Perennial plants are those that live more than two years. They generally bloom in the spring and go dormant each winter. They tend to be hardy and require little maintenance, but there are still a few important steps that gardeners should take to keep these plants healthy. 

Do:

Do your research.

Different perennials thrive in various growing conditions, so find options that thrive in the specific conditions of your garden. Start by looking up your zone; for example, Eagle River, AK is in hardiness zone 4b, so look for plants that are able to thrive in cold conditions. Additionally, consider the type of light that your garden receives, and look for plants that thrive in full sun or shade, depending on your garden conditions. 

Divide and clear away spent flowers.

Over time, your perennials are likely to grow larger, creating additional blooms that require even more resources from the soil. To prevent these plants from getting too large for your garden or from starving for nutrients, clear away spent flowers each season so the nutrients just go to healthy flowers. Additionally, divide perennials every three to five years to create a few smaller plants that are better suited for the space available. 

Don’t:

Let plants get too big. 

Many larger perennials have long or thin stems, so they cannot stand up by themselves. If you want flowers like peonies, asters, or delphiniums to stand tall, place stakes into the ground early in spring and attach the stems so they have sufficient support. If you wait until these plants are already flopping over onto the ground, they may crowd other plants. 

Rely only on soil.

Since perennials bloom year after year, the roots need to stay safe throughout every season. Mulch insulates the soil to prevent constant freeze-thaw cycles and traps moisture inside, so the roots can access enough water and nutrients for the plants to thrive long-term. Add about two inches of mulch over the soil in your garden beds during spring to keep plants safe all year. 

If you’re looking for perennial plants for your garden, contact P & M Garden Services Inc in Eagle River, AK. The plant nursery offers a wide array of flowers, shrubs, and other plants that are well suited for the Alaska climate and various types of spaces. Visit the website to browse available options, or call (907) 694-9293 to speak with a team member.