As you know, there are plenty of trees and shrubs that put on the most colourful display come autumn: whether they’re evergreen or deciduous. Bright shades of red, orange and yellow bring a splash of autumn colour to the garden - and how about the fruits and berries that start appearing? We’ve picked a few great plants to add autumn colour to any landscape design, backyard, or public installation. 

 

1. Shrubs for autumn colour 

Early-season rhododendrons can start blooming between December and March, but the Encore® Azaleas bloom in spring and autumn. They offer ample choice in beautiful colours and demand little maintenance. The glossy, dark green foliage colours in winter to purple bronze, so there is year-round ornamental value. 

 

Cotinus Flamissimo will show an even more spectacular autumn colour: a smoke bush cultivar more compact and with an even more vivid autumn colour than Cotinus Flame. This fast-growing Cotinus will be about 1.50 m high and 1.20 m wide after five years. A fantastic, spectacular-looking shrub for mass planting! 

 

If you’re looking for smaller shrubs: most Cornus show their brightest colours during autumn, before their leaves fall to reveal colourful winter stems. Cornus Miracle is especially spectacular with its unique pink-purple leaves in late summer and intense red stems in autumn. 

 

 

2. Small trees & fruit trees 

With lots of colourful fruits and beautiful foliage, Malus looks spectacular in autumn. Malus Appletini is a fruit tree with an abundant bloom in the spring and a rich fruit set in the autumn. The mini apples become no bigger than a ping pong ball but taste great! 

 

On the other hand, Acer is most known for the spectacular show it puts on in autumn. Acer Starfish and Acer Silhouette do this reputation credit with their vivid red foliage during the autumn months. And the best thing is that both Starfish and Silhouette are ideally suited for smaller gardens and avenue planting. 

 

 

3. Ornamental grasses 

As you must know, ornamental grasses are indeed at their best in autumn. And the fact that they combine beautifully with all kinds of perennials and shrubs doesn’t hurt either. Ornamental grasses such as the brightly coloured Carex EverColor® series, the ever-popular Hakonechloa SunFlare™, or the spectacular Festuca Sunrise are each incredibly colourful and beautiful additions to the autumn garden. 

 

 

4. Climbers 

And last but not least, we have the ever-beautiful climbers such as Trachelospermum, Wisteria and Campsis. There are a few spectacular varieties that will flower throughout multiple seasons: autumn included. Trachelospermum Star of Milano stands out with its variegated, glossy foliage and the extra-long flowering period from May through September. 

 

The same goes for Campsis Golden Trumpet: flowering from July to September with its beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers, and let’s not forget Wisteria Amethyst Falls: blooming in early spring and again during the beautiful autumn months. Three fantastic climbers that will add the needed colour to the autumn garden!