ð Autumn Planting Guide: Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Plant
Autumn might signal the end of summer, but for gardeners, it marks the beginning of one of the best planting seasons of the year.
With cooler temperatures, naturally moist soil and less intense sunlight, autumn provides ideal conditions for many trees, shrubs, conifers and other hardy plants to establish their roots before the growing season begins again in spring.
Whether you're creating a brand-new border, adding structure to an established garden, filling gaps or simply giving your garden a fresh new look, autumn is a fantastic time to get planting.
ð Why Is Autumn Such a Good Time to Plant?
Most shrubs, trees and hardy plants are best planted from autumn through to early spring, provided the ground isn't waterlogged or frozen. Container-grown plants can technically be planted throughout the year, but autumn planting generally means they need less aftercare than plants put into the ground during warmer, drier months.
ðą Warm Soil Encourages Root Growth
Although the air temperature is beginning to fall, the soil can remain relatively warm during autumn. This gives roots an opportunity to continue developing while the plant is no longer concentrating as much energy on producing new leafy growth.
A good root system established before spring gives your plant a valuable head start when the growing season arrives.
ð§ïļ Autumn Rainfall Helps
Autumn often brings more regular rainfall, helping to keep the soil naturally moist around newly planted shrubs and trees.
However, don't rely entirely on the weather. Newly planted plants still need checking and watering during dry spells, particularly during their first year or two. Plants growing against walls, under eaves or in particularly free-draining soil may need additional water.
ð Less Stress for New Plants
Planting during cooler conditions avoids the intense heat and drying conditions that can make establishing plants more challenging during summer.
This means your new plants can concentrate on developing their roots rather than coping with heat stress and excessive moisture loss.
ðž A Head Start for Spring
One of the biggest advantages of autumn planting is that your plants have several months to settle into their new surroundings.
When spring arrives and temperatures rise, an established root system means your plants are ready to make the most of the new growing season.
ðŋ Which Plants Can I Plant in Autumn?
There is a huge range of plants suitable for autumn planting, from flowering favourites to evergreen varieties that provide colour and structure throughout the year.
Always check the individual plant label before buying, as different varieties have different requirements for sunlight, soil type, moisture and eventual size.
Here are some great plants to consider:
ðš Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are a fantastic choice for adding large, impressive flower heads to borders and containers.
They prefer moisture-retentive soil and benefit from a sheltered position with suitable light levels depending on the variety.
Autumn planting gives them plenty of time to establish their root system before next summer.
ðđ Roses
Roses are a timeless garden favourite and can be planted during the dormant season.
Autumn planting allows their roots to establish before the demands of spring and summer growth.
Choose a position with plenty of sunlight and good drainage, and always check the requirements of your chosen variety.
ðē Conifers
Conifers are an excellent choice for adding year-round structure, colour and interest to your garden.
As evergreen plants, they retain their foliage throughout the seasons and can be particularly useful for screening, creating structure within borders or adding height and shape to your garden.
Autumn is a great time to plant conifers because cooler temperatures and naturally moist soil can help reduce stress while the plant establishes its roots. The soil may also remain warm enough for continued root development, allowing your conifer to settle in before spring.
Once established, many conifers are wonderfully hardy and can provide reliable evergreen interest throughout the year.
ðŋ Viburnum
Viburnums are wonderfully versatile shrubs, with varieties offering flowers, attractive foliage, berries and seasonal interest.
Deciduous viburnums can be planted from autumn through to early spring, while evergreen types are particularly well suited to autumn or spring planting.
ð Euonymus
Euonymus offers a fantastic selection of evergreen and deciduous shrubs.
Evergreen varieties are particularly useful for adding year-round structure and attractive foliage, while deciduous varieties can provide fantastic autumn colour.
Autumn or spring is an excellent time to plant euonymus.
ðŋ Skimmia
Skimmia is a superb choice for shadier parts of the garden.
These compact evergreen shrubs provide year-round foliage, scented spring flowers and, on suitable female plants, colourful berries.
Autumn and spring planting are ideal because the soil is generally moist, helping the plants establish.
ð Photinia
Photinia is a popular evergreen shrub, loved for its attractive foliage and year-round structure.
Many varieties produce striking young leaves in shades of bright red before gradually maturing to green, providing a beautiful splash of colour within borders or as part of a hedge.
Photinia is a versatile choice and can make an excellent screening plant. Autumn planting allows it time to establish its root system before the main growing season begins.
ðŋ Mahonia
Mahonia provides valuable evergreen structure as well as seasonal flowers and berries.
It's a useful choice if you're looking to create a garden that continues to have interest throughout autumn and winter.
ðŠī How to Choose the Right Plant for Your Garden
Before buying, take a few minutes to consider the conditions in your garden.
âïļ How much sunlight does the area receive?
Some plants thrive in full sun, while others are much happier in partial or deeper shade.
ð§ïļ What is your soil like?
Is it heavy clay, sandy, free-draining or moisture-retentive?
If you're unsure, our team at Twenty Pence Garden Centre can help you choose plants suited to your conditions.
ð How big will the plant become?
That small plant in the pot may eventually become considerably larger!
Check the plant label for its mature height and spread and make sure you leave enough room for it to develop naturally.
ðŋ Evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen shrubs and conifers retain their foliage throughout the year, providing valuable winter structure.
Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves but can offer beautiful flowers, autumn colour, berries and seasonal interest.
For the best garden displays, consider combining both.
ðą How to Plant a New Shrub
Getting your new plant off to the right start is important.
1. Choose the right position
Check the plant label and make sure the location suits the plant's requirements for light, soil and moisture.
