7 Low-Maintenance Perennials to Plant Now for Effortless Color Next Spring

Fall is the ideal time to plant easy-care spring-flowering perennials. Planting when the soil is still warm from lingering summer heat allows these plants to establish a strong root system. Then they'll be ready to begin blooming the following spring. Fall's generally cooler temperatures and more frequent rainfall also help your new perennials settle in well before winter. Here are 7 reliable, no-fuss perennials that will add a burst of color to your spring landscape.

1. Threadleaf Blue Star

A North American native with a delightfully delicate texture, blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii) has lovely pale blue, star-shaped flowers in spring. The thread-like foliage of this slow-growing perennial is a perfect contrast for plants with large or boldly structured leaves, such as peonies or irises.

Where to Plant: Full sun and well-drained soil. Plant this large perennial near the back of a border where it serves as a pleasing backdrop for low-growing plants. Place it where you can enjoy its spring flowers as well as its rich yellow fall color.

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide

Zones: 5–8

2. Creeping Phlox

Perfect for blanketing the ground between perennials, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) flowers profusely in early spring. Count on it to form a dense mat of pink, purple, or white flowers. Although it has a spreading habit, it isn’t aggressive.

Where to Plant: Creeping phlox grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but it also tolerates dry, gravely soil. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Plant it near the front of a garden bed.

Size: 6 inches tall, 2 to 3 feet wide

Zones: 3–9

3. Catmint

A light purple mist-like cloud of flowers covers catmint (Nepeta spp.) for weeks beginning in mid-spring. This long-lived, deer-resistant perennial has a pleasing mounding habit. A pollinator favorite, add it to any landscape to boost the nectar options. Combine it with upright perennials like coneflower and black-eyed Susan for a color show that extends into fall.

Where to Plant: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Shorter varieties make attractive bed edging plants. Taller varieties work well in mixed border gardens.

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide

Zones: 3–8

4. Coral Bells

The bold and bright foliage of coral bells (Heuchera spp.) jolts the spring garden awake. Varieties come in shades of chartreuse, maroon, burgundy, and deep purple, along with many eye-catching two-tone patterns. Wands of dainty, bell-shaped flowers appear above the foliage in late spring.

Where to Plant: Coral bells grow well in full sun to part shade. In warm climates, select a planting spot that receives afternoon shade. Well-drained soil is a must.

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Zones: 3-9

5. Hardy Geranium

Small pink, white, or purple flowers dance over medium green palm-shaped foliage in late spring on this deer-resistant perennial. There are many varieties of perennial geranium (Geranium spp.); choose the color and size that complements your landscape.

Where to Plant: Hardy geranium grows best in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plant it near the front of a border where it will make a mound of texture-rich foliage.

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Zones: 4–8

6. Hellebore

Also known as Christmas rose, hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are some of the first perennials to bloom in late winter and early spring. Long-lived perennials, hellebores have evergreen foliage that is a garden asset year-round. Their nodding, cup-shaped flowers are available in various hues of white, pink, red, purple, and yellow.

Where to Plant: Hellebores thrive in dappled shade and moist, humus-rich soil. In areas with cold, drying winds in winter, select a protected location to prevent leaf scorch.

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide

Zones: 5–8

7. Peony

Petal-packed, fragrant flowers make peonies (Paeonia spp.) spring stars. Note that size matters for how soon you'll see flowers from your plant. A gallon-size or larger peony will likely bloom the first spring after planting in fall. Smaller transplants will take a couple of years to get established before producing flowers.

Where to Plant: Peonies are long-lived, and can last for decades. Choose a planting spot where they can grow undisturbed over the years. The best flowering will happen in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. After flowering in spring, its clean, green foliage and round form provide structure and an excellent backdrop for neighboring plants.

Size: 2 ½ to 3 feet tall and wide

Zones: 3–8

Tips for Planting Perennials in Fall

While fall offers several advantages for planting certain perennials, there's a limited window for getting your plants in the ground. Your keys to success str timing your planting right and then mulching your plants well.

• Watch the calendar: Plant perennials at least 4 weeks before the first killing frost in your area. This will give your newly planted perennials enough time to establish a robust root system before the soil freezes in late fall or winter.
• Add mulch: Fall-planted perennials are susceptible to heaving out of the soil in the freeze-and-thaw cycles during their first winter in the landscape. To keep plants in place and protect their developing root system, spread a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of pine needles, straw, or other organic mulch over the root zone.