5 Perennials You Need to Plant Now

Rainbow Rhythm^® Hemerocallis (Daylily)
The quickest way to bulk up daylilies is to get them in the ground in late summer to early fall, leaving enough time for them to root in before winter. If necessary, plant them in a holding place in the landscape in fall and then transplant them the following spring. Doing so will bulk up the crown and result in significantly larger plants the following spring. Choose from eight colors in our Rainbow Rhythm collection.
• Hardy in zones 3-9

Fun and Games^® ‘Red Rover' and ‘Hopscotch’ Heucherella (Foamy Bells)
Robust Heucherella cultivars like Fun and Games^® ‘Red Rover’ and ‘Hopscotch’ excel with late summer and fall planting. Their strong H. villosa parentage results in thick, dense crowns and larger overall size compared to those without those genetics. Use their copper and bronze red foliage to complement many other cool season annuals and perennials in fall containers and landscapes. Applying a heavy layer of mulch the first winter is recommended to prevent heaving.
• Hardy in zones 4-9

Summerific^® Hibiscus (Rose Mallow)
When rose mallow begins to bloom around town, expect exuberant calls from clients who want them in their own landscape. Their dinner plate-sized blossoms are easy to spot and quick to impress. Plant this hardy, yet tropical looking perennial, in a sunny spot that receives consistent moisture in fall and watch them bounce back the following summer even larger. Applying a heavy layer of mulch the first winter is recommended to prevent heaving. Choose from five colors in our Summerific series.
• Hardy in zones 4-9

Prairie Winds^® Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are iconic fall perennials that come into their own as temperatures cool and daylength wanes. Plant any of the five outstanding selections in our Prairie Winds collection in late summer to early fall, and they’ll continue to provide winter interest for the remainder of the year. Ornamental grasses become more robust and graceful every year as they mature, so planting early will help them bulk up faster. Applying a heavy layer of mulch the first winter is recommended to prevent heaving.
• Panicum: hardy in zones 4-9
• Pennisetum: hardy in zones 5-9
• Schizachyrium: hardy in zones 3-9

Rock ‘N Grow^® Sedum (Autumn Stonecrop)
Hardy autumn flowering sedums are often available in good numbers from suppliers for planting in late summer and fall. Their brightly colored, late season blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators, and are useful for livening up fall landscapes. Plant them in well-drained soil and full sun. Amend heavy clay soils to improve drainage when planting if necessary. Choose from two new groundcover selections this year as well as upright types in our Rock ‘N Grow collection.
• Hardy in zones 3-9