What to Plant Now for Year-Round Outdoor Living in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s large size and varied topography produce a patchwork of microclimates that supports a surprising range of plants. With careful selection and seasonal planning you can create an outdoor living space that looks good, smells good, and produces food most months of the year. This article gives practical, region-specific recommendations, planting windows, and care instructions to keep your yard active and attractive across the seasons.

Understand Oklahoma’s Climate and Planting Windows

Oklahoma spans USDA hardiness zones 6a through 8a and includes high plains, central plains, foothills, and southern piney woods. Winter lows, late spring freezes, summer heat, and variable rainfall all affect plant choice and timing.
Planting windows to remember:

Fall (late September through November): Best time to establish trees, shrubs, and many perennials because roots grow while top growth slows.
Early spring (March through early April): Plant cool-season vegetables, hardy perennials, and spring-blooming bulbs.
Late spring (after last frost, typically mid- to late April to early May depending on region): Plant warm-season vegetables, annuals, and heat-loving perennials.
Summer (June through August): Focus on watering, maintenance, heat-tolerant annuals, and transplants started in shade or sheltered areas.
Winter (December through February): Prune dormant trees, plan, order bulbs and seeds, and protect tender or newly planted specimens from extreme cold and wind.

Match Plants to Microclimates

Different spots in your yard will behave differently: south-facing slopes dry out and heat up; north-facing beds stay cooler and moister; low spots collect water. Match plants to those conditions rather than moving soil or constantly altering microclimates.

Sun, Shade, Soil, and Drainage

Assess each planting site for:

Sun exposure: full sun (6+ hours), part sun/part shade (3-6 hours), or shade (<3 hours).
Soil type: clay, loam, sandy. Most Oklahoma soils are heavy in clay; amend for drainage or plant clay-tolerant species.
Drainage: check after rain for standing water; plant wet-tolerant species in low spots.

Year-Round Plant Palette: What to Put in the Ground Now

Below are plant groups and specific examples that provide a mix of seasonal color, structure, fragrance, and food.

Trees and Large Shrubs (backbone of the landscape)

Plant these in fall or early spring for best root establishment.

Native oaks (Quercus macrocarpa, Q. alba in northern areas): long-lived, excellent structure and wildlife value.
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis): spring bloom, good for understory or specimen.
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): summer color; choose disease-resistant cultivars for Oklahoma heat and humidity.
Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus): fragrant summer blooms and easy care in full sun.
American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus): multi-season interest with dramatic fall color and cloud-like seedheads.

Planting details: Dig a hole 2-3 times the root ball width, set the root flare at or slightly above grade, backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle, mulch 2-3 inches away from trunk, and water regularly the first two seasons (weekly deep soak in dry spells).

Evergreen Structure for Winter Interest

Evergreens provide privacy and year-round structure.

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana): tolerant, windbreak use, be mindful of birds dispersing berries.
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria): native, female plants produce red berries when pollinated.
Nellie R. Stevens holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’): dense evergreen screen.

Practical takeaway: Plant evergreens on the north or west side to shelter patios and reduce winter wind.

Perennials and Grasses for Seasonal Texture

Perennials and ornamental grasses create repeatable seasonal interest and are good for pollinators.

Salvia, Penstemon, Agastache: summer blooms, heat tolerant.
Coneflower (Echinacea), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): summer-fall color, native pollinator plants.
Liatris and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): vertical accents and great fall texture.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis): adaptable and reliable across Oklahoma.

Planting details: Space perennials based on mature spread, divide congested clumps every 3-4 years, and leave seedheads of some species for winter interest and bird food.

Bulbs and Spring Interest

Plant bulbs in fall for spring flowering: tulips, daffodils, alliums, and spring-blooming crocus in cooler regions. Daffodils are deer-resistant and naturalize well.
Bulb planting rule of thumb: Plant bulbs 2-3 times as deep as the bulb height, pointed end up, and mulch to moderate soil temperatures.

Annuals and Containers for Immediate Color

Use heat-tolerant annuals from late spring through fall for container and seasonal color.

