You may have noticed how your plants have been thriving over the past few weeks of late summer, maybe even witnessing how some have changed significantly as they get ready for their next stage in the cycle of life. Autumn is the seasonal shift that almost everything in nature must follow, getting ready for the cold winter ahead, and so it makes sense that many people think fall isn’t the time to add new life into their landscapes.
This isn’t the case though! Autumn is the perfect time to plant deciduous trees and shrubs, invest in your landscape’s lighting, and prepare your property for winter.
#1) Fall Clean Up
Fall is a great time to trim shrubs to shape them for next year when the spring flush comes on. Shaping them now will help them grow to the desired size and shape, and you won’t have to cut off any blooms or trim any spring foliage. During fall it’s also important to cut back perennials, rake beds, and apply anti-desiccant to evergreens.
Fall Lawn Care To Do’s:
- Aerate and overseed.
- Apply winterizer fertilizer.
- Spray hard to kill perennial weeds.
- Treat for dandelions.
Need some help with your fall clean up plans? Get in touch with our team of experts!
#2) Planting Deciduous Trees and Shrubs in the Fall
The hottest plant types of 2021 (and hopefully every year to follow!) are NATIVE PLANTS. Native plants have a multitude of benefits for you, wildlife, and our local ecosystem. And because they’re naturally found in our seasonal climate, they often transform with the seasons – boasting incredible red, orange, and yellow foliage during the fall!
The iconic Burning Bush is one of the first plants that most people think of when they think of fall color. However, we recommend planting a Serviceberry ‘Regent’ instead. Unlike the Burning Bush, this 4-6ft round shrub is native to North America. It blooms with white flowers in the early spring (which the Burning Bush does not do), produces edible fruit in the summer, and transforms to an orange/red color in the fall. It’s important to highlight this as an alternative choice to the popular Burning Bush, as it is not native, over-planted, and can be invasive.
Here are some of our other favorite, vibrant plants that are perfect for planting in the fall!
- Aspen ‘Prairie Gold’
- Sumac ‘Gro Low’
- Serviceberry ‘Regent’
- Spirea birchleaf
- Oakleaf Hydrangea
- Switch grass ‘ Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’
- Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance’
- Chokeberry ‘Lowscape Mound’
- Viburnum lentago
- Viburnum arrowwood
Looking to add beautiful deciduous shrub or tree to your landscape? Get in touch with our landscape team!
#3) Landscape Lighting
The days are going to get shorter and darker, which means more time for your landscape lighting to shine!
Landscape lighting is an easy and creative way to boost your property’s value, provide additional night security, and truly enjoy your home investment. Our landscape lights are made of high-quality materials, meant be used year-round. Avoid the box store lights that are plastic or solar powered, instead opting for the well-built LED low-voltage lights that are much more durable and long-lasting. And, if you’re someone who loves to go all out for the holidays, our color-changing landscape lights double as beautiful, “pre-installed” decorations! We use FXLuminaire lights for our jobs.
From the fall celebrations to the winter gatherings – and even making an encore appearance for the Fourth of July! – a colorful light display can make any memorable moment at your home a bit more magical.