With the ongoing drought and water restrictions, gardeners across north Georgia are wondering what, if anything, they can plant this fall. Before addressing the question of ‘what,’ let’s address the question of ‘should you plant?’

Despite the drought, fall and winter are still considered the best time of year to plant trees and shrubs. The reasons for this are many, but the primary reason is fall and winter planting allows the newly installed ornamentals ample time to get established before the warm weather of spring and summer arrive.

As the plants are dormant or semi-dormant, they are not adding much new foliage or branch growth. The newly installed plants are putting all their energy into growing roots. In addition, trees and shrubs installed in late fall and winter simply do not need much water.

Woody ornamentals installed this time of year can survive on one watering per week. If only adding a few small trees or shrubs to your landscape, you can most certainly keep them watered with reuse water from inside the home. The used water from the bath tub, shower, kitchen sink, or even the washing machine can be applied to your newly-installed plants. No garden hose necessary!

As for the question of ‘what to plant,’ many lists of drought tolerant plants are available on the internet and in gardening magazines. Many gardening experts recommend ‘native’ plants as the solution to drought. Native plants are often hardy and adapted to our conditions, but do not think that ‘native’ is synonymous with ‘drought tolerant.’

Below are a few of my favorite trees and shrubs (some native and some introduced) which are drought tolerant. By no means is this a complete list – simply my list.

Trees:

Bald cypress: deciduous conifer adapted to both wet and dry sites

Crape Myrtle: a southern favorite; available in many flower color and plant sizes

Japanese Zelkova: nice shade tree with Elm-like foliage

Pin Oak: dense canopy providing good shade; pyramidal growth habit

Southern Magnolia: ‘Little Gem’ cultivar recommended for smaller lots

Shumard Oak: large, pyramidal shade tree; grows faster than most oaks

Trident Maple: nice medium sized shade tree; fast grower

Shrubs:

Butterfly-bush: many colors available; tough as nails

Chaste tree: multi-stemmed large shrub; purple, lavender and white cultivars available

Dwarf yaupon holly: tough foundation plant requiring almost no care

Fortune’s tea olive: very fragrant; cold hardy in northeast Georgia

Glossy Abelia: many cultivars available including Rose Creek and Canyon Creek

Spirea: several cultivars, flower colors, and plant sizes available

Rose of Sharon: old fashioned winner with many colors available

For landscape water-saving tips, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net.