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As the heat of summer fades and autumn breezes sweep in, landscapes transform into brilliant displays of gold, amber, crimson, and orange. Choosing the right trees and shrubs for fall foliage can turn your yard into a breathtaking autumn oasis. Here’s a guide to some of the best trees and shrubs to plant for spectacular fall colors.
Maple Trees: The Autumn Royalty.
Maples are famous for their vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues in autumn, and their expansive varieties make them versatile for different garden designs.
- Sugar Maple: Known for its striking orange and fiery red foliage, sugar maple trees provide excellent shade in the summer, making them a fantastic investment for a large yard.
- Red Maple: With red-tinted leaves that can vary from bright red to burgundy, this tree brings depth to fall color-palettes. It thrives in diverse climates and soil types, making it a popular and hardy choice.
- Japanese Maple: Japanese maples are ideal for smaller spaces or ornamental gardens. They have a delicate and intricate leaf shape and colors ranging from deep maroon to bright red.
Oak Trees: Subtle Beauty and Structure
Oaks may not turn the flashiest colors, but their rich bronze, russet, and red tones offer a sturdy autumn aesthetic and incredible structural interest.
- Red Oak: The Red Oak’s foliage turns to rich shades of red and orange, creating a stately presence. It’s excellent for medium to large yards and provides acorns that attract wildlife.
- White Oak: This species turns a brilliant mix of red and burgundy shades in the fall. Its rounded, classic oak shape adds natural beauty to any space.
Dogwood Trees: Small Tree; Big Impact
Dogwoods bring seasonal interest year-round with their spring flowers, summer foliage, and spectacular fall colors. They’re perfect for accent trees.
- Flowering Dogwood: Known for its compact size and bright red fall foliage, it also produces red berries that attract birds and other wildlife.
- Kousa Dogwood: This variety turns shades of scarlet and purple, adding a distinctive color to autumn gardens. Its elegant, vase-like shape makes its a great choice for ornamental gardens.
Sumac Shrubs: Bold and Bright
Sumacs are underrated shrubs for fall color. They offer some of the most intense hues of the season, and they’re especially great for adding height and structure to borders.
- Staghorn Sumac: Known for its red, furry branches and brilliant red to purple foliage, this sumac creates a stunning visual effect in autumn landscapes. Its unique texture can add visual intrigue, and it’s excellent for naturalized areas.
- Smooth Sumac: This variety offers vibrant red, orange, and purple hues and is highly tolerant of various soil conditions. It grows rounded, making it a beautiful addition to wild or natural gardens.
Burning Bush: A Fiery Shrub Choice
True to its name, the Burning Bush lights up in blazing red during fall, becoming a brilliant focal point. It’s ideal for foundation plantings, hedges, or as an accent piece. However, this shrub can be invasive in some regions, so check local guidelines before planting.
Witch Hazel: Golden Elegance and Winter Blooms
Known for its fall-blooming, spidery yellow flowers, Witch Hazel adds a unique element to autumn landscapes. Its golden yellow fall foliage pairs beautifully with the reds and oranges of surrounding plants. Its cold-hardy blooms also provide a touch of winter interest.
Serviceberry: Year-Round Beauty with Autumn Allure
Serviceberry offers multi-season interest with delicate spring flowers, summer berries, and a stunning display of fall orange, red, and gold foliage. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces, and its tasty berries attract birds.
Planting Tips for Autumn Landscapes
- Mix Textures and Heights: Pair trees and shrubs with different shapes, textures, and heights to add depth and visual interest. Combine larger trees with understory trees and shrubs to create a layered look.
- Consider Sunlight: Fall Foliage colors are often most vibrant with plenty of sunlight. Ensure your plants receive the right light conditions for the most intense colors.
- Prepare for Winter: Fall is an excellent time to mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture and protect roots through winter.
Choosing suitable trees and shrubs for fall color will enhance your autumn landscape and ensure year-round beauty. By making thoughtful selections now, your garden will be a stunning feature every season. Maples, oaks, dogwoods, and other shrubs add unique color, structure, and texture that shine in autumn and endure through the seasons. With thoughtful planning and a selection of these fall foliage champions, your landscape can capture the essence of autumn and provide beauty and vibrancy long after the season’s last leaf has fallen.
Are you looking to enter the real estate market this fall? Give us a call today! One of the experienced agents at Zoocasa will be more than happy to help you through the exciting home-buying process!
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