Spring is the time when our minds turn to planting but fall is the perfect time to plant new shrubs. Shrubs that are planted at least a few weeks before the first frost have time to get their roots established before winter dormancy. They provide welcome color throughout the fall and winter. As winter fades and spring arrives, they will be ready to reward us with bursts of blooms and foliage.
Here are 8 fast-growing shrubs you should consider planting this fall.
- Knock Out Roses
If the thought of maintaining rose bushes seems intimidating, then you should try Knock Out Roses. They are easy to grow and do not require special care. You can plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds and borders. If you plant them in large groups you can create a colorful hedge or use them to provide a bright border along a foundation. They bloom profusely all season, and you can prune them at will, or skip pruning, without damaging the plant.
- Laurel
There are many varieties of laurel to choose from, and they are all landscaping work horses. This hardy, evergreen shrub can be grown as a single landscaping accent, or in a group to form a hedge, providing privacy. Skip laurel bushes have dense foliage which is glossy green year-round, and fragrant white blossoms bloom in spring. In fall and winter, Skip laurel trees produce red berries that attract songbirds. They are particularly fast-growing.
- Burning Bush
Burning bush is best known for its ultra-showy fall foliage, which turns from green to fiery red. It grows quickly, and is low maintenance, which is what puts it on the short list of landscaping must-haves for many gardeners. Thisoldhouse.com has Everything You Need to Know About Burning Bush.
- Firethorn
Firethorn is an easy-to-grow evergreen that puts on a show with its bright orange-red berries in fall. It is well suited for a hedge and will attract birds and other wildlife to your property. These shrubs will fill out quickly and can grow up to two feet per year.
- Red Twig Dogwood
Red twig dogwood produces showy white flowers in summer, but its real star power comes out in autumn and winter when the leaves drop, and bright red branches bring color to the chilly landscape. This hardy, drought-tolerant shrub is one you will not be sorry you planted.
Bobvilla.com offers 10 Colorful Shrubs for a Standout Winter Garden.
- Viburnums
Viburnums are an incredibly versatile group of shrubs. Thespruce.com has 12 Species of Viburnum Shrubs that make a lovely landscape addition. They have appealing foliage, and pretty flowers. Some of the flowers have the added bonus of smelling great. Many species produce berries that attract birds and other wildlife.
- Spirea
Spirea shrubs are hardy, quick-growing, and require little care. Cascading with flowers in late spring or summer, they come in a range of whites, yellows, pinks, and reds. Many varieties also have colorful fall foliage. Native to North America, spirea has been used by gardeners for hundreds of years.
- Lilacs
Lilacs do best when they are planted in the fall. The common lilac is known and love for its toughness, reliability, and fragrance. Lilacs are so tough that they can grow for 100+ years, often outliving the homes they were planted around. This deciduous multi-stemmed shrub has about ten canes and produces flowers at eye-level. The fragrant flowers are good for cutting and attractive to butterflies.
The landscaping experts at Patera Landscaping can help you decide which fall shrubs you want to plant this fall. Contact us today!