10 best shrubs to plant this fall to make the landscape special (2024)

FAQs

What shrubs can be planted in November? ›

Autumn shrub planting

Autumn is also the perfect time to plant many shrubs, particularly hardy, deciduous shrubs such as fothergilla, witch hazel and hydrangeas.

The end of October is ideal. Beautiful winter flowering shrubs include Skimmia, Sarcococca, Pyracantha (berries) and Viburnum tinus. Low-maintenance winter flowering heathers such as Erica varieties are low-growing, compact plants. They'll add subtle colour to your garden or patio when planted up in pots.

The best time to begin planting trees and shrubs is six weeks before the first sign of hard frost. Roughly September through November ideally to allow the roots to become established before the ground freezes and winter sets in.

If the soil consistently measures 50° F or higher, it's safe to plant your deciduous tree or shrub. But, if the soil test proves the ground is too cold, plan to plant during the upcoming spring or fall seasons instead.

Fall is the Best Time to Plant

It's an ideal time for you, as all the hard gardening work of spring and the upkeep of summer will be winding down - plus it's the best time for the tree. The combination of warm soil and cool air stimulates root growth to help your tree or shrub get established before the ground freezes.

- Avoid planting evergreens in mid-late fall. Because they keep their foliage all winter, they are more susceptible to drying out when the soil is frozen and the winds are blowing. Having several months (rather than several weeks) to develop a sizeable root system better prepares them to face these challenges.

Oakleaf hydrangea: Hydrangea quercifolia

A deciduous shrub that is native to the Southeastern United States, the oakleaf hydrangea is one of the most easy-care, low maintenance shrubs available to gardeners. It has large, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers in early summer that eventually fade to pink.

What is the fastest growing shrub bush? ›

Ligustrum x ibolium. This deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub is America's fasting-growing hedge, growing up to 3′ per year. The shrub's dense, dark, glossy green foliage makes it an excellent choice for hedges and privacy screens.

Potentilla are likely the very easiest flowering shrub to grow, they literally thrive on neglect. Because they have been so widely planted they seem to be considered “too common”. There are many newer varieties available, but if you want the easiest to grow, stick with the highly reliable old fashioned originals.

Fall also is a great time to plant shrubs and trees because the cooler temperatures of autumn aren't as stressful on plants. When the soil is warm and the air temperature is cool, plants are encouraged to put out root growth for a healthy head start next spring.

Autumn is the best time of the year to plant shrubs. The soil is still warm and now that the heatwave has passed, it will be nice and moist too. This provides ideal growing conditions for new plants and trees to get their roots into the ground before the freezing temperatures come along.

Succulents and gravel are a low-maintenance match made in heaven. Cimino often incorporates succulents, which require significantly less maintenance compared to other plants, but still offer a vibrant pop of green. Succulents also give your landscaping a sculptural quality that you can't get with regular grass lawn.

Fast-Growing Fall Vegetable Crops

Some of the fastest growing veggies: leafy greens, bunching onions, turnips, baby carrots, and more!

Seeds of berrying trees and shrubs can still be sown - but be quick, as they need a period of frost to break their dormancy.

If you want to prune in fall, wait until trees drop their leaves and are dormant—usually October or November. After leaf drop, you can see the tree's structure and identify disease and insect problems more easily.

What shrubs flower in autumn and winter? ›

Hebe. These naturally compact, evergreen shrubs start flowering in autumn and winter and continue right through spring. Grow this one as a hedge or feature shrub. There are many named varieties of hebe, with small spires of blue, mauve, white or pink flowers.

Inorganic fertilizers provide immediate nutrients to plants and help them grow faster. Organic fertilizers take longer to release in the soil, but they create a healthier soil over time. If your goal is to take an existing plant and make it grow faster, then use inorganic fertilizer.

It's never too late to plant, or transplant, trees and shrubs unless the soil is frozen.

Prepare the site:

Rake away any leaf litter or existing mulch from the area you're going to be planting. 2. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the container. As you dig, pile the soil around the perimeter of the hole in at least two different areas.

Certain herbs don't mind the cold: Thyme, rosemary, parsley, chives, and cilantro actually prefer cool temperatures. Some herbs are perennial, so you'll plant once and enjoy for years. Plant transplants now so you'll have fresh herbs for all the upcoming holiday feasts.

No matter which fall gardening project you choose, be sure to make plant roots super-happy by using Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix (for containers) or Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs (for in-ground).

Here are just a few varieties that work especially well for the fall garden: Leafy greens including lettuce, kale, collards, arugula, spinach and Swiss chard. Other cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Root vegetables such as parsnips, beets, turnips and radishes.

You can transplant perennials anytime until the ground freezes in the fall, or wait to transplant them in the spring. Fall is an excellent time to transplant herbaceous perennials because your plants will then have three seasons to establish a good root system before hot summer weather sets in next year.

How do you pick a shrub for landscaping? ›

Butterfly bush have one of the longest bloom times of all garden plants: they seem to never be without flowers from early summer through autumn. This makes them perhaps better called “continuous bloomers” over rebloomers, since they don't really take a break like other plants on this list do.

Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus sinica)

Wintergreen boxwoods can be a great addition to your winter garden as they do not lose leaves in winters and can even survive under the snow blanket. You can grow these versatile broadleaf plants on hedges, patio, entryways, and garden borders that receive sufficient sunlight.

What is the most beautiful evergreen tree? Magnolia grandiflora is the most beautiful evergreen tree. Erupting in a profusion of blooms in the spring adding beauty and scent, these trees are at their best at the start of spring, heralding the warmer days ahead.

Some fast-growing indoor plants include Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, Lucky Bamboo, Jade Plant, Wandering Jew, Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Maidenhair Fern, Chinese Money Plant, Pothos, Velvet Plant, Dumb Cane, and English Ivy.

Fall is the Best Time to Plant

The combination of warm soil and cool air stimulates root growth to help your tree or shrub get established before the ground freezes.

Is it too late to plant shrubs in October? ›

There is a false perception in the gardening world that fall is the end of the growing season. In fact, it is quite the contrary. Fall is an ideal season for planting trees, shrubs and other assorted plants. The key is encouraging good root growth.

Insert the thermometer down into the soil for a few days in a row. If the soil consistently measures 50° F or higher, it's safe to plant your deciduous tree or shrub. But, if the soil test proves the ground is too cold, plan to plant during the upcoming spring or fall seasons instead.

In fact, fall is a great time for annuals, perennials and evergreen shrubs to shine. Some popular fall flowers include colorful mums, dahlias, purple pansies and yes, even bright yellow sunflowers!

It's never too late to plant, or transplant, trees and shrubs unless the soil is frozen.

November is also a great time to plant bare-root fruit trees, which are dormant when planted but then have the full season to grow as soon as temperatures increase in spring. Trees such as apple, pear, cherry and plum can be planted now, along with blackcurrant, raspberry and gooseberry.

Mountain laurel plants will thrive in zones 5 through 9, and mature to about 6 to 8′ high and wide when left unpruned. Mountain Laurel not only stays green the entire year, but is filled with beautiful blooms every spring.