Complete Guide to Fall at Head-Lee Nursery: Fall Inspiration, Events, and Expert Advice
Fall is a terrific time for South Carolina gardeners, and we’re making it even more magical with seven weeks of fall fun, activities, specials, and more!
Interestingly, while many people think of spring as the primary season for planting, fall is actually one of the best times to plant and establish healthy, thriving plants in your upstate landscape. We love fall planting, and with over 50 years of horticultural experience, we know South Carolina gardening and we want to help set up your garden for long-term success and help you celebrate this magical season.
Check out our family-friendly events, food trucks, fun activities, fall specials, and rare tree arrivals we’ll have this fall.
Week 1: Grasses in Motion
This week is all about adding dynamic movement, texture, and lasting architectural interest to your South Carolina landscape.
Date
September 12
Featured Plant: Muhly Grass
Muhly grass is a true garden showstopper in the fall. Known for its breathtaking, cloud-like plumes of pink and purple, this hardy, South Carolina native perennial catches the light and brings soft, sweeping color to borders and mass plantings when other plants begin to wind down. Plus, ornamental grasses, such as muhly grass, provide texture and structure to garden beds in the winter, handle South Carolina’s summers well, and are low-maintenance plants once they are established.
Week 2: Little Gardeners Weekend
Gardening is a gift best shared across generations. Join us for a weekend devoted to inspiring young plant lovers and getting little hands dirty. This week is the perfect fall event for families and kids in upstate South Carolina.
Date
September 19
Activity: Interactive Children’s Gardening
Have fun with our interactive children's activities designed to teach kids about the joys of planting, soil health, and growing their own green space. Plus, pick out a veggie plant or a snapdragon and “uppot” it into a 4” pot.
Featured Food
Satisfy your afternoon cravings with local treats from the Shaved Ice Food Truck while exploring our grass displays.
Week 3: Porch, Patio, and Pottery
As cool weather arrives, your outdoor living spaces become the main gathering spots for relaxation and entertaining. This week, we’re focusing on simple outdoor-living ideas to refresh your porch, patio, and entryway.
Date
September 26
Outdoor Accent Focus
Discover our wide selection of high-quality ceramic pots, containers, and birdbaths. Adding layered containers near entryways creates an inviting, warm welcome for autumn guests. Plus, who doesn’t love a cute birdbath?
Featured Food
Refuel after picking out your new containers with hot, savory bites from the Dogs & More Food Truck.
Weekly Special
Spend $100 on outdoor pottery and receive a FREE 8-inch mum. (Valid all week long.)
Week 4: Tree Planting Season Begins)
October marks the official kickoff of our fall tree celebration! We’ll show you why planting trees in warm autumn soil is one of the best secrets to growing trees and to a thriving landscape.
Date
October 3
Weekly Special
Buy $100 worth of trees and get a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix to give your new trees the nutrient-rich foundation they need for successful establishment in our South Carolina soil.
Featured Food
Smokin Mommas BBQ
Week 5: Rare Trees & Collector Favorites)
This week showcases rare tree selections and collector choices that thrive in South Carolina. This is a must-attend event for gardeners seeking something truly unique for their homes’ landscapes.
Date
October 10
Featured Arrival: Specialty Redbuds
Our specialty redbuds offer beautiful foliage and breathtaking flowers in the spring. If you love flowering trees, then NOW is the time to plant them.
Featured Food
Enjoy a bite from the Dogs & More Food Truck as you consult with our nursery specialists.
Weekly Special
Buy $100 worth of trees and receive a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix.
Week 6: Conifer Weekend
This weekend focuses on spruces, Oregon-grown conifers, screening plants, dwarf evergreens, and late-summer perennials. Adding conifers to your beds ensures your landscape maintains vibrant visual interest even during the depth of winter and can create lasting structure, privacy, and year-round color to your home garden. Plus, add late-blooming perennials provides crucial late-season nectar for local pollinators while filling seasonal gaps in your garden borders.
Date
October 17
Featured Food
Grab lunch from the Belly Buster Food Truck before heading home to plant your pretty perennials and cool conifers.
Weekly Special
Buy $100 worth of trees and receive a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix.
Week 7: Cozy Garden Weekend
Wrap up our special autumn event with us as we host a dedicated potting activity where you can “uppot” your own plants with our supplies (great for kids, families, groups, and individuals). Plus, explore the nursery and discover how to make your home extra cozy with a perfect autumn container, decorative pottery, fountains, birdbaths, and ornamental grasses. Consider adding a vibrant houseplant as well to bring lush greenery indoors to your home this fall and winter.
Date
October 24
Activity: Dedicated Potting Station
Bring your own containers or pick out new pottery at the nursery. Our potting station will be open to help you pot up successful plant combinations for warm and cool weather transitions.
Featured Food
The Dogs & More Food Truck returns for our finale weekend to round out our autumn event series.
Weekly Special
Last chance to buy $100 worth of trees and claim your FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix!
Visit Head-Lee Nursery for Expert Advice and the Best Plants
At Head-Lee Nursery in Seneca, we know which plants and trees will thrive in your South Carolina garden. We want you to have a successful landscape that you'll be happy with for years to come, so stop by our garden center or give us a call at (864) 882-3663 for advice on fall planting in upstate South Carolina.
We are so excited about our special fall events (especially our family-friendly activities!), and we hope that you’ll join us for these activities as well as to see and explore the healthiest plants and trees in South Carolina!
Head-Lee Nursery Fall Event Schedule
| Week & Theme | Dates | Featured Plants & Focus | Activities & Experience | Featured Food | Special Promotions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: Grasses in Motion | Sept 12 | Muhly Grass (adding movement, texture, & structure) | Explore grass displays & autumn plant arrivals | ||
| Week 2: Little Gardeners Weekend | Sept 19 | Inspiring young plant lovers | Dedicated children’s activities & hands-on learning | Shaved Ice Food Truck | |
| Week 3: Porch, Patio, and Pottery | Sept 26 | Ceramic pots, containers, birdbaths, & porch refreshes | Outdoor living styling & container design | Dogs & More Food Truck | Spend $100 on outdoor pottery, get a FREE 8" mum (All Week) |
| Week 4: Tree Planting Season Begins | Oct 3 | Fall tree establishment | Tree care consultations & fall planting guidance | Smokin Mommas BBQ | Buy $100 worth of trees, get a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix |
| Week 5: Rare Trees & Collector Favorites | Oct 10 | Specialty arrivals (including specialty redbuds) & unusual trees | Rare tree showcases & expert guidance | Dogs & More Food Truck | Buy $100 worth of trees, get a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix |
| Week 6: Conifer Weekend | Oct 17 | Autumn-blooming perennials for late-season color & pollinators | Border planning & garden color extension | Belly Buster Food Truck | Buy $100 worth of trees, get a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix |
| Week 7: Cozy Garden Weekend | Oct 24 | Structural ornamental grasses for winter interest | Dedicated Potting Station (bring your pots or buy new ones from our wide selection) | Dogs & More Food Truck | Buy $100 worth of trees, get a FREE bag of Daddy Pete's Planting Mix |
