Top 17 Perennials to Plant This February

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are a cheerful, hardy perennial that can thrive in a wide range of climates, from Zones 3 to 9. Their bright yellow blooms pop up in summer and keep going strong into fall. You can even harvest the seeds to grow more! Just make sure to plant them about six weeks before your area’s last frost date, in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are another stunning native perennial that’s hardy in Zones 3 through 9. The best time to plant them is actually in the fall, but you can also give it a go in February, especially if you live in a warmer area or want to try winter sowing in a container. Just make sure to give them full sun and well-draining soil, and leave some space between plants for good airflow.

Yarrow (Achillea spp.) is a tall, hardy herb with dainty flowers in shades of yellow, purple, and white. It’s super low-maintenance and will thrive in Zones 3 through 9 with minimal effort on your part. Just scatter some seeds in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and watch this perennial come to life in spring and summer.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is a garden staple, with its signature purple blooms and amazing fragrance. It thrives in Zones 5 through 8, and you can grow it in planters or directly in the ground. Spring is the ideal time to plant it, but you can also get a head start in February if you live in a milder climate. Just make sure to pick a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and water your lavender plants thoroughly when you first get them in the ground.

Also known as blazing star or gayfeather, Liatris spicata is one of those perennials that does best after a nice cold period. So if you live in Zones 5 through 8, late-winter sowing is the way to go for max blooms this summer. Just make sure to plant it in a sunny spot so those fluffy pink or purple flower spikes can really shine.

Perennial sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius) may look delicate, but they’re pretty tough cookies. They thrive in Zones 4 through 8, and planting them in late winter or early spring can help them reach full height by the following fall. Just make sure to give them full sun and good drainage for those sprawling, colorful blooms.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) take a while to grow, so getting them started early is key. In Zones 7 through 10, you can plant them directly in the garden in February. They can tolerate a bit of frost, and they love moist, well-draining soil. If you’re outside that hardiness range, you can still grow them as annuals.

Those bright poppies (Papaver spp.) are a great choice for February planting in Zones 7 through 10, since they take a while to germinate. They like full sun, but can tolerate a bit of shade. Just be sure to plant them in well-draining soil and water them generously as they get established.