CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
RETURNING BLOOMS
Perennials
Perennials: Plants That Return Year After Year
Perennials are long-lived plants that come back season after season. Once established, they return each year from their roots, often growing stronger and fuller over time.
How Perennials Grow
Unlike annuals, which complete their life cycle in one season, perennials have a permanent root system. While the foliage and flowers die back in fall, the roots rest through winter and send up fresh growth each spring. This natural cycle makes perennials a reliable and rewarding part of any garden.
Why Gardeners Love Perennials
Perennials are known for being easy to grow and low maintenance once established. Many are winter-hardy and well suited to our climate. With thousands of varieties available, there’s a perennial for nearly every garden situation—sun or shade, dry or moist soil, early spring blooms or late-season color.
Where Perennials Shine
Perennials work beautifully in many parts of the landscape. They can be planted in garden beds, mixed borders, rock gardens, and foundation plantings alongside shrubs and evergreens. Some gardeners use perennials as the backbone of their garden, adding annuals only for extra seasonal color.
Perennials at Arona Road Greenhouse
We grow and carry a wide selection of perennials chosen for performance, beauty, and longevity. Our team is always happy to help you select plants that will thrive in your space and provide years of enjoyment.
Perennial of the Year
Each year, the Perennial Plant Association highlights one standout plant for its garden performance and value.
The 2026 Perennial of the Year is Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’—an ornamental grass prized for its upright form and dramatic color. Its blue-green foliage deepens to rich purple and near-black tones as the season progresses, adding striking texture and movement to the garden. ‘Blackhawks’ is hardy, adaptable, and a strong choice for adding structure and interest from summer through fall.
Best Perennials for Spring Gardening
At Arona Road Greenhouse, these spring perennials are some of the first to flush and earliest to flower as the weather warms up outdoors.
Best Perennials for Summer Sun
These perennials will thrive outdoors in a full 8 hours of sun, providing flowers that shine just as bright. Many of these sun-loving perennials attract bees and other pollinators to your garden.
Best Perennials for Shade
Have a difficult area of your garden that doesn’t get much sun? These shade-tolerant perennials can adapt to low light conditions outdoors and still provide your garden with blooms and life year-round.
OUTDOOR PERENNIALS
How to Care for Your Perennial Plants
Caring for Outdoor Perennials
Perennials are reliable, long-term plants, and with a little care, they’ll reward you year after year. Once established, most perennials are easy to maintain and well-suited to our climate.
Soil & Feeding
Perennials grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Improving your soil with compost or aged organic matter helps with moisture retention and root health. Most perennials benefit from a yearly feeding in early spring to encourage fresh growth, and some appreciate an additional boost as they begin to bloom.
Good air circulation and healthy soil go a long way—you don’t need to overdo it.
Watering
Deep, consistent watering is better than frequent light watering. Most perennials prefer their roots to dry slightly between waterings and don’t enjoy sitting in soggy soil. Try to water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry and reduce disease issues.
Planting Perennials
Most perennials are best planted in spring once the ground can be worked and the risk of frost has passed. Some varieties can also be planted in late summer or early fall, giving roots time to establish before winter.
When planting:
-
Choose the right spot—some perennials love full sun, others prefer shade.
-
Give plants room to grow so roots aren’t crowded.
-
Keep the plant crown at soil level—burying it too deeply can cause rot.
If you’re planning a perennial garden or border, take time to think about plant height, bloom time, and color. Taller plants typically work best toward the back, with medium and shorter plants layered toward the front for a natural look.
Winter Care & Mulching
Newly planted perennials benefit from a layer of mulch their first winter. Apply 2–3 inches of mulch after the ground freezes to protect roots from temperature swings. In spring, pull mulch back from the crown to allow new growth to emerge easily.
Dividing Perennials
If a perennial starts to look crowded or blooms less than it used to, it may be time to divide it. Dividing helps refresh plants and gives you more to enjoy or share.
As a general guideline:
-
Perennials that bloom in summer or fall are usually divided in spring.
-
Spring bloomers are best divided after flowering or in late summer.
Lift the plant, separate healthy sections, and replant the strongest pieces. Water well after dividing to help plants settle in.
We’re Here to Help
Every garden is different, and not all perennials have the same needs. If you’re unsure about planting times, spacing, or care, our team is always happy to help you choose and care for perennials that will thrive in your space.
