Successful gardening in Virginia requires understanding the state’s climate. Virginia’s geographic diversity means that planting times shift significantly depending on your specific location. This guide provides a seasonal framework to help you determine which flowers you can plant now. Aligning your planting schedule with the region ensures your flowers thrive and provide vibrant color throughout the year.
Defining Virginia’s Climate and Timing
Virginia spans multiple USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, ranging from 5b in the mountainous west to 8b in the southeastern coastal areas. This wide range means planting times can differ by several weeks across the state. The hardiness zone indicates a plant’s ability to survive the average minimum winter temperature in a specific area.
The two most important dates for any Virginia gardener are the average last frost date in spring and the average first frost date in fall. The last spring frost signals the safe time to transplant tender annuals, as the risk of temperatures dipping below 32°F greatly diminishes. This date can be as early as late March in coastal regions or as late as early May in the highest elevations.
The first fall frost date marks the likely end of the growing season for warm-weather plants. This date typically occurs between early October and mid-November, depending on the zone. Planting success is directly tied to using these dates, which define the frost-free period for establishing roots before temperature extremes arrive.
Flowers for Warm-Weather Planting (Spring and Early Summer)
Planting flowers when the weather is warm, generally from April through June, allows heat-loving species to establish quickly and provide continuous color through the summer. This period is the primary window for introducing annuals that cannot tolerate cold temperatures, as well as many perennials. The goal for warm-weather planting is to ensure the soil is warmed, typically above 60°F, before transplanting tender roots.
Summer Annuals for Immediate Color
For flower beds in full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct light, heat-tolerant annuals like Zinnias and Marigolds are excellent choices. Zinnias withstand high summer temperatures. Marigolds are reliable summer performers, available in orange, yellow, and red shades, and often deter deer with their scented foliage.
Annual Vinca, also known as Madagascar Periwinkle, thrives in Virginia’s heat and humidity, blooming non-stop until the first frost. For containers and hanging baskets, Petunias, particularly the newer heat-tolerant Supertunia varieties, offer spectacular bloom coverage with minimal deadheading. These full-sun plants require well-drained soil and consistent moisture throughout the season.
For areas receiving morning sun or in partial shade, Begonias and Impatiens are preferable. Impatiens thrive in shady, moist conditions, while SunPatiens are hybrid varieties that tolerate full sun or partial shade while enduring the heat. Coleus, grown for its striking foliage rather than flowers, provides vibrant color in partial shade and requires regular pruning to maintain a bushy form.
Perennials for Establishment
Spring and early summer are favorable times to plant established perennials. Planting now gives their root systems the entire summer to develop before winter. This establishment time is crucial for long-term survival and robust blooming in subsequent years.
Hardy perennials such as Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, and Daylilies are well-suited to the Virginia climate and flourish when planted in spring. Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susans prefer full sun and well-drained soil, often attracting pollinators and providing color through late summer. Daylilies tolerate a range of soil conditions and light exposures, making them a popular choice for low-maintenance garden beds.
Flowers for Cool-Weather Planting (Late Summer and Fall)
As the heat of summer begins to fade, a new planting window opens in late summer and fall. This season offers cooler air temperatures but still-warm soil, which encourages strong root growth without the stress of summer heat. Fall planting focuses on two main objectives: immediate cool-season color and establishing plants that will bloom the following spring.
Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Spring-flowering bulbs require a prolonged period of cold dormancy to initiate bloom. Bulbs like Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinths must be planted in the fall to ensure they receive this necessary cold exposure, often referred to as a chilling period, before they can flower. Planting typically occurs after the first frost but before the ground freezes solid, usually when soil temperatures drop below 60°F.
To successfully plant these bulbs, they should be placed at a depth roughly three times the height of the bulb itself, with the pointed end facing upward. Daffodils and Alliums are often favored in areas with wildlife because they naturally contain compounds that make them deer-resistant. In the mildest zones of Virginia, a lack of consistently cold soil may necessitate purchasing pre-chilled bulbs for some varieties to ensure spring blooms.
Cool-Season Annuals and Biennials
While warm-weather annuals fade with the first frost, several cool-season flowers can be planted in the fall to provide color well into a mild Virginia winter. Pansies and Violas are the most recognizable of these, often planted in September or October to establish roots before the coldest weather arrives. These flowers can survive light snow and freezing temperatures, sometimes even blooming again during warm spells in winter.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale are popular additions for fall color, valued for their dramatic, ruffled foliage rather than traditional flowers. The vibrant colors of purple, pink, and white on these plants intensify as nighttime temperatures drop. Chrysanthemums, the classic fall perennial, are often planted in late summer or early fall to provide a dense burst of color that bridges the transition from summer to winter.
Hardy Perennials and Shrubs
Fall is an excellent time to plant hardy perennials and shrubs because cooler air reduces moisture loss while warm soil promotes root development. Perennials like Asters, which bloom in late summer and fall, can be planted now to establish themselves. Planting in the fall allows the roots to grow undisturbed over the winter, preparing the plant for vigorous spring growth.