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When planting shrubs outdoors, the planting time is also an important aspect in addition to the location. Depending on the wood, you have a different period of time available for this.

In a nutshell

  • The planting season for shrubs extends from September to April
  • Depending on the region, this is shortened or lengthened
  • It is not planted on frosty days to avoid cold damage
  • Bare-root trees are ideally planted in the fall
  • Container goods and plants with root balls are preferably planted in spring

Autumn planting time: 27 trees and shrubs

There are two planting times throughout the year, which are suitable for different shrubs. In addition to spring, autumn is the main planting season, which means that the classic planting season in Central Europe runs from September to April. Planting in summer is not recommended due to the heat. Autumn planting, on the other hand, takes place between September and the first days of frost, usually December, and is used to allow the plants to grow stronger for the next season. This improves vitality and reduces the need for water. However, depending on where you live and the local climate, the time may be shorter or longer. Are suitable:

  • bare-rooted shrubs
  • Plants with root balls (rare)
  • absolutely hardy species
  • coniferous shrubs

In most cases, the bare-root specimens in particular are planted in the ground in autumn. The reason for this is breeding. The bare-root goods usually overwinter when planted out with only weakly covered roots, which can have a negative effect on health. Autumn planting guarantees that the bare-root shrubs are planted quickly and do not have to stand for a whole winter. A large number of species are therefore suitable for this planting season. You can find these in the following table:

  • apple (penalty)
  • Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
  • Common broom (Cytisus scoparius)
  • Bride's Spiraea (Spiraea arguta)
  • Bristly Taiga Root (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
  • Single Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Source: VoDeTan2, Crataegus lavalei carrierei fruit, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Field maple (Acer campestre)
  • Lilac (Syringa)
  • Pimpernut (Staphylea pinnata)
  • Hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
  • Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
  • Japanese Cherry 'Autumnalis' (Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis')
  • Japanese ornamental apricot 'Beni chi dori' (Prunus mume 'Beni chi dori')
  • Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
Cornelian cherry, Cornus mas
  • privet (privet)
  • Magnolia (Magnolia)
  • Red currant (Ribes rubrum)
  • Black currant (Ribes nigrum)
  • Seven Sons of Heaven Shrub (Heptacodium miconioides)
Source: peganum from Henfield, England, Heptacodium miconioides (15227383878), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
  • Shrub Vetch (Hippocrepis emerus)
  • Grape elder (Sambucus racemosa)
  • Bird cherry (Prunus padus)
Source: Anneli Salo, Prunus padus - Tuomi - Marjoja H9256 C, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Clematis (Clematis)
  • Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster)
  • Witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia)
Witch hazel 'Diane' (Hamamelis intermedia)
  • Two-style hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)

Notice: When choosing bare-root trees, pay even more attention to the vitality of the plant. If there are signs of deficiency symptoms, diseases or pest infestation, you should not purchase the plant, otherwise it could die over the winter.

Planting time Spring: Table for 29 shrubs

While fall planting is primarily used to prepare for the next season, spring is used to plant crops that need to be established before winter. These mainly include:

  • not absolutely hardy species
  • frost-sensitive taxa
  • evergreen deciduous shrubs
  • deciduous shrubs
  • container plants
  • Plants with root balls

Many of the species would not survive the winter if they were planted in the autumn in their native latitudes. For this reason, they are granted a season in which they can grow and establish themselves at the site. You can usually look forward to a flower immediately if it is well cared for, as sufficient fine roots have already formed to absorb nutrients. In contrast to the specimens planted in autumn, however, you have to pay more attention to the water supply during spring, otherwise there will be problems due to drought. The list of plants to plant in spring is long. For that, take a look at the list below:

  • Bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium)
  • Blackberry (Rubus sect. Rubus)
  • Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
  • Yew (Taxus baccata)
  • Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula)
Buckthorn, Frangula alnus
  • Forsythia (Forsythia)
  • Frankline (Franklinia alatamaha)
Source: Plant Image Library from Boston, USA, Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree) (36611036676), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Common juniper (Juniperus communis)
  • Common Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum)
  • laburnum
  • Hibiscus (Hibiscus)
  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
  • Beautiful Leycesteria (Leycesteria formosa)
  • Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
  • Buckthorn (Rhamnus)
  • Lavender (Lavandula)
  • Trees of Life (Thuja)
  • Love Pearl Bush (Callicarpa giraldii)
Callicarpa bodinieri in the garden bed
  • Almond tree (Prunus triloba)
  • Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
  • Red Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
  • Red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)
  • Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
  • Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
  • Snow forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)
  • Shrub horse chestnut (Aesculus parviflora)
  • Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
  • Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
  • Dwarf Whitebeam (Sorbus chamaemespilus)

Tip: Plant shrubs in spring after frosty days, but wait for warmer temperatures. However, frosts can cause damage to specimens that are not fully established, which could nevertheless be avoided.

Table: 14 shrubs for autumn and spring planting

Some shrubs can even be planted in spring and autumn compared to the ones already mentioned. A good example of this are roses (roses), which can be planted bare root, with a root ball or as container goods at will. It is even possible to plant bare-root roses in early March, especially if they are wild roses such as the dog rose (Rosa canina) or potato rose (Rosa rugosa). These are particularly robust and establish themselves quickly enough before damage can occur. But roses aren't the only shrubs you can plant across the two time periods. The following table introduces you to a few more plants:

  • Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
  • Chinese spice bush (Elsholtzia stauntonii)
  • Chinese Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)
  • Mezereon (Daphne mezereum)
  • Amelanchier pear
  • Spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus)
  • Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
  • Catkin willow (Salix caprea)
  • Buckthorn (Rhamnus)
  • Sloe (Prunus spinosa)
  • Snowballs (Viburnum)
Viburnum opulus
  • Viburnum Bladder (Physocarpus opulifolius)
  • Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
  • Black elder (Sambucus nigra)

frequently asked Questions

Can shrubs be planted in summer?

Summer planting is possible if it is containerized, which is of high quality and therefore much healthier. With these, planting is even possible all year round, except on frosty days. The water supply is very important, because many plants dry out quickly if they are not watered sufficiently. Well suited for summer planting are, for example, potted roses, wisteria, shrub peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) and summer jasmine (Philadelphus coronarius).

What is the water requirement after planting?

The first year is a big challenge for the freshly planted trees. Regardless of the species, the plants are very thirsty and need a lot of water so that they can effectively establish themselves in their new location. Therefore, after planting, regularly check the vitality of the plant and the soil for dryness.

What should be considered when planting on the selected date?

The size of the excavated pit for the plants is essential for problem-free establishment at the site. A planting hole 1.5 times the size of the root ball is dug to give the plants enough space. In addition, loosen the soil, especially in spring, when it is just “waking up”. Compacted soils have a negative effect on the growth of trees and worsen the supply of moisture.

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Garden design