‘Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,’ wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald – and The Great Gatsby author was bang on the money, particularly when it comes to gardening. October might feel like the season is slowing down, but it’s the perfect time to plant perennial flowers if you want them to burst back stronger in the springtime.
The key is timing and climate. Gardeners in colder USDA Hardiness Zones (3–6) need to get perennials in by mid-October to give roots a head start, while those in milder zones (7–10) can often plant right into late fall. Either way, fall’s combination of warm soil and cool air is ideal for establishing hardy plants.
1. Astilbe
Hardy in USDA Zones 3-8, astilbe with its fantastic feathery plumes loves shady spots and moist soil. Planting this floriferous perennial in October is the best way to ensure strong roots, which should result in a sea of lush pink, red, or white flowers by early summer.
We’re particularly fond of the Assorted Astilbe Perennial Mixture from Amazon, especially if you’re in the mood for lots of variety and high-impact planting.
2. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas might be summer’s showstoppers, but they’re some of the best perennials to plant in October, too – although it’s important to do so before the first frost, as these classic shrubs need time to anchor in before the big chill (and long before the heat of summer).
They’re hardy in USDA Zones 3-8, variety dependent, so do your research and aim for a sheltered location with morning sun and afternoon shade for best blooms. Walmart’s Jumbo Pint Flare Hardy Hydrangea is a great choice; bright, beautiful, and able to handle temperatures down to -40°F (-40°C)!
3. Coral Bells
Valued as much for their foliage as for their delicate flowers, coral bells (Heuchera) are hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 3, and lift shady spots with their stunning spectrum of fall colors.
Plant something like the pre-grown Caramel Coral Bells from Nature Hills now and enjoy evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves in caramel hues through winter.
4. Foxtail Lily
Foxtail lilies (Eremurus elwesii), also known as desert candles due to their towering spikes of yellow and orange flowers, are also some of the best perennials to plant in October.
If you’re based in Zones 5–8, choose a sunny, well-drained spot, give them a good mulching, and leave them to naturalize into a showstopping clump by late spring. You can pick up some Cleopatra Orange Foxtail Lily bulbs at Holland Bulb Farms.
5. Coneflower
A pollinator favorite, purple coneflowers (echinacea) are more than hardy enough to establish in the fall across Zones 3-9. By next summer, they’ll be drawing bees, butterflies, and goldfinches into your garden with their daisy-like blooms.
If seeds aren’t your bag, try giving Clovers Garden Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea) Plants from Amazon a go.
6. Russian Sage
Ah, Russian sage! Also known as Perovskia, these aromatic plants offer silvery foliage and clouds of lavender-blue flowers to those based in Zones 5–9. Plant these pretty perennials in October for drought-tolerant color that lasts from mid-summer into fall.
If you're keen to try this one in your own borders, something like Walmart’s Little Spires Russian Sage Flowering Perennial Plant offers great bang for your buck.
7. Shasta Daisies
Reliable and cheerful, Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are a seriously low-maintenance perennial which, if planted in October, will reward you with strong clumps of white blooms the following summer.
Perfect for those in Zones 4-9, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for this one; you can pick up a packet of Shasta Daisy Seeds via Amazon easily enough.
8. Wood Anemone
A gem in any shady woodland garden, wood anemone plants (Anemone quinquefolia) spread slowly to create carpets of starry blooms in spring. If you’re based in Zones 4-8, then, take a moment to plant bulbs in October – or buy a potted Wood Anemone from Edelweiss Perennials – and tuck them into dappled shade beneath trees.
Trust us; they’ll reward your efforts not just by coming back each year, but by producing new bulbs and hence producing more new plants, too.
10. Crown Imperial
Crown imperial plants (Fritillaria imperialis) are lesser-known perennials to plant in October across Zones 5-9, as their striking bulbs with drooping, bell-shaped flowers might look exotic but they are surprisingly hardy.
Plant deeply in October in rich, well-drained soil for a bold late-spring display. All you need to do is pick up an Easy to Grow Fritillaria Crown Imperial Red from Amazon, then, and get to work!
11. Don’t Forget the Bulbs!
Spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, alliums, and grape hyacinths are absolutely perennials, and they should always go in the ground by late October in most zones. Planting now ensures they get the chilling period they need for reliable spring flowering.
Aim for a depth of 2–3 times the bulb’s height, and group them in clusters for the biggest impact.
Planting perennials in October may not always give you instant results, but patience is a virtue, and the payoff in spring and summer will prove more than worth it.
By tucking in these hardy favorites now, then, you can rest assured that you’ll be building a backbone of color, texture, and pollinator appeal that will return for years to come.
