Fall Color: Top Trees and Shrubs

Now that Spring has sprung, there are several good ways to continue to create color in your yard throughout the fall. Here are some excellent suggestions of trees and shrubs to provide bursts of color this fall. (Courtesy of bhg.com)

 

1. Sugar Maple, A great, extra-reliable tree that makes a big statement in fall, sugar maple offers gorgeous red, orange, or yellow end-of-the-season leaves. (Acer saccharum, grows in sun to shade and moist, well-drained soil, up to 70 feet tall, zones 4-8.)

 

 

 

 

2. Dogwood, Look great just about any time of year. They’re most loved for their white or pink springtime flowers, but don’t overlook the gorgeous purple-red tones they’ll bring to your fall landscape. (Cornus kousa, grows in sun to shade and moist, well-drained soil, up to 25 feet tall, zones 5-8, plus it’s the North Carolina state tree!)

 

 

 

3. Chokeberry, A wonderful shrub in several seasons, chokeberry offers white flower that look like apple blossoms in spring; rich red fruits in late summer and autumn; and brilliant orange-red fall foliage. (Aronia arbutifolia, grows in full sun to part shade and moist, but well-drained soil, up to t0 feet tall and 6 feet wide, zones 4-9.)

 

 

 

4. Stewartia, This top-notch tree looks beautiful throughout the year. Its dark green leaves make a nice foil for the late-summer, white camellia-shape flowers. In fall, the leaves turn festive shades of orange, yellow, and red. (Stewartia pseudocamellia, grows in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, up to 70 feet tall, zones 5-8.)

 

 

 

5. Gingko, Slow-growing ginkgo adds grace to the landscape; its fan-shaped leaves are among the most elegant of any tree. In autumn, they show breathtaking shades of luminous, golden-yellow. After the leaves drop, you’ll be waiting for next fall. (Ginkgo biloba, grows in sun to shade and moist, well-drained soil, up to 100 feet tall, zones 4-9.)

 

 

6. Amur Maple, Another top-notch maplefor fall color, Amur maple is a small tree or large shrub (depending how you prune it) that bears bright red leaves in fall. (Acer ginnala, grows in sun and moist, well-drained soil, up to 25 feet tall, zones 3-7.)

 

 

7.  Sumac, An incredibly tough shrub, sumac provides some of the brightest red color you’ll see in autumn. One note, though: While extra-tough and beautiful, sumac is a fast spreader and is not a great choice for small-space landscapes. (Rhus typhina, grows in full sun and well-drained soil, up to 15 feet tall, zones 3-8.)

 

 

8. Viburnum, This rounded shrub offers beautiful clusters of white flowers in spring, then bright foliage in warm shades of red come autumn. Those eye-catching leaves are accented by ruby-red fruits. ( Viburnum trilobum, grows in sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil, up to 15 feet tall, zones: 2-7.)

 

 

 

 

9. Serviceberry, A plant for season-long beauty, we adore serviceberry for its display of white springtime flowers, delicious summer fruits, and amazing orange and red fall foliage. (Amelanchier canadensis, grows in full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil, up to 20 feet tall, zones 3-7.)

 

 

10. Burning Bush, This tough shrub earned its common name because of its autumn hues. It’s foliage turns glowing shades of red and pink – a knock-your-socks-off plant! (Euonymus alatus, grows in full sun and well-drained soil, up to 20 feet tall, zones 4-8)