Best Trees and Shrubs for Beautiful Fall Color

There’s nothing that says “autumn” like a garden filled with bright, golden leaves. And while certain trees and shrubs dominate the season when it comes to luminous colors, many easy-to-grow varieties shine just as brightly with a little care and attention. Knowing what to plant and how to care for them can make those effects even stronger.

When your attention turns from raised bed gardens to your autumn landscape, which plants are best?

What makes leaves change color in the fall?

We’ve all seen gorgeous fall colors, but what makes a plant put on a stunning display? And why are some plants (and some years) better than others?

Pigments

During the growing season, leaves are dominated by chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Leaves also contain carotenoids, which produce yellow and orange hues, and anthocyanins, responsible for red and purple. As daylight decreases in fall, chlorophyll production slows, allowing other colors present in the leaves to become more visible.

Temperature

Cooler temperatures, especially those above freezing, can enhance anthocyanin production, leading to vibrant reds and purples. Early frost can dull the intensity of these colors. The best fall displays follow a period of warm, sunny days and cool nights. That’s when sugars produced become trapped in the leaves, promoting the creation of anthocyanin.

Moisture

Moisture levels also play a role. A growing season with plenty of moisture followed by dry conditions in late summer and early fall can enhance the display, while drought can delay color change and result in muted hues. Ensuring your plants have enough moisture at the right time is key. This may involve adding irrigation or a soaker hose where necessary.

The interplay of pigments and conditions, along with species characteristics and tree health, creates the stunning array of fall foliage we admire each year.

Why do some plants have a better display than others?

Aside from moisture and temperature, different tree and shrub species have varying amounts of pigments thanks to species-specific characteristics. The list below outlines some of our favorite trees and shrubs known for their beautiful autumn displays.

Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Native to North America, Cornus florida has multi-season interest with its delicate spring flowers, lush summer foliage, and warm autumn color. While tolerant to some heat, the florida thrives in partial shade where the soil is evenly moist. A neutral soil pH is also best.

Slightly more drought tolerant is the Cornus kousa, or Asian dogwood, which prefers a sunny location and acidic soil.
Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 15 to 30 feet
 

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.)

This dense shrub offers some of the last blooms in fall (October to December, depending on location), but its color lengthens its season of interest in the garden. Predominantly yellow with orange or red highlights, the autumn witch hazel offers a hardy addition to any landscape. Plant in partial shade, such as on the north side of a house or a north facing slope where moist but well-drained soils predominate. This plant will tolerate a wide range of soil pH.
Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 15 feet
 

Gingko (Gingko biloba)

For stunning yellow hues, look no further: the gingko tree offers gorgeous yellow leaves that shine briefly before cascading to the ground in a golden halo. Easy to grow, the gingko prefers well-drained sandy or loam soils with a neutral to alkaline pH. To avoid the mess of fruiting females, choose one of the many male cultivars. While the classic gingko tree requires a large space to thrive, dwarf varieties are available.
Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 60 to 80 feet (dwarf cultivars range from 2 to 6 feet)
 

Red rocket maple (Acer rubrum ‘red rocket’)

Perfect for tight areas thanks to its upright columnar growth habit, we love this variety from the red maple family for its blazing red hues in autumn. Plant several in a row and they shine like beacons. They’re also excellent alone if you’re seeking vertical accents in the landscape. Plant in full sun to partial shade where the soil is evenly moist and slightly acidic. Do not allow the tree to dry out.
Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 30 feet tall with a maximum 10 foot spread
 

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Famous for their delicate leaves and broad range of sizes, all of the Japanese maples provide beautiful accents in the autumn garden. Plant your favorite variety where dappled or afternoon shade is available, since Japanese maples dislike hot sun and leaves may get scorched. The best soil is well-drained, consistently moist, and slightly acidic. Since these trees are slow-growing, providing ideal conditions will give you the best chance for success. Once established, Japanese maples need little tending. Autumn colors range from yellow to dark red.
Zones: 5 to 8
Size: varies by variety from 2 to 20 feet
 

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

What’s better than a berry-producing plant with proven health benefits? One that turns blazing red in the fall! We love planting blueberries throughout our landscape. Not only does tucking them between plants discourage birds from finding all the berries, it provides a dash of color across the garden that we admire year after year. Blueberries are easy to grow once you know what makes them thrive: acidic soil; a light, yearly pruning; and an annual dose of organic fertilizer. Plant in full sun and watch the leaves dazzle come autumn. Given our location, we opt for Northern highbush varieties, but lowbush varieties also turn deep red.
Zones: 4 to 7 (Northern highbush varieties). Many lowbush varieties are hardy to zone 2.
Size: About 6 feet tall for highbush. Lowbush grow up to 2 feet tall.
 

Smokebush (Cotinus spp.)

Smokebush is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its striking foliage and plume-like flