Fall is for planting and the end of August is the start of the fall season in Western Washington as night temperatures cool and nurseries restock with a fresh supply of trees, shrubs and perennials.

The best time to add new plants to the landscape is when the autumn rains return to keep the soil moist, but this is a good time to research hardy plant material to replace the sad-looking plants that have not done well in your landscape.

What shrub can I plant in the shade for color that is not a hydrangea? I realize everyone seems to love hydrangeas, but this area is near a tree and the soil is too dry for hydrangeas. I would like an evergreen shrub if possible.

— W.T., Buckley

I can think of two attractive evergreen shrubs that do well in the shade and can adapt to dry soil. The first is

See Full Page