Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons, offering gardeners reliable landscape features that return year after year. Purchasing these plants at a discount allows for the affordable development of expansive garden spaces or the quick filling of newly designed beds. The best opportunities for reduced prices are dictated by the nursery industry’s inventory cycles, which occur at the end of the main growing season and before the spring rush. Understanding these cycles reveals the optimal times to find quality stock at significant savings.
When Retailers Clear Inventory
The largest and most common sales for perennials occur when garden centers clear out current potted stock to prepare for the change of seasons. This clearance often begins in late summer, running from August through October, depending on the local climate and the retailer’s business model. The motivation is twofold: to make space for incoming fall or holiday inventory and to avoid the expense of overwintering plants.
Potted perennials are frequently discounted because they have finished flowering for the year and no longer offer the visual appeal of a plant in full bloom. A plant that has been sitting in its container for a full season is considered less desirable, even though the root system is well-established and ready for planting. Discounts typically start around 30% and can increase to 50% or even 75% off the original price as the season progresses and frost approaches.
Big box stores often have rigid schedules for inventory turnover, leading to rapid, deep markdowns on remaining plants. Local nurseries may begin sales earlier or later and often continue them until the first hard frost, offering a more gradual reduction in price. Purchasing potted plants in the autumn allows their root systems adequate time to establish themselves in the soil before the ground freezes, which is an advantage over spring planting.
Early Season and Bare-Root Discounts
Another opportunity for discounted perennials occurs outside the peak growing season, focusing on dormant stock. This involves the sale of bare-root plants, which are shipped without soil and consist only of the crown and roots. These sales typically take place in late winter or very early spring, spanning from January to March, before the soil thaws enough for planting.
Bare-root perennials are significantly cheaper because they lack the weight and volume of soil and containers, making them more economical to ship and store. They are shipped dormant, which minimizes transplant shock when planted, as they have not yet begun to develop foliage. Many perennials, such as Peonies, Hostas, and Coneflowers, are sold this way, providing a wider selection of varieties available through specialized catalogs and online nurseries.
These plants must be planted or potted before they break dormancy, requiring immediate attention upon arrival. Although they look like simple root clumps, they have already undergone the necessary cold exposure (vernalization), which ensures they will flower properly once spring arrives. This early-season discount is a budget-friendly way to acquire larger quantities of plants with strong, established root systems.
How to Care for Sale Perennials
Discounted perennials often require immediate and specific care, as they are frequently stressed or root-bound from spending too much time in a container. When a plant is root-bound, its roots circle the inside of the pot, restricting water absorption and stunting growth once planted. Before planting, score the root ball with a knife or aggressively tease the roots apart to encourage outward growth into the garden soil.
Addressing Stress and Damage
If the plant is severely dehydrated, soaking the entire root ball in water before planting helps rehydrate the dense soil and roots. Check discounted stock for signs of pests or disease before introducing them to the garden, isolating any compromised plant. Removing dead or damaged foliage helps redirect the plant’s energy toward root establishment rather than supporting stressed leaves.
Timing the Planting
For potted perennials purchased during late-season clearance, plant them six weeks before the expected first hard frost to allow the roots time to anchor. If planting is not possible, group the pots together and mulch them for insulation to protect the roots from extreme cold. Bare-root stock should be planted as soon as the ground is workable, ensuring the crown is positioned correctly at the soil surface.