Planting shrubs in August might be profitable if executed thoughtfully and with consideration to watering, soil prep, and warmth stress. Late summer time is a transitional time, and your objective is to get the shrubs established earlier than fall cools issues down.
In heat climates, August should still be a bit too sizzling for some shrubs, however with further care, you may obtain success. It’s a good time to buy at nursery gross sales. In the event you’re not optimistic that the climate will probably be cool sufficient, you may at all times grasp on to potted shrubs for one more month.
There are advantages to planting in late summer time and fall in comparison with spring planting. The soil is heat, which encourages quicker root improvement. Planting in August additionally provides your shrubs ample time to get established earlier than winter dormancy.
In the event you determine to plant shrubs in August, make certain to take action within the night or on a cloudy day. This can assist to scale back warmth stress. Mulch generously, and keep away from fertilizing, which might add further stress. All the time choose wholesome vegetation, and water deeply and constantly.
Listed below are some shrubs which might be good for planting in August.
Rose of Sharon
Planting rose of Sharon in August might be fairly profitable. It’s only in the event you stay in a area with delicate autumns and Augusts.
Correct timing and care are important if you wish to plant these shrubs within the August warmth of summer time. Soil temperatures are heat, which helps the plant consider root progress. In spring, flower formation requires extra vitality.
Select a sunny location with well-drained soil to your rose of Sharon. All the time water deeply, immediately after planting. Deep and common watering will assist to help your shrub through the hotter climate. Add a layer of mulch to assist preserve moisture and shield the roots from temperature fluctuations.
With correct care, an August-planted rose of Sharon will probably be well-established by the next summer time.
Summersweet
Summersweet is a wonderful shrub to plant in August. You may even discover one in bloom in an effort to benefit from the flowers now.
This shrub’s choice for partially shaded areas implies that it gained’t have fairly as a lot warmth to cope with. It would want a substantial quantity of moisture to guard it from warmth stress.
The nice and cozy soil will assist your summersweet to ascertain roots when it finishes blooming. A layer of mulch will assist retain moisture within the soil and suppress weeds. Don’t permit the soil to dry out whereas it’s getting settled in. This shrub is tolerant of moist situations, so overwatering isn’t a big difficulty.
Boxwood
August is a effective time to plant boxwood in cooler areas. It could nonetheless be too sizzling within the southern a part of its vary. The farther south you plant, the extra afternoon shade it is best to give this shrub. The nice and cozy soil is good for root progress, however guarantee these roots have entry to ample quantities of water.
So long as your boxwood shrub will get sufficient water and a few shade from the extraordinary afternoon warmth, it ought to be effective. Mulch to assist insulate and shield the roots. Maintain off on fertilizing, and your shrub ought to set up sturdy roots.
By spring, it will likely be prepared to supply new progress, and you may benefit from the evergreen foliage all through the winter.
Abelia
Abelia is a heat-tolerant shrub, making it appropriate for planting in August. The nice and cozy soil is good for establishing roots, getting ready it for the cool climate forward. Watering constantly is vital to getting this shrub established within the late summer time months.
August is bloom time for abelia, which is one other nice purpose to plant it now. You may benefit from the flowers on lengthy, swish arching stems that final into fall.
Mulch and don’t fertilize till spring. New progress is extra weak to chilly injury, and we wish to give attention to root improvement for now.
Holly
Holly is an efficient shrub for August planting. These shrubs and timber are robust and tolerant; nevertheless, in hotter areas, some shade is helpful for a lot of species. Roots will develop rapidly within the heat soil, so long as you water recurrently and deeply.
Evergreen species favor extra publicity for denser progress and extra vibrant berries. Deciduous species tolerate extra shade, however will flower much less in the event that they get an excessive amount of shade.
Barely acidic soil with good drainage is good. Holly shrubs want constant moisture, particularly within the hotter months.
Texas Sage
Texas sage is very heat-tolerant, making August an appropriate planting time for this shrub. It’s significantly adaptable in its native area, the southwestern United States. You’ll nonetheless must take care to forestall transplant shock, however this one will probably be simpler due to its affinity for decent climate.
Sandy, rocky, and alkaline soils are effective to your Texas sage. It requires glorious drainage, because it dislikes moist ft. Use a skinny layer of gravel mulch to assist with water retention and suppress these late summer time weeds from arising.
Fertilizer will cut back this shrub’s drought tolerance, so it’s greatest to keep away from it till spring.
Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle is a shrub that’s native to the southeastern United States. On this area, planting in August is often profitable.
