As the crisp air of autumn settles in, the landscape transforms into a canvas of vivid hues. If you're looking to elevate the beauty of your garden or landscape with stunning fall colors, several native trees and shrubs stand out for their spectacular seasonal displays. Here are eleven worthy native plant additions to your outdoor space:
1. Autumn Blaze Maple: Popular hybrid maple celebrated for its rapid growth and dazzling fall foliage, which turns a brilliant red-orange, adding an invigorating splash of color to your landscape.
2. Willow Oak: A majestic tree known for its finely textured leaves and robust growth. In fall, its narrow, willow-like leaves turn a striking yellow to russet, creating a warming effect in your garden.
3. Black Elderberry: Versatile tall shrub that thrives in various conditions, brings clusters of dark, purplish-black berries and vibrant red-purple foliage to your garden in autumn, attracting wildlife and adding visual interest.
4. Arizona Cypress: While an evergreen, the Arizona Cypress provides subtle but beautiful color shifts during the colder months. Blue-green foliage offers a serene contrast to the fiery tones of other fall plants.
5. White Dogwood: A beacon of beauty year-round. Come autumn, its leaves turn shades of red and purple, paired with bright red berries that attract birds and add to your garden's charm.
6. Spicebush: Known for its aromatic qualities, Spicebush is a medium-sized shrub whose leaves turn a golden yellow in the fall. This brilliant color, combined with its bright red berries, makes it a standout in any landscape. Attracts butterflies and birds!
7. Sycamore: Admired for its peeling bark and large leaves that turn a rich, golden-brown in the fall. Its imposing height and shade make it impressive at any time of year.
8. Bald Cypress: Unlike other conifers, the Bald Cypress turns a rich, rusty orange before shedding its needles for the winter. Its unique, feathery foliage and striking trunk add a distinctive element to any garden.
9. Hornbeam: The Hornbeam tree, known for its beautiful wood and dense foliage, showcases an array of fall colors from yellow to orange and even red. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
10. Annabelle Hydrangea: While often praised for its large, white summer blooms, Annabelle Hydrangea also provides beautiful fall interest. As the blooms age, they take on a greenish hue, and the foliage can turn a lovely lemon yellow.
11. Itea 'Henry's Garnet': A stunning shrub, 'Henry's Garnet' offers fragrant white blooms in summer and in fall, its foliage turns a deep, garnet red. This vibrant color holds well into winter, providing lasting interest.
For a larger selection of trees, shrubs and perennial plants that produce amazing fall colors, visit our Fall Plants category page
Incorporating these native trees and shrubs into your garden not only enhances your landscape's beauty but also supports local wildlife. Their brilliant fall colors will make your outdoors a feast for the eyes.
