Fall is the Best Season for Planting Shrubs and Trees
Fall back into planting shrubs and trees with the Southern Living Plant Collection. Planting in the fall offers several benefits for you and your new shrubs and trees. Though spring is also a recommended planting season, both you and your plants have to work a lot harder to establish a healthy root system for the upcoming summer. Plants have a difficult time thriving in the summer heat and drought and require more attention than usual even when they are one of the Southern Living Plant Collection’s hardy varieties. Fall is perfect since the weather is cooler, the sun is lower, and the days are shorter. Plus, planting in fall gives shrubs and trees some time to develop before entering winter dormancy.
Plant new installations (or move existing ones) approximately 4 weeks before first frost. This gives plants and their roots sufficient time to settle into their new location before freezing weather strikes and hibernation takes over. As with any newly planted shrub or tree, it’s important to frequently check soil moisture and water accordingly. Since winter is right around the corner, apply several layers of mulch to protect the roots and when necessary, you may want to cover the plant with clear plastic or a trash bag. Covering a plant is typically a good idea when there is snow or you’re growing a plant in the lower region of its recommended hardiness zone.
When planting shrubs and trees, the hole needs to be one and a half times deeper than the root ball and twice as wide. For colder climates, it’s a good idea to dig the hole slightly deeper to provide additional protection for the roots. Mixing peat moss in with the soil helps the plant retain moisture and provide some wiggle room for the roots. If you choose to use peat moss, mix one part peat moss to every two parts soil and fill the hole until reaching the point at which you need to add the shrub or tree (the soil line should just cover the root ball). After placing the plant in the hole, soak the area to ensure water reaches every root and then finish adding the soil mixture. Apply mulch for additional moisture and protection from pending frost.
Since every landscape is different and the Southern Living Plant Collection offers several varieties, here are some recommendations based on specific plant characteristics. All the Collection’s shrubs are evergreen.
Flowers and Scents: Jubilation Gardenia, Emerald Snow Loropetalum, Mountain Snow Pieris
Winter Berries: Oakland Holly, Robin Holly
Color Changing Foliage: Bronze Beauty Cleyera, LeAnn Cleyera, Obsession Nandina, Flirt Nandina, Blush Pink Nandina, Robin Holly
Big and Bold: Bigfoot Cleyera, Bronze Beauty Cleyera, LeAnn Cleyera, Oakland Holly, Robin Holly
Compact Impact: Purple Diamond Loropetalum, Purple Pixie Weeping Loropetalum, Yewtopia Plum Yew, Obsession Nandina, Flirt Nandina, Blush Pink Nandina
View the entire Southern Living Plant Collection at southernlivingplants.com and find a retailer near you by clicking on “Where To Buy.”
