As the vibrant colors of summer fade and cooler temperatures settle in, fall presents an ideal opportunity for planting in the Midwest. Whether you're looking to enhance your garden's beauty or prepare for next spring, autumn’s cooler days and warm soil offer the perfect conditions for planting. Here’s some ideas for some of the best plants to consider for the fall season in the Midwest. If in doubt your local landscaping company can point you in the right direction and help you with your Fall landscaping ideas.
Perennials
Perennials are the cornerstone of any garden, providing color year after year. Fall is a great time to plant them because the roots can establish before the ground freezes. Consider these Midwest-friendly options:
Coneflowers: These native prairie plants are hardy, drought-tolerant, and attract pollinators. Their striking colors add warmth to the fall garden.
Black-Eyed Susans: Known for their vibrant yellow petals, they’re a must-have for adding a burst of sunshine late in the season.
Hostas: Ideal for shady spots, hostas come in a variety of leaf textures and colors, adding lush greenery to your fall garden.
Bulbs for Spring Bloom
Fall is the season to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses. These bulbs require a cold period to bloom, so planting them before the ground freezes ensures a vibrant display when the snow melts. Choose early, mid, and late-season blooming varieties for a staggered spring show.
Cool-Season Vegetables
The Midwest fall weather is perfect for cool-season vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures. Some of the best choices include:
Kale: A nutrient-dense green that becomes even sweeter with a touch of frost.
Spinach: This leafy green can be harvested well into fall and sometimes overwinters for an early spring crop.
Carrots: Cooler temperatures help bring out the sweetness in carrots, making them a great fall harvest crop.
Trees and Shrubs
Fall is the optimal time to plant trees and shrubs in the Midwest, as the roots have plenty of time to establish before winter. Some hardy choices include:
Maple Trees: Famous for their brilliant fall foliage, maples offer vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn.
Burning Bush: This shrub lives up to its name with fiery red leaves in the fall, making it a striking landscape feature.
Serviceberry: A small tree that provides year-round interest, with spring flowers, summer berries, and beautiful fall foliage.
Mums and Asters
For instant color, mums and asters are the quintessential fall flowers. They thrive in the cooler temperatures and can create stunning displays in beds or containers. Mums come in a variety of colors, from warm oranges and reds to purples and whites, while asters offer star-shaped blooms that attract late-season pollinators.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are low-maintenance and provide texture and movement to your fall garden. Popular Midwest varieties like switchgrass, little bluestem, and feather reed grass add height and visual interest. Their seed heads also provide food for birds as winter approaches.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter
Once you’ve completed your fall planting, it’s important to prepare your garden for winter. Mulching around new plants helps insulate the roots, and watering until the first freeze ensures they have enough moisture. Consider covering delicate plants with burlap or frost blankets to protect them from harsh winds and snow.
Fall is the perfect time to refresh your Midwest Garden and set the stage for a stunning landscape come spring. By selecting the right plants and giving them the care they need, you can ensure your garden will flourish through the changing seasons.
Looking for a Landscaper and someone that can assist in choosing the right plantings for the Fall / Winter Season?
If you are looking for a professional landscaping company to help with your landscaping ideas in Metamora, Germantown Hills, Peoria, East Peoria, Washington, Morton and surrounding areas? Contact Barrow Landscapes for all your landscaping needs.
Barrow Landscapes offers Hardscapes including Paver Walkways, Retaining Walls, Paver Patios to Softscapes including landscape plantings, lawn install and repair, and privacy plantings. Barrow Landscapes also offers landscape lighting and 2D and 3D landscape designs so their clients’ can visualize their dream landscapes with unparalleled clarity and confidence, making informed decisions bringing outdoor visions to life.
Call Barrow Landscapes at 309-370.6299 or visit BarrowLandscapes.com. Make an appointment today to get your landscape visions started.
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