Getting the depth and position right is extremely important. Planting too deeply or incorrectly positioning the rootball can prevent the plant from establishing properly and, in some cases, can even kill it.
Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
2. Water before planting
Give your plant a thorough drink while it is still in its container.
The rootball should be properly soaked before it goes into the ground.
3. Prepare the planting hole
Dig a hole approximately three times the width of the rootball, but no deeper than the rootball itself.
Loosen compacted soil around the sides and base of the hole so that roots can spread out easily.
If your soil is particularly heavy or sandy, incorporating suitable organic matter can help improve its structure.
4. Check the roots
Carefully remove the shrub from its pot.
If the roots are tightly packed or circling around the rootball, gently tease some of them out so they can grow into the surrounding soil.
5. Position your shrub
Place the shrub in the hole so that the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil.
Take care not to plant too deeply. Correct positioning is essential for healthy establishment, and planting too deeply can restrict the plant's ability to thrive and can even cause it to die.
Take a step back and check that the plant is sitting at the correct level and is positioned how you want it before backfilling.
6. Backfill the hole
Return the excavated soil around the roots, making sure you work it carefully around the rootball.
Once the hole has been filled, use the heel of your foot to gently firm the soil around the plant. This helps remove large air pockets and ensures the roots have good contact with the surrounding soil.
Don't stamp down excessively or compact the soil too heavily â the aim is to gently firm it into place.
7. Water thoroughly
Give the newly planted shrub a really good drink immediately after planting.
Water slowly and thoroughly so that moisture reaches the root zone.
8. Add mulch
Finish by adding a layer of organic mulch around the plant.
A mulch approximately 5â8cm deep can help retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil conditions as it breaks down.
Keep the mulch away from direct contact with the stems or trunk.
ð§ Looking After Newly Planted Shrubs
Planting is only the beginning. A little aftercare will help your new plants establish successfully.
ð§ Keep Watering
Even though autumn is usually wetter than summer, newly planted shrubs still need monitoring.
Check the soil regularly and water during dry periods.
Newly planted shrubs may need regular watering while they establish, particularly during hot, dry or windy weather.
Remember that plants positioned against walls can dry out more quickly because they may receive less rainfall.
ð Keep the Soil Mulched
Maintain a good layer of organic mulch around the plant.
Mulch helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil conditions as organic material breaks down.
Aim for approximately 5â8cm and leave a gap around the base of the shrub so the stems aren't buried.
ðŋ Keep Weeds Away
Weeds compete with newly planted shrubs for water and nutrients.
Keeping the surrounding area relatively weed-free gives your new plant less competition while it establishes.
ðŽïļ Protect from Strong Winds
Newly planted shrubs can be vulnerable to strong winds before their roots have anchored into the surrounding soil.
Check larger plants after particularly windy weather and make sure they remain firmly positioned.
If a plant requires support, install it at planting time.
ðą Should I Feed My New Shrubs?
This is a common question, but feeding isn't normally necessary immediately after planting.
Healthy shrubs planted into good-quality soil generally have enough nutrients available to establish themselves.
Instead, concentrate on:
Good soil preparation + thorough watering + organic matter + mulch = a great start.
Once plants are established, a general-purpose fertiliser can be considered in late winter or spring if required. Container-grown shrubs generally have greater feeding requirements because nutrients in containers become depleted more quickly.
Always follow the instructions and application rates on the product packaging.
ð What Can I Use From Twenty Pence Garden Centre?
We have a range of products to help you prepare your garden for autumn planting.
ðą Westland Soil Improver 50L
Ideal for improving soil structure and adding organic matter to your planting areas.
ðŋ Evergreen Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost 50L
A useful choice when planting roses, trees and shrubs and preparing the surrounding soil.
ð Farmyard Manure 50L
Well-rotted manure can be used to improve soil and provide organic matter.
ð Westland Decorative Mini Bark 70L
A useful mulch option for helping to suppress weeds and conserve moisture around planting areas.
ð Westland Seaweed Enhanced Plant Growth Stimulant
Available from our plant fertiliser range for gardeners looking to support plant growth.
ðŋ Westland Boost All Purpose Liquid Plant Food
Suitable for ornamental and ericaceous plants as well as fruit and vegetables. This is better considered as part of your feeding routine during the appropriate growing period rather than as an essential feed immediately after planting.
Product availability can change, so please check in store for our latest range.
ðģ Don't Forget: Autumn Is Also Perfect for Trees, Conifers & Hedging
Autumn isn't just about flowering shrubs.
It's also an excellent opportunity to plant trees, conifers and hedging, giving them time to establish before spring.
Evergreen plants can be particularly useful for adding structure, screening and colour throughout the colder months.
As with shrubs, avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged and pay particular attention to watering during dry spells.
ð Your Autumn Planting Checklist
Before you start, make sure you have:
âïļ The right plant for your garden conditions
âïļ A suitable planting position
âïļ A spade and gardening tools
âïļ Good-quality soil improver or compost if required
âïļ A watering can or hose
âïļ Organic mulch
âïļ Plant supports if necessary
âïļ Plenty of patience!
ðŋ Plant This Autumn for a Better Spring
Autumn is one of the most rewarding times to get out into the garden.
The cooler weather makes planting more comfortable, the soil can remain warm enough for root development, and natural rainfall can help newly planted shrubs, trees and conifers settle in.
Give your plants the best possible start now and, when spring arrives, you'll be ready to watch your garden burst back into life.
Visit Twenty Pence Garden Centre and explore our wide range of shrubs, trees, conifers, hedging, composts, soil improvers, mulches and gardening essentials.
Not sure what to plant? Our team is always happy to help you choose the right plant for your garden.
ðą Plant this autumn. Grow something beautiful for years to come. ðą