Perennials to Grow in the Autumn

The aim of planting some perennials is to get them to germinate, by providing them with a period of stratification (cold conditions required for germination).

Sowing seeds in autumn mimics a process called stratification, which happens naturally in nature – the seeds fall to the ground, and a period of cold weather triggers them to germinate in spring.

This method will also allow us to get a head start on growing our perennials.

Examples of seeds requiring stratification

• Milkweed (Asclepias)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
• Columbine (Aquilegia)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea)
• New England aster (Symphyotricum)
• Larkspur (Consolida)
• Lavender (Lavandula)
• Lupine (Lupinus)
• Ironweed (Vernonia)
• Catmint (Nepeta)
• Soapwort (Saponaria)
• Pincushion flower (Scabiosa)
• St John’s wort (Hypericum)
• Marsh marigold (Caltha)
• Perennial sunflowers (Helianthus)
• Bleeding heart (Dicentra)
• Monkshood (Aconitum)
• Globeflower (Trollius)
• Turtlehead (Chelone)

Links provided by Better Homes and Gardens

Thompson and Morgan have produced a comprehensive list of seeds that can be sown in September and October and even November. So lets get planting.