These don’t thoughts poor, sandy soil, so long as it has correct drainage. It does favor barely acidic soil. Though drought-tolerant as soon as established, newly planted wax myrtles do want common watering.
These shrubs can develop fairly giant, so give them house to unfold out. They make a superb hedge or display screen. Mulch generously after planting to maintain the soil moist, and skip the fertilizer. Plant this shrub in August for sturdy roots and vigorous progress within the spring.
Indian Hawthorn
Indian hawthorn prefers heat climate, making August an appropriate planting time. As with different shrubs, further care will contribute to your success.
It tolerates some shade, however will flower greatest and have denser foliage with extra solar publicity. Drainage is crucial as Indian hawthorn is vulnerable to root rot.
Water completely at planting time, and hold the soil calmly and evenly moist till fall temperatures cool issues down. Maintain an in depth watch in your August-planted shrubs, as pests are in full swing this time of yr and prey on weak and burdened vegetation.
Spirea
In areas the place fall brings common rain and delicate temperatures, August is an applicable time to plant spirea shrubs. Spirea is low-maintenance and hardy. It establishes nicely in summer time with correct care. Drainage is important, and this shrub prefers loamy soil.
On the time of planting and whereas the climate remains to be heat, guarantee your shrub receives thorough watering. The foundation zone ought to stay moist, however not soggy. The nice and cozy August soil encourages the expansion of spirea roots. Keep away from fertilizing, and supply a layer of mulch to maintain the soil moist.
American Beautyberry
American beautyberry is a perfect shrub to plant in August. It’s particularly applicable in its native vary, the southeastern and south-central states. This robust, wildlife-friendly shrub handles warmth exceptionally nicely, and with some care, will adapt rapidly within the late summer time and fall.
I discover that American beautyberry does greatest in partial shade, however it additionally tolerates full solar. As soon as established, it’s surprisingly drought and heat-tolerant. It prefers well-drained soil that’s sandy or loamy, however it grows fairly nicely in our clay soil right here. It not often wants fertilizer, and particularly not within the fall.
Camellia
Camellias are amongst my favourite shrubs through the cooler months. They’re fall and winter bloomers, so planting in August implies that you’ll take pleasure in their bloom within the first yr. They have a tendency to begin blooming of their second yr, however that’s not a tough and quick rule.
Sasanqua camellias are barely extra heat-tolerant and bloom within the fall. Japonicas require extra shade and are winter bloomers. Afternoon shade is preferable for all species. Although they’re robust and heat-tolerant, give your new camellias some further water and care till the climate cools down.
Weigela
Weigela is a spring bloomer. Planting in August will give this shrub ample time to ascertain roots in time for spring flowering.
In zone 8, I might maintain off on this one for one more month to keep away from warmth stress. Shield it from the warmth with loads of water and mulch, and you need to be profitable in cooler climates.
Loamy, well-drained soil is good for weigela shrubs. Maintain the soil evenly moist, however not too moist, till it establishes a powerful root system. In the event you’re profitable, this can bloom superbly within the spring!
Hydrangea
The nice and cozy August soil is nice for selling sturdy root progress in hydrangea shrubs. Nonetheless, it can require a number of water to maintain this one going, particularly in hotter climates. Plant this shrub in August in a spot with afternoon shade to guard it from dehydration and leaf scorch.
Hydrangeas love moisture and wealthy, loamy soil. Barely acidic soil is greatest, and so they want correct drainage due to how a lot they like moisture. Layer on the mulch to guard the roots and acidify the soil because it breaks down. Water it deeply and constantly for the primary one to 2 months.
Chokeberry
Chokeberry is a lovely shrub that produces flowers in spring, adopted by berries that feed wildlife. It has lovely foliage and makes a superb point of interest within the backyard. This shrub is nice for August planting in cooler climates, the place it can endure much less warmth stress.
Extra solar will convey out the crimson tones in your chokeberry’s foliage. Moist, well-drained, barely acidic soil is good for this shrub. Water deeply and constantly after planting, and for a number of weeks after. These tolerate a variety of soil varieties and are much less bothered by moist areas.
Bluebeard
Bluebeard is a drought-tolerant, late summer-blooming shrub that you would be able to actually plant in August. It’s significantly well-suited to areas with heat summers and delicate autumns.
It prefers sandy to loamy soil with glorious drainage. Being vulnerable to root rot, the soil drainage is integral to its success.
After planting this shrub, apply a lightweight layer of mulch to guard the roots and reduce transplant stress. Maintain off on fertilizer to forestall new progress going into winter. The nice and cozy soil will assist develop a powerful root system, and you’ll love the way in which this shrub blooms subsequent summer time!