Zinnias, vinca, marigold, sunflower, and ornamental peppers perform well.
For shade containers, use coleus, impatiens, and begonias.

Vegetables and Herbs for Year-Round Harvest

Staggered planting and using cool-season crops extends harvest windows.

Cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, peas — plant in early spring and again in late summer for fall harvest.
Warm-season crops: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash — plant after last frost, aim for transplants started indoors or from local nurseries.
Overwintering: garlic and shallots planted in October-November provide a late spring harvest.
Herbs: rosemary (can be semi-evergreen in southern areas), thyme, oregano, parsley; basil is summer-only unless protected.

Succession planting tip: For leafy greens, sow small amounts every 2-3 weeks during cool seasons to maintain a steady supply.

Practical Planting and Maintenance Guidelines

Soil Preparation

Most Oklahoma soils benefit from organic matter addition.

Work in 2-3 inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil prior to planting.
For clay soils, incorporate sand carefully and emphasize organic matter to improve structure.
Perform a soil test every 3-5 years to adjust pH and nutrient levels. Aim for pH 6.0-7.0 for most ornamentals and vegetables.

Mulch, Water, and Fertilizer

Mulch 2-3 inches over planting beds, keeping mulch away from trunk and crown.
Water deeply and infrequently: newly planted trees and shrubs need about 10-12 gallons per week for the first season, supplied in a single deep soak or two moderate soaks.
Established beds: water based on rainfall; most perennials tolerate 1 inch per week during active growth.
Fertilize perennials and shrubs in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer; vegetable beds need additional feeding per crop type (tomatoes benefit from higher phosphorus and potassium during fruiting).

Pruning and Seasonal Care

Prune trees in late winter while dormant to shape and remove crossing branches.
Prune summer-flowering shrubs after bloom; prune spring bloomers only after they finish flowering.
Divide perennials in early spring or fall to rejuvenate plants and expand your garden.

Pest, Disease, and Wildlife Considerations

Oklahoma gardeners contend with deer, rabbits, insects, and fungal diseases during humid summers.

Choose resistant cultivars where available (e.g., powdery mildew-resistant phlox, rust-resistant roses).
Use deer-resistant plants in border gardens and place edibles near the house or protected areas.
Maintain good air circulation through proper spacing and pruning to reduce disease pressure.
At first sign of insect or disease issues, identify the problem before treating; many problems are seasonal and best managed with cultural controls.

Sample Year-Round Planting Plan by Zone

Northern (zones 6a-7a): focus on cold-hardy trees (bur oak, redbud), daffodils, spring veggies, and summer perennials that die back over winter. Plant garlic in fall and tomatoes after frost.
Central (zones 7a-7b): use a mix of native oaks, crape myrtle, and switchgrass. Plant fall-winter lettuce and spring bulbs. Start peppers after frost.
Southern (zones 7b-8a): add semi-tropical accents like liriope, oleander (sheltered), and chaste tree. Overwinter herbs like rosemary and thyme; direct-seed warm-season crops earlier.

Sample Planting List (what to plant now)

Trees: Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica).
Shrubs: Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), Forsythia (for early spring color).
Perennials: Echinacea purpurea, Salvia nemorosa, Agastache spp., Rudbeckia spp.
Grasses: Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Miscanthus sinensis, Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed).
Vegetables/herbs: Garlic (plant fall), Lettuce and spinach (plant early spring or late summer), Tomato and pepper transplants (after last frost), Basil (late spring).

Final Practical Takeaways

Plant woody plants in fall when possible; they establish faster and require less water over the first year.
Use natives and adapted cultivars to reduce inputs and support local wildlife.
Create layered plantings: trees for structure, shrubs for screens and blooms, perennials and grasses for texture, and annuals/containers for seasonal pops.
Plan for irrigation and mulch to reduce stress during Oklahoma’s hot and often drought-prone summers.
Stagger plantings and use succession sowing for continuous edible and ornamental interest.

With thoughtful plant choice, attention to soil and microclimate, and seasonally timed planting, you can create an outdoor living environment in Oklahoma that offers beauty and utility throughout the year. Start now with the right trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and vegetable schedules to enjoy a landscape that performs every season.