Plant these 10 perennials in February for a spectacular spring garden

This bright, sun-loving perennial is wonderfully tough and drought-tolerant once established. It produces bold splashes of red, yellow and orange — either in solid shades or striking banded patterns — and flowers for weeks throughout summer. Ideal for hot, sunny borders, gravel gardens or coastal plots, gaillardia is also a magnet for bees and other pollinators. Joshua recommends planting it in generous drifts along the front of a sunny border for maximum impact.

Also known as butterfly weed, this perennial produces clusters of vivid orange flowers from mid to late summer. While it’s best known in North America as a host plant for monarch butterflies, in the UK it’s valued for attracting bees and other pollinators. It works well in sunny, well-drained borders and prairie-style planting schemes. Just be aware that it needs full sun and dislikes heavy, waterlogged soil.

Often known as the Lenten rose, this elegant perennial flowers from late winter into early spring, bringing much-needed colour when little else is in bloom. It comes in a wide range of beautiful cultivars, from soft blush and cream to deep plum and near-black, many with speckled or double blooms. Hellebores make a striking addition to shady borders, woodland-style planting and even large containers, says Kristian. They prefer partial to full shade and thrive in moist but well-drained soil.

The deep purple flower spikes of this bushy perennial are highly attractive to bees and butterflies, making it a brilliant choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. They look particularly striking when planted in generous drifts through a sunny border. Joshua especially recommends ‘Mystic Spires’ for its long flowering season and compact habit. Cut plants back in late spring if they begin to look tired, and you’ll often be rewarded with a fresh flush of blooms later in summer. Salvias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.

Perennial herbs such as thyme, sage and rosemary can be planted in February in milder parts of the UK, provided the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. These sun-loving herbs thrive in well-drained soil and are ideal for pots, raised beds or the front of a sunny border. In colder regions, it’s best to wait until early spring or start plants under cover. Planting now gives you a head start on your edible garden — something that continues to grow in popularity, says Kristian.

This low-growing perennial forms spreading clumps of succulent, grassy foliage, topped with slender stems of yellow or orange starry flowers. It’s best treated as a tender perennial — suitable for coastal and very mild gardens, or grown in containers that can be moved under cover for winter. It prefers full sun and sharply drained, sandy soil. 'It’s super easy to grow and transplant,' says Joshua. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and well suited to gravel gardens or Mediterranean-style planting schemes.

A member of the amaryllis family, this architectural perennial has strappy green foliage and striking globe-shaped blooms, usually in shades of blue, purple or white. Agapanthus thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil, particularly in southern and coastal gardens. Plant around 45cm apart if you’re aiming for a bold, ground-cover effect in borders or large containers. Its eye-catching flowers appear from mid to late summer.

Caladiums have large, heart-shaped leaves splashed with pink, green and white. They’re usually grown as tender foliage plants, so it’s best to start tubers indoors in late winter rather than planting them straight outside in February. Wait until temperatures are consistently above 15°C before moving them outdoors, as caladiums won’t tolerate frost. This shade-loving plant works beautifully in containers or sheltered borders for bold, tropical-style colour, says Joshua.

This spreading perennial has flat, glossy green or variegated leaves. It’s best suited to milder regions and sheltered gardens, as some varieties can be tender in colder areas, but once established, it’s relatively drought-tolerant and low maintenance. Despite its name, the plant doesn’t have showy flowers, but it’s a reliable and hardy ground cover that offers texture and colour to planting beds, says Kristian.

The cheery blooms of this perennial will make you smile as they dance in the breeze. A lovely addition to mixed borders and cottage-style schemes, coreopsis comes in a wide range of warm shades, from buttery yellow to deep red and bi-colour varieties. Plant bare-root plants in early spring once the soil is workable, or add young plants after the risk of hard frost has passed in your area. They bring long-lasting, vibrant colour to borders and beds throughout summer, says Joshua.