What to plant in November: dormant, cold-hardy deciduous trees, shrubs and native perennials, on any day the ground can still be dug. In zones 7 to 9, November is a good planting month. In zones 5 and 6, plant early in the month. In zones 3 and 4, the ground is usually too cold, so plan to plant in spring.
This is the garden almanac of Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, a family-owned wholesale nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, near McMinnville. We grow trees, shrubs, perennials, wetland and native plants. This November guide covers what to plant in your zone, how late you can plant, and how to get new plants through their first winter.
What to plant in November by USDA zone
Your USDA zone tells you how cold your winters get. It does not give you a planting date. What matters in November is whether your soil is still soft enough to dig, and how long it will stay that way. UMass Extension advises that new trees and shrubs need at least six weeks to settle in before the ground freezes. K-State Research and Extension notes that planting into November means less root growth before the soil cools. So the colder your zone, the earlier in November you need to finish.
| USDA zone | What November is usually like | What to do this month |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 3 and 4 | The ground often freezes in November or earlier. | Skip planting in the ground. Order dormant stock for spring and plan your beds now. |
| Zones 5 and 6 | Soil can often still be dug early in the month, then the ground freezes. | Plant hardy deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials in the first part of the month. Mulch and water right away. |
| Zone 7 | Most of the month usually stays workable between cold snaps. | A good month to plant dormant bare-root trees, shrubs and perennials. |
| Zones 8 and 9 | The ground rarely freezes for long. | The main season for dormant stock begins. Keep planting into winter on mild days. |
Tip: Not sure? Push a spade into the soil. If it goes in and the soil crumbles, you can still plant. If it hits a frozen crust, wait for a thaw or hold your plants for spring.
Trees to plant in November
Dormant means a plant is resting: no leaves, no blooms, no new growth. A dormant deciduous tree puts its energy into roots, not leaves, which is why late fall suits it. Bare-root trees (shipped with no soil around the roots) are dug while dormant. Our bare-root page explains that we ship them from September to April, freshly dug to order.
- Redbud Trees: a flowering tree for zones 4 to 9, with pink to purple blossoms on bare brown twigs.
- River Birch Tree: peeling, pale bark and a fit for zones 4 to 9.
- Red Oak Tree: a tall tree with fiery red and orange fall leaves.
Hold off on evergreens this late. UMass Extension advises waiting until spring to plant broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron and needled evergreens like yew.
Shrubs to plant in November
Yes, you can plant a shrub in November if your soil is still workable. Deciduous shrubs handle late planting well because they are already dormant.
- American Hazelnut: a nut-bearing shrub for zones 4 to 9, with dense, rounded green leaves.
- Red Osier Dogwood: a shrub for zones 3 to 8, with clusters of white flowers. In zones 3 and 4, plant it in spring. In zones 5 and 6, plant it early in November.
Perennials to plant in November
You can still plant perennials in November in zones 5 to 9 while the soil is soft. In zones 5 and 6, plant them early in the month. Their roots are shallow, so freezing and thawing can push them up out of the ground. That is called frost heave, and winter mulch prevents it (see the winter care section below).
- Black Eyed Susan Plant: yellow petals around dark centers. A butterfly plant for zones 3 to 9.
- Purple Coneflower: pink-purple petals around a reddish-brown cone. Deer resistant, zones 3 to 8.
- Christmas Fern: lush fronds with finely toothed edges. Zones 3 to 9.
How cold is too cold to plant a tree?
Plant when the soil can be dug and is not frozen, on a day above 31°F. That is the rule in our bare-root guidance for trees and shrubs. Frozen ground is the real limit: if a spade will not go in, wait for a thaw.
If your plants arrive after the ground freezes
- Keep them somewhere at 38 to 42°F, such as a basement, cellar or garage. That keeps them dormant.
- Take them out of the shipping packaging.
- Cover the roots with potting soil.
- Mist them lightly with water every other day.
Then plant on the first day the ground thaws and it is above 31°F. Plant before buds start to swell in spring.
Then plant on the first day the ground thaws and it is over 31 degrees. Plant before buds start to swell in spring.
How to plant dormant stock in November
These steps follow our planting instructions.
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Dig a wide hole
Make the hole twice the size of the root ball, so roots can spread into loose soil.
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Set the plant and backfill
Spread the roots, set the plant at the depth it grew, and fill in with the soil you dug out.
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Water right away
Soak the soil as soon as the plant is in. This settles the soil around the roots.
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Mulch over the roots
Add mulch or pine needles over the root area so water soaks in slowly. Keep it a few inches off the trunk.
Protecting fall plantings through the first winter
A new plant's first winter is its hardest. Its roots are still small, so it dries out and heaves more easily than an older plant.
- Water before the freeze. If fall has been dry, water deeply before the ground freezes, says University of Minnesota Extension. Fill any cracks in the soil around new plants.
- Mulch trees and shrubs in a donut. The same Minnesota guide advises 3 to 4 inches of shredded wood mulch over the roots, kept about 6 inches back from the trunk.
- Mulch perennials after the ground freezes. Cover the crowns with about 4 inches of mulch once the soil is frozen, advises Iowa State University Extension. Mulching too early can delay dormancy. Pull the extra mulch back in early spring.
- Guard young bark. Iowa State also suggests tree wrap or plastic tree tubes to stop rabbits and rodents stripping bark, and chicken wire around smaller plants.
- Keep checking for water. Winter soil dries more slowly, but it still dries. K-State calls dry winter soil one of the main drawbacks of fall planting, so check it all winter and water when it is dry.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still plant perennials in November?
Yes, in zones 5 to 9, as long as the soil can still be dug. In zones 5 and 6, plant early in the month so roots have time to grow. Water well right after planting. Once the ground freezes, cover the crowns with mulch so freezing and thawing do not push the plants out of the soil.
Can I plant a shrub in November?
Yes, if the ground is not frozen. Dormant deciduous shrubs settle in well because they put their energy into roots, not leaves. Plant early in the month in zones 5 and 6, water deeply, and mulch the roots. UMass Extension advises waiting until spring to plant broadleaf and needled evergreens.
When should you not plant trees?
Do not plant when the ground is frozen, waterlogged or too hard to dig. Roots need loose, workable soil to spread. Leave evergreens for spring, as UMass Extension advises. In zones 3 and 4, where the ground often freezes by November, wait and plant in spring instead.
How long can a tree stay unplanted in the winter?
Plant bare-root trees as soon as the ground allows, on a day above 31°F, and before buds start to swell in spring. Bare-root perennials and ferns can wait longer indoors at 38 to 42°F, with their roots covered in potting soil and misted every other day.
