As the days get shorter and cooler weather sets in the gardening season may seem like it’s coming to an end. But fall is actually an ideal time for planting many types of perennials. With proper care and preparation, most perennials can be planted into late autumn and still establish healthy root systems before winter dormancy.
Knowing how late you can plant perennials in your hardiness zone gives you expanded options for fall garden projects. You can add new specimens without having to wait until next spring. Take advantage of end-of-season sales at nurseries. Move, divide or plant perennials already in your landscape. And fill in empty spots opened up from summer plant fadeout.
With some strategic planning, you can plant perennials successfully deep into the fall season
Why Fall is Ideal for Planting Perennials
There are several key reasons why planting perennials in the fall makes sense
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Soil temperatures are still warm – The soil retains summer heat well into autumn, encouraging new root growth before frost.
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Reduced transplant stress – Cooler air temperatures and increased moisture prevent excessive moisture loss in new plantings.
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Ample rain – Fall storms provide the steady moisture vital for establishing plants before the ground freezes.
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Less weed pressure – Cooler temperatures halt weed seed germination, giving new plants a chance to settle in.
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Time to establish – New roots have many weeks to develop before winter, allowing plants to harden off.
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Discounts – Nurseries offer sales on surplus inventory they don’t want to overwinter.
By utilizing these ideal planting conditions, your perennials will develop the root systems and hardened growth they need to thrive when spring arrives.
Fall Planting Guidelines by Zone
Recommended fall planting times for perennials vary based on your USDA plant hardiness zone. Use these general cutoff dates as a guide:
Zones 3-4
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Stop planting in early October for species that are borderline hardy in your zone. Give them time to acclimate before extreme cold.
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Plant hearty native perennials until late October. Hardy plants like coneflowers, rudbeckia, sedum, and ornamental grasses can tolerate planting into early November.
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Wrap up planting by early November at the latest, before the ground has a chance to freeze.
Zones 5-6
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Stop planting marginal perennials by late October. This gives tender plants a few weeks to establish before winter.
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Plant cold-tolerant perennials until mid November. Most hardy varieties do fine planted until early winter, especially with protective mulching.
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Halt planting by late November to prevent frost damage to roots.
Zones 7-8
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Tender perennials should be planted by late November to avoid winter dieback.
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Hardy perennials can go in the ground through December, making the most of late season rains.
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Wrap up plantings by mid December before winter chill impacts root growth.
These are general guidelines – always consider your specific climate and weather patterns as well. Track soil temperatures in your garden to gauge when it starts cooling off. Be extra diligent about watering newly planted perennials until the ground freezes solid. And take steps to prevent frost heaving over winter.
The Best Perennials for Fall Planting
While most perennials can be planted in fall, some varieties handle it better than others. Prioritize these top picks for late season planting:
Cool Season Bloomers
- Ornamental onions
- Poppies
- Primroses
- Pansies
- Violas
- Forget-me-nots
- Crocus
- Hellebores
- Iris
These perennials actually bloom best when planted in fall. The cold period over winter initiates flower bud development. Plant in fall for a beautiful early spring display.
Native Wildflowers
- Black-eyed susans
- Purple coneflowers
- Blazing stars
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Culver’s root
- Joe pye weed
- Milkweed
Hardy native perennials are adapted to Midwest winters. They establish quickly when planted in fall and won’t suffer transplant shock.
Ornamental Grasses
- Switch grass
- Big bluestem
- Little bluestem
- Fountain grass
- Maiden grass
- Feather reed grass
Grasses planted in fall will spread vigorously the following year. Their sturdy foliage remains upright in snow and insulates crowns from cold.
Sedums
- Autumn joy
- Brilliant
- Matrona
- Purple emperor
Sedums are almost foolproof for fall planting. Their thick leaves store water and nutrients through winter. Plant them up until early winter.
Stick with regional natives and plants suited to your growing zone, and you can comfortably plant perennials deep into autumn.
