11 Perennials to Plant in the Fall for Stunning Spring Blooms

Coral Bells

Coral Bells (Heuchera americana) boast colorful foliage and delicate flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. "With a range of colors from chartreuse to nearly black to pink, silver, and orange, heuchera adds a shot of color to a garden or serves as a backdrop for a star plant," says Erin Schanen, Troy-Bilt's gardening partner and creator of The Impatient Gardener blog and YouTube channel. 

• Growing zones: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Partial shade; rich, organic well-draining soil
  

Coneflower

Native plants are a star in the garden—they're drought tolerant, disease resistant, and welcome essential pollinators. Coneflower (Echinacea), a popular native plant, is best planted in autumn. "These perennials add beauty to the garden when in bloom over the summer months," says Teri Speight, gardener and the author of Black Flora: Profiles of Inspiring Black Flower Farmers and Florists. "In the fall, I leave the seed heads so they can drop and provide new seedlings, unless they are eaten by the birds over the winter."

• Growing zones: 3 to 9
• Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil

Russian Sage

If you want to bring beauty and pollinators to your garden, consider planting Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)—it has silvery foliage and blue-purple blooms. "When planted near evergreen shrubs, the gray stems add a touch of artistic whimsy to the landscape," says Speight. "In the springtime, the basal foliage often increases in size and can be divided or easily pruned."

• Growing zones: 4 to 9 
• Mature size: 28 to 34 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Shasta Daisy

When planted in the fall, the roots of Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum) are able to develop deeply in the soil. When roots develop deep in the earth, the plant won't need as much water and can therefore withstand harsher conditions, says Speight.

• Growing zones: 4 to 9
• Mature size: 6 to 48 inches tall x 12 to 24 feet tall 
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil

Black-Eyed Susan

A well-known perennial to plant during fall is black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). The low-maintenance native plant produces bright yellow blooms that form during summer and continue into fall.

• Growing zones: 4 to 9
• Mature size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Hellebore

When planning out your spring flower garden, you'll want to keep hellebores (Helleborus) in mind. This perennial is one of the first to bloom each year, usually around February. "Different varieties offer blooms in a wide range of colors and shapes, with some that face up and others that dangle down, but all are delightful harbingers of the gardening season to come," Schanen says.

• Growing zones: 4 to 9
• Mature size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Mini Daffodil

Mini daffodils (Cyclamineus narcissus) bloom in early to mid-spring, but are best planted during fall. The plant has eye-catching sunshine yellow flowers that are quite long lasting. They're small enough to add to the front of any perennial or shrub border and are great for rock gardens and containers too. "These bulbs naturalize meaning they will multiply and come back every year," says PeggyAnne Montgomery, horticulturist and bulb expert for Flowerbulbs.com. "Best of all, deer won’t eat them."

• Growing zones: 4 to 8
• Size maturity: 8 to 10 inches tall x 4 inches wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to part sun; average, well-drained soil.

Schubertii Allium

There is nothing quite like this Schubertii allium (Allium schubertii). "The flowers radiate from a central ball-shaped umbel up to 18 inches wide with up to 100 tiny florets," says Montgomery. "They bloom in late spring to early summer with reddish purple flowers. The dried flower heads remain attractive and draw attention for many weeks." Plus, like all allium they attract pollinators but won't be bothered by deer.

• Growing zones: 3-8
• Mature size: 16-18” tall, 18-20” wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; average, well-drained soil

Parrot Tulips

"Parrot tulips should be planted where you can enjoy them up close—the blooms have unique serrated flowers that bloom in streaks of color. They come in every color combination you can think of," says Montgomery. "They bloom in mid-to-late spring when most other tulips have passed their peak. They make outstanding cut flowers."

• Growing zone: 3-8
• Mature size: 22 inches tall x 5 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil

Crown Imperial

With tall sturdy stems that produce a crown of nodding flowers in shades of orange and yellow, Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) blooms in mid-spring attracting butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. "Plant in groups, to attract attention even from a distance," says Montgomery. "They even help to keep pesky moles and voles away."

• Zone: 3 to 8
• Mature size: 32 to 40 inches tall x 10 to 12 inches wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; average, well-drained soil

Grape Hyacinth

• Grape hyacinth (Muscari) now comes in every shade of blue, pink, and white (or a combination of hues). "I can’t think of anything that is easier to grow," says Montgomery. "They multiply readily and flower longer than most bulbs." Grape hyacinth is great for the front of borders and containers and help attract pollinators.
• Growing zones: 4 to 9
• Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 2 inches wide
• Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil