Do you dream of flowers blooming just outside your door next spring, but aren’t sure what to choose? I’m here to help! With just a little planting in fall, you can enjoy a spring garden that gets better every year.
Today I’m sharing three of my favorite gorgeous, no-fail perennials that faithfully return bigger and better each season. All of these are best planted in the early fall once the ground has cooled.
Narcissus come in many beautiful forms and colors.
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Easily one of my top five flowers of all time, daffodils are true harbingers of spring. They brighten the landscape in March and April (zone 7b) when winter skies still linger. And did you know there are hundreds of varieties beyond the classic yellow? Here are a few favorites from last spring:
Mallee – A butterfly variety with ruffled pink and a soft golden center.
Flower Surprise – A frilly diva in pale peach-pink, unforgettable in the garden.
Art Design – A dreamy double ruffle in sunshine yellow, my personal favorite.
Pink Charm – Ivory petals with a bold pink trumpet; beautiful in the vase.
🛒 Tip: Shop bulbs in summer or as soon as they hit shelves. They often sell out online by fall. Plant anytime before the ground freezes.
Alliums
If you love whimsy, alliums are the perfect geometric pop of fun for your spring beds. Deer ignore them, but pollinators can’t get enough!
Purple Sensation – Affordable, vibrant, and bouquet-friendly.
Shubertii – Nicknamed the Tumbleweed Onion, it looks like a purple firework!
Globemaster – A splurge-worthy showstopper with softball-sized blooms that last and last.
Peonies
The undisputed Queen of Spring flowers! Though they require a higher investment up front, peonies will reward you with decades (yes, decades!) of blooms if cared for properly. In the hot, humid South, I recommend heat-tolerant heirloom varieties:
Sarah Bernhardt – Classic double pink blooms with a sweet fragrance.
Festiva Maxima – Huge white flowers with crimson flecks; my childhood favorite.
Kansas – An award-winning double red, perfect for cutting.
Peonies are available as bare-root plants or potted starts. The more “eyes” (buds) on the root, the more established the plant.
✨ Final Thoughts
So there you have it — three fantastic fall-planted perennials for a glorious spring garden right in your own backyard! Whether you’re dreaming of cheerful daffodils, whimsical alliums, or lush peonies, planting now will give you beauty to enjoy for years to come.
Ready to start your spring garden? Drop your favorite perennial in the comments, or share this post with a friend who loves flowers!