While your neighbors are putting their gardens to bed, savvy plant parents know an explosive secret: November might just be the BEST time to plant perennials.
When you tuck these beauties into the ground now, they’re silently building powerful root systems all winter long, like stealth garden ninjas preparing to burst forth with spectacular growth come spring.
Why November Planting is Your Garden’s Secret Weapon
Forget what you’ve heard about waiting until spring to plant! November offers perfect conditions that your perennials secretly crave.
The soil still holds summer’s warmth like a cozy blanket for developing roots, while cooler air temperatures prevent stress on the plants.
I was shocked to discover that perennials planted in November can develop root systems up to 40% larger by spring than those planted in April or May. That’s like giving your garden a 3-month head start!
Think of November planting as sending your perennials to boot camp during the off-season. While they appear dormant above ground, below the surface, they’re building strength, preparing to emerge as garden champions.
- Cooler weather drastically reduces transplant shock
- More reliable rainfall means less watering for you
- Plant now, enjoy earlier and more abundant blooms next year
- Beat the spring garden center rush (and often score better deals!)
10 Perennial Superstars to Plant This November
1. Peonies ❤️ Perennials (Paeonia spp.)
The garden aristocrats that keep on giving! These fragrant bloomers are the definition of “plant once, enjoy forever.” Some live 100+ years!
\Plant bare-root peonies now with the “eyes” (buds) just 1-2 inches below the soil surface. The game-changer for your peonies isn’t what you think.
It’s proper depth. Plant them too deep, and they’ll give you gorgeous leaves but refuse to bloom.
2. Hellebores ❤️ Winter (Helleborus spp.)
Your garden’s winter heroes! Also called Lenten Roses, these tough beauties bloom when everything else looks dead from late winter into spring.
They’re like that friend who shows up with coffee exactly when you need it most. Deer-resistant and shade-loving, hellebores offer stunning flowers and evergreen foliage year-round.
3. Siberian Iris ❤️ Moist Soil (Iris sibirica)
Elegant, low-maintenance divas for your garden! With refined flowers and grass-like foliage, they’re more sophisticated than their flashier bearded cousins.
Plant them in moist, well-drained soil where they can receive full sun to light shade. Your Siberian iris is trying to tell you something important. Unlike many perennials, they prefer a slightly moist environment.
4. Daylilies ❤️ Neglect (Hemerocallis spp.)
The “impossible-to-kill” perennial that thrives on neglect! These tough-as-nails plants produce trumpet-shaped blooms in every color except true blue.
The secret most plant experts won’t tell you is that daylilies planted in November will often bloom 2-3 weeks earlier than spring-planted ones.
They’ll grow in almost any soil and shrug off heat, drought, and pests like garden superheroes.
5. Oriental Poppies ❤️ Drama (Papaver orientale)
The drama queens of the spring garden! Their massive, crepe-paper blooms in fiery reds, corals, and pinks create a show-stopping display.
Plant them where they can stay put, as they resent being moved once established. Most people make this mistake with their poppies: they panic when the foliage dies back after flowering.
This is completely normal. They’re just taking a summer nap!
6. Coneflowers ❤️ Pollinators (Echinacea spp.)
The pollinator magnets that keep on blooming! These native prairie plants deliver vibrant colors from mid-summer through fall.
Their seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds, a garden that keeps on giving! Plant them in full sun and well-draining soil, then step back and watch the butterfly parade begin.
7. Hostas ❤️ Shade (Hosta spp.)
Shade garden royalty with foliage that steals the show! From tiny varieties perfect for borders to massive specimens with leaves bigger than dinner plates, hostas transform dull shade into a lush, textural paradise.
They’re like the throw pillows of your garden, instantly adding style and dimension to otherwise bland spaces.
8. Bleeding Heart ❤️ Woodland Gardens (Dicentra spectabilis)
Woodland charmers with heart-shaped blooms that dangle from arching stems like delicate Valentine’s Day decorations.
Plant them in partial shade and moist, rich soil. The difference between amateur and pro plant parents is simply knowing that bleeding hearts often go dormant in summer heat. Pair them with late-emerging perennials to fill the space.
9. Lupines ❤️ Nitrogen Fixation (Lupinus spp.)
Vertical superstars with towering flower spikes that command attention! These cottage garden classics bring height and drama with densely packed blooms in blues, purples, pinks, yellows, and whites.
Beyond their beauty, lupines actually improve your soil by fixing nitrogen. They’re working even while they’re showing off!
10. Coreopsis ❤️ Tough Spots (Coreopsis spp.)
The sunshine-yellow bloomers that never take a vacation day! These cheerful perennials produce waves of daisy-like flowers from early summer into fall.
Plant them in poor to average soil. They actually perform better without pampering. They’ll transform harsh, difficult spots into vibrant, flowering zones with almost no effort from you.
November Planting Success Secrets
Ready to give your perennials the perfect November start? Follow these pro tips to ensure spectacular results:
- Timing is everything: Plant when the soil is workable but not soggy or frozen
- Water thoroughly after planting: Even though it’s cool, roots need moisture to establish
- Mulch like you mean it: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to insulate roots from freeze-thaw cycles
- Skip the fertilizer: Save it for spring to avoid stimulating tender new growth
- Label everything: You might forget what you planted where by spring!
November planting is like sending your garden to the gym during the off-season. While everything above ground looks dormant, below the surface, your plants are building strength and preparing to emerge as garden champions.
So grab your gloves, brave the autumn chill, and plant these perennial powerhouses now. Your spring self will thank you when the garden erupts with vibrant, robust growth while your neighbors are still standing in line at the garden center!