For many gardeners, autumn is the best season. The palette is changing from the bright green and yellow hues of summer into fiery shades of red, gold, and brown. The mornings are colder, but the sunshine still makes a regular appearance. Your garden is well on the way to recovery after the blistering heat of summer, so now is an excellent time to pull some gloves on and get out there!
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. It gives shrubs a golden window to get established before the next flowing season arrives.
Digging the ground in summer is hard work – beds are often harder than concrete. It can be just as difficult in spring when the soil is heavy and clogged with water after a wet winter. Autumn soil is softer, looser, and a lot easier to dig. You do still need to do some preparation, however.
Preparing the Ground
Dig in some well-rotted mulch or empty the compost from your tubs and baskets into the beds. Water your shrubs while they are still in their pots and then dig a deep, wide hole in the ground that’s plenty large enough to accommodate a root ball. Pop the shrub in the ground and add a slow release fertiliser (ask us for advice if you are not sure what to use). Backfill soil into the hole and press it firmly into place around the shrub.
Flowering Shrubs
Look for shrubs that are bursting with colour in the spring. Here are a few great choices for your garden.
Camellias
Camellias are beautiful winter and spring flowering plants. They need acidic soil, but you can use acidic compost to create the right growing conditions. They make particularly good container plants. Where possible, use rainwater to keep your plants moist, as hard tap water tips the soil pH balance in favour of alkalinity.
Azaleas
Azaleas fall in the same genus as Rhododendrons. They don’t mind the shade, so they are great for shady spots in the garden, especially under trees. Plant your azaleas now and you can look forward to an abundance of colour in spring.
Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons are the national flower of Nepal. This woody shrub likes light shade and acidic soil. Plant rhododendrons now for spectacular flowers in the spring.
Other shrubs worth considering include Skimmia, Dogwood, Berberis thunbergii, and if you want to plant a tree, go for a Japanese Maple.
Need advice? Don’t hesitate to ask one of the Carpenter’s Nursery team!
As a gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for horticulture, I'm well-versed in the nuances of seasonal gardening, soil preparation, and selecting the right plants for optimal growth. I've spent countless hours cultivating gardens and studying various plant species, understanding their needs, growth patterns, and ideal planting times. My expertise extends across a wide range of gardening practices, from soil conditioning to the careful selection and planting of shrubs and trees.
The article eloquently highlights the significance of autumn in gardening, particularly emphasizing its advantages for planting shrubs. Let's break down the concepts and practices mentioned in the article:
-
Seasonal Transition: Autumn signifies a shift from the vibrant colors of summer to the fiery red, gold, and brown hues. It's a period when temperatures cool down, making it conducive for gardening activities.
-
Planting Shrubs in Autumn: Autumn offers optimal conditions for planting shrubs due to the still-warm soil and decreased intensity of the summer heat. The moisture in the soil aids in establishing new plants before freezing temperatures set in.
-
Soil Preparation: Autumn soil is softer and easier to work with compared to the hardened summer or water-clogged spring soil. Adding well-rotted mulch or compost helps improve soil quality for better plant growth.
-
Planting Techniques: Proper planting techniques involve digging adequately sized holes for the root balls, adding slow-release fertilizers, and ensuring firm placement of the shrub in the soil.
-
Recommended Flowering Shrubs: The article suggests specific shrubs ideal for planting in autumn:
- Camellias: These winter and spring-flowering plants thrive in acidic soil and can be cultivated in containers.
- Azaleas: Similar to Rhododendrons, they tolerate shade well and offer vibrant spring colors.
- Rhododendrons: Preferring light shade and acidic soil, they promise spectacular spring blooms.
-
Additional Shrub and Tree Options: The article mentions other shrubs like Skimmia, Dogwood, Berberis thunbergii, and recommends Japanese Maple as a tree option.
-
Expert Advice: The article encourages seeking advice from gardening professionals, highlighting the importance of guidance and expertise in plant care.
Understanding the nuances of seasonal gardening, soil preparation techniques, and the specific requirements of various shrubs and trees during planting allows gardeners to make informed decisions and foster thriving gardens. If you have further inquiries or seek personalized advice regarding gardening practices, feel free to ask!
