A push for perennials: U.K. public spaces move toward sustainable planting and reduced maintenance

Photos © John Gilham and Vincent, Adobestock

Traditional plant displays in the United Kingdom were introduced by the Victorians using annual plants, known in the U.K. as “bedding plants.” These were planted in May, then removed in the autumn and replaced with winter bedding. They included vividly coloured annuals like petunias, pelargoniums and lobelias, arranged in geometric patterns or even pictorial designs, creating eye-catching colour displays. 

These displays, also known as “carpet bedding,” showcased the prestige of gardens and were a status symbol for those who could afford them. The trend continued for many decades, with local government departments using this style of gardening to enhance public spaces — particularly in coastal tourist towns. Amateur gardeners copied this style in their own private gardens to create colourful displays. Civic and personal pride was displayed though bedding plants.

A visit to most U.K. towns this summer reveals a different picture. The traditional style of planting is steadily being replaced with perennials, seen as less labour-intensive and more sustainable. The British gardening public have always, of course, had a strong interest in perennials. Influential figures such as Christopher Lloyd, founder of the Great Dixter garden, and Beth Chatto, known for her dry gardens, have fueled this interest.

Although both are no longer with us, the fascination with perennials continues, supported by new plant introductions from numerous breeders. They bring the joy and interest of watching them grow and develop each year within a familiar yet changing scheme.

Most local government departments in U.K. towns are now switching from planting annuals to perennials, and cost is a factor. Their resilience and ability to thrive year after year is now a cornerstone in urban landscaping. These plants reduce maintenance costs, support biodiversity and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of public areas, making them a sustainable choice for cities seeking greener initiatives.

Likewise, they typically require fewer inputs such as water and energy, making them a wise choice for government departments seeking to improve their sustainability credentials.

But it’s not just the U.K. that’s sold on the idea of mass perennial planting in public spaces. The “Tidy Towns” competition in Ireland is part of this trend. This competition has been taking place since 1958 and has been very successful in improving the environment as communities work together to make their local environment a cleaner and healthier place to live.

Many “Tidy Towns” in Ireland are increasingly phasing out traditional annual bedding plants — which are often bred for show rather than for providing food for pollinators — in favour of pollinator-friendly options. 

This shift is driven by a growing awareness of the decline in pollinator populations and a desire to create more sustainable and biodiverse landscapes. Traditional bedding plants like geraniums, petunias, begonias and impatiens, while visually appealing, have been bred to prioritize showiness over pollen and nectar production. This lack of food source contributes to the decline of pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies. 

This transition from annual to perennial plants is occurring not only in public spaces but also in private usage — and generally for the same reasons and values. People are being encouraged to use perennial plants such as grasses and heucheras in hanging baskets, and there are many perennials that fit the “thriller, filler and spiller” categories.

Is this the end of the British bedding plant? Probably not, but demand is undoubtedly decreasing. This has implications for those cultivating annual plants but provides a significant opportunity for hardy nursery stock producers.

Many growers of bedding plants are expanding their offerings to include perennials and increasing the variety of annual vegetable plants they grow. This adjustment is timely, given the sustained public interest in home vegetable gardening. Further discussion on this topic will follow in a future column.

Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the August 2025 issue of GIE Media publication Nursery Management.