Prepare to Plant

In New England, late-September through October is the ideal time to plant bulbs and roots for flowers that will bloom next spring and summer. The weather is starting to cool, but the ground is still soft and easy for digging. If you plant in the next 4-6 weeks, flowers and shrubs will get well-rooted throughout the winter and be ready to make their debut next year. 

If you're starting a new garden bed, consider a tiered look, with the tallest shrubs and flowers in the back, a middle row for medium height blooms and a front row for low-to the ground flowers and ground cover. 

Spring blooming flowers include:
Creeping Phlox
Daffodil
Daisy
Iris
Peony
Primrose
Tulip

Summer blooming flowers/shrubs include:
Asiatic Lily  
Butterfly Bush
Clematis
Coneflower
Daylily
Delphinium
Gladiolus
Lavender
Oriental Lily
Phlox

Fall is also a great time to divide perennials that are outgrowing their space. Check out one of our previous blogs about dividing and transplanting HERE.