You can never have too many perennials. You’ll be appreciating their many colours and shapes for years to come. But did you know that you can plant perennials in autumn? Just like spring, it is a good time to plant perennials in autumn. A nice sunny autumn day is the perfect time to get going!
While the soil is still warm
Most of the perennials you buy come in cultivation pots. These plants can go into your garden all year round, but autumn is one of the best times because the soil is still warm. Since they will grow roots before the winter months, they will develop quickly in the spring. Some perennials are also available as ‘bare root’ plants instead of being planted in pots. These should be planted while still dormant: from November to March. Neither, however, should be planted during freezing weather or extreme drought.
Choosing
When selecting them, be sure to buy ones suited to both your preferences and your garden conditions. Many perennials are true sun-worshippers while others prefer full or partial shade. You might also want to consider their various benefits: some are evergreen, some attract bees and butterflies, and some make great groundcovers.
Getting started
- Without damaging the plant, remove it from its cultivation pot
- Use a trowel to dig a generously sized planting hole (twice as big as the root ball)
- Loosen the soil in the bottom of the hole
- Add enough garden mould to ensure that the plant will be just a little deeper below the surface than it was in the cultivation pot
- Put the plant in the hole and fill with the excavated garden soil.
- Tamp the soil gently
- Water the plant.
Interesting facts
- Perennials make perfect companions for flower bulbs. Both can be planted in the autumn and will complement each other beautifully in a border.
- Ever heard of ‘airy filler plants’? These are perennials that can airily weave their way through various areas in a border. Masterwort (Astrantia) and Purpletop Vervain (Verbena) are perfect examples.
Also interesting:
Pruning perennials, why, when and how
