Giant Perennial Plants for Your Garden: The Top Five

If you love a big bold look of giant foliage in your garden, you will love the top five giant perennials listed in this article. These perennial plants are great at filling difficult corners of your yard, for unique backdrops to other plants, and for a tropical feel without the heat and humidity. They can also replace trees and bushes in your landscaping design.

Giant Pernnial Plant - Ostrich Fern

Ostrich fern, or Matteuccia Struthiopteris, is one of the largest varieties of fern. It has perfect ostrich plume shaped fronds that can reach lengths of five feet. The plant grows in an upright bunch and spreads to three feet. This plant does well in dappled sunlight and shade. There are also other varieties of fern that grow in large clumps. Ostrich fern is one of the tallest however.

Giant Perennial Plant - Gunnera

Gunnera is a huge perennial with long, strong stalks and umbrella-like leaves. These leaves are heavily lobed and can grow up to two feet wide. It is a tropical plant and does best in planting zones seven through ten. With shelter and protection in cold winter climates, the gunnera can still be used in the landscaping. In sun, this plant takes up as much room as a small tree. This giant perennial prefers moist soil.

Giant Perennial Plant - Chinese Rhubarb

Chinese rhubarb is one of the few giant perennials that actually has a showy flower. It gets red flower stalks in the summer months. Other than that, this large-leaved plant grows to be six to eight feet wide. Its height is comperable to its width.

Giant Perennial Plant - Zebra Grass

Zebra grass is just one of the many types of popular ornamental grasses on the market today. This perennial type is giant, forming clumps of tightly packed striped leaves. Other giant perenial grasses include pampas grass, which has lovely plumes on tall stalks.

Giant Perennial Plant - Rodgersia

Rodgersia comes in various types that differ slightly in size and leaf and flower color. The general plant shape is much like astilbe, with a clump of broad leaves at the base and flower stalks above. This giant perennial grows to heights of more than four feet and will fill in a three foot section of your garden.

Growing giant perennial plants in your yard creates interest that cannot be had with ordinary plants, shrubs, and trees. Whether you want to create a country garden with fern backdrop or a tropical paradise, giant perennial plants are a great idea.