Fall planting time is here. It is considered by many professionals to be the best time of year to plant since hot weather can be very stressful on new plantings. When planted during the cool fall planting season, plants are less likely to be stressed and have a better chance of developing good root systems before it gets cold. Quite often plants will need less water because evaporation slows during cool weather and the soil will not dry out as quickly.

Always enhance your soil with quality soil amendments such as Natural Helper, planting mix, cow manure or quality top soil. Mix these amendments with the existing soil in your planting area. Do not forget to finish the planting process by covering the soil with a good quality mulch to reduce water requirements and add a finished look to the planted area.

Fall can also bring beautiful color to your landscape. Shrubs are available now for planting which will give wonderful fall color. Examples of fall blooming shrubs include Knockout Rose; several varieties of Abelia such as Rose Creek with white blooms, Kaleidoscope and Canyon Creek that have white blooms and yellow leaf color, Edward Goucher that has pink blooms and Glossy Abelia that is taller growing with white blooms; and Camellia Sasanqua which will be blooming later this fall with several different bloom colors to choose from. A few hydrangeas are still blooming now, including Limelight with white blooms and Angel Blush, which starts out white and then turns pink. Butterfly Bushes will continue to have great blooms throughout the fall season.

For colorful ornamental grass, try Muhly Grass that has feathery pink-purple plumes that are very showy or Northwind Grass that has white plumes. Mums are still available for purchase with many great colors to choose from. Pansies, viola, ornamental cabbage, kale and snapdragons are starting to arrive now. Come into the garden center and see all the great fall color plants available for use in your landscape.

Happy gardening.