The Gardeners Corner

Planting for Fall & Winter Interest

10/27/2023

12 Shrubs, Trees, and Grasses for Fall and Winter Interest

Thankfully, the gardening season here in Charleston is not limited to the warmer months of the year. Planting can continue throughout the fall and winter months, allowing new plantings to get settled in before the first flush of spring growth appears.

Not only can we continue to plant, but there are many trees, shrubs, and grasses that offer seasonal color and blooms during our fall and winter months. As the warm-season landscape goes to sleep, the show goes on!

Fall and Winter Landscape Shopping Tip:
Visit the Garden Center during the fall and winter seasons to get a good idea of how landscape plants you've been considering look during cooler weather. You'll discover that the form of some trees and shrubs can be just as interesting in the landscape without leaves as they are leafed out in spring and summer. For those shrubs that bloom in the fall and winter, you'll also be able to see flower colors and forms in person. And, last but not least, you'll have the opportunity to choose some new favorite evergreens!

Camellia - Queens of the Fall and Winter garden!
Both of our most popular Camellia shrub species have lustrous green foliage all year long, but there are key differences such as:

Camellia sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua
Fall/Winter-blooming.
Camellia sasanqua has smaller leaves and blooms than Camellia japonica. Depending on variety, you will see blooms appear as early as September and continue into December. This species can tolerate part sun to shade, preferring a break from too much direct afternoon sunlight during the summer months. Can mature to tree height with age, but maintainable on average at 5-10' tall.

Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica
Winter/Spring-blooming.
Camellia japonica has large leaves and large flowers. Blooms of this species begin appearing in December and can bloom all the way into April. Like Camellia sasanqua, exact bloom time will depend on variety. Prefers shade to dappled light or gentle morning sunlight. Can mature to tree height with age, but maintainable on average at 6-12' tall.

Fall-blooming Cassia

Fall-blooming Cassia
"What is that yellow flowering shrub I see everywhere?"
We hear this every year, and for good reason. A full grown fall-blooming Cassia shrub can have dozens upon dozens of bright and cheery yellow blooms open at once. They really are landscape standouts (and they're a host plant for the Sulphur butterfly!). Matures to a size of 6-12' tall and wide. Can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning. Deer non-preferred.

Yaupon Holly

Yaupon Holly
For the birds!
Our native Yaupon holly comes in various forms. As an upright shrub or tree, it provides loads (LOADS!) of fruit for songbirds. These bright red, candy-colored berries contrast beautifully with the small leaves of this evergreen. An excellent landscape addition for fall/winter interest. Our upright shrub grows to approximately 10-15' tall. Deer non-preferred.

American Beautyberry

Beautyberry
Bright purple berries!
Another favorite of birds and other wildlife, our American Beautyberry (and other Beautyberry varieties) bear fruit and have colorful foliage in the fall. Great as an understory planting in a location where it will be shielded from direct afternoon sunlight. Mature to approximately 4-6' tall and wide.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Suprisingly brilliant fall color!
Not only will you get large, cone-shaped white blooms that stand tall against a backdrop of lush green foliage in the summer, but you'll also enjoy the Oakleaf Hydrangea's show well into the cooler months with bright red fall color. A break from the sun during the hottest part of the day is appreciated, but this shrub can be adapted to full sun if properly irrigated. Non-dwarf varieties mature to approximtely 6-8' tall and wide.

Encore® Azalea Autumn Twist®

Encore® Azaleas
3 seasons of bloom, including fall!
Encore® Azaleas come in dwarf (approximately 3' tall x 3' wide) and intermediate (approximately 4-5' tall x 4-5' wide) sizes and an array of colors. When given enough sunlight (4+ hours), these multi-season, evergreen bloomers will reward you with flowers spring, summer, and fall.

Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple
Colorful is an understatement!
Japanese Maples offer brilliant foliage displays in spring and fall. Warm and cool season leaf color depends on variety, but none will disappoint. In addition, these trees offer winter interest after leaves fall to reveal colorful bark and an array of forms from weeping to mounding to upright. In our climate, Japanese Maples are happiest if given a break from afternoon sunlight.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae
Rich green foliage all year!
Fall and winter is prime time for showcasing evergreens in your landscape. While attractive planted as a specimen or in a small grouping, Green Giant Arborvitae is also an excellent choice for fast-growing privacy along your property line. Matures to approximately 30-50' tall x 12-15' wide. Deer non-preferred.

