This time of year we are often asked if it is too late to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and our emphatic reply is “absolutely not”! Fall is actually the ideal time for planting.  When plants are put in the ground early in the season they are often faced with brutal sun and drought (such as is the case this year).  Those conditions can make it extra hard on plants to get established and thrive. In the fall, plants have less struggles to deal with as they take root.  Gardeners who choose fall for planting love that they work up less of a sweat and are rewarded with established plants in spring.

What to plant

There really is no limit to what you can plant in the fall, as long as it has time to get established before frost.  Below are some common recommendations that have success year after year.

Recommendations: 

Trees: crabapple, dogwood, eastern redbud, or ginkgo.

Shrubs: arborvitae, rhododendron, viburnum, hydrangeas

Perennials: Asters, Montauk Daisy, Sedums, Grasses, Clematis, Rudbeckia, Heuchera, Hosta, Anemones

When to plant

The general rule of thumb for planting in the fall is to plant around six weeks before the first frost. For us, that is around mid-October, so start planning now. The cool fall temperatures and ample showers allow for the roots to establish just in time before the cold winter hits, and the roots will continue growing once spring comes around. 

Care 

Proper planting and care is crucial to the overall success of your plant! Burnett’s offers a Success Kit for planting that includes BioTone and a blended compost mix to add to your preexisting soil. Once it has been planted make sure to consistently water it. 

If you have any questions regarding your fall planting needs or would like some guidance for selecting your plants come visit us Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday 9 am – 4 pm.