15 Plants That Provide Stunning Fall Foliage in the Garden

Fall is a season that brings vibrant colors to the garden, making it the perfect time to appreciate the beauty of changing foliage. Many plants offer stunning hues that range from bright reds to golden yellows, creating a captivating landscape. These plants not only add color but also bring texture and interest to your garden during the cooler months. Whether you’re looking to add a tree, shrub, or perennial, there are plenty of options to brighten up your outdoor space. Some plants provide long-lasting color, while others create a more dramatic effect.

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Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

The Japanese Maple is known for its exceptional color changes in the fall. Its delicate leaves shift from vibrant greens to shades of red, orange, and yellow as the weather cools. This tree’s beauty comes from its unique leaf shapes, which enhance the colors even further. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller gardens or as an ornamental centerpiece.

During the fall, the leaves develop rich hues that can create a breathtaking contrast against the remaining greenery of other plants. These trees are slow growers, but their stunning fall display makes them well worth the wait. Japanese Maples thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil, which further supports the vibrant colors they display during autumn.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

The Red Maple is one of the most iconic trees when it comes to fall foliage. Its leaves turn bright red, creating a stunning visual effect in the landscape. This tree is not only known for its autumn color, but it also provides a dense canopy, making it ideal for larger gardens where shade is desired.

As the cooler weather arrives, the Red Maple begins to transform. The leaves first turn yellow, then gradually shift to red, adding dramatic flair to any garden. It is a hardy tree that can thrive in a variety of soil types, making it an easy choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance option that offers incredible fall color.

Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

The Burning Bush is a shrub that provides one of the most intense displays of fall color. As the season progresses, its leaves turn a brilliant red, giving the plant its signature appearance. This plant is perfect for borders, hedges, or as a focal point in your landscape.

In addition to its remarkable foliage, the Burning Bush produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring. However, its true beauty is revealed in the fall when the leaves intensify into fiery hues. The Burning Bush is highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making it a reliable choice for any garden.

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum trees are famous for their star-shaped leaves and their vibrant fall colors. These trees transition from green to shades of red, yellow, and purple, providing a striking effect in the garden. The Sweetgum is a large tree, ideal for spacious yards where it can show off its full seasonal beauty.

In addition to its stunning colors, the Sweetgum also produces spiky seed pods that add an interesting texture to the landscape. As the leaves fall, the lawn may require some cleanup, but the visual reward during the autumn months is well worth the effort. This tree prefers well-drained soil and full sun to produce its most impressive foliage.

Oak (Quercus spp.)

Oak trees offer a range of colors in the fall, from gold and orange to deep red. These trees are long-lived and robust, with their foliage turning shades that deepen as the cooler temperatures set in. The sturdy leaves have a unique shape that adds texture to any garden, making them a great choice for homeowners looking for a tree with a strong presence.

During the fall, the Oak’s leaves can be a mix of yellow and red, creating a multi-dimensional effect that enhances the beauty of your garden. Oaks are adaptable to various soil types and conditions, though they prefer well-drained soil and plenty of space to grow. Their autumn colors are among the most durable, lasting for weeks into the season.

Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)

Viburnum is a versatile shrub that offers stunning fall color, transitioning from deep green to shades of red, purple, and maroon. These plants also provide attractive flowers in the spring and summer, making them a year-round asset to any garden. The leaves in the fall are vibrant and provide contrast to other plants with more muted colors.

The color changes on Viburnum are gradual, giving you a long period to enjoy its beauty. Some varieties even produce berries that attract birds, adding life to the garden during the fall months. Viburnum shrubs thrive in a variety of soil types, especially moist but well-drained soil, and they are easy to maintain throughout the year.

Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)

The Smoke Tree is a stunning addition to any garden, known for its rich purple and red leaves that turn brilliant colors in the fall. This small tree is perfect for gardens where space is limited, offering a bold pop of color during autumn. The unique shape of its leaves adds to its visual appeal, making it a standout piece in your landscape.

In the fall, the leaves of the Smoke Tree deepen to shades of orange, red, and purple, providing an enchanting display. Its “smoke-like” flowers in the summer add another layer of interest, but it is the fall color that steals the show. This tree prefers well-drained soil and full sun to achieve its full fall potential.