How to Plant Perennials in Fall
Getting perennials off to a good start in fall requires some specific care when planting:
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Water thoroughly at planting time and continue until the ground freezes.
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Prepare soil well with compost and organic material to aid root growth.
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Plant at proper depth, being careful not to bury crowns too deep.
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Apply 2-3″ of mulch like wood chips or straw around plants to prevent frost heaving.
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Stake tall perennials that could flop over from snow load.
Follow these steps when planting perennials in fall:
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Pick a spot with well-draining soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight. Amend soil if needed.
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Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball but no deeper than it sat in the nursery pot.
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Tease apart any circling roots and place the plant into the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground.
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Backfill the hole with native soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets.
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Water deeply until the soil is fully saturated.
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Spread 2-3″ of organic mulch around the plant, leaving the crown clear.
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Continue watering 1-2 times per week until the ground freezes.
Repeat these steps for planting any perennials in autumn. Proper planting and aftercare will give them the best chance of thriving.
Division & Transplanting in Fall
In addition to planting new perennials in fall, it’s also an ideal time to divide and transplant perennials you already have growing:
Divide spring and summer bloomers in early fall – This allows plants like hosta, daylilies, astilbe and bee balm time to re-establish roots before winter dormancy.
Divide fall bloomers in spring – To avoid disrupting plants like mums, sedum and asters that set next year’s flower buds in fall.
Transplant overgrown clumps – Rejuvenate overgrown perennials by lifting, dividing and replanting the healthiest sections.
Follow the same guidelines as fall planting when dividing or transplanting perennials. Water consistently, mulch well, and complete the work early enough to allow 4-6 weeks of growth before extreme cold sets in.
Overwintering Tender Perennials
While hardy perennials thrive planted in fall, tender perennials like hibiscus, mandevilla, and pots of citrus need overwintering protection in zones 5 and below. Use these tips to overwinter them:
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Bring pots inside before temperatures drop below 50 degrees F to a sunny indoor location.
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Trim plants back by one-third to one-half to reduce stress on roots.
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Stop fertilizing by September so plants harden off for dormancy.
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Rotate pots occasionally to evenly distribute light exposure.
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Keep humid by misting foliage or using a humidifier.
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Water sparingly just to keep soil barely moist. Too much moisture invites diseases.
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Move outdoors next spring after all danger of frost has passed. Acclimate them slowly.
With minimal care indoors, many tender perennials will survive dormant in pots over winter. Just be sure to transition them properly in spring and fall.
Extending the Growing Season
Don’t let dropping temperatures bring your gardening season to an abrupt halt. Take advantage of the ideal planting conditions autumn offers. Plant cold-tolerant perennials or move existing ones to refresh beds and borders. With the right selection and care, you can continue planting into early winter in many zones.
Prepare for next spring’s perennial display by getting new plants settled this fall. Just pay close attention to recommended planting times for your zone and provide attentive care. With a well-planned approach, you can extend your gardening enjoyment well into the fall season.
Warm Season Plants Warm season grass,
People need to plant warm season plants earlier because they do best when it’s hot outside. These include most native grasses and native perennials that bloom in the summer, like coneflowers, milkweeds, and too many others to name here.
You need to plant these earlier because their roots won’t be able to grow when the soil temperature stays below 55 to 60 degrees for a long time. This isn’t because they don’t like the cold; these plants naturally overwinter. Therefore, it is recommended that warm season plants be in the ground about 4 weeks before first frost.
But if you forget those dates and plant even later than suggested, not much can go wrong.
The most common effect of late planting is heaving. This is when freeze-thaw cycles pull newly planted plants out of the ground because their roots didn’t have time to grow and firmly attach to the soil around them. Plugs are especially susceptible to heaving because of their small size and torpedo shape. It’s at its strongest near the end of winter, when temperatures start to rise and the ground starts to thaw. Should this happen, no lasting damage will occur as long as you push them back into place. You don’t have to be too careful because the plants are dormant—you could even press them back in with your foot. Fall planting a.
