5 New Perennial and Shrub Varieties for Fall Planting
While most gardeners wait for the spring thaw to start digging, savvy gardeners know that planting in autumn is the secret to a high-performance yard. In this article, we highlight 5 perennial and shrub varieties that are perfect for fall planting, which allows them to establish robust root systems in warm soil before the winter dormancy sets in. By adding these plants to your landscape in the fall, you will reduce transplant stress and ensure a spectacular display when the first warm days of spring arrive next year.
While most gardeners wait for the spring thaw to start digging, savvy gardeners know that planting in autumn is the secret to robust growth. In this article, we highlight 5 perennial and shrub varieties that are perfect for fall planting, which allows them to establish robust root systems in warm soil before the winter dormancy sets in. Plant them in the fall to reduce transplant stress and ensure a spectacular display when the first warm days of spring arrive next year.
Don’t miss the new long-blooming “Summer” series of hardy Peruvian lilies this fall. Pictured above is Summer Heat (foreground) and Summer Breeze (background). | “Summer” series of hardy Peruvian liliesFamiliar with long-lasting Alstroemeria flowers which are commonly sold as cut flowers? Now you can grow your own with the introduction of the new “Summer” series which includes three colors: soft pink Summer Break, peachy-gold Summer Breeze and flaming red Summer Heat. Stately 3- to 3 ½-foot-tall stems are topped with bunches of florist-quality blossoms from midsummer to frost – plenty of time to harvest several beautiful bouquets to enjoy indoors. You’ll appreciate the masses of color these tall, vibrant Peruvian lilies bring to the landscape, especially as summer ends and other plants begin to fade. Pollinating bees and butterflies, as well as hummingbirds, are also thankful for the much-needed food source before season’s end. “Summer” series Peruvian lilies are hardy perennials in zones 6-9. Plant them in full sun to part sun and well-drained soil with moderate to consistent moisture, then mulch well for winter.
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'Treasure Trove' black-eyed Susan | 'Treasure Trove' black-eyed SusanIf you like the look of classic 'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susans but hate when the leaves turn black every summer from leaf spot disease, 'Treasure Trove' is an excellent upgrade. It is highly resistant to that disease which plagues many varieties of Rudbeckia, and far more vigorous and floriferous, too. Beginning in midsummer and lasting well into fall, this blooming machine produces large, golden yellow flowers that completely cover the plant on strong, tall 32 to 36" stems. The blossoms provide pollen and perches for bees, butterflies and birds. Where hardy in zones 4-9, the plants are suitable for the middle or back of sunny to partly sunny borders paired with other pollinator favorites like Rock ‘n Grow® ‘Back in Black’ stonecrop and Fall in Love® ‘Sweetly’ Japanese anemone. |
Ornamental grasses like Prairie Winds® ‘Brush Strokes’ little bluestem are essential elements in fall gardens. | Prairie Winds® ‘Brush Strokes’ little bluestemCount on durable perennial grasses with native roots like this selection of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) to carry the load of fall interest in sunny landscapes. Powder blue summer foliage begins to blush pink as the days get shorter, turning deep wine red in fall, then parchment blonde in winter. Its three-foot-tall, wispy stems sweep the sky as they sway in the wind but remain upright all season. You may notice small birds pecking at the fluffy seed heads this time of year or using ‘Brush Strokes’ little bluestem for cover. This reliable perennial grass is heat and drought tolerant, and is typically unbothered by deer. Plant it en masse or singly for its fine texture and rich tones in sunny landscapes in zones 3-9. |
Winter may be coming, but not before Just Chill camellias bloom! | Just Chill® Double Mauve camelliaWhen your cheeks start to blush from the crisp fall air, Just Chill® Double Mauve camellia, which was selected for its extra helping of cold hardiness, will begin its fall show. This semi-double-flowered, bright mauve pink flowered selection produces plentiful blooms that pop against the glossy, dark green leaves from fall into winter. When not in bloom, its durable foliage provides a beautiful textural backdrop in the landscape. Use it to form a mid-sized 5- to 8-foot-tall hedge or as a specimen in the landscape. Looking for the best place to plant a camellia? Choose a somewhat protected spot in full sun to part shade where it won’t be subjected to strong winds in the winter. Well-drained, moist soil is essential. Mulch well to retain moisture and protect the roots through winter. Just Chill Double Mauve and other camellias in the Just Chill® series are hardy in zones 6b-9. |
Perfecto Mundo Fuchsia Carpet® reblooming azaleaWouldn't it be amazing to have azaleas blooming this bright and beautiful in your fall garden? Perfecto Mundo® reblooming azaleas, will be in full color this autumn, just as they were in the springtime. These heat tolerant azaleas took years to develop and introduce, ensuring only the very best would be included in the series. In addition to the upright forms in this series, the gorgeous pink selection, Perfecto Mundo Fuchsia Carpet®, is a lower growing groundcover form that spreads about twice as wide as it is tall. It’s a showstopper when planted en masse in landscapes where it will help stabilize the soil and keep down the weeds while looking amazing doing so. Hardy in zones 6b-9b, Perfecto Mundo reblooming azaleas are better suited to milder coastal climates of zone 6b than harsh Midwestern sites. If you wish to plant them in zone 6b, choose a protected location and mulch well. They prefer full sun to part shade. |
Find these and other fall favorites at your local garden centers this season.
Want to dive deeper? Check out these resources:
- Read: Dos and Don’ts for Fall Planting
- Watch: See Fall in Love ‘Sweetly’ Japanese anemone in Laura’s garden
- Idea Board: Fall Plants for Containers
