Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why are the flowers larger here?
A. Long daylight hours in sub-Arctic Anchorage.

Q. Why are the flower colors brighter here?
A. Due to cooler temperatures.

Q. Where does the Horticulture Department get seeds?
A. Various seed companies, including Ball, Grimes, Germania, Thompson & Morgan, Park and more.

Q. What is the average summer temperature in Anchorage?
A. 60 to 70 degrees.

Q. What does the Horticulture Team do with the flowers when they are pulled?
A. Take them to a composting facility.

Q. Who designs the flower beds?
A. The zone gardener responsible for their care.

Q. What type of fertilizer does Horticulture use in the greenhouse?
A. Peters Excel 15-5-15 to start, and then Peters Blossom Booster 10-30-20, water soluble.

Q. How long has the greenhouse been in operation?
A.  Since 1965

Interesting horticulture facts:

• Anchorage annual rainfall is 15”
  
• The Horticulture Department uses a granular fertilizer with a chemical analysis of 8-32-16 because the soil in Alaska is low in phosphorus
  
• The soil in Anchorage is acidic, requiring the addition of lime to achieve the proper pH balance for most annuals and vegetables
  
• The Anchorage bowl is divided into several microclimates, including plant hardiness zones ranging from zone 2 to zone 4

Complete List of Flowers in Town Square Park

ACHILLEA SUMMER PASTELS
AGERATUM LEILANI BLUE
ALYSSUM NAVY BLUE
ALYSSUM ROSIE O'DAY
BEGONIA FIBROUS DRAGON WING PINK
BEGONIA TUBEROUS NONSTOP APPLE BLOSSOM
BEGONIA TUBEROUS NONSTOP PINK
BEGONIA TUBEROUS NONSTOP ROSE PINK
BEGONIA TUBEROUS NONSTOP YELLOW
BEGONIA TUBEROUS PIN-UP FLAME
BELLS OF IRELAND
BRUSSELS SPROUTS OLIVER
CABBAGE O S CROSS
CABBAGE RUBY PERFECTION
CALENDULA PACIFIC BEAUTY GOLD
CALENDULA PRINCE INDIAN
CERASTIUM TOMENTOSUM SILVER CARPET
CERINTHE PURPURESCENS
CHRYSANTHEMUM YELLOW BUTTONS
COSMOS PICOTEE
COSMOS SONATA CARMINE
COSMOS SONATA PINK
CYNARA CARDOON CARDUNCULUS
DAHLIA TUBEROUS ASSORTED EXTRAS
DELPHINIUM MAGIC FOUNTAIN LAVENDER/WHT BEE
DELPHINIUM PACIFIC GIANT GALAHAD
DIGITALIS CAMELOT ROSE
DIGITALIS FLORIBUNDA
DIGITALIS FOXY MIXTURE
GERANIUM BLACK VELVET ROSE F1
GERANIUM ORANGE APPEAL
GERANIUM ORANGE APPEAL
GERANIUM ORBIT APPLEBLOSSOM
GERANIUM ORBIT CHERRY
GERANIUM ORBIT ORCHID
GERANIUM ORBIT SALMON
GERANIUM ORBIT VIOLET
HELICHRYSUM SILVER MIST
HELIOTROPE MARINE
IMPATIENS SUPER ELFIN BRIGHT ORANGE
IMPATIENS SUPER ELFIN CHERRY
IMPATIENS SUPER ELFIN LAVENDER
IMPATIENS SUPER ELFIN PINK
LAVATERA SILVER CUP
LUPINE MORELLO CHERRY
MALVA m. MYSTIC MERLIN
MALVA PIROUETTE
MALVA ZEBRINA
NASTURTIUM WHIRLYBIRD MIX
NICOTIANA DOMINO LIME
NICOTIANA DOMINO PINK WHITE EYE
NICOTIANA LANGSDORFII
ORNAMENTAL CABBAGE OSAKA PINK
ORNAMENTAL KALE CHIDORI RED
ORNAMENTAL KALE WINTER BOR
PANSY CROWN WHITE
PANSY IMPERIAL BLUE
PANSY IMPERIAL PINK SHADES
PANSY MAJESTIC GIANT PURPLE
PANSY PADPARADJA
PARSLEY CURLED AFRO
PERILLA FRUTESCENS
PERILLA NANKINENSIS
PETUNIA LIMONCELLA
PETUNIA WAVE PURPLE
PETUNIA WAVE PURPLE
PLECTRANTHUS SILVER SHIELD
RUDBECKIA INDIAN SUMMER
SALVIA H. MARBLE ARCH BLUE
SALVIA H. MARBLE ARCH ROSE
SALVIA L. PURPLE VOLCANO
SCABIOSA a. ACE OF SPADES
SNAPDRAGON LIBERTY CHERRY
SNAPDRAGON LIBERTY LAVENDER
SNAPDRAGON LIBERTY SCARLET
SNAPDRAGON RIBBON WHITE
SNAPDRAGON RIBBON YELLOW
SNAPDRAGON ROCKET LEMON
SNAPDRAGON ROCKET ORCHID
SNAPDRAGON ROCKET RED
VERBASCUM ARCTIC SUMMER