15 Perennials to Plant in Fall for a Gorgeous Spring Garden Later

Now is the best time to plan your warm-weather garden.

It may feel like spring is the go-to season for adding plants to your garden, but fall is actually prime time for planting, whether you're looking to fill in bare patches from spent summer blooms or prepping for a gorgeous spring and summer next year. But not every plant will thrive if planted this time of year. Learn which perennial plants should be planted in the fall, so you can get them in the ground before the cold weather hits.

Meet Our Expert

• Cate Singleton , director of design at Bower & Branch
  
• Tamara Hogan , plant expert at Fast Growing Trees

Why You Should Plant in the Fall

"Planting in the fall allows the plant to get established before the colder weather," says Cate Singleton, director of design at Bower & Branch. "Once spring hits, established plants will take on new growth."

The cooler temperatures are easier on plants that are already stressed from being transplanted into the ground, and getting months of those cooler temperatures before the heat stress of late spring and summer will help ensure a stronger plant.

Winter Vegetables

Fast-growing greens like spinach are a great choice for planting in early fall and harvesting before the cold sets in, and onions, carrots, and other root vegetables can spend the winter slowly growing in preparation for spring.

Related: 12 Hardy Winter Vegetables to Plant—Plus Tricks to Help Them Thrive

Trees and Bushes

Trees and bushes will be able to spend the fall and winter establishing their roots, so they'll be ready to thrive when the spring begins. Just be very mindful of the timing for planting evergreen trees or bare-root bushes like roses. They need at least a month or two to establish themselves before the first frost for proper growth, says Tamara Hogan, plant expert at Fast Growing Trees.

Flowering Perennials

For spring-flowering plants, fall planting is ideal. "Flowers take a lot of work and priority for a plant so in spring, they tend to focus on pushing out those blooms," Hogan says. "This can delay the amount of work they are putting to the roots until the hotter months. So plants like forsythia, hydrangea, and lilac could all benefit from being done with blooming and allowed to really establish before going dormant."

Best Perennials to Plant in Fall

Most gardeners know that fall is when you plan for (and plant!) the bulbs you want in springtime —including tulips, irises, daffodils, and more. But hydrangeas, lilacs, and some flowering trees are also best planted now.

Tulips

Tulips come in an array of varieties and colors to create a showy display each spring. Make sure you choose varieties that are labeled perennials if you want to ensure years of blooms, as some of the newer tulip bulb varieties have a shorter life span.

Tips

Squirrels and chipmunks find many types of bulbs (particularly tulips and crocuses) delicious. After planting the bulbs, cover the area with chicken wire, apply red pepper flakes to the soil, or use a commercial animal repellant to protect your bulbs.

Crocus

One of the first-to-bloom flowers in the spring, crocus bulbs should be planted in the fall. September and October are the prime months for planting in the northern growing zones, while you can wait until November in the south.

Daffodils

The quintessential spring bulb should be planted in the fall for the following spring. Note that daffodil bulbs are unattractive to squirrels, so it's an easy-care option if you're looking for repeated spring splendor in your garden.

Mums

This tried-and-true fall classic can be a perennial if planted in early fall (at least six weeks before the first frost). Their showy blooms come in an array of colors, and add a bright and autumnal touch to your fall garden.

Related: How to Grow and Care for Mums—a Fall Classic

Allium

Flowering allium are a spring blooming bulb plant—and a relative to onions, leeks, and other savory edibles. Opt for this pretty and unique plant to add a touch of fun to your spring garden—especially as squirrels, rabbits, and other foragers have no interest in them.

Hydrangea

If you want to set yourself up for gorgeous, long-lasting blooms next summer and fall, now is the perfect time to plant a hydrangea bush. Make sure you choose a variety that thrives in your local growing zone .

Related: Fall Is the Perfect Time to Plant Hydrangeas—Here's How to Care for Yours

Dogwood

Fall is the ideal time to plant dogwood trees, to give it time to establish its roots for pretty spring blooms. You'll find dogwoods in a variety of flowering colors, including pink, white, and yellow.

Hyacinth

Yet another spring bulb favorite, hyacinth can come in a rainbow of colors with tall stalks covered in tiny blooms. You can choose from the tiny muscari (or grape) hyacinth pictured, or larger varieties for a more dramatic spring bloom.

Fruit Trees

If you're looking to create your own mini orchard in your garden, a fruit tree planted in fall has more time to acclimate to its new surroundings. The bottom line: You may have a better shot at having blossoms (and fruit) sooner.

Forsythia

This striking shrub produces dramatic golden-hued blooms every spring before settling into a lush green shrub that offers privacy.

Lilac

Lilacs are among spring's biggest show-stopper shrubs, with their dramatic (and super fragrant) purple and white flowers. Plant shrubs well before the first frost so they have time to acclimate before the weather gets rough.

Related: 25 Outdoor Plants That Smell Amazing

Pansies

Pretty pansies can bloom all the way through from fall into spring in the warmer growing zones if you don't have a hard frost. But even in the cooler zones, you can plant now to enjoy this fall, and invest in a fresh batch for the spring.

Black-Eyed Susans

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This hardy, pollinator-friendly pick will still add some color if planted this fall—and return next year with long-lasting and cheerful blooms.

Related: 27 Most Popular Perennial Flowers and Plants for Your Garden

Peonies

Peonies offer show-stopping blooms in a late-spring garden, in an array of gorgeous colors. They should be planted in fall to ensure blooms next spring.

Wildflowers

For a low-maintenance garden option, sow wildflower seeds in the fall—and wait until the spring to see what shows up! You can find wildflower mixes at many gardening stores in the fall.

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