As we approach fall's cooler temperatures and increased rainfall, it's time to start thinking of adding some shrubs to your landscape. With soil temperatures still warm and air temps slowly cooling, autumn is the ideal time to plant shrubs.

One group I'm especially excited about are witch hazels. All witch hazels have spidery 4-petaled blossoms and good fall color. Our native witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, has a lovely yellow flower and spicy fragrance, but blooms in the fall- when the leaves are also yellow, hiding the blooms.

Hamaelis x intermedia cultivars are crosses between the Chinese and Japanese witch hazels and come in a variety of flower colors, yellow, orange and reddish-brown. They reach 6-12 feet tall depending on cultivar with either a vase shaped or rounded form. Limb them up to make a small tree or leave them alone for a shrubby look.

The added benefit of the hybrid witch hazels is they bloom in winter, late January-March around here, when nothing else is blooming, and the foliage has been shed. During the day the petals unfurl, then at night or on especially brutal days they curl up again extending the bloom period several weeks.

Cut some branches to bring in to force and enjoy the spicy scent and exotic appearance.

It's also time to start thinking of dividing perennials. You've got plenty of time- you want at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes. Some years, it takes us to December for the ground to freeze.

However, last few days have been especially moist at my house; we received just over 7 inches of rain in a week. This prompted my neighbor to ask if she could divide her irises yet. "Of course", I told her.

With adequate moisture, either from the heavens or your garden hose, August is the time to start dividing, moving around and sharing your extra perennials with friends . Divide spring and early summer bloomers now, leave fall-bloomers to divide in the spring.

The actual mechanics of dividing varies depending on the type of plant and root system. Before I run too long, we'll address the specifics of dividing perennials next week.