Partner Post: Your Fall Perennial Planting Guide

Get a head start on spring by planting perennials (plants that return year after year) now. Beautiful and low-maintenance, the perennials will continue to expand each year—filling your garden in with gorgeous colors and textures. Planting perennials in the fall is a sure way to cut your spring workload in half.

The best part is choosing your perennials. Before you start, take careful notes on your garden. What is the size of the area you are looking to plant, how much sun and shade does it get and how well does the soil drain? Consult a garden center associate for help with selecting the best perennials for your space.

Ensure your perennials look their best in that first season with these few tricks from The Espoma Company.

6 Tips for Perennial Plants

1. Add color to your garden in early spring by choosing perennials such as hellebore and astilbe.
2. Plant spring-blooming shrubs such as rhododendrons and azaleas.
3. Choose pollinator-friendly plants such as phlox, coneflower, and aster. You can plant, divide, or transplant.
4. Divide and replant hostas and daylilies.
5. Peonies should always be planted or transplanted in the fall. Plant 2 inches above the root ball.
6. Plant and transplant irises, Asiatic and Oriental lilies.

Plant Fall Perennials in 8 Steps

1. Start by preparing the soil. Dig out rocks, weeds, and other debris.
2. Dig a hole deep enough for the root ball and twice as wide.
3. Gently remove the plant from the pot and gently loosen roots.
4. Mix in 3 inches of compost or other organic matter.
5. Remove the plant from its pot and loosen roots before planting.  Place the plant in the hole and backfill the hole with a good quality garden soil.
6. Water immediately. Cover the planting area with a natural mulch of bark or straw. Mulch keeps the soil moist and protects new roots from freezing.
7. Finish by adding an organic plant food such as Espoma’s Start!
8. Water at least 1 inch per week until the ground freezes. This keeps roots growing and helps plants get established before winter dormancy.

Help plants get established before winter dormancy by watering at least 1 inch per week until the ground freezes. Once you’re finished, you’ll enjoy your perennial garden for years to come.