Sweetspire (Itea virginica)

Sweetspire is a shrub that is known for its fragrant flowers in the summer and its brilliant fall foliage. As autumn arrives, the leaves turn vibrant red, providing a striking contrast against the remaining green of the garden. This plant is well-suited for moist soils, making it perfect for areas near water features or low-lying spots in the landscape.

The fall colors of Sweetspire are not only visually appealing, but they also attract wildlife. The colorful leaves provide food and shelter for birds and insects as the temperatures drop. Sweetspire is relatively low-maintenance, making it a great choice for gardeners seeking a plant that is both beautiful and easy to care for.

Burning Love Sumac (Rhus typhina)

The Burning Love Sumac is a shrub that offers exceptional color in the fall, with vibrant red and orange hues. It is a perfect choice for creating a striking visual effect in your garden. This plant also has unique, large leaves that add texture to the landscape, making it a standout piece.

As the weather cools, the leaves of the Burning Love Sumac become more intense in color, with shades of fiery red and orange. In addition to its stunning fall foliage, the shrub also produces red berries that attract birds. The Burning Love Sumac thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, providing a long-lasting display throughout the autumn season.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Serviceberry is a multi-season tree that provides gorgeous fall foliage, with its leaves turning golden yellow and orange as the weather cools. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a tree that offers year-round interest. In addition to its fall color, Serviceberry produces beautiful white flowers in the spring and edible berries in the summer.

As the fall season progresses, the Serviceberry’s leaves develop rich hues that contrast beautifully with its smooth bark. This tree is a great option for small to medium-sized gardens, providing color and texture in the autumn months. Serviceberry prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden conditions.

Birch (Betula spp.)

Birch trees are known for their striking white bark, but their fall foliage is equally impressive. As the weather cools, the leaves of the Birch tree turn golden yellow, providing a bright and cheerful contrast in the garden. These trees are ideal for gardens with acidic, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.

In addition to their beautiful fall colors, Birches are fast-growing trees that can provide quick shade. Their leaves flutter in the breeze, adding movement and texture to the landscape. While they may require some maintenance to keep their appearance tidy, their vibrant yellow leaves make the effort worthwhile in the fall.

Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Dogwood trees are known for their stunning blooms in the spring, but they also offer beautiful fall foliage. In autumn, the leaves turn red and purple, adding a rich touch of color to the garden. This tree is a fantastic choice for smaller gardens, as it has a compact growth habit and is ideal for both shade and sun.

The fall foliage of the Dogwood is complemented by its striking red berries, which add visual interest to the tree even as the leaves begin to fall. The tree’s multi-season appeal, with blooms in the spring and color in the fall, makes it a desirable choice for gardeners looking for year-round beauty. Dogwoods thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are relatively easy to care for.

Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

The Black Tupelo is a tree that is often overlooked but offers stunning fall foliage. Its leaves turn brilliant red, orange, and yellow, making it a true standout in the garden. This tree is perfect for larger gardens, where its height and striking color changes can truly shine.

In addition to its vibrant autumn display, the Black Tupelo produces small, blue-black fruits that attract birds. The tree’s adaptability to various soil types makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who want a tree with low maintenance. The Black Tupelo’s vibrant colors last for weeks, providing a long-lasting fall spectacle.

Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis)

Shadbush is a small tree that offers a brilliant display of fall color, with leaves turning golden yellow and red. This plant is native to North America and is known for its adaptability to different growing conditions. It is a perfect choice for gardeners looking for a tree with seasonal appeal, as it provides beautiful flowers in the spring and colorful foliage in the fall.

The Shadbush produces white flowers in the spring, followed by dark berries in the summer. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow and red, creating a striking contrast in the landscape. This tree thrives in moist, well-drained soil and is tolerant of partial shade, making it an excellent choice for a variety of garden conditions.

Red-twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

The Red-twig Dogwood is a shrub that is famous for its red stems, which stand out even in the fall. As the weather cools, the leaves turn yellow and red, adding a rich pop of color to the garden. This plant is ideal for wetland gardens or areas with moist soil, making it a versatile addition to the landscape.

In addition to its colorful foliage, the Red-twig Dogwood produces small white flowers in the spring and blue berries in the summer. Its red stems remain visible even after the leaves have fallen, providing year-round interest. The Red-twig Dogwood thrives in moist conditions and is relatively low-maintenance, making it a great choice for any garden.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.