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Native Plant Guide for a Thriving Fall Landscape
Introduction
As the vibrant hues of fall begin to color our landscapes, many U.S. households are preparing their gardens for the cooler seasons. Fall is the perfect time to plant, and more gardeners are turning to native plants to enhance their outdoor spaces. Not only do these plants add beauty, but they also thrive in local conditions, making them a practical and rewarding choice for any garden.
The Popularity of Native Plants
Native plants have become increasingly popular among gardeners who are looking for hardy, low-maintenance options that can withstand the seasonal changes. In fact, a growing number of gardeners—nearly 40%—are now choosing native species for their gardens. Plus, these plants are known for their resilience, requiring less water and care once established. As a result, they are an excellent choice for those looking to create a stunning fall garden without the need for constant upkeep.
Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant
Fall is an ideal season for planting native plants, as the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall provide optimal conditions for roots to establish before winter. By taking this head start, the season allows native plants to flourish come spring, offering a burst of color and life to your garden. Whether you’re planting perennials, shrubs, or trees, starting in the fall gives your garden a strong foundation for the year ahead.
Top Native Plant Picks for Fall
When it comes to choosing the right native plants for your fall garden, the options are plentiful. Here are some top recommendations:
Trees:
- Striped Maple: A small tree with striking bark that provides great fall color.
- Red Maple: Known for its vibrant red foliage, perfect for adding a pop of color to your fall landscape.
- Yellow Buckeye: A large tree with showy flowers and attractive fall foliage.
- Eastern Redbud: A small tree with heart-shaped leaves and brilliant fall colors.
- Fringe Tree: This tree offers fragrant, white fringe-like flowers in spring and vibrant fall color.
- Flowering Dogwood: A popular tree with striking white or pink flowers and red fall foliage.
- Common Pawpaw: Offers large, tropical-looking leaves that turn golden in the fall.
- Magnolia: Known for its large, fragrant flowers and glossy foliage.
- Black Cherry: A large tree that provides beautiful fall color and is great for wildlife.
- White Oak: A majestic tree with deep red fall foliage.
- Scarlet Oak: Known for its brilliant scarlet fall leaves.
- Chestnut Oak: A large tree with distinctive ridged bark and vibrant fall color.
- Northern Red Oak: Offers stunning red foliage in the fall.
- Sourwood: A small tree with brilliant red fall foliage and summer flowers.
- Sassafras: Provides multi-colored fall foliage ranging from yellow to orange to red.
- Red Mulberry: A medium-sized tree with edible fruit and attractive foliage.
Shrubs:
- Juneberry (Serviceberry): A multi-season shrub with white spring flowers, edible summer berries, and vibrant fall color.
- Red/Black Chokeberry: A hardy shrub with brilliant fall foliage and clusters of red or black berries.
- American Beautyberry: Known for its bright purple berries and attractive foliage.
- Sweetshrub (Carolina Allspice): Offers fragrant flowers and rich fall foliage.
- Mountain Pepperbush: A shade-tolerant shrub with fragrant flowers and good fall color.
- American Holly: A classic evergreen with bright red berries and glossy foliage.
- Virginia Sweetspire: A versatile shrub with cascading flowers and brilliant fall color.
- Northern Spicebush: A fragrant shrub with yellow flowers and yellow fall foliage.
- Oakleaf Hydrangea: This shrub offers stunning fall foliage and beautiful blooms.
- Fragrant Sumac: A low-growing shrub with aromatic foliage and striking fall color.
- Staghorn Sumac: Known for its dramatic red fall foliage and fuzzy stems.
- Smooth Witherod: A shrub with glossy leaves, white flowers, and vibrant fall color.
- Viburnum: Offers attractive flowers, berries, and fall foliage.
- Meadowsweet: A hardy shrub with white flowers and good fall color.
Flowers:
- Eastern Bluestar: Known for its star-shaped blue flowers and golden fall foliage.
- Asters: A group of late-blooming perennials that provide vibrant fall color.
- American Bellflower: A tall, striking plant with bell-shaped blue flowers.
- Pink Turtlehead: Offers spikes of pink flowers that resemble turtle heads.
- Green and Gold: A groundcover with yellow flowers and evergreen foliage.
- Appalachian Bugbane: A tall, elegant plant with fragrant white flowers.
- Curlyheads: A vine with unique, twisted flowers and attractive seed heads.
- Northern Horse Balm: A tall, aromatic plant with yellow flowers.
- Blue Mistflower: A late-blooming perennial with clusters of fluffy blue flowers.
- Tickseed/Coreopsis: A tall, showy plant with bright yellow flowers.
- Wild Bleeding Heart: A delicate plant with heart-shaped flowers.
- Coneflower: A popular perennial with large, showy flowers that attract pollinators.
- Flowering Spurge: A drought-tolerant plant with white flowers and attractive foliage.
Flowers, continued:
- Joe Pye Weed: A tall, showy plant with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers.
- Woodland Sunflower: A tall plant with bright yellow flowers.
- False Sunflower: A hardy perennial with sunflower-like blooms.
- Hairy Alumroot: A shade-tolerant plant with attractive foliage and small flowers.
- Rose Mallow: A tall plant with large, showy flowers in shades of pink and white.
- Alleghany Stonecrop: A drought-tolerant plant with succulent foliage and star-shaped flowers.
- Cardinal Flower: Known for its vibrant red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Great Blue Lobelia: A late-blooming perennial with spikes of blue flowers.
- Bee Balm: A pollinator favorite with vibrant, spiky flowers.
- Common Evening Primrose: A biennial plant with yellow flowers that bloom in the evening.
- Garden Phlox: A tall perennial with fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.
- Mountain Mint: A highly aromatic plant with clusters of white or pink flowers.
- Goldenrod: A late-blooming perennial with tall spikes of yellow flowers.
- Spiderwort: A versatile plant with blue, purple, or white flowers.
- Tall Ironweed: A tall, sturdy plant with clusters of purple flowers.
- Zizia: A yellow-flowering perennial that blooms in early spring.
Tips for Successful Fall Planting
To ensure your native plants thrive, follow these simple tips:
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- Prepare Your Soil: Start by enriching your soil with organic matter to give your plants the nutrients they need.
- Plant Early: Next, aim to plant your native species by mid-fall to give them ample time to establish roots before the ground freezes.
- Water Wisely: While native plants are drought-tolerant once established, they still need regular watering during their first season. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Mulch: By adding a layer of mulch around your plants, you can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. This will also help in providing extra protection during colder months.
Conclusion
Planting native plants in the fall is a smart choice for any gardener looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape. With the right selections and a bit of preparation, your garden will be set to flourish in the coming seasons. Ready to get started? Visit our website for more planting tips and discover our full range of native plants perfect for your fall garden. Happy planting!
If you have any questions that weren’t answered or need more information, feel free to stop by and see us at either the Broad St. or Mechanicsville location. You can also give us a call or drop us an email at info@stranges.com. We’re here to help you grow better!
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Instagram: @StrangesRVA Facebook: @Strange’s Florist
Mechanicsville: 804-321-2200 West Broad: 804-360-2800
