Plant Perennials, Trees, Bulbs in the Fall

Over the winter avid gardeners study catalogs, dreaming of spring plantings. Indeed, many plants, especially decorative annuals and produce, are appropriate spring projects. Other plantings, though, are better done in the fall. These will reward their gardeners with early spring color to banish winter doldrums.

Flowering Bulbs Should be Planted in Fall

Among the early harbingers of spring are flowering bulbs, their early masses of color boldly contrasting with the black and white and gray of winter. They are amenable to many locations: beddings, tree lawns, garden edgings, woodland accents. The following bulbs are recommended for fall planting.

• Hyacinths: Available in single, double, and multiflora varieties in a variety of beautiful colors, the larger bulbs will produce the best flowers; noted for their fragrance, hyacinths are best planted in groupings rather than singly or rows; plant at depth of 5 to 6 inches and fertilize well.
• Tulips: Available in an enormous number of colors and varieties, the key is selecting those that will do well in the natural habitat; seek out those tulips that are known to be hardy and perennialize well, such as Darwin; plant 8 inches deep in dry sandy soil;
• Daffodils: Also known as Narcissus, daffodils work well almost anywhere, but the colder the winter, the hardier the daffodil needs to be.
• Paperwhites: These look delicate, but are among the hardiest and easiest to grow; plant the bulb’s pointed top 3 to 4 inches below ground surface; water well after planting but ensure that soil is well drained and does not retain standing water; use water soluble fertilizer.
• Crocuses: Among the earliest spring bloomers, they will need pre-planting refrigeration in the warmer zones.
• Stargazer Oriental Lily: One of the most popular, and most fragrant of the lilies, this one is hardy in most soil types; plant well drained.

Most bulbs come with instructions for planting for their particular depth and distance between plantings. Avoid bulbs that have soft spots or appear to be bruised or lacking in substance. Larger bulbs generally produce healthier, larger blooms the first year.

Bulbs typically do best in sandy soil. If the soil is heavy clay, break it up and loosen it and cut it by adding sandy topsoil mix to the bedding, four to six inches in depth below the seating level for the bulb. Also add bulb fertilizer two or three inches below the the bulb. In zones 6 through 8 bulbs may do better to be refrigerated for a few weeks before planting.

Wildflowers Can be Planted in the Fall

Contrary to popular belief, scattering wildflower seeds upon the wind is not the best way to plant them. Prepare the ground and plant them in the fall for a better start and earlier blooms the following year.

It is also recommended that wildflowers be selected according to the locale where they are most likely to succeed. For example, desert wildflowers suitable for southern Arizona should not be planted in northern Ohio, where Queen Anne’s lace and wild daisies will flourish. Similarly California poppies are not the wildflower of choice in Maine or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Wildflowers are hardy only for those areas where the climate and soil are natural for them. Choose a wildflower or wildflower mix that is suitable for the climatic zone and soil quality and prepare the soil to receive the seeds like any other plantings.

Trees and Shrubs to Plant in the Fall

Many trees and shrubs do better when planted in the the fall. They get a good start in the warm soil without the burning, drying summer sun taxing their systems. The following do particularly well planted in the fall.

• Maple
• Buckeye
• Pine (early fall)
• Spruce (early fall)
• Hawthorne
• Ash
• Deciduous shrubs (e.g., Butterfly Bush, Hydrangea)
• Balled root (burlap wrapped) deciduous trees

When planting these, provide good drainage and water well. Make sure that earth is well packed around the roots. Spaces will invite water to fill in and freeze over the winter, destroying roots. Add mulch to the topside of the planting.

Perennials to Plant in the Fall

Many perennials do well planted in the fall and will winter over to come on strong the following spring. They thrive on the fall season’s still-warm days and soil. Some perennials include:

• Miscanthus sinensis Strictus
• Dianthus gratianopolitanus Firewitch
• Aquilegia
• Chrysanthemum
• Cortaderia selloanna Rosea
• Peonies
• Astilbe
• Dicentra spectabilis
• Shasta Daisy
• Phlox Blue Paradise
• Lavender
• Rudbeckia Goldsturm
• Echinacea Pink Double Delight

So, nursery catalogs are not just for winter dreaming. Many providers ship perennials, shrubs and trees for fall plantings.

Also, fall can be a time for great bargains at local garden centers who are eager to close out the remnants of their season’s inventory.

Sources and information:

Fall Ideal For Planting Trees and Shrubs by Dr. Douglas F. Welsh, Texas A&M (2001)

Best Times to Plant Trees, Shrubs – Nebraska Extension