Perennials form the foundation of many Bergen County gardens, offering reliable beauty and value year after year. Unlike seasonal annuals, these enduring plants provide stability and long-term returns in our landscapes. However, their self-sufficient nature sometimes leads us to overlook their need for regular care and attention.

As spring arrives, it's crucial to assess how your perennials weathered the winter months. Early spring maintenance, including inspection for damage, proper pruning, and mulch assessment, helps ensure these garden stalwarts continue thriving for years to come.

Dividing and Transplanting

Spring provides the ideal opportunity for dividing and transplanting perennial flowers. This essential maintenance task, recommended every three to five years, offers multiple benefits:

• Prevents plants from becoming overgrown
• Rejuvenates established plantings
• Expands color throughout your landscape
• Creates new plants without additional cost

Certain varieties particularly benefit from spring division, including asters, hostas, irises, and daylilies. Our professional gardeners ensure proper technique during division:

• Thorough pre-division watering to protect roots
• Careful excavation to preserve root systems
• Strategic division into healthy sections
• Immediate replanting to minimize stress

Professional Pruning Techniques

Proper pruning significantly impacts perennial health and appearance. Different cutting techniques serve specific purposes in shaping and maintaining your plants:

• Heading Cuts
  Made above leaf nodes to promote new growth
  
  
• Pinching
  Removes spent buds to direct growth patterns
  
  
• Thinning
  Removes entire stems to reduce size and improve form
  
  
• Deadheading
  Removes spent blooms to extend flowering period

Rockfield Landscape's experienced gardeners understand the precise timing and technique each perennial variety requires. We maintain your plants' natural beauty while promoting optimal health and extended blooming periods. Contact us at (201) 447-6205 or through our online form to schedule your spring perennial maintenance.