As the air cools and leaves start to tumble, gardeners everywhere begin their fall rituals—raking, pruning, and tucking their flower beds in for winter. But one step that often gets skipped (or done half-heartedly) is mulching. Think of mulch as a cozy blanket for your perennials: it locks in warmth, keeps moisture steady, and prevents those sneaky winter temperature swings from shocking your plants’ roots. Skip it, and you might find your perennials looking more “R.I.P.” than “reblooming” come spring.
If you want your garden to burst back to life next year instead of limping along, these eleven perennials absolutely deserve a mulch makeover this fall.
