seed this year and have a dozen or so plants for next year but I've heard it's a monster (I quite like monsters though) and did have some blue chicory from seed but it's the one thing this year that the slugs have gone mad for.

    Thanks again for the suggestions and if you can think or any more I'll definitely look into them.  
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I’ve got crocosmia in red and monbretia in orange, but my garden’s quite green after September apart from the rudbeckia,  you can get some very tall dahlias,  Mullein, Penstemons,  some grow taller than others. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Mrs_MigginsMrs_Miggins Posts: 60
    edited August 2022
    My salvia Amistads are taller than me. Dont need much watering. Very dark purple flowers, which would look great with yellow. 

    Was also going to say dahlias as Lyn mentioned. Stunning colours to choose from too. Later though. But worth it.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Oh yes, forgot the Salvia,  I’ve got the Black n Blue,  I think it’s a bit more hardy than the Amistad,  survives the winter ok but does get slug chewed if you don’t watch out. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Amistad jumps out as me as well, also I’ve been reading about some newer ‘Everest’ alstroemeria’s which supposedly get to 5 foot or so, 

    I’ve only got the smaller types but it might be worth a look 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Althaea cannibina is another option if you want something really tall (and airy)... looks nice weaving through other tall plants. You should consider some grasses to add interest and, if nothing else, provide a bit of support to these tall plants.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I have this very tall grass, haven’t a clue what is called,  just some seeds I grew but it’s a good 6’ tall and goes well with the blue Aconitum, also very tall. this was 19th. September. 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @thevictorian After years I have just tracked down Heliopsis Fire Twister. It was shown for the first time at Chelsea could have been 2019. Not sure how it is going to do but will see. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Just to add flowers on label are red but RHS suggests yellow orange. It has plant breeders rights so maybe that is why there is limited stock.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    Canna ?  Not 6 ft but tall 

    I’m a great fan of planting perennials in pots and standing them in the flower beds among plants that are in the ground.  This makes them look taller obviously and can be moved around (which I do a lot 😂)
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