Dubuque Arboretum Perennials Gardens
The Dubuque Arboretum features 26 established perennials gardens
The Dubuque Arboretum has more than twenty-six (26) established perennial gardens that are maintained each year by volunteers that adopt those gardens. (A perennial plant is one that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials.)
In keeping with the mission statement of the arboretum as “a source for information and education,” our gardens are planted to provide interest throughout all growing seasons. In addition, our goal is to continually introduce new perennials into the gardens to foster diversification.
Plants are often divided, or their location is moved, depending upon their habits and hardiness. Since our climate in the Dubuque area is a Zone 4-5, we select plants that are hardy to that zone. If a gardener wants assurance of success — depending on zone — we would recommend a Zone 4 plant.
Visitors will often find volunteers attending their perennial gardens. Visitors will also find that our wonderful volunteers are very willing to provide answers to questions. So please ask.