Shrubs are a beautiful addition to your home landscape, but they need special care during the fall months. To keep your shrubbery healthy and thriving, you should know what type of shrubbery to plant and how to care for it throughout the seasons. The following tips can help ensure that your shrubbery stays healthy and beautiful before winter arrives.
Planting Shrubs In the Fall
Fall is the perfect time to plant shrubs in Fort Worth,Texas. Most plants need to be planted in the spring or fall, and some can even be planted in the winter season. The months of September to December are the perfect time. The soil will be warmer and more workable when it’s not frozen, which can make digging easier than during cold weather months.
Planting shrubs in the fall means that they will have a better chance of surviving through the cold winter. There are several benefits to planting shrubs in the fall:
- Shrubs are less likely to be damaged by freezing temperatures if planted during their dormant season. This is especially important for newly planted shrubs or ones that have been moved from one location to another.
- Shrubs planted during their dormant season should have time to establish themselves before spring arrives again. This means that they will be better prepared for summer heat and other environmental factors when it’s time for them to bloom or grow leaves again.
Types of Shrubbery and Trees That Thrive During the Fall Months
Azaleas
These shrubs come in many different colors ranging from white to pink and red with yellow centers. They are often grown in rock gardens or as hedges along walkways or driveways because they do not require much maintenance once established. Azalea bushes should be planted about 3 feet apart so they have room to grow without overcrowding each other.
Evergreen Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs will retain their foliage during the colder months of fall, winter, and spring. These include boxwood (Buxus), holly (Ilex), and yew (Taxus). Boxwoods have small leaves that grow close together on dense foliage. Hollies come in many varieties including cultivars with large berries that attract birds as well as other wildlife to your yard. Yews have narrow branches that give them a more formal appearance than other evergreens.
Evergreen Trees
Evergreen trees like pine, cedar, and juniper can survive cold weather without shedding their leaves or being damaged by snowfall. They can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit without being damaged. In fact, evergreens grow new leaves each year instead of losing them like deciduous plants do during the winter months!
Berberis shrubs
These shrubs provide a beautiful display of color during the autumn months. Berberis has thick foliage that turns shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. This plant grows well in full sunlight as well as partial shade. Berberis shrubs are also known as Oregon grapes because they have grapes that produce edible fruit that can be used in jams and jellies.
Fall Planting Tips for Success
Choose plants that do well in your area. If you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures during the winter, you’ll want to choose evergreen plants — ones that will stay green all year long. If you live in an area where temperatures don’t drop below freezing during the winter, deciduous plants will grow well for you. Leaves of deciduous plants fall off each fall and grow back in the spring; evergreen leaves don’t fall off, but look dead because they still have needles.
Plant at least one variety of each plant type: This way if one plant dies or doesn’t perform as expected, there will be another variety available to replace it without having to order additional plants from a nursery or garden center. It also gives you more choices when selecting locations.
Here are some more tips for planting:
- Ensure that the root system has at least six inches of clearance on all sides by digging a hole large enough in diameter.
- Plant the tree or shrub slightly higher than the surrounding soil.
- Place the tree or shrub carefully in the hole.
- Only native soil should be used to backfill the hole.
- To increase the success rate, water the shrubs every 7-10 days after planting.
Water Tips for Texas Shrubs
Water deeply and infrequently—deeply enough to encourage root growth, but infrequently enough to prevent water loss through evaporation. The best time of day to water is in the early morning or evening when the sun is less intense and less water will evaporate from the soil surface. Avoid watering in the heat of the day, as this increases stress on plants and encourages disease problems.
The drip line is located directly below the reaches of the outermost branches. Be sure to use a slow-running hose or a soaker hose to saturate the soil within this area to a depth of 10 inches. This will help ensure even distribution of water throughout your shrubbery planting, preventing any root damage from overwatering.
Contrary to popular beliefs, shrubs do need water in the winter. They need less water at this time, but if you add a layer of mulch around the base of your shrubs and water only when the temperatures are above 45 degrees F you’ll be good. Watering when the ground warms up and the addition of the mulch, helps the roots retain enough moisture so they don’t dry out.
Caring For Your Shrubs in Fort Worth
Remove Weeds: Weeds can compete with your shrubs for nutrients and sunlight. To keep weeds from taking over your landscape beds, remove any unwanted plants regularly (we recommend monthly). If you have an issue with crabgrass or other annual weeds in your lawns, you’ll need a good herbicide especially made for resistant weeds.
Prune Shrubs: When you prune your shrubs, it’s important that you only cut the dead wood and not green stems or branches. By doing this, you will help prevent disease and insect infestations. Also, don’t forget to remove any dead leaves or branches from the ground so they don’t attract pests. Be careful to only trim small portions to avoid damaging the healthy parts of the shrub.
Add Mulch: Mulch around the base of shrubs. This will help prevent weeds from growing around your shrubs, retain moisture and add nutrients to your soil.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for fall webworms which can be harmful to trees and shrubs. The larvae of these insects feed on leaves as well as fruit and buds, which means that they can cause significant damage if left untreated.
Keep Your Landscape Looking Great All Year Long
Landscape By Design can help ensure that no matter what season it is, your landscaping will always be looking its best. Our team can help you create a landscape that will wow not only your guests but also your neighbors, helping to increase the overall value of your home. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule a consultation.