Garden Investments That Return Year After Year
Perennial plants are the backbone of any sustainable garden - planted once, they return year after year, growing stronger, larger, and more beautiful with time. While they may bloom for shorter periods than annuals, perennials offer long-term value, seasonal interest, and the satisfaction of watching your garden mature and evolve. At Big John's Farm Market, we grow our perennials from small starts, nurturing them to robust, healthy plants ready to establish quickly in your garden.
What Are Perennial Plants?
Understanding the Perennial Advantage
Perennial plants live for more than two years, with their root systems surviving winter to emerge again each spring. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in one season, perennials focus their energy on building strong root systems and plant structure, which is why they typically bloom for shorter, more concentrated periods.
- Long-term Value: Plant once, enjoy for years
- Increasing Beauty: Plants get larger and more impressive over time
- Seasonal Structure: Provide garden framework throughout the year
- Division Potential: Many can be divided to create new plants
- Lower Maintenance: Once established, most are quite self-sufficient
- Wildlife Friendly: Many attract butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects
- Permanent garden beds and borders
- Natural and native plant gardens
- Low-maintenance landscaping
- Creating seasonal succession of blooms
- Ground cover and erosion control
- Wildlife and pollinator gardens
Our Growing Process
From Small Starts to Garden-Ready Plants
We grow our perennials from small starts, sometimes even from bare root divisions that arrive looking like nothing more than roots! Through our careful nurturing process in controlled greenhouse conditions, these humble beginnings develop into the robust, healthy plants you take home.
- Strong Root Development: Plants establish quickly in your garden
- Climate Adapted: Grown specifically for Midwest conditions
- Proper Sizing: Plants are mature enough to perform well their first season
- Expert Care: Daily attention from experienced growers
- Optimal Timing: Available when planting conditions are ideal
Local Knowledge: We understand which varieties thrive in our area
Planting & Timing
When and How to Plant Perennials
- Early Spring: End of April through May (our recommended time)
- Fall Planting: September through October (also excellent)
- Summer Planting: Possible but requires diligent watering
- Spring: Plants establish before summer heat stress
- Fall: Cooler temperatures reduce watering needs, roots establish over winter
- Summer: Hot weather requires constant attention to watering
- Plant in well-draining soil amended with compost
- Water thoroughly the first year while roots establish
- After establishment, most perennials are quite drought tolerant
- Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
Size Options & Pricing
Choose the Right Size for Your Project
We offer perennials in two convenient sizes to fit different budgets and timelines:
Quart-Sized Pots
- Younger plants at budget-friendly prices
- Perfect for filling larger areas economically
- Great for gardeners who enjoy watching plants develop
One-Gallon Pots
- More mature plants for immediate impact
- Faster establishment
- Ideal when you want instant presence in the garden
- Better choice for focal point plantings
Volume Discount
Volume Discount: Buy 12 or more quart-sized perennials, or 3 or more gallon sized, and save approximately 50¢ per plant!
Pricing varies by plant type and size - contact us for current pricing
Perennial Varieties We Grow
Extensive Selection for Midwest Gardens
We carefully select perennials that thrive in our climate zone and provide reliable performance year after year.
Aquilegia (Columbine) • Asclepias (Butterfly Weed) • Campanula (Bellflower) • Coreopsis (Tickseed) • Delosperma (Ice Plant) • Delphinium • Dianthus (Pinks) • Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) • Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) • Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) • Lavandula (Lavender) • Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) • Monarda (Bee Balm) • Nepeta (Catmint) • Papaver (Poppy) • Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) • Salvia • Sempervivum (Hens & Chicks)
Agastache (Hummingbird Mint) • Astilbe • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) • Campanula (Bellflower) • Coreopsis (Tickseed) • Delphinium • Delosperma (Ice Plant) • Dianthus (Pinks) • Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) • Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) • Ornamental Grasses • Hemerocallis (Daylilies) • Heuchera (Coral Bells) • Hosta • Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy) • Lobelia • Monarda (Bee Balm) • Nepeta (Catmint) • Papaver (Poppy) • Phlox • Roses • Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) • Salvia
Popular Categories
- Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Gaillardia
- Coreopsis, Leucanthemum, Salvia
- Lavandula, Delosperma, Asclepias
- Lobelia (perennial types)
- Hosta (our most popular!), Astilbe, Heuchera
- Campanula
- Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Asclepias
- Monarda, Agastache, native grasses
- Hosta (incredible variety of leaf colors and sizes)
- Heuchera (colorful foliage all season)
- Ornamental grasses (texture and movement)
- Lavandula, Nepeta, Dianthus
- Monarda, Agastache
- Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Nepeta
- Salvia, Delosperma, Rudbeckia
Expert Design Advance
Creating Beautiful Perennial Gardens
Our knowledgeable staff helps you plan perennial gardens that provide interest throughout the growing season.
- Spring: Aquilegia, early Dianthus
- Early Summer: Delphinium, Leucanthemum, Campanula
- Mid-Summer: Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Monarda
- Late Summer: Agastache, late-season Phlox
- Fall Interest: Ornamental grasses, late Rudbeckia
- Height Layering: Tall background plants to short front border
- Color Coordination: Complementary bloom colors and foliage
- Bloom Timing: Ensuring continuous seasonal interest
- Maintenance Matching: Grouping plants with similar care needs
- Plant Selection: Choosing varieties for your specific conditions
- Companion Planting: Suggestions for plants that work well together
- Care Guidance: Seasonal maintenance and care instructions
What Makes Our Perennials Special
Midwest-Hardy, Garden-Ready Plants
- Grown from quality starts with strong root systems
- Plants establish quickly and perform well their first season
- Better winter survival than plants grown in other climate zones
- We know which varieties perform best in our local conditions
- Staff can advise on plant placement, care, and companion plantings
- Troubleshooting help available throughout the growing season
- Professional-quality plants at reasonable prices
- Better root systems than discount store perennials
- More affordable than high-end specialty nurseries
- Volume discounts available for larger projects
Perennial Care Essentials
Ensuring Long-term Success
- Water Consistently: Weekly deep watering until established
- Mulch Well: 2-3 inches around plants to retain moisture
- Be Patient: Some perennials take time to reach full potential
- Light Fertilizing: Gentle feeding promotes healthy growth
- Spring Cleanup: Remove old growth, divide overcrowded plants
- Summer Care: Deadhead spent blooms, maintain mulch
- Fall Preparation: Some plants can be cut back, others left for winter interest
- Winter Protection: New plantings benefit from extra mulch
- Increasing Beauty: Plants become more impressive each year
- Division Opportunities: Create new plants from established clumps
- Lower Water Needs: Established perennials are quite drought tolerant
- Wildlife Value: Many provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and birds
Getting Started with Perennials
Your Long-term Garden Investment
Whether you're starting a new perennial garden or adding to existing beds, we're here to help you choose the right plants for lasting beauty and success.
Planning Your Visit:
- Best Selection: Early spring (April-May) for fullest variety
- Bring: Photos of your garden areas, measurements, soil condition information
- Ask About: Sequential bloom planning, companion plantings, care requirements
Design Consultation Available: Our staff can help you plan perennial combinations that provide continuous interest, appropriate heights, and complementary colors throughout the growing season.
Volume Projects: Planning a large perennial garden? Ask about our volume discounts on quart-sized plants and one gallon sized pots.