12 Small Trees With Standout Fall Foliage

Fall is the perfect time to add some color to your landscape, and small trees with standout foliage can do just that. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows will make your yard pop. If you are looking for trees that bring more than just shade, these options are perfect. With the right care, these trees will provide stunning visuals year after year. 

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Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Japanese maples are known for their delicate leaves and graceful form. Their autumn colours range from vibrant reds to soft oranges, creating a striking display in any garden. These small trees are perfect for smaller yards, providing a rich contrast when planted alongside evergreens. With proper care, they will reward you with beautiful foliage year after year.

Japanese maples thrive in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They prefer some afternoon shade to protect them from harsh sun, especially in warmer climates. Plant them as a focal point or near a patio to enjoy the fall colour up close. Their smaller size makes them versatile for a variety of garden spaces.

Parrotia persica ‘Vanessa’ (Persian Ironwood ‘Vanessa’)

This tree is valued for its bold fall colours that range from red to purple, with a distinctive branching structure. The Persian ironwood offers year-round interest, with its flaking bark and vibrant foliage in autumn. It grows to a manageable height of 20 to 30 feet, fitting well into a variety of garden styles. This tree is especially appreciated for its ability to thrive in urban environments.

Plant the Persian ironwood in full sun for the brightest colours, although it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to different soil types. Once established, it is low-maintenance and quite hardy. This tree’s striking colour and unique bark make it an excellent choice for adding interest to your garden.

Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese Golden Rain Tree)

The Chinese Golden Rain Tree is known for its bright yellow foliage that lights up the garden during the fall months. Its small size and rounded crown make it ideal for smaller gardens or courtyards. The tree also produces distinctive lantern-shaped seed pods that add visual interest through the winter. This tree’s adaptability and resilience make it a popular choice for various climates.

It grows up to 20 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it benefits from well-drained soil. The golden rain tree is known for its drought tolerance once established, making it a great choice for less frequent watering. Its golden fall colour provides a cheerful, eye-catching display in autumn.

Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

The Flowering Dogwood is a small tree known for its stunning pink or white spring blooms and fiery red to purple fall foliage. Its fall colours create a warm, inviting atmosphere in the garden, adding depth to any landscape. Growing to about 20 to 30 feet, this tree is perfect for smaller spaces, such as near pathways or garden edges. It’s a classic choice for creating seasonal beauty in a compact garden.

Plant the Flowering Dogwood in well-drained, acidic soil and provide it with some afternoon shade to protect it from harsh sun. It prefers moist conditions, but once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant. The tree’s charming flowers and vibrant fall foliage make it a favourite among gardeners. It also provides visual interest even in winter, as its bark adds texture to the landscape.

Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood)

The Kousa Dogwood is a smaller cousin to the Flowering Dogwood, offering beautiful white blooms in late spring and striking red fall foliage. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller gardens, growing up to 15 to 25 feet in height. The fall colours are a mix of red and purple, providing a rich display that enhances the landscape. The tree’s layered branching structure also adds visual interest throughout the year.

This tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist. The Kousa Dogwood is known for its resilience and ability to adapt to various soil types. It’s also a great choice for urban gardens, as it tolerates a range of environmental conditions. Its attractive flowers, berries, and vibrant fall foliage make it a wonderful addition to any garden.

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ (Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’)

The Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’ is known for its deep purple foliage in spring, followed by rich red and orange hues in the fall. This small tree grows to a height of about 15 to 25 feet and is perfect for smaller landscapes or gardens. The heart-shaped leaves and vibrant colours make it a striking addition to any yard. It’s a great choice for those looking for a tree with both ornamental value and seasonal beauty.

Plant the ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud in well-drained soil, and it thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Its adaptability to a variety of soil types makes it an easy tree to care for. This tree is especially valued for its dramatic colour changes throughout the year, from purple spring foliage to vibrant autumn colours. It’s a true standout in any garden.

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)

The Paperbark Maple is an elegant small tree with cinnamon‑coloured bark and rich red to orange foliage in the fall. Its unique peeling bark makes it a standout even in winter months when the tree is bare. Growing to about 20 to 30 feet tall, it fits well in smaller gardens where it can be admired up close. The tree’s fall colours are especially striking, adding warmth and vibrancy to the landscape.

