The Horticulture Complex of the Municipality of Anchorage operates six plant production greenhouses totaling 52,000 square feet.  Beginning in December each year, over 83,000 annuals are started by seed, joining the over-wintered Dahlias and Fuchsias.  These world-renowned flowers are carefully nurtured until May, when 1300 hanging baskets and 270 flower beds throughout the city are established and maintained by 40 permanent and seasonal horticulture employees.   The plants are pulled starting in mid-September, leaving the beds clean and ready for next spring.

The Tropical House at the Municipal Greenhouse is open to visitors. For more information, please visit the Parks & Recreation Department webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions & Facts About Horticulture in Anchorage

Are you looking for a flower you don't see below? For a full list of flowers visible in Town Square Park, please see the FAQs.

• 
  Malva Sylvestris "Mystic Merlin"
             
  - Perennial (zone 5-8)
  - Grows to 5-6 feet in partial shade in warmer climates, but thrives in full sun in Alaska
  - Prefers drained soil
  - Blooms its first year
  - Harmful if eaten
  
  
  
  
  

• 
  Delphinium Magic Fountains Lilac Pink
             
  - Perennial (zones 4-8)
  - Grows to 3-5 feet in full sun
  - Likes drained soil
  - Blooms its first year
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Trailing Lobelia Sapphire
             
  - Annual
  - Needs partial sun in warm climates, but it can be put in full sun in Alaska
  - Prefers drained soil and cool temperatures
  - Keep well watered
  - Harmful if eaten
  
  
  
  

• 
  Ornamental Kale Chidori Red
             
  - Annual
  - Grows to 1-2 feet in full sun
  - Prefers drained soil
  - Also known as Flowering Kale
  - Likes lots of water
  - Leaves color up when night temperatures fall to 50 degrees
  
  
  

• 
  

  Cabbage OS Cross
             
  - One of the largest varieties of cabbage
  - Frequently the winner for largest cabbage at the state fair
  - Likes cool temperatures and lots of water
  
  

• 
  Cineraria Venezia Mix
  

  
  - Annual
  - Plants are very uniform and produce a large flower head
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 
  Cynara Cardoon Cardunculus
             
  - Perennial (zone 7-9)
  - Grows to 5-6 feet tall in full sun
  - Prefers drained soil
  - Related to the artichoke, but has several smaller blossoms rather than one large
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 
  Parsley Curled
             
  - Biennial (zone 5-8)
  - Grows to 12-16 in. full sun to partial shade
  - Likes water
  - Will bolt as day length shortens
  
  
  

• 
  

  Dahlia Alamode
             
  - Perennial (zone 8-10)
  - Grows to 4-5 ft
  - 6-7” blooms in full sun
  - Prefers drained soil
  - Early blooming
  - Tubers can be lifted and overwintered 
  
  

• 
  

  Digitalis (Foxglove) Foxy Mixed
             
  - Annual
  - Grows to 4-5 feet in partial shade in warmer climates, but can be put in full sun here
  - Prefers drained soil
  - Poisonous
  - Most Foxgloves are biennial and not hardy in Anchorage
  
  
  
  

• 
  

  Impatien Accent Red Star
             
  - Annual
  - Grows to 10-12 inches in partial shade in warmer climates, but can be put in full sun in Anchorage if hardened off
  - Prefers drained soil
  - This is a warm-loving plant that will not grow well if put in too cold a spot
  
  

• 
  Lavatera Novella Rose
  
  - Annual
  - Grows to 24 inches in full sun
  - Prefers drained soil and is sensitive to overwatering
  

  
  Snapdragon Liberty Cherry
  (redder flower)
             
  - Annual
  - Grows to 24 inches in partial sun in warm climates but will succeed in full sun in Anchorage
  - Prefers drained soil and cool weather
  - Produces long-lasting cut flowers
  
  

• 
  

  Pansy Ultima Morpho
             
  - Perennial (zone 4-8)
  - Grows to 10-12 inches in partial shade in warm climates, but can succeed in full sun in Anchorage
  - Prefers drained soil and cool temperatures
  - Normally grown as half hardy annuals
  
  

• 
  Tuberous Begonia

  
  - Tuberous, however these varieties are started from seed
  - Perennial (zone 11)
  - Grows to 10-12 inches in partial shade in warmer climates but can be grown in full sun in Alaska if hardened off
  - Flowers in first season
  - Tubers can be dug and over-wintered

• 
  

  Rudbeckia Indian Summer
             
  - Annual
  - Grows 30-36 inches in partial shade in warm climates, but can succeed in full sun in Anchorage
  - Prefers drained soil and warmer temperatures
  - Drought tolerant once established
  - Attractive to butterflies
  - Excellent cut flower
  
  

• 
  Statice Suworowii
  
  - Annual
  - Grows to 20-24 inches in full sun
  - Needs regular water and lots of sun
  - Drought tolerant and withstands compact planting