Fall planting is better for shrubs (and other plants)!

Photo: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus). Short, compact, showy flower. Host for Summer Azure butterfly. (Plant Nova Natives)

Article adapted from Plant Nova Natives, Eileen Ellsworth

Fall is the perfect time of year to add new plants, including shrubs, to your landscape and garden. Shrubs can add texture and color to your yard. And many provide winter food for birds, host specialized caterpillars, and provide shelter for wildlife. There are so many to choose from: Winterberry, Red Chokeberry, Highbush Blueberry, Spicebush, Buttonbush, Arrow-wood Viburnum, Virginia Sweetspire, Wild Hydrangea! These, and many other shrubs, are showcased on the Plant NOVA Natives “Native Shrubs” webpage.

While it may seem counterintuitive to invest in plants with cooler weather on the way, fall is a better time to plant than spring. A new plant's roots will continue to grow well into December, allowing the plant to get established before next summer’s heat. Properly installed plants will grow and thrive for years to come with a little TLC.

Purchasing native plants, shrubs, and trees has never been easier. Several local nurseries specialize in offering native plants. Traditional sellers and garden centers also have a far wider array of native plants than ever before. There is an increased demand for natives due to awareness of the damage from invasive plants and the stress native fauna are under. Click here for a list of upcoming native plant sales.

Native plants have been in Northern Virginia for approximately 100 million years longer than humans have been alive on the planet. They evolved here in local soil under local climate conditions. So long as light and water requirements are sufficient, native plants will grow and thrive. Water them a bit more during very hot or dry spells, and all will be well.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin): Early yellow flowers make a substitute for forsythia. At least one male is needed for the females to produce the berries, which are a favorite food source for 17 species of migrating birds. 

Host plant for the Spicebush Butterfly and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

When you plant this fall, you will need first to decide where the new shrub is going. Is there an empty spot in your yard or one that currently contains a non-native species you’ve been meaning to remove? You’ll need to consider approximately how many hours of direct sun the area gets. Then consider whether it collects water or if it drains well. Lastly, is there room for growth? Native shrubs can grow with considerable vigor.

To decide which shrub you want, use resources such as the Plant Nova Natives plant finder (linked above). Another good resource is the guidebook, Native Plants for Northern Virginia. Look through these resources to fit your tastes with the light and water conditions of the spot you chose. Most plants have variable requirements, so you don’t have to fret too much about location. Just follow the general advice.

The important thing is to just make a choice! Any new native shrub will contribute to biodiversity, strengthen the food web, act as a host for some native insect species, and stabilize the soil. They are all wildlife powerhouses, so plant away!