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Planting in the fall of the year has never been all that popular among gardeners in this region. Most of us gardeners seem to be caught up in the spring renewal ritual. I am very fond of instant gratification in the garden, so I have been known to purchase a plant or two in spring. Like other gardeners, my preference is a plant in full foliage, and full bloom, for transplanting immediately to that special spot.
However, spring transplants of a potted plant in full foliage and bloom is asking a lot from the plant. It will have to get through transplant shock and settle in to rebuild its feeder root system before our summer drought periods arrive. This year the drought arrived early, but in the past dry weather traditionally arrived around mid to late July. August is both hot and dry with high humidity. The dry normally breaks about mid to late September. When perennials are transplanted in spring, attention has to stay on those plants almost all summer to keep them alive and thriving.
Since switching over to primarily a fall planting schedule I find I am having better success in transplanting my perennials. When planted from September through Thanksgiving the top growth has completed its cycle for the season and has, or will shortly be, going dormant for its winter's nap. No foliage or flowers to feed demanding energy from the root system.
The roots will have all winter to settle into their new home. Come spring when they begin to awaken, the perennial will never know it was moved.
The early blooming ephemeral of woodlands demand fall planting for best survival and performance. Plants with a bloom period of late February, reaching into April, need time to settle in, get anchor and feeder roots out into the soil before bloom. That means a transplanting no later than Thanksgiving for a bloom period of late February, early March. Some examples would be Hepatica, Trilliums, Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) and Erythronium, (trout lilies). It is not rare for a wildflower to resent moving during bloom period and they can be set back severely.
In late fall and early winter I am normally in my garden, cutting out and removing perennial tops that have gone into dormancy. I also pick up all leaves from the lawn, chop them up, and then use them as mulch throughout the garden. Since I am already playing in the garden, fall is a wonderful time to add that new perennial or woodland wildflower to the garden.