Fall Planting: A Cool Idea

Reasons why planting most flowers, shrubs, and trees is best in the fall and a core group of plants that take well to fall planting.

Perovskia atriplicifolia
Item # 76613 		Perovskia atriplicifolia
Blue Spires Russian Sage

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Salvia nemerosa 'May Night'
Item # 84780 		Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
May Night Meadow Sage

each $5.49
3 or more $5.29
Achillea x 'Moonshine'
Item # 10045 		Achillea 'Moonshine'
Moonshine Yarrow

each $5.49
3 to 6 plants $5.29
7 or more $4.99
Penstemon cardinalis
Item # 75725 		Penstemon cardinalis
Cardinal Penstemon

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
  • Topic: Fall Gardening
  • Author: By Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: fall planting, autumn, planting in the fall, fall gardening
  • Date: September 2007

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Even though fall is officially a few weeks away, autumn is definitely here. It’s in the air. And that’s why planting most flowers, shrubs and trees in the fall is such a good idea. The air is cooler, which lessens transplant shock.

There are other reasons for planting this time of year, too.

Root Growth
After the tops of plants have stopped active growth, all the energy of a plant returns to the roots. 80% of root growth occurs during late summer, and continues slowly through late fall. As long as the soil isn’t frozen, roots will continue growing into winter. Root growth increases the store of nutrients a plant needs to overwinter.

Cool Soil
As night time temperatures dip to the lower 50s and high 40s, the soil begins cooling down. This makes for a more inviting place for roots.

Fall planting can continue through mid-October, which gives roots another two months to gather nutrients. If established during the fall, plants have a better chance of making it through heat spells the following summer. Their root systems are firmly in place.

Following is a good core group of plants that take well to fall planting. Next year they’ll color your garden from late spring through late summer.

Caution
Not all plants do well planted in the fall—ones that are borderline in hardiness. The following should not be planted in the fall.

  • Trees and shrubs include: Rose of Sharon, Crape Myrtle, Photinia, Nandina, Mahonia, hybrid roses, Mimosa, Japanese Pagoda, Ginko biloba and birches