6 Flowering Perennials To Plant In November For Stunning Spring Blooms

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If you want a beautiful garden next spring, then plant some of the most reliable perennials this November. This is especially true if you live in a milder region where the first frost might be a couple of weeks away. We've gathered together six of the top perennials to plant now for a lush garden next season.

Of course, if you head off to your nursery in search of seeds or sprouts, you may find one major stumbling block to planting perennials right now. There are probably meager offerings at your local nursery, which have no doubt already pivoted to holiday decorations or even fresh Christmas trees. Try approaching neighbors or finding gardening enthusiasts online who might be willing to share divided perennials, like daffodils or salvia, so you can tuck them into your flower beds before winter. People often have extras, since there are many perennials that get divided in the fall for an abundant garden. There are also plenty of bulbs for purchase at online nurseries.

Always add in a warm layer of insulating mulch to any late-planted divisions to help them weather the cold. Frozen roots stress any plant, especially young ones. Liquid in plants expands as it freezes, and then the tissues or cell walls get damaged. Choosing hardy perennials might be your best bet. Keep in mind, it's always better to try to plant before the onset of frost so that roots get strong before frigid temperatures arrive.

If you're looking for a nice bright zing of color for the garden, then pick coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea). Tuck these pretty flowers in your garden beds this November, and you'll be glad you did come spring. They thrive in USDA Hardiness Plant Zones 3 to 8 and offer up flowers in vibrant hues of pink or deep red. Winter care for established coral bells includes a decent layer of mulch to keep roots insulated and avoid heaving, when frozen ground pushes up roots and exposes them to cold air.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) likes a cold start so it's fine being planted in November in many regions. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, yarrow attracts favorite pollinators like bees and butterflies. It's also an easy-to-grow flower with a signature spicy scent that might even travel indoors if you hang it up to dry. This plant does well in city backyards, and it's drought resistant.

Tulip bulbs also love chilly soil, so feel free plant bulbs in November, as long as the ground isn't yet hard with frost. These early-blooming perennials actually hate the heat and will begin to wilt or die back when soil temperatures reach 70 degrees. Hardy in zones 3 to 8, tulips need a cold period for development in the ground before they bloom, which is why fall, and not spring, really becomes the best time to plant them. However, note that many tulip cultivars function like annuals. Darwin hybrid varieties act more like perennials.

Go ahead and put woodland sage (Salvia nemerosa) in the garden bed this November and you'll get a jump start on that pollinator garden. This no-fuss herbaceous perennial grows as high as 3 feet tall and will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Woodland sage thrives in zones 3 to 8 and isn't too particular about the type of soil or sun, since it likes full sun or partial shade. If you deadhead these flowers during blooming season, you'll be sure to grow multiple batches through warmer months.

In many areas, November can be the perfect time to plant hellebore (Helleborus spp.). It's an early bloomer that might even unfurl petals right through late-season snows. Maybe that's why some gardeners call it a winter blooming rose. Just try to plant hellebores in partial or dappled sunlight, where they'll be protected from the most of biting of winter winds. These flowers thrive in zones 5 to 8 and come in a myriad of colors, including green, pink, red, and lavender. The Lenten rose will bloom in spring.

Plant daffodil bulbs in your garden this November when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees. Not sure about ground temps? Grab the Yamron 4-in-1 soil moisture meter, which will tell you not just how cold it is, but it'll also give readings on moisture. sunlight, and pH levels, too. Daffodils love to pop up in early spring, but if you want the earliest blooms, try 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' which often offers flowers in February.