Do Some Landscaping this Fall:

Believe it or not, fall is a great time of year to plant certain types of shrubs and flowers around your house.  This is because Michigan fall is typically mild with warm soils and lots of moisture–perfect conditions for root development of many types of shrubs and flowers.  With the exception of some oaks, poplars, red maple, birch, magnolia, dogwood, hawthorn, hornbeam, tulip tree, sweet gum, yellowwood, golden raintree and most fruit trees, most ornamentals can be planted safely in the fall.  The key is the hardiness of the plants you wish to use.

Most of Michigan is considered USDA Zone 5.  Plants categorized as Zone 6 or 7 would find Michigan winters difficult to survive.  Plants categorized 5 or lower, however, should be ideal for fall planting.  Ask at your local greenhouse to find out what ornamentals are categorized Zone 5 or lower.

Another thing to consider regardless of the season is the type of lighting, soil and drainage of the area in which you plant your ornamental.  Some plants like rich, moist soil, and some like sandy, quick-draining soil, some need full light, some shaded or partial light.  Again, examine the soil in question, the lighting of the area throughout the day and ask at your local greenhouse what would go best in such an area. 

Last comes the planting of your ornamental.  Start by digging a hole two or three times as big as the diameter of the root ball.  Remove any plastic of metal from the roots, which might eventually serve to strangle the roots.  Then position the plant carefully in the hole making sure the roots are spread out so that they grow out and away from the plant and not just around it, and begin filling around the root ball with soil, using water to help pack it down as well as to remove any large air pockets as you go. 

This information was culled from the archives of the Michigan State University Extension specialists.