Can You Plant Shrubs in the Fall? Tips for Success

Many think of fall as being too late to start planting. The truth is, though, that many plants thrive in cool weather. In fact, for many plants, including shrubs, the early fall season is actually the ideal time to get started planting.

Why Autumn is Ideal for Shrubs

Fall is a great time to plant not just perennials, but also shrubs and trees. Planting trees and shrubs in the fall allows for proper root system development before first frost. In other words, this timing helps reduce shock and promotes healthy root growth, allowing plants to survive harsher, colder weather and still bloom on time in early spring.

Shrubs & Plants that Thrive in St. Louis Fall Weather

Shrubs and trees that benefit from being planted in the early spring or fall season in St. Louis include hydrangea, rhododendron, magnolia, sycamore, crabapple, dogwood, and azalea.

Essential Preparation for Successful Fall Planting

Ways to help prep your yard for fall gardening include:

1. Cleanup: Remove debris, fallen leaves, and old mulch from garden beds to prevent root rot and reduce pests during winter dormancy.
2. Prune: Trim shrubs and trees to remove dead branches and prepare them for dormancy as air and soil temperatures drop.
3. Soil Health Check: Plants need the right soil conditions to thrive. Conduct a soil test to ensure adequate phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium levels.
4. Aeration and Amending: Loosen and aerate compacted soil. In St. Louis, especially, this step is necessary for healthy root spread.
5. Compost: Add compost or organic matter to the soil. New garden beds generally need 3 to 4 inches of compost.
6. Mulch: Add a layer of mulch to the top of your garden bed or a new tree or shrub.

Post-Planting Care and Winter Protection

Once planting is complete, the following steps can help protect your plants as soil and air temperatures drop:

1. Watering: Use deep, infrequent watering patterns to encourage strong root growth.
2. Mulching: Apply a fresh layer of mulch to insulate plant roots and retain soil moisture during winter. Mulch layers should be three to four inches thick for plant protection.
3. Weed Control: Apply a layer of mulch to suppress weeds or use pre-emergent herbicides in the fall to prevent weeds like chickweed.
4. Protecting Delicate Shrubs: Cover delicate shrubs with burlap or frost blankets to shield them from freezing temperatures and wind.
5. Drainage Check: Ensure all drainage systems and surface drains are free of blockages before winter to prevent ice buildup and flooding.

Professional Assistance and Long-Term Landscape Integration

Gardening is incredibly rewarding, but every master gardener will tell you that it's not easy. When you lack the time or know-how to plant bushes, trees, or other plants in your yard, hiring professionals can help.

Poynter Landscape Architecture & Construction is full of landscape designers, hardscape experts, master carpenters, and hardworking landscaping contractors. We know the ins and outs of prepping, planting, and winter-proofing yards and gardens and how to incorporate new plant life into existing landscape and hardscape features.

We're ready to put that expertise to work on your St. Louis-area property.

FAQs

What are USDA Hardiness Zones?

USDA Hardiness Zones are geographic regions that the USDA defines to help growers best identify which plants will thrive in their area as well as when to start planting certain species.

St. Louis City and St. Louis County are in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a and 6b, meaning the average extreme minimum temperatures in the winter season range from -5°F to 5°F.

When is the best time to transplant perennials in Zone 7a?

Early spring (March to April) and early fall (September to October) are generally good times to transplant perennials in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. This timing allows plant roots to establish themselves.

How late in the fall can you plant bushes?

Late October and early November are generally the latest times people can plant or transplant woody plants in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and 7.

What are the best shrubs to plant in the fall?

Dogwood and boxwood can both thrive when planted in the fall in Midwest climates.

What should you not plant in the fall?

Plants that don't do well during fall planting seasons include eggplant, cucumber, and hibiscus.

What is the best month to plant shrubs?

When planting shrubs in the fall, it's best to do so at least six weeks before the first frost. This timing lets roots establish themselves, setting them up for future success. In the St. Louis area, that typically means September or October are the best times of year to establish new shrubs.

Should I fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs?

No. Newly planted trees and shrubs benefit less from fertilization and more from proper watering and mulching.

Can you plant bushes in the fall?

Fall is a prime time for planting shrubs, as it allows them to establish strong roots during the cool season. Success hinges on careful preparation and proper post-planting aftercare.