While you might think of fall as a time for harvesting and preparing your garden for the winter, there is still some planting to be done before the first frost sets in. Choosing plants for next year isn’t just about looking through seed catalogs and dreaming of spring.
You can plant shrubs that will fare better if planted in the autumn, so they will be thriving by the time their flowers start to bloom come next April. Here are seven varieties to consider.
Hydrangeas
Endless summer hydrangeas are a flowering shrub that can be a real centerpiece in your garden. Because their flowers will bloom from the spring right on through to fall, they are perfect for autumn planting (or you can wait till early spring). Hydrangeas need lots of drainage, and this particular variety also likes some shade. Make sure you have the right spot (and soil type) to keep them happy.
Azaleas
Mandarin lights hardy azaleas are a good choice for fall planting, and will brighten up any partially shaded area with their vivid flowers. These plants are relatively low maintenance, but they do need lots of water. While they are establishing themselves, pay special attention to giving them plenty of hydration in order to ensure they will be blooming by springtime. (This particular azalea variety is cold-hardy and will do well if things get a bit chillier in your area.)
Gardenias
The frost-proof gardenia can be planted in autumn for white flowers in the spring. Gardenias generally need some shade, although the frost-proof variety can tolerate more sunlight than some other types of gardenias. This shrub will grow vertically faster than it will grow out and it keeps its leaves year round, so it’s a good choice for a hedgerow in a partially shaded area.
Butterfly Bush
A three-in-one butterfly bush is a good way to add lots of color with just one plant. This breed blooms in three colors at the same time, so it will definitely add interest to your garden. The pollinator-friendly shrub needs to be cut back in early spring in cooler climates, and just trimmed to taste in warmer areas. Butterfly bushes thrive in well-drained, pumice-rich soil, and are slightly drought tolerant once they’ve been in the ground a few seasons.
Barberry
The Concorde barberry shrub will add some maroon foliage to your garden, and is a good choice if you’re looking for something small—it usually only grows to about three feet, and will do well in neutral pH soil. It can be planted in sun or partial shade, and will need to be watered only in dry conditions. This one can be planted year round, so if you miss autumn planting, you can still put one in the ground come spring.
Holly
A holly needlepoint bush will produce festive red berries in autumn and white flowers in early spring. This bush grows well as a hedge, and can be planted in full sun to partial shade. Holly needlepoint is drought-resistant, can be pruned to shape, and will do well in warmer climates, though it can be planted in cooler climates if properly protected in winter with a healthy layer of mulch on top of its soil.
Mahonia
Soft caress mahonia will flower yellow in early winter and are hardy to zones 7 through 9. They generally get to be about three feet tall and three feet wide, with tall spires of flowers and evergreen leaves. These shrubs are as showy as other mahonia varieties, without the thorns. They can be planted in sunny or partially shady spots, and will do well in any type of soil, provided good drainage.