Hardy perennials, evergreen ground cover, sedges and low hedging chosen for Irish and northern European gardens that face frost and wet winters. Free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Which plants survive frost in Irish gardens?
Every plant here is hardy outdoors in Ireland and northern Europe, but they get through winter in two different ways. Evergreens such as Carex, Euonymus, ivy and Leptinella keep their leaves all year. Herbaceous perennials such as Salvia nemorosa and many hardy geraniums die back to the ground and regrow in spring. Both types are hardy; a bare patch in January is not a dead plant.
In Ireland, wet and waterlogged soil kills more plants in winter than cold does. Good drainage matters more than shelter, so improve heavy clay or plant on a slight mound.
| Plant | Winter habit | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese sedges (Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance', Carex oshimensis 'Evergold') | Evergreen | Year-round grassy ground cover, sun or shade |
| Cranesbill 'Rozanne' (Geranium) | Dies back, regrows in spring | Long-flowering, bee-friendly borders |
| Rock cranesbill 'Czakor' / 'Spessart' (Geranium macrorrhizum) | Semi-evergreen | Weed-smothering ground cover, including dry shade |
| Sage 'Caradonna' / 'Mainacht' (Salvia nemorosa) | Dies back, regrows in spring | Sunny, bee-friendly borders |
| Irish ivy (Hedera hibernica) | Evergreen | Ground cover and walls in shade |
| Brass buttons (Leptinella squalida) | Evergreen | Low carpet between paving |
| Euonymus 'Green Spire' (Euonymus japonicus) | Evergreen | Low formal hedging |
Short-lived but self-seeding
Verbena bonariensis, including the compact 'Lollipop', is often short-lived, but it self-seeds freely in free-draining soil, so a planting keeps renewing itself. Leave the seed heads standing over winter and thin the seedlings in spring. For bronze ground cover in sun, try Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich'; for shade, Cornus canadensis spreads into a low carpet with white flowers.
When to plant hardy plants
Pot-grown plants can go in during autumn or spring, when the soil is workable. Avoid planting into frozen or waterlogged ground, water through the first summer, and mulch to keep weeds down while ground cover knits together.
Frequently asked questions
What ground cover stays green all winter in Ireland?
Evergreen options include Carex sedges, Irish ivy, Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' and Leptinella squalida.
Are hardy geraniums frost resistant?
Yes. Types such as 'Rozanne' die back in winter and regrow in spring, while Geranium macrorrhizum keeps much of its foliage.
Why did my perennials die over winter?
In Irish gardens the usual cause is waterlogged soil rather than frost. Plant in free-draining ground and avoid hollows where water sits.
Explore more: frost-hardy winter plants · Ground cover · Garden perennials · Hedge plants
Shortlists: Best Evergreen Plants for Winter Interest · Best Hardy Perennials for Clay Soil