When is the Best Time to Plant flowering Perennials?

This is a question asked a lot this time of year. The answer is simple, but not easy to follow.

The best time to plant is when the plant is able to put down roots quickly.

When do plants put down roots quickly? It depends on the plant and what it likes.

You have heard me say that there are cool weather loving plants and warm weather loving plants. This is true for perennials (plants that grow and flower year after year) as well as annuals (plants that grow and flower for one season).

Let's first take the well known snapdragon. Many people have heard of it, seen it, and want to grow it. Maybe they have tried. Maybe they bought a seedling at a big box nursery and still it didn't perform the way they hoped.

Snapdragons are a great example of a cool weather loving flower. If you plant it after our last frost, you may get a bloom, but it won't thrive untili fall. If you plant that same snapdragon in April when the temperatures are jumping from lows of 20's to highs of 70+, they thrive! That plant loves this kind of weather and happily puts down roots to support blooms in a couple months.

Next, how about ranunculus? Ranunculus are gorgeous blooms, but if you plant it out in May you will never see its full glory. It wants to have its roots settled deep in the soil before it temps reach 60. 

Pro tip- don't buy a cool weather loving plant when it is in bloom. Try to choose a plant with just foliage before buds are set. This will give the plants energy to focus on getting deep roots before time for blooms.

I know... I know this seems so backwards. It is cold outside and I am saying its a good time to plant?

Perennial plants are the same. If they are early bloomers they are likely cool weather plants. If you can, plant these in September. Missed September? March-April is your next best time. Just remember to water them weekly even though the weather is cold. 

Think Daffodils vs. Dahlias. One likes it cold. One likes it hot. One hates hot and one hates cold.

Don't know which a plant is? There are too many to memorize.

I may be able to guide you. send me an email and we will chat!