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10
Reasons to Plant
Perennials in the Fall
 Spring
is traditionally the time for planting -- vegetables, flowers, shrubs
and trees. After a long, cold winter, we love to be outdoors, improving
our gardens and sprucing up the landscape. But spring is not the
best time to plant perennials. Autumn is. Here's why:
- Perennials
planted in the fall have a jump-start on those planted next spring.
The plant's root system will have several months to get established
before winter hits, and several more months in the early spring,
resulting in a larger and showier plant next summer.
- Perennials,
shrubs and trees planted in the fall are less stressed by temperature
changes. Autumn temperatures fluctuate less. Cooler temperatures
reduce wilt and transplant shock.
- Rainfall
is usually adequate in the fall and winter months, so newly planted
specimens don't have to contend with summer drought.
- Fall planting
can reduce a gardener's heavy load of springtime chores. You have
more time to plant in September than in May.
- The soil
in the autumn is warm, unlike spring, and is usually soft and
workable, which promotes healthy root growth.
- Many insects
are going dormant in the fall, so plants won't suffer from insect
attack.
- Your garden
needs are fresh in your mind now. So now's the time to fill that
bare spot or replace an ailing shrub. And the cooler temperatures
of autumn are easier on the gardener.
- Note the
spots in your perennial borders that lack fall color and buy plants
for those spots. They're in bloom now so you can pick the perfect
plants.
- Early blooming
varieties planted in the fall will produce lots of blooms next
spring. If you wait until spring to
 plant
these, their blooming time may be over by the time you can get
them into the ground.
- Nurseries
often put perennials on sale late in the season, so you can get
great bargains.
So now that
you're convinced to plant in the fall, what should
you plant? Well, the answer is simple -- just about any ornamental
perennial, shrub or tree benefits from fall planting. Whether it's
a crepe myrtle like the beautiful one on the cover or a new dogwood
or a swath of coryopsis, you'll reap the rewards next summer.
Want to know
more about fall planting? Click
here for a related story from our archives!
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