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Fall Is for Planting: Shade Trees, Colorful Trees & Beautiful Shrubs
Plant now for a more beautiful garden, season after season.
There's something special about fall in the Bay Area. The days grow shorter, the air feels a little cooler, and gardens begin to take on a different kind of beauty. While summer flowers may be winding down, trees and shrubs are just getting ready to put on a show!
And here's another reason to love fall: It's one of the best times of year to plant trees and shrubs in the Bay Area.
Whether you're dreaming of a shady retreat, looking to bring more autumn color into your landscape, or simply wanting to add structure and beauty to your garden, now is a wonderful time to get planting.
Why Fall Is the Ideal Time to Plant in the Bay Area
Our mild Mediterranean climate gives Bay Area gardeners a distinct advantage when it comes to fall planting.
As summer heat fades, the soil remains relatively warm while cooler temperatures reduce stress on newly planted trees and shrubs. With the winter rainy season ahead, roots have months to grow and establish before the warmer, drier days of summer return.
Planting in fall offers several advantages:
- Stronger roots: Plants can focus on establishing roots rather than supporting vigorous new top growth.
- Less heat stress: Cooler temperatures make the transition into your garden easier.
- Seasonal rainfall: Winter rains can help support new plantings, reducing the need for supplemental watering when rainfall is sufficient.
- A head start on spring: Established roots help support healthy new growth when temperatures rise.
The result? A stronger foundation for years of growth, beauty, and enjoyment.
Plant a Little Shade, Enjoy It for Years to Come
A well-placed shade tree can completely transform an outdoor space.
Imagine enjoying your morning coffee beneath a leafy canopy or relaxing in a cooler corner of your garden on a warm summer afternoon.
Shade trees do more than look beautiful. They can help cool outdoor living spaces, provide habitat for birds and beneficial wildlife, and create a sense of privacy and comfort.
A few wonderful options for Bay Area gardens include:
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
A fantastic choice for gardeners who want both shade and spectacular fall color. Its spreading canopy provides welcome summer shade, while its foliage transforms into brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold in autumn. Best suited to sunny locations with room to grow.
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
A California native that offers year-round evergreen shade and tremendous wildlife value. With its broad canopy and naturally beautiful form, it's a wonderful choice for larger landscapes where it has plenty of room to mature.
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
Ideal for smaller landscapes, patios, and garden focal points, crape myrtles offer colorful summer blooms, attractive bark, and foliage that often turns shades of orange, red, or yellow in fall. Available in a range of mature sizes.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Few trees bring as much elegance to a garden as a Japanese maple. With graceful branching and beautifully shaped leaves, many varieties provide brilliant red, orange, or golden fall color. Smaller varieties make lovely specimen trees for courtyards, patios, and intimate garden spaces. Most appreciate protection from intense afternoon sun, especially in warmer inland Bay Area locations.
Bring the Beauty of Fall Into Your Garden
Who says you have to travel to see beautiful autumn foliage?
While the Bay Area may not be famous for the sweeping fall color of New England, we can create our own colorful displays right outside our doors.
The secret is choosing trees and shrubs that bring different colors, textures, and seasonal interest into the landscape.
More Trees Worth Discovering
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Distinctive fan-shaped leaves turn a gorgeous golden yellow in fall. A striking specimen tree with beautiful form. Choose a male cultivar to avoid messy, unpleasant-smelling fruit.
Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
This California native small tree or large shrub offers a beautiful progression of seasonal interest: vibrant magenta flowers in spring, rounded blue-green leaves in summer, and golden-yellow foliage in fall. A lovely choice for smaller gardens.
Don't Forget the Shrubs!
Trees may steal the spotlight, but shrubs play an equally important role in creating a beautiful landscape.
They add layers of color, soften garden edges, provide privacy, and bring seasonal interest closer to eye level.
Consider these beautiful additions:
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Large, oak-shaped leaves can turn rich shades of burgundy, red, and bronze in fall. Beautiful summer flowers and peeling bark add interest through multiple seasons. Best in a sheltered spot with afternoon shade in warmer locations.
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Selected varieties offer colorful foliage in shades of red, bronze, and green, adding warmth to the landscape. Choose carefully, as some varieties produce berries and can spread beyond the garden.
Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum)
For color that extends well beyond fall, purple-leaf varieties provide rich burgundy foliage throughout much of the year. Their delicate, fringed flowers add another season of interest.
Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria)
Known for its airy, smoke-like summer flower plumes and beautiful foliage, smoke bush adds wonderful texture and drama. Depending on the variety, leaves may turn shades of orange, red, or purple in fall.
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
A California native evergreen shrub that brings seasonal beauty through clusters of bright red berries in late fall and winter. An excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens, particularly where a natural, drought-conscious landscape is desired.
Think Beyond Fall Color
While colorful foliage is a wonderful reason to plant, think about what your trees and shrubs can offer throughout the year.
A thoughtfully chosen combination can provide:
- Spring beauty: Flowers, fresh foliage, and new growth.
- Summer comfort: Cooling shade, lush greenery, and inviting outdoor spaces.
- Fall interest: Changing leaves, colorful berries, and beautiful textures.
- Winter structure: Evergreen foliage, interesting bark, and sculptural branches.
You don't need a large landscape to make an impact. A single Japanese maple near a patio, a colorful shrub beside an entryway, or a well-placed shade tree can make a remarkable difference.
A Few Tips for Planting Success
Before choosing your new tree or shrub, consider a few essentials.
Give it room to grow. Think about the plant's mature height and width, not just how it looks today. Allow adequate space from buildings, walkways, and overhead utilities.
Choose the right location. Some plants thrive in full sun, while others, including many Japanese maples, appreciate afternoon shade. Remember that conditions can vary considerably between coastal and inland Bay Area gardens.
Water thoughtfully. Even with winter rains on the way, newly planted trees and shrubs need regular attention. Water deeply after planting and monitor soil moisture until roots are established. Adjust watering based on rainfall and your plant's needs.
Add mulch. A layer of organic mulch around the planting area helps conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and protect developing roots. Keep mulch away from the trunk or main stems.
Plant This Fall, Enjoy the Beauty for Years
There's something especially rewarding about planting a tree or shrub. You're not just adding another plant to your garden. You're creating shade for future summers, beautiful foliage for autumns to come, and a landscape that becomes more inviting with every passing season.
And in the Bay Area, fall gives those new additions a wonderful opportunity to get established.
Ready to add a little shade, color, or something spectacular to your landscape?
Visit your neighborhood SummerWinds Nursery and explore our selection of trees and shrubs. Our knowledgeable associates can help you choose the right plants for your garden's space, sunlight, and growing conditions.
Plant now. Enjoy for years to come.
Plant selection and availability vary by location. Fall color and plant performance depend on variety, local climate, and growing conditions.