Lastly, some species can experience root decay under certain conditions. Should you ever hear of plants that can “tolerate heavy clay once established,” those are the ones you should plant right away. This applies to plants with deep fibrous roots and most of our warm season grasses. Although their roots will eventually grow to depths of feet, the establishment period is very important. If the roots haven’t had enough time to push through the clay, the hole they were planted in can become a bucket that holds water, which makes root rot more likely.
If you follow these simple rules, planting in the fall has many benefits, including less work to do during establishment because the weather is cooler and the soil is more evenly moist; What’s even better is that when the plants wake up, they will be a year ahead of any plants that will be planted that spring or summer. Win, win!.
Below is a sample state map describing when on average to expect first frost. Map and color key of Pennsylvania first frost dates.
To see the maps of all the states within our shipping radius, go to the following link.
At the time, there wasn’t a lot of information online about native plants, so Claudio Vazquez helped start Izel Plants in 2009. The original goal of Izel Native Plants was to describe native plants that could be grown in gardens. Since then, it has grown into one of the best places to buy native plants online. Related posts.
Planting considerations for fall
Autumn offers many opportunities to work in the garden. Even though it’s getting cooler outside, the kids may or may not be back in school, I still really want to go outside and play in the dirt. Now is a great time to look back at how the plants did in the spring and summer, make some changes, and add more plants. But is it safe to do so?.
As a general rule, yes, it is safe. However, taking a few easy steps will help your new plants not only make it through the winter, but also do very well the following year. Viburnum dentatum (southern arrowwood) with fall foliage.
When it comes to woody plants, native trees and shrubs, the jury is in. Fall is hands down the best time of year to plant. Plants are dormant when their leaves fall off. Their energy is stored safely in their roots, and they don’t need as much care and watering as they would during the growing season.
When planting trees and shrubs that came in plastic containers, it is especially important to watch out for girdling roots. If the roots need to be pruned before planting, it is safest to do so when the parts above ground are not actively drawing energy from the roots. Another way to make sure the woody plants are safe is to cut off their roots before planting them. This way, they can immediately start to grow in the native soil instead of acting like they are still in the pot. That being said, there are no restrictions on planting other than the fact that the ground shouldn’t be frozen solid.
Cool season plants – those that peak in spring or fall – can be planted late as well. Some of these are tufted hairgrass and most native woodland species. Others are fall bloomers like asters and goldenrods and asters.
These cool season herbaceous perennials can go in the ground up to two weeks after first frost. They will actively grow roots even if there is a hard freeze once in a while until the soil temperature drops below 50 degrees.
When is Best time to Plant Perennials in the Garden?
FAQ
What month is best to plant perennials?
How late in the year can you plant perennials?
Is it okay to plant perennials in October?
Can you plant perennials any time?
When is the best time to plant perennials?
Many of the best perennials you can choose to add to your backyard ideas are suited for planting in fall, from late September through October. The soil tends to be warm and moist at this time of year, when the baking heat of summer is behind us and there is time for plants to establish a good set of roots before the cold of winter arrives.
Should you plant perennials in fall?
Planting in fall also allows you to pre-plan your spring flower crops in terms of color, height, and blooming times. Many agree that spring is the best time to plant perennials in general. It is not too hot, but the sun’s shining, and the ground starts to warm up. Additionally, there is usually good rain during this time.
Should you plant flowers in spring or summer?
If you’re looking to have a spring garden full of flowers and don’t mind exerting a bit of patience, choose plants for this purpose. Many perennial plants and bulbs blossom in the spring and summer and are well worth the wait. Some perennial bulbs need the cold winter months to set buds.
What perennials can you plant in fall?
Perennials are plants that regrow every year and there is an exhaustive list of these that you can include as part of any backyard landscaping. We take a look at 8 great perennials that you can plant in fall to bring beauty and interest to your garden for years to come. 1. Heuchera Heuchera provide splashes of color to a space