Landscape professionals may disagree on plenty, but one thing is more or less universally accepted: Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. That means we’re entering the prime time for putting in new ones and replacing and moving existing ones.
Advice for how to plant abounds, but there are two online guides I highly recommend. First, before we put shovel to ground, let’s pivot from the planting process itself and consider a few mistakes homeowners make when installing plants in the landscape. Here are five common ones, ending with my top complaint.
5. Planting before planning. Always start with a solid, well-thought-out plan. Otherwise you are bound to break a good many rules of landscape design. Too often, homeowners choose plants that are attractive to them, with little regard to how they will fit into the total landscape. If landscape design is not your forte, it will pay to get the help of a landscape consultant.
4. Using a limited plant palette. Landscapes often lack diversity and imagination, relying on the same plants that everyone else uses. Homes in new developments are a good example. Break the mold. There’s a wide world of plants out there.
3. Creating high-maintenance landscapes. Carefully consider the cultural requirements of the plants you select. Some will require considerable annual maintenance; others, only periodic. Will you be doing this, or will you need professional help? Don’t forget this line item in your yearly landscape budget, for both time and money.
2. Lacking all-season interest. Use a combination of plants that provide interest throughout the year, not just during the primary growing season. Landscapes don’t have to be boring during the “off” season.
1. Spacing plants improperly or ignoring their ultimate size. My No. 1 pet peeve. Take a look around and you will see it everywhere. To thrive and remain healthy, plants need space — from one another and from structures in the landscape. But landscapers like to sell plants, and homeowners don’t want to wait for plants to grow out. They want instant impact. At planting, give plants the proper spacing to grow into their ultimate size. Before choosing your plants, do your homework and know their recommended spacing. See their mature size in the landscape — visit an arboretum or botanical garden. Think ahead.
Now about the planting itself.
The Virginia Department of Forestry recommends planting deciduous species in late fall to winter, and evergreens in late winter to early spring. Plants will benefit from the cooler, more moderate temperatures of fall, as their root systems will have time to develop before the heat of summer. Planting evergreens later will help prevent dry foliage and winter burn caused by the sunny and windy days of winter. These conditions, coupled with inadequate moisture in the soil, can be problematic.
Note that, while we are spot-on for precipitation for the year to date, we are at minus 4.1 inches for the season (Sept. 1 through Oct. 19), according to the National Weather Service. Remember to monitor soil moisture weekly and water as needed.
The two guides on planting that I highly recommend:
“Planting Trees.” From the Virginia Department of Forestry. tinyurl.com/VAPlanting
“Planting a Tree or Shrub.” From the University of Maryland Extension. tinyurl.com/UMDplanting
Both are packed with information, including illustrations, to help you succeed. Take a look.
And one more thing (or two)
In Chesapeake, continuing are fall horticulture workshops sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Chesapeake Extension Master Gardeners. Details: tinyurl.com/CPKhorti
How’s your garden and landscape experience been this season? Trying something different or new? What worked, or didn’t work? Any surprises? Write in and let us know.
Send questions to wkspen@gmail.com