Shrubs to Plant for the Fall

As temperatures begin to cool, fall offers ideal conditions for planting shrubs in Texas. Cooler weather allows new plants to establish strong root systems before the heat of next summer, setting the stage for long-term success.

Shrubs are a versatile and valuable addition to any landscape. They can serve as foundation plantings, privacy screens, or simply add ornamental beauty with their texture and color. With the right selection, your landscape can remain vibrant and lush well into the cooler months.

To get the best results, it’s important to choose varieties that are well-suited to our Texas climate. Do a bit of research—or even easier ask a Certified Nursery Professional at your local Calloway’s or Cornelius Nursery—to ensure you’re selecting the right plants for your space.

Unsure of where to start? Here’s a helpful list of top shrub choices for fall planting!

KALEIDOSCOPE ABELIA

Kaleidoscope Abelia is a gorgeous heat-tolerant, low-maintenance shrub that thrives in 5–8 hours of full sun. Its colorful foliage shifts from golden yellow and green in spring and summer to rich red and orange in fall, providing year-round interest.

Delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding movement and life to your garden. With its compact, mounded form, it’s ideal for borders, foundation plantings, or low hedges. Once established, it also performs well in low-water landscapes, making it both drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly.

TEXAS SAGE

Texas Sage is a native shrub known for its toughness and drought tolerance, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil—making it an excellent choice for North Texas landscapes.

Its silvery-gray foliage provides striking contrast year-round, while its purple, pink, or lavender blooms often appear around rainfall, attracting bees and other pollinators. Interestingly, Texas Sage can bloom before or after rain, responding to humidity levels and low atmospheric pressure. This unique trait has earned it the nickname “barometer bush,” as many believe it can predict when rain is on the way.

Low-maintenance and deer-resistant, Texas Sage is ideal for hedges, screens, or as a standout accent plant in xeriscapes. Once established, it requires very little water and handles our Texas heat with ease.

COLOR GUARD YUCCA

Color Guard Yucca is a hardy evergreen shrub that stays under 2 feet tall. In ideal conditions, it rewards you with beautiful white blooms in late spring or early summer. It performs well in partial to full sunlight and is very drought tolerant.

Color Guard Yucca can be used many ways in a landscape, and it is suitable for flowerbeds or container gardens. It is a slow-growing shrub plant and creates a dramatic contrast in your landscape design.

MICRON® HOLLY

Micron® Holly from Garden Debut® is a unique, compact shrub known for its tiny leaves and tidy, mounding form. Much smaller than the typical Dwarf Yaupon Holly, this variety offers a refined look that’s perfect for borders, small garden spaces, or low-maintenance landscapes.

It reaches a mature size of just 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for neat, space-saving design without sacrificing visual interest. Micron® Holly thrives in full sun to part sun, making it a versatile option for a variety of planting locations.

PINK MUHLY GRASS

Looking to add a touch of drama to your landscape? Pink Muhly Grass is the perfect ornamental grass to plant this fall. Native to Texas, this drought-tolerant beauty is known for its airy pink plumes that create a stunning, cloud-like effect in any space.

It thrives in full sun and adds vibrant color and soft texture to any urban or natural landscape. Whether planted in bold masses or as a striking standalone feature, Pink Muhly Grass is a low-maintenance, deer-tolerant and brings movement and visual interest all season long.

SUNSHINE LIGUSTRUM

Sunshine Ligustrum is a vibrant, evergreen shrub that’s perfect for adding bold color to your landscape.

Its bright golden foliage creates striking contrast, making it an ideal choice for borders around flowerbeds or as an accent plant. Growing in popularity, this standout variety pairs beautifully with darker-toned plants to create a dynamic, eye-catching design.

For best results, plant in full sun to keep this colorful shrub healthy and glowing throughout the seasons.

FALL PLANTING TIPS

For the best results with your new shrubs, follow these helpful planting tips.

1. Before placing any shrub, you should consider the overall height and width when it reaches maturity, as there should be space for the shrub to grow.
2. Upon planting, treat new plants with Nature’s Creation® Root Stimulator as directed on the label.
3. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball.
4. Mix in equal parts of Calloway’s Premium Tree & Shrub Garden Soil with existing soil.
5. Place root ball in the hole and fill in with soil.
6. Firmly press soil around the plant and water thoroughly.

POTTERY

In addition to our wide selection of premium shrubs, we offer a beautiful variety of pottery and accessories to enhance both the style and function of your garden. From classic ceramic planters to lightweight modern options, our pottery comes in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit any plant or design aesthetic. You’ll also find practical accessories like saucers and trays that help protect your surfaces and support healthy plant care.

SHOP WITH EASE

Ready to refresh your landscape this fall? There’s no better time to plant, and we’re here to help every step of the way! Visit your neighborhood store today and discover our full selection of premium shrubs—perfect for adding color, texture, and year-round beauty to your outdoor space.

Whether you’re updating a flowerbed, designing a new focal point, or just adding a few finishing touches, our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are always available to offer expert advice and personalized recommendations. Stop by, get inspired, and let’s make your fall garden something truly special!