Plant These in August: 10 Best Perennials to Start Now

August is not the end of the gardening season. For the right perennial flowers, warm soil and easing summer heat can create an excellent window for root growth before winter. In this practical guide, Linda shares ten perennials worth considering in August and explains where each plant works best. You will learn how to choose the right light and soil, avoid crown and rhizome depth mistakes, space plants for their mature size, and match every perennial to a real job in your garden. The list includes creeping phlox, dianthus, coral bells, Russian sage, coneflower, Japanese anemone, bearded iris, peony, hellebore, and oriental poppy. Use your local first-frost date, hardiness zone, and nursery label before planting. Then choose the plant that solves the clearest problem in your own garden. Chapters: 00:00 Why planting perennials in August can work 01:53 Creeping phlox — a living edge for sunny ground 03:30 Dianthus — fragrance and fast establishment 05:06 Coral bells — colorful foliage for shade 06:41 Russian sage — made for hot, dry sites 08:19 Coneflower — strong roots, flowers, and birds 09:43 Japanese anemone — late-season movement and color 11:15 Bearded iris — never bury the rhizome too deep 12:57 Peony — the planting-depth mistake that stops blooms 14:37 Hellebore — early color beneath deciduous trees 16:10 Oriental poppy — understanding summer dormancy 17:53 Match each perennial to a real garden problem 18:59 Sort your choices by soil and light 20:01 Check mature size before planting 20:35 Final crown and rhizome depth check 21:04 Label your plants and make next spring easier Which perennial fits a real space in your garden? Share the plant and your USDA hardiness zone in the comments so gardeners in a similar climate can learn from your experience. Subscribe to Linda Knows How for practical gardening advice that helps you choose the right plant, place it correctly, and understand what it needs next.