Fall gardening guide for planting trees and shrubs

Fall provides a productive window for gardening, particularly for establishing trees and shrubs. Milder temperatures allow roots to develop before the winter dormancy period and the heat of the following summer.

In regions like West Tennessee, specifically Shelby County, gardeners can utilize the relatively long growing season and mild autumn weather. Much of the Memphis area falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, characterized by average annual extreme minimum temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recommended plants for fall include reblooming azaleas, sasanqua camellias, and panicle hydrangeas. Other suitable options for Zone 8a landscapes include native trees such as Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, red maple, river birch, American holly, southern magnolia, and various oak species.