The Best Time for Planting: Before Christmas whilst the soil is still warm from the summer sun.

Viburnum opulus fruit in the autumn

As the summer months draw to a close and the days grow shorter, it’s time to turn our attention to the garden. The soil, still warm from the summer sun, provides an ideal environment for new plantings. This period, between autumn and the end of the year, is the golden window for planting or relocating plants. This is when they can establish the vital root systems they need to thrive come spring. In this article, we’ll explore why planting before Christmas is crucial and highlight examples of trees and shrubs that thrive when planted bare-root.

The Advantages of Early Planting

• Soil Warmth: After months of basking in sunlight, the soil retains warmth from the summer. This is an optimal condition for plants to establish their roots. The warm soil encourages root growth, allowing them to access vital nutrients and water.
• Root Development: Planting before Christmas provides ample time for newly planted or relocated specimens to develop fine, healthy roots. These roots are crucial for absorbing water and nutrients, ensuring a robust start to the growing season in spring.
• Avoiding Winter Dormancy: Planting after the end of the year, when the soil temperature has dropped significantly, may lead to plants sitting dormant in the cold earth until the arrival of warmer temperatures in spring. By planting before Christmas, you give your plants a head start in their growth cycle.

Planting Priority: Bare-Root Specimens

Certain plants benefit immensely from being planted bare-root, especially before Christmas. These include bare-root roses, hedges, trees as standards, whips, and various shrubs. Planting them in this manner enhances their chances of thriving in your garden.

Examples of Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs

• Bare-Root Roses: These classic garden favourites are best planted before the holiday season. Varieties such as the ‘David Austin Roses’ and ‘Hybrid Tea Roses’ establish well when planted bare-root. Their root systems develop strongly, leading to healthier, more robust plants in the spring.
• Fruit Trees: Apple, pear, and cherry trees are excellent candidates for bare-root planting. Before Christmas, the young trees can set their roots firmly in the warm soil, ensuring a bountiful harvest in the seasons to come.
• Hedging Plants: Species like beech, hornbeam, and yew make fantastic choices for creating hedges. Planting them bare-root before Christmas allows for better establishment, resulting in denser, more uniform hedges.
• Whips and Standards: Young trees in their early stages of growth, known as whips, and those trained to a single stem, known as standards, thrive when planted bare-root. This planting method encourages robust root development, setting the stage for impressive growth in the future. Examples are Amelanchier, Hawthorns, Cherries.
• Shrubs: Various shrubs, including popular choices like hydrangeas, forsythias, and lilacs, respond exceptionally well to being planted bare-root. This technique allows them to develop a healthy root system, ensuring vibrant blooms and foliage in the coming seasons. Other examples for shrubs are Amelanchier, Sambucus, euonymus alatus, Callicarpa  Buddleia Shrubs, Chimonanthus Shrubs, Forsythia, Parrotia persica, Blackthorn ,  Dogwood Midwinter Fire and Viburnum opulus. 

Planting before Christmas provides a unique opportunity to give your garden a head start on the coming growing season. The warm soil, combined with ample time for root development, sets the stage for healthy, thriving plants. For maximum success, prioritise bare-root specimens like roses, fruit trees, hedges, whips, and standards. By taking advantage of this optimal planting period, you’ll be rewarded with a flourishing garden that delights in the spring and beyond.