Plant the Paperbark Maple in moist, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight for the best colour display. It prefers slightly acidic soil but is adaptable to different soil types. This tree is low-maintenance and offers year-round beauty with its distinctive bark and stunning fall colour. It is perfect for creating visual interest and a sense of elegance in your garden.

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’ (Black Tupelo ‘Wildfire’)

The Black Tupelo ‘Wildfire’ offers brilliant red foliage that turns vibrant in autumn, creating a striking contrast in the landscape. This small tree typically grows to about 20 feet, making it a great choice for smaller gardens or as an accent tree. Its rich colour and compact size make it ideal for providing seasonal beauty without overwhelming your space. The tree also produces attractive berries that attract birds, adding to its wildlife appeal.

Plant the Black Tupelo in well-drained, acidic soil and provide it with full sun or partial shade. It is quite adaptable to different soil types and can tolerate moderate drought once established. This tree’s fall foliage is particularly valued for its intensity, which stands out even in more subdued landscapes. Its vibrant colours make it a great focal point in gardens of any size.

Sorbus ulleungensis ‘Olympic Flame’ (Ulleung Rowan ‘Olympic Flame’)

The Ulleung Rowan ‘Olympic Flame’ is a small, ornamental tree that catches attention with its striking fall colours. Its leaves turn shades of red and orange, while it also produces clusters of red berries that last well into winter. This tree is perfect for small spaces, reaching a height of about 15 feet. It is often used as an accent tree or near garden entrances for added visual impact.

This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it easy to maintain in a variety of climates. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring only moderate care. The ‘Olympic Flame’ Rowan offers more than just beautiful fall colours, as its bright berries and unique foliage add multiple layers of interest throughout the seasons. It is especially appreciated for its vibrant autumn display and ornamental value.

Prunus ‘Beni-Yutaka’ (Cherry Tree ‘Beni-Yutaka’)

The ‘Beni-Yutaka’ Cherry Tree is a small, beautiful tree that offers a stunning display of deep crimson foliage in the fall. It grows to about 20 feet tall, making it ideal for smaller yards or gardens where space is limited. The tree also produces delicate pink blossoms in the spring, adding charm to any landscape. Its fall colours are a welcome contrast to the fading greens of the season.

Plant the ‘Beni-Yutaka’ Cherry in well-drained, slightly acidic soil for the best results. It prefers full sun to light shade and is relatively low-maintenance once established. The tree is known for its striking colour changes in fall, with its red and orange leaves creating a vivid display. Its smaller size makes it a perfect addition to compact gardens or as a feature tree near walkways or patios.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Boyd’s Dwarf’ (Katsura Tree ‘Boyd’s Dwarf’)

The Katsura Tree ‘Boyd’s Dwarf’ is a compact variety that brings beautiful yellow, orange, and even pinkish hues to the garden in the fall. It is perfect for smaller spaces, as it grows to a manageable height of about 15 feet. The tree’s delicate, heart-shaped leaves add a touch of elegance to any landscape. In the autumn, the foliage offers a soft, warm tone that complements other fall colours.

This tree does well in moist, well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is relatively easy to care for and adds seasonal colour to gardens with minimal maintenance. The Katsura Tree is also known for its fragrant aroma when its leaves fall, giving the garden an extra sensory layer. Its compact size and beautiful foliage make it an excellent choice for a small garden or as a specimen tree in a mixed landscape.

Amelanchier lamarckii (Snowy Mespilus)

The Snowy Mespilus is a small tree with a great deal of seasonal interest. In spring, it blooms with white flowers, followed by edible dark berries in summer. In the fall, its leaves turn fiery red and orange, making it a perfect tree for adding vibrant colours to your garden. This tree typically grows to about 20 feet, making it a suitable choice for smaller gardens or as a feature near pathways.

Plant the Snowy Mespilus in full sun to partial shade and ensure it has well-drained soil for the best results. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types and requires little maintenance once established. The tree’s fall foliage is particularly valued for its deep, rich colours that provide a striking contrast against other autumn trees. Its multi-season appeal and compact size make it a great addition to any garden.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.