Fall Is for Planting: What to Plant in the Fall

Fall isn’t just a good time to sow grass seed; it’s also an optimum time to plant fall garden plants like trees and shrubs. Air temperatures are dropping, but the soil is still quite warm and perfect for root development.

Cooler weather means plants are less stressed by heat. Plus more plentiful rainfall can help roots as they continue to grow and store up energy reserves for the next growing season. Fall temperatures are also more pleasant for the gardener, so grab your favorite spade or trowel and get ready to dig.
 

Late summer and early fall are the best times to plant seeds for a beautiful spring garden. Some of the beautiful plants and flowers that thrive under the warm rays of the sun include lilies, hostas, peonies, irises, ferns and ornamental grasses. If you dream of having a colorful yard in the spring, fall is the time to get started.

• August through September is the time to begin shopping and planning for your spring garden.
• Late September through early November is planting time.
• In the spring, you can watch your garden’s amazing colors bloom from the ground.

These well-loved plants will make a great addition to your spring garden.

Lilies

Imagine how wonderful lilies will look once the chill of winter leaves and the refreshing breeze of spring rolls in. If you love lilies, the best time to plant perennial lily bulbs is usually from mid-September through mid-October. They're low maintenance and can grow into large, eye-catching bushes filled with white, red and even multicolored flowers.

Hostas (or Plantain Lily)

August is a great time to plant hostas. Once they peek through the ground to greet you in the spring, you may notice that some are funnel shaped, some are bell shaped and some offer a fragrance while others don't. You can expect to see hosta flowers in purple, blue, green, yellow, white and white with lavender stripes. They can bloom anytime from June to October. 

Peonies

The best time to plant peonies is in early fall, as this allows feeder roots several weeks of growing time before the ground freezes. Peonies are unique fall plants in that they can be grown in a variety of conditions. Once they're planted, they only need partial to full sun.

Irises

When it comes to fall garden plants often sold as bulbs, irises are a fantastic choice. They grow in a range of climates and bloom in a variety of colors, including blue and purple, white and yellow, pink and orange, brown and red, and even black. It's not surprising that the name iris means rainbow. Make sure your irises receive enough light.

Ferns

Ferns are also gorgeous in the spring. When it comes to planting them, keep in mind that it's important to keep them away from direct sunlight. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches, and amend the soil with organic material such as leaf mold. As you plant the ferns, make sure the roots are covered with about 2 inches of soil. There should be at least 15 inches of space between each fern (24 inches for larger varieties). Cover your ferns with leaves or evergreen boughs to protect them from snow and ice. Leave them covered until the threat of frost has ended.

Ornamental Grasses

Many gardeners consider ornamental grasses a favorite. That could be because they come in all colors and sizes, and don't require much work. Another great thing about ornamental grasses is that they attract birds, which can add an accent to any garden.

Bulbs

Blooming bulbs are a symbol of spring, but fall is the time to plant them. Hardy bulbs, such as tulip, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, anemone and iris, are cold tolerant and can easily spend the winter underground. For a great spring-blooming bulb garden, plant several varieties with different bloom times. You'll enjoy bulbs all throughout the spring season.

To learn more about planting bulbs, check out How to Plant Bulbs.

Follow these guidelines to create a tapestry of seasonal color and texture.

• Work in Layers: Home landscapes have a close vantage point. That means you’ll want more than just tall trees. Notice how the variegated dogwood, fountain grass, Japanese cedar and barberry complement the katsura trees and add to the tapestry effect.
• Think Multiseason: Many trees and shrubs shine in more than one season. Viburnum offers flowers in late spring and early summer followed by bird-attracting fruit. Other multiseason candidates: oakleaf hydrangea, serviceberry, fothergilla, ninebark and dogwood.
• Mix It Up: Like maples in fall? Extend their grand exit by including sugar maple, which peaks several weeks before Japanese maple. You can also add lasting interest by interspersing bulbs, ground covers, flowers, grasses and ferns. Consult plant tags to see which plants want sun and which ones will take more shade.

What to Plant in the Fall

Add these stars of autumn to your yard for an array of hues sure to delight the eye:

• Trim and water shrubs and trees. Use hedge clippers to scale back shrubs and trees, and then deep-water them using a soaker hose or deep-root feeder. Deep watering gets shrubs and trees hydrated for the winter ahead.
• Trim back perennials, removing dead leaves and tops, as well as damaged stalks. Most flowering perennials will die back to the ground in the fall, leaving nothing but their dead tops. To coax the best performance out of these flowers during the blooming season, cut them back before winter arrives. Top-trimming or deadheading the plants will encourage them to focus energy on producing buds and flowers, rather than forming seeds.
• Develop a labeling system for trimmed perennials. Use labeled tags, take a photo that you can mark up or draw a diagram so you can easily identify each plant in its dormant state.
• Remove dead plants and weeds from all flower, herb and vegetable gardens. Toss all plant refuse into a compost bin, unless it’s diseased, in which case you’ll want to bag it and remove it from your property.
• Rake away fallen leaves, grass clippings and other loose lawn vegetation. Old plant debris can harbor pests and diseases over the winter, so it’s important to get it off the ground. Compost dead leaves or, if you want to spread them in your beds, mulch them first.
• Divide or relocate any perennials or shrubs. Give perennials ample water after you move them. When relocating shrubs, pull up as much of the root ball as possible, and then replant it in a hole 3 times its size. Water copiously to remove air pockets around the roots.
• Keep compost alive throughout the winter. Turn your compost once a week to render nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden in the spring.

Discover how you can make your own compost by reading Make Your Own Compost.

Autumn marks the time for planting perennials that bloom every year, along with a variety of annuals and bulbs, such as cabbage and chrysanthemums. These plants pair well with flowering perennials, perennials for shade and perennials for sun.

Put on a late-summer show. Marigolds, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, moonbeams, echinacea, dusty miller and dahlias are perfect for late-summer planting. Nothing says fall like colorful and robust perennial favorites. If you live in a colder climate, plant your fall perennials in pots that you can easily move indoors.

Plant mums. Chrysanthemums are especially favorable for fall planting because they can weather cold temperatures, and they’ll come back the following year. Mums are available in a multitude of shapes and colors: yellow, orange, maroon, rust, red and more. Mums are great for borders, mass plantings or containers — anywhere you want vibrant colors.

Try ornamental kale or cabbage to add texture. Ornamental kale and cabbage have ruffled, multicolor leaves that tolerate cold weather quite well. Plant these fall bloomers between August and early September so they’ll be established before the temperature begins to cool. A few frosts can even enhance their colorful pigmentation. This makes them great additions to outdoor flower beds and pots. Ornamental kale prefers moderately moist, rich soil in a sunny spot.

Add sage and asters. Autumn sage is a great perennial choice for warmer climate zones because it blooms through summer and fall. The vibrant red, pink and white flowers attract hummingbirds, and they stand out well against a backdrop of dark green leaves. Harsh winters will freeze the plant, but with proper care, autumn sage will grow back in the spring. Asters, with their pink, white, blue and purple flowers, offer a cool contrast to the warm autumn colors of mums. They do best in moist, well-drained soil and in full sun to light shade. When planting asters, keep in mind they form bushy clumps and should be spaced at least 18 inches apart. They also tolerate almost every climate.

Plant pansies and verbena. These are perfect annuals for plant beds, borders, containers and large groupings. Pansies come in an array of colors, including yellow, purple, blue and orange. Grow pansies in full sun to partial shade and plant them in rich, moist soil. Pansies last from early autumn all the way through early spring. Moss verbena, with its citrusy scent, hails the coming of fall, and its blossoms last from spring to winter’s first frost. It comes in a wide range of colors that attract butterflies. Moss verbena is also a great container plant, as it tolerates a variety of soils and is drought-resistant.

Make use of ornamental grasses. With a color spectrum including different shades of orange, red and gold, ornamental grasses are becoming increasingly popular for fall planting and displaying in decorative autumn arrangements.

Let autumn’s bounty inspire you. Pumpkins, squash and other members of the gourd family make whimsical fall garden plants on porches and entryways. You can also arrange straw bales, corn stalks, cattails and dried flowers in a decorative fashion.

Fall planting and planning for spring can yield great results for the future seasons. All it takes is a little planning, knowing what plants to set out, and how to care for them to ensure healthy growth. See the information below for successful fall planting.