
Planting for Fall
There is no doubt that when the season begins to change, everyone and everything knows that cold weather will soon be among us. Plants are susceptible to the cold weather and you may begin notice that some of your plants begin to fade as the weather begins to drop.
Plants for Every Season
To save yourself some money, there are some plants that will look great in your yard no matter what season it is: even in the fall!
- Hydrangea: These flowers are easy to nurture, they tolerate almost any soil, and bloom abundantly. There are a variety of colors you can choose from. Some might even bloom all colors on the same plant! You can plant them in the spring or fall as they could live in partial shade.
- Pagoda dogwood: This is a great plant for all four seasons. It tolerates windy and cold weather. They also grow well in partial shade making it ideal for the fall time. This plant also grows berries over red stems that turn maroon in the fall and serve as an important food source for the wildlife during the fall and winter time.
- Fothergilla: Considered a shrub, the fothergilla provides a multi-season interest. In the spring, when they bloom, they grow fuzzy, white flowers. During the fall, the foliage changes to a brilliant mixture of yellow, red, and orange. Although they grow slow, they only need partial sun light and regular watering.
- Ninebarks: A shrub with attractive cup-shaped flowers, attractive foliage during all seasons, and peeling bark. This plant is drought tolerant and can also handle many types of growing conditions. They range in height from 5-9 feet and are easy to grow.
- Viburnums: This shrub offers colorful berries, wonderful scents, vibrant foliage, and wonderful flowers. They are low-maintenance and prefer to stay dry. Blooming on and off throughout the seasons make them a great plant to have year-round.
Here are some more suggestions on fall plants and flowers to go with the Fall theme. Since this is the season for loud and vivid colors, you can have some fun with the plants you purchase.
Why Plant in the Fall?
Many people may be surprised to find out that Fall time is just as ideal for planting as Spring time. Cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and the short, bright days all help plants transition quickly into your landscape. Despite the cold weather, the first half of fall give the plants enough time to grow roots and start on the right foot in their new habitat.
Make sure to plant at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Your ground will still be warm due the summer sun making it ok to plant after summer. Mid-November is usually the cut off time for planting as the ground now may begin to cool down and start to freeze up. The plants will be ready to go come Spring thanks to the roots they were able to create during the Fall.
Also during the Fall, the insect population is much smaller. New growth will be able to develop without the predation of insects. Without the insects, the plants are able to use their resources for new growth and rooting rather than repairing and trying to replace the damaged roots and leaves caused by the insects. If you want to know about what insects may still be attacking your plants in the fall, here are some you might want to know about.