While fall may feel like the end of the growing season, our team of horticulturists know it is actually the best time to give your landscape a head start. In Middle Tennessee, the cooler temperatures and less unpredictable rainfall create perfect conditions for root development. Our team recommends planting many varieties now, so your trees and shrubs can establish strong root systems during the dormant season. When spring arrives, they’ll be ready to thrive.
Here are a few hardy plants that do especially well when planted in fall and winter:
Japanese Maple
One of our favorites, the Japanese maples offer graceful structure and brilliant seasonal color. Planting in fall gives their root systems time to establish in cooler soil, helping them adapt before the stress of summer heat.
Dogwood
Tennessee’s state tree, dogwoods shine with spring blooms. Fall planting allows them to quietly establish roots through winter and burst into flower when the season changes.
Oak Trees
Hardy, long-living, and strong, oaks benefit greatly from fall planting. Their deep root systems need time to anchor, making winter the perfect season to prepare them for decades of growth.
Camellias
These evergreen shrubs reward you with glossy foliage and winter or early spring blooms. Planting in fall helps them settle in before showing off their cold-weather color.
Boxwood
Known for their year-round greenery and versatility in hedges or borders, boxwoods do well when planted in cooler weather when stress on the plant is minimal.
By choosing the right plants now, you are setting up your landscape for a healthier, more vibrant spring.