Late-season gardening benefits and plant varieties

Mid-October remains a viable period for gardening, as some plant species actually prefer being placed in the ground during the fall. Planning for the late season can allow gardens to continue providing color, structure, and food for pollinators and wildlife even as temperatures drop.

Specific native varieties that offer ecological benefits and autumn color include the Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica), which features white blooms in spring and scarlet foliage in the fall. The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) provides large white blooms that transition to pink and russet, with foliage that turns deep red. Additionally, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginica) is noted as a native species for the eastern United States.