When to remove mulch from perennials? Do spring perennials just push up through?

No. While perennials sometimes will successfully break through a thick layer of mulch, other times damage will result. Don't take a chance with your perennial flowers! In late winter or early spring (depending on the weather) you should begin checking to see whether the ground is thawing or not. If the ground is thawing, leaving landscaping mulch on top of your perennial flowers can smother them -- it is time to remove the mulch, to let your perennials breathe. Once the perennial flowers have pushed up (so that you know where they are), you can re-apply mulch around them to suppress weeds.
Source: David Beaulieu

Posted by David Shieh- Abbotsford Real Estate Agent