Should you plant perennials in autumn or better yet in spring? Many hobby gardeners ask themselves this question. In our article you will learn that both variants are possible, depending on the plant.
Non-hardy perennials such as dahlias are planted in spring
The right time to plant perennials
Most perennials want to be planted in autumn, between September and October - i.e. in the first few weeks of the "third season". Planting at this time makes sense for the following reasons:
- The perennials have already completed their above-ground growth.
- The roots of the plants can continue to grow in the warm soil.
These conditions offer the perennials optimal conditions to prepare well for spring. Ideally, the temperatures remain mild for a long time until winter sets in. In addition, there should be sufficient rainfall.
Attention: We recommend that you plant your perennials by mid-October at the latest. If you plant in late October or even November, chances are the root system won't be able to stabilize enough to survive the winter unscathed. So don't hesitate too long. If in doubt, it is better to wait until spring. Speaking of…
When to plant perennials in spring?
Apart from missing the right moment in autumn, there are other reasons for planting perennials in spring. In this context, frost-sensitive plants should be mentioned in particular. These include certain types of lilies, among others. Such perennials can get off to a much healthier start if they don't have to struggle with the cold in the first few months. In short, you allow frost-sensitive perennials to grow and thrive more easily if you plant them in spring.
A side note: the majority of perennials are not sensitive to frost and can easily be overwintered.
In spring, plant your perennials in March, April or May, depending on the specific species.
But be careful: Spring sometimes brings long periods of drought. It is therefore very important to water the freshly planted perennials regularly and, above all, sufficiently.
By the way: Perennials should preferably be transplanted in spring, depending on the weather between the end of March and the beginning of May.
Perfect planting time for perennials in tubs
If you want to cultivate your perennials in tubs, you are not limited to a specific planting season. Instead, in this case you have the opportunity to plant perennials all year round.
Final remarks
Planting perennials is not too complicated. However, there are a few aspects to consider. For example, you should make sure that each individual species gets exactly the location it needs. There are perennials that need plenty of sun, while others can do with partial shade or shade. It is also important not to leave the perennials without soil for too long when planting or transplanting.