The planting season is just getting started!
While some parts of the country are currently in a deep freeze, other regions of the U.S. are ready to begin the planting season. In areas such as the Lower and Coastal South, you can begin planting perennials in February to add color and interest to garden beds and containers.
Typically, February is a good time to plant in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and warmer (find your zone here), though a few things can be grown in Zone 8 as well.
“One of the main reasons to plant in February is that it’s cooler, and the heat and humidity aren’t as oppressive,” says Joshua Allan, garden designer with Top Tier Greenery. “While any new planting needs water to get it established, it’s less stressful on plants this time of year. They also won’t need watering as frequently.”
In regions where the ground doesn’t freeze, you can generally plant year-round. But you may need to take some extra precautions to ensure the plant gets off to a good start.
“I like to mulch a little thicker in the cooler months of the year to help protect roots from the wild temperature swings you can get in winter,” says Kristian Thiem, landscape and outdoor living designer with Tidal Creek Designs. “It’s not unusual to have temperatures fluctuating 30 degrees. I also use a frost cover if we have recently installed plants and are expecting a freeze.”
Ahead, check out our experts' top picks for the perennials you can plant in February.
Native to the prairies, this bright flower is a tough, drought-tolerant sun-lover that will add gorgeous splashes of red, yellow, or orange in solid colors or banded patterns. They bloom for weeks. Allan plants these as a pollinator magnet along borders.
Also known as butterfly weed, this produces bright orange blooms from late summer to fall. “We start seeing monarchs again in late January in Florida, so this host plant is a nice way to support them,” says Allan. Just know that this plant needs full sun.
Also called Lenten rose, this stunning perennial blooms in late winter to early spring, depending on where you live. It comes in many exquisite cultivars and makes a striking addition to both beds and containers, says Thiem. Hellebores need full to part shade.
The deep purple flower spikes of this bushy perennial are alluring to butterflies and hummingbirds. They’re stunning when planted in masses. Allan especially likes ‘Mystic Spires’ and suggests cutting it back in mid-spring when it starts to look tired, and it will flush again with another round of blooms. This plant needs full sun.
Perennial herbs such as thyme, sage, and rosemary can be planted now. These sun-lovers will do well in either pots or containers. Plus, they’ll give you a head start on your edible gardening, which is more popular than ever this year, says Thiem.
This handsome ground cover plant forms a clump up to four feet wide. The succulent, grassy foliage is topped by yellow or orange flower stalks and prefers dry, sandy soils. “It’s super easy to grow and transplant,” says Allan. This sun-lover is drought-tolerant once established.
As a member of the amaryllis family, this handsome perennial has strappy green foliage and beautiful blooms in full to part shade. Plant about 18 inches apart to achieve a groundcover effect. Its striking flowers bloom all summer long, says Allan.
Caladiums have huge, heart-shaped leaves splashed with pink, green, and white. You can plant the full-leafed plants or the tubers now, but make sure your environment is at least in the 60s because caladiums don’t like freezing temperatures. This shade-loving plant is a classic in beds or containers for dramatic color, says Allan.
This spreading perennial has flat, glossy green or variegated leaves. It’s a fast grower and is drought-tolerant once established. Despite its name, the plant doesn’t have showy flowers, but it’s a reliable and hardy ground cover that offers texture and color to planting beds, says Thiem.
The cheery blooms of this perennial will make you smile as they dance in the breeze. Native to North America, these make a lovely addition to mixed borders and come in nearly every color you can imagine. Plant bare-root plants in early spring or seedlings after all threat of frost has passed. They add vibrant color to any planting bed, says Allan.
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