perennials

Perennial plants are the backbone of every successful landscape. They are available in a wide range of sizes, colors and blooming seasons. Perennials grow and bloom over the spring and summer and then die back every autumn and winter. They reappear in the spring and are larger and fuller.

Typically, they grow from their root stock rather than seeding themselves as an annual plant does. These are herbaceous perennials. However, depending on the rigors of  your local climate, a plant that is a perennial in its native habitat, may have to be treated as an annual.  In other words, in colder climates you will have to plant some perennials every year.

Some of the more popular perennial plant categories include: hosta, daylily, iris, echinacea, peony, ferns, grasses, phlox, heuchera, astilbe. and more.  Proven Winners  offers some of the most popular varieties available.  Part of the joy of gardening with perennial plants is discovering new plant introductions from family, friends and our knowledgeable staff.

SOIL PREPARATION

Choose the right plants for the right locations. Then it’s time to plant. Check your soil to see if it needs any amendments. Perennials generally require loamy, well-drained soil for good growth. Organic matter is beneficial to most herbaceous plants. Examples of organic matter are peat moss, compost and manure. Soil prep is important to do BEFORE you plant.  It is difficult to amend the soil once the plants have become established.

  • Loosen the soil at least 18″ deep
  • Till or dig in 4-6″ of organic material
  • Check soil pH – most plants prefer a slightly acidic soil – 6.0-6.5

WHEN TO PLANT

Plant container grown perennials any time during the growing season.  It is recommended not to plant perennials later than late August – September. This allows the roots  to get established before winter.  Mulch can help conserve moisture and insulate roots during winter.

HOW TO PLANT

Carefully remove container and loosen roots to encourage lateral growth. Cut off the bottom inch if the roots are in a dense mat. This will stimulate new growth and the plant will establish more quickly. Be sure to plant at the same soil level as it was in the container.

WATERING

Carefully monitor new plantings for water. Checking the first 3-4″ of soil will help determine if plants need to be watered. Over-watered and dry plants produce the same “wilted” look. So be sure you are watering correctly. Ideally, watering should be done in the morning to prevent fungal growth.

FERTILIZING

Proper soil preparation is the best way to feed your perennials. However, a light application of 5-10-5 is useful to give your plants a boost in spring. Another application in mid to late summer is useful if you have poor soil or the spring was exceptionally wet.

PLANT DIVISION

Some perennials may never need to be divided, but most will benefit from being taken out and divided every few years. Reasons for dividing plants include decreased flowering, die-out in the center or if the plant has just grown too big for the space.

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Sharon R profile picture
Sharon R
August 21, 2026
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I can’t say enough about how happy I am with the incredible pondless waterfall that Kevin Cummings, Bill, and Jay from Bayview Nurseries created for us! We had an old, defunct pond in our backyard that I had always hoped to transform into a pondless waterfall. Kevin had the wonderful idea to use the existing stone from the old pond to create the new feature, which not only preserved the character of the space but also saved us money. Bill and Jay’s attention to detail was exceptional, but what stood out just as much was how incredibly kind and accommodating they were throughout the entire project. When the job was initially completed, they were not completely happy with the water output. Rather than settling for something they felt was less than perfect, they returned to the nursery, ordered a different pump, and installed a temporary one in the meantime. When they came back to install the new pump, they continued tweaking the smallest details to make the waterfall even better. That level of creativity, pride, and dedication to a project is so hard to find. They even worked late to make sure everything was just right—and I truly wouldn’t change a thing! The best part is that this is only the beginning! In May 2027, Kevin’s beautiful landscape design will come to life with plantings around the waterfall, throughout the entire back garden bed, and in two front beds. I can’t wait to see his vision come together and make our entire yard even more spectacular! I highly, highly recommend Bayview Nurseries, Kevin, Bill, and Jay for your landscaping needs. Thank you for making our backyard come alive!
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Wesley Reynolds
August 7, 2026
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Lilly Taylor was fantastic with the design, bringing our ideas to life. But the highlight was the crew of Billy & Jay. They made sure every detail was correct and they were fun to work with. Enjoyed the whole project
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Butta Boo
June 10, 2026
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Awesome place to get your plants trees etc Joanie is the best ever !
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Alison Weinberger
June 8, 2026
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Lilly and the entire Bayview team were amazing. They are so knowledgeable about all kinds of plants and really understood what I was looking for. I highly recommend them for any landscape needs.
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Mary OConnell
May 9, 2026
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We are so very happy with our new landscaping. Everything looks Beautiful! Bruce and crew just finished up and we wanted you to know how happy we are with the finished project. The crew were so courteous and helpful and left our property completely clean and free of debris. All our interactions with Bayview from the landscape design with Jerry ,to scheduling with Brandon and talking with Joanie about plants have been very positive and professional. We will definitely be recommending your team to all our friends and neighbors. Thank you
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Gail Evans
April 24, 2026
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Beautiful healthy plants.. annuals, veggies, perennials, good prices!