Whilst trees and shrubs form the framework for many gardens, hardy herbaceous perennials help to create the interest and provide colour from spring right through till autumn.

Unlike tender annual bedding, herbaceous perennials die back to soil level at the end of the season only to re-appear year after year.

Horticultural terminology can appear to be somewhat daunting but even those new to gardening are probably familiar with some of the plants, which come under the banner of 'herbaceous perennial' even if they don't think they are!

Poppies (Papaver) are just one example and where they display their massive blooms in June. These can be purchased in a variety of colours including orange, pink or white.

The profuse flowering spikes of the rich blue delphinium are a familiar sight in a herbaceous border and provide the perfect backdrop especially when harmoniously used with other 2'-3' tall varieties such as spring flowering Aquilegia, summer flowering Lupins (Lupinus) and Hollyhocks; the late summer/early autumn flowering Japanese anemones (Anemone x hybrida) and Michaelmas daisies (Aster novi-belgii).

Soften the entire border with beautiful, billowing clouds of 'Baby's Breath' (Gypsophila), which is often seen gracing a variety of cut floral displays from bridal bouquets to table arrangements.

Create your own traditional border by contrasting these elegant plants by selecting a mixture of different varieties, colours and heights, planting the tallest at the back and then using plants in ever-decreasing sizes as you plant towards the front of the border.

Select from 'Bleeding Heart' (Dicentra spectibilis) with its arched sprays of heart-shaped red and pale pink, which will flower from April to June. 'Milky Bellflower' (Campanula Lactiflora), a bold, upright-growing perennial with lilac-blue, and as the name suggests, bell-shaped flowers will help to make a glorious background in any border. The dense foliage of C. Lactiflora 'Pouffe' is smothered in pale blue flowers and is particularly suited to the smaller garden.

'Lift' the entire border with 'Tickseed' (Coreopsis varieties), a daisy-like flower of yellow, vivid golds or reds, which flower throughout mid-summer.

The Luxuriance of varieties of Hosta makes it a sought-after plant for the border. Choose from the magnificent H. Seiboldiana 'Elegans' with its huge blue-green leaves, or select H. Crispula with its large tapering leaves streaked with white. The addition of hostas into your planting scheme not only provide beauty but structure and form and in sizes ranging from 6" to 3'. There are hostas to suit any garden.

Another attribute of all these aforementioned perennials is that they will all grow in most soils!

Before planting perennials bear in mind an old gardening saying; 'spend a penny on the plant and a pound on the hole'. For healthy and long-lived herbaceous perennials good soil preparation is essential if you want to reap the rewards each year. Prepare your border by digging to a depth of approximately 9" adding organic material such as well-rotted farmyard manure, general-purpose compost and in amount specified an all purpose fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone meal.

Prior to planting stand your plants in a container of water for about an hour. Prepare a hole twice as big as the pot size and fork over the bottom. Try the plant out for size to ensure the hole is large enough. Ease the plant out of the pot by tapping and gently tease out any tightly wrapped roots. Place the plant in the hole ensuring that the tops of the roots are just below the surface of the soil. Fill in the hole, finishing by firming the soil around the plant with your foot.

Once you have completed planting you must ensure that the plants are watered in well to settle the soil around the roots. A thorough watering once a week or when the surface of the soil looks dry should be carried out for the entire first season, preferably in the cool of day to help establish the plants.

Mulching with compost, chipped bark or cocoa shells will not only help to preserve moisture in the soil but will help reduce weeding. Plants are no different from people inasmuch as we all need to be fed occasionally!

Once established feed your border each spring with a sprinkle of general-purpose fertiliser to help maintain health and growth.

Should you find some plants are outgrowing their space, dividing the root ball is one of the easiest ways to keep your plants in check whilst at the same time increasing your stock cost-free!

Some of the taller herbaceous perennials may require support; use twiggy branches pruned from trees and shrubs in winter, canes or purpose-made plant supports to prevent damage.

Remember to 'deadhead' - snipping off dead and dying blooms will encourage your plants to keep flowering rather than setting seed and increase the longevity of colour in the garden.

Most perennials die right back to soil level in winter but some like Crocosmia often retain their dead leaves, which should be removed before spring brings the next flush of new growth.

Nowadays, herbaceous perennials are often planted in a mixed border where shrubs, bulbs, border and bedding plants are incorporated to give gardens year round interest and colour.

Remember, not only will you find them available at the garden centre, you can also seek out expert advice on planning, siting, and choosing plants for your border, which will delight you for many years to come!