Best Shrubs to Plant in Fall

Fothergilla is a deciduous shrub that brings seasonal interest to your garden. In spring, it produces unique, bottlebrush-like flower spikes that attract pollinators and add charm.

As autumn arrives, Fothergilla showcases its colorful foliage, transforming into shades of red, orange, and yellow. This vibrant display enhances the fall landscape, especially alongside other autumn-blooming plants.

This low-maintenance shrub thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade. It works well in both formal and naturalized settings, making it a versatile choice for your garden.

The Horizontal Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a great option for autumn planting. This low-maintenance shrub adds color to your garden with its vibrant red berries and attractive foliage, especially during the colder months.

The bright red berries not only please the eye but also provide food for birds, enhancing your garden's appeal to local wildlife. This hardy shrub needs minimal care, making it ideal for busy gardeners. It thrives in both semi-shade and full sun, allowing you flexibility in planting. Just ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging.

To keep your cotoneaster healthy, occasional pruning will help control its growth and shape. Adding this beautiful shrub to your garden offers year-round appeal while supporting a thriving ecosystem.

The heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a low-growing shrub that adds charm to any garden. Its bell-shaped flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink, or white, creating a striking display, especially in autumn and winter.

This hardy plant thrives in cold, harsh conditions, making it suitable for various climates. It requires minimal care, which is ideal for busy gardeners. The nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, benefiting your garden's ecosystem.

You can plant heather in different settings, such as rock gardens, borders, and containers. For best results, use well-drained, acidic soil and place it in full sun or partial shade. With its beauty and low maintenance, heather is a great choice for enhancing any garden.

Winterberry is a deciduous holly that adds interest to your garden in winter. Its red berries persist through the cold months, providing food for birds and visual appeal.

Since Winterberry is dioecious, you'll need both male and female plants to produce berries. Applying mulch around the base helps retain moisture and protects the roots from extreme temperatures.

To care for Winterberry, plant it in well-drained, acidic soil. It prefers full sun to partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage growth.

This perennial bulb is a favorite sign of spring. Its white, bell-shaped flowers emerge from the cold ground, often breaking through the snow. Snowdrops are easy to care for and can naturalize quickly, forming a beautiful carpet of white blooms in your garden.

While snowdrops are commonly linked to early spring blooms, planting their bulbs in autumn guarantees that they'll be among the first flowers to appear. They’re well-suited for naturalizing under trees and shrubs, offering a delicate touch to your garden.

It’s worth mentioning that certain autumn-flowering snowdrop varieties, like Galanthus reginae-olgae, bloom earlier, sometimes in September or October. These varieties are perfect for introducing early color to your garden.

Enjoying learning about fall shrubs? Take a look at our article on deciduous trees to expand your garden knowledge.

Mahonia is a solid option for your autumn garden. This shrub offers glossy, evergreen leaves and striking yellow flowers that bloom in winter or early spring. These flowers provide a nice pop of color as other plants begin to fade.

In autumn, Mahonia produces blue-black or red berries that attract birds, adding life to your garden. Its evergreen foliage stays attractive year-round, ensuring your landscape looks good even in winter.

You can use Mahonia as a hedge, a specimen plant, or ground cover. When choosing a species, consider your local climate, as some varieties are more cold-hardy than others. For best results, plant Mahonia in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded area.

Autumn Sage is a striking perennial shrub that brings vibrant color to your garden, particularly in the fall. Native to the Chihuahuan Desert, this plant thrives in dry, sunny conditions.

The flowers of Autumn Sage come in various colors, including red, pink, white, and purple, creating an eye-catching display. This hardy shrub is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering once established. Its bright blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.

Autumn Sage is low-maintenance and resistant to most pests, requiring little pruning. For planting, select a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It can adapt to poorer soil conditions, making it ideal for rock gardens or xeriscapes.

This shrub has great ornamental value and works well in many garden designs. In spring, it produces delicate white flowers that attract bees and butterflies. As the season progresses, these flowers turn into bright red berries. These berries add color and provide food for birds.

Besides its beauty, Hawthorn has traditional medicinal uses for heart health. The berries attract wildlife, making your garden more inviting. While the berries are edible, you should consume them in moderation to avoid any digestive issues. Hawthorn offers both beauty and functionality for your autumn garden.

Plant Hawthorn in a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil. It requires little maintenance and only needs minimal pruning.

Looking to make the most of your fall garden? Check out our tips on vegetables and leafy greens perfect for autumn.

The Strawberry Tree is an eye-catching evergreen shrub with a unique look.

Its rough, peeling bark and glossy, leathery leaves create texture in your garden. In autumn, it produces bright red berries that resemble strawberries, which is how it got its common name. Its colorful berries attract birds, making it a great addition for wildlife enthusiasts.

It’s also hardy and low-maintenance, tolerating drought and thriving in various soil conditions. Before you plant a Strawberry Tree, consider its size. This plant can grow quite large and may create some mess with fallen berries. If you have limited space, weigh these factors before adding it to your garden.

Nandina domestica, or Heavenly Bamboo, is a practical shrub for autumn gardens. Its foliage shifts from green to red and orange, providing seasonal interest.

In the fall, the leaves create a colorful fall palette, and the bright red berries add color but can be toxic if ingested. This shrub is easy to care for and tolerates various soil conditions.

You can use Nandina as a hedge or in containers. Just be aware that it can be invasive in some regions, so check local regulations before planting.

Want to add some edible beauty to your fall garden? Take a look at our list of autumn fruits.

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