Carolina Sapphire Cypress

Carolina Sapphire Cypress
As beautiful as its name suggests!
Silvery blue-green, fragrant foliage makes this evergreen stand out from the crowd. While it can also be used for privacy, it's certainly showy enough to grow as a specimen. Matures to approximately 20-30' tall x 15-20' wide. Part to full sun. Deer non-preferred.

Holiday Decorating Tip:
Evergreen trees such as Green Giant Arborvitae and Carolina Sapphire Cypress can also be used as living Christmas trees. Choose a size that makes sense for your indoor or outdoor living space, add your favorite decorations and lights, and enjoy the tree during the Christmas season. Your tree can then be planted in its forever home after the holidays. The fragrant foliage of these trees can also be used in wreaths, swags, and other winter arrangements!

Sweet Grass

Sweet Grass (Muhly Grass)
THE pink grass seen blooming all over the Lowcountry in fall!
We LOVE Sweet Grass. And we grow it here at the Nursery from seed that has been collected locally. Maturing to 3-4' tall and wide, Sweet Grass prefers 6+ hours of direct sunlight and well-draining soil. Deer non-preferred.

Maiden Hair Grass

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus)
Beautiful on its own or combined with Sweet Grass!
Maiden Grass offers silvery cream blooms in fall that shimmer in the breeze. Size varies depending on variety, but all have beautiful blooms. On average, matures to 3-4' tall x 3-4' wide. Deer non-preferred.

FOR PLANTING SUCCESS:

We highly recommend amending the soil in your planting area with Brownswood Premium Planting Mix as well as a starter fertilizer such as Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus to give your new plants their best start. You can find our Planting Guide at the link below. It provides planting instructions and helpful information about watering and getting new plants established. We look forward to seeing you at the Garden Center!

Download Our Planting Guide

Fall is Here & It's the Perfect Time to Plant!

10/1/2023

Fall is one of our favorite seasons here in the Charleston. The cooler weather after summer's intense heat and humidity is so refreshing! It's so invigorating, in fact, you may even notice plants in your garden starting to perk up with an offering of fresh blooms and new growth.

For this reason, fall in South Carolina is a lot like a second spring. Better yet, the temperatures will only decrease going into winter. This means planting right now will give your new plants lots of time to get established, go to sleep for winter, and wake up gently in spring before having to face their first summer heatwave!

Benefits of planting trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials in Fall:

New plantings experience less transplant shock in fall. Without the additional stress of summer's excessive heat soon after being planted, plants can more easily adapt to their new surroundings. While soil temperatures are 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above, root growth will continue.
When the weather is cooler, watering new plantings isn't as much of a chore. We always recommend irrigation as the best way to manage watering. However, if you don't currently have irrigation, cooler temperatures can work in your favor!
Your fall-planted landscape will reward you greatly come spring when it wakes up ready to put energy into new shoots, stems, and leaves!

A selection of trees currently available for Fall planting:

Visit us soon to explore our full selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and annuals!

Red Flame Maple - Fast-growing shade tree with colorful new growth.
Bald Cypress - Fast-growing native tree that’s great for wet locations.
Dahoon Holly - Native evergreen with attractive foliage and berries. (Only female trees have berries.)
Japanese Maple - Beautiful specimen tree highly prized for its vibrant Spring and Fall color.

For Fall Planting Success:

We highly recommend amending the soil in your planting area with Brownswood Premium Planting mix as well as a starter fertilizer such as Espoma Organic Bio-tone® Starter Plus to give your new plants their best start. You can find our Planting Guide at the link below. It provides planting instructions and helpful information about watering and getting new plants established. We look forward to seeing you at the Garden Center!

Download Our Planting Guide!

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Planting for Fall & Winter Interest

12 Shrubs, Trees, and Grasses for Fall and Winter Interest

FOR PLANTING SUCCESS:

Favorites for Fall Planting

Brownswood Grown
Sweet Grass

Fall is Here & It's the Perfect Time to Plant!

Benefits of planting trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials in Fall:

A selection of trees currently available for Fall planting:

For Fall Planting Success:

Ready to Transform Your Yard?

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OPERATION

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Planting for Fall & Winter Interest

12 Shrubs, Trees, and Grasses for Fall and Winter Interest

FOR PLANTING SUCCESS:

Favorites for Fall Planting

Brownswood Grown​Sweet Grass

Fall is Here & It's the Perfect Time to Plant!

Benefits of planting trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials in Fall:

A selection of trees currently available for Fall planting:

For Fall Planting Success:

Ready to Transform Your Yard?

Categories

Archives

CONTACT US

HOURS OF​OPERATION

CUSTOMER CARE

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Memberships

Brownswood Grown
Sweet Grass

HOURS OF
OPERATION