Fall planting-zone 6-when?

Question

I would like to put some shrubs in this fall, I live in Illinois. But when do I buy and plant? In the spring, I see shrubs at all the home stores but I dont recall seeing them in the fall. Have I overlooked or is it hard to find shrubs in the fall, do I need to wait until spring?

Answer 1

It depends on the shrubs themselves. I used to work as a vendor for a large DIY store, in the greenhouse/outdoor garden dept., and our product would "cycle" - that is, what would be good for Spring planting would come in in March; Summer would come in in May; and Fall would be in around July-August. So whatever you find in nurseries right now is good to plant right now. Unfortunately, for Fall shrubs there's not much choice in flowering plants. If you want color, you'll most likely have to go with a shrub whose leaves will change nicely, such as a Burning Bush, which turns a lovely brilliant red in Fall. This shrub should be available now. But as for any other selections, your best bet is to buy in late June, early July to get a good choice. Just keep the shrub potted or bagged and watered until you want to plant, or plant it immediately. Keep in mind that unless the shrub keeps its color/flowers up until the colder months, you'll really only get a good selection in Spring, and even then the color may only last a few months. Shrub roses are a good up-until-Winter choice for something flowering. Right now you'll mostly find evergreens such as boxwood, euonymus, arborvitae, and the aforementioned Burning Bush (which is a euonymus). If these are in the nurseries in your area (and they should be, I'm in Zone 6 myself), you can plant them now.

Good luck! :)

Answer 2

A good source of information comes from your home state.
I'm in zone 6 Missouri and I usually start fall planting in September. Your's would be the same.
Use the links below from University of Illinois Extention


Fall is For Planting
The Green Line, by University of Illinois Extension
http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/updates/fallplanting/fallplant.htm
Early fall.............
is a great time to put plants in the garden. Air temperatures are cooler, reducing the stress on the plants, while soil temperatures are still warm,
...............promoting root growth.

University of Illinois Extension | Urban Programs | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Begin Now to Select Trees for Fall Planting
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gardenerscorner/issue_01/summer_04_05.html

Answer 3

In your area, the winters can be rough. I would plant in the spring if you can. If you insist on planting before the winter, wait untill the heat subsides and plant. Make sure they have time to establish roots before the winter sets in. Mulching is very important too!!! You can get great deals on shrubs and trees in the fall if you can find them!!

Answer 4

After August, there is very little money to be made in the gardening sections of stores. Most are clearing out and cleaning up now. Go to your nearest nursery and talk to them about shrubs now.

Answer 5

I think now would be a good time, but please check with a local nursery (not a garden center).