What can you plant in autumn in Stockholm?
By Service Plus Stockholm AB3 min read
Short answer
What is suitable for autumn planting in Stockholm's climate?
In autumn in Stockholm, from September to mid-October, it is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, hedges, perennials and bulbs. The ground is still warm, the rain takes care of watering and the plants have time to root before winter. Avoid autumn planting of evergreens, roses and tender perennials such as lavender, which do better when planted in spring.
Why is autumn a good time to plant?
In September the ground in Stockholm still holds 12–15 degrees while the air has cooled. This means the roots grow without the plant having to support large leaves, and the soil rarely dries out. A hedge planted in September often has a six-month head start on one planted in May.
Nurseries also often have sales on the autumn range, and the selection of bare-root hedge plants is at its largest in October.
Plants suitable for autumn planting
- Hedges: privet, hornbeam, beech, alpine currant and spirea as bare-root or container-grown plants.
- Trees: apple, pear, rowan, crab apple, maple and birch.
- Shrubs: lilac, mock orange, panicle hydrangea and berry bushes such as currants and gooseberries.
- Perennials: hosta, daylily, astilbe, peony, monkshood and ornamental grasses.
- Bulbs: tulip, daffodil, crocus, allium and snowdrop, planted from late September to November.
What should wait until spring?
- Evergreens such as thuja, yew, rhododendron and box. They lose water all winter and dry out easily if the roots have not had time to establish.
- Roses, especially bare-root ones, are best planted in April–May.
- Mediterranean plants such as lavender, sage and thyme.
- Summer bedding plants and vegetables, with the exception of garlic, which is planted in October.
How to plant correctly in autumn
- Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. The root collar should sit at ground level.
- Mix in compost or planting soil, but avoid nitrogen fertiliser, which drives growth at the wrong time of year.
- Water thoroughly straight after planting and then weekly until the ground freezes if the autumn is dry.
- Cover the soil around the plant with 5–10 centimetres of bark or leaves as frost protection.
- Stake newly planted trees, because the autumn storms arrive before the roots have taken hold.
Planting with Service Plus
Service Plus Stockholm AB plants hedges, trees, shrubs and flower beds throughout Greater Stockholm. Our planting specialist Flora helps with plant choice based on location and soil, can buy plants and soil for you and provides care advice for the first winter. Planting in an existing garden qualifies for a RUT deduction of up to 50% of the labour cost.
Common follow-up questions
How late in autumn can you plant in Stockholm?
Trees, shrubs and hedges can be planted until the ground freezes, usually until mid-November. Perennials should be in the ground by mid-October at the latest to have time to root.
Should you fertilise when planting in autumn?
No, not with nitrogen. Use compost or bone meal instead, which release nutrients slowly, and fertilise for the first time in April.
How much does it cost to plant a hedge?
The labour cost depends on the length of the hedge, the condition of the soil and the size of the plants, and qualifies for the RUT deduction. The plants are priced separately by variety and size. Service Plus assesses the price on site and provides a free quote before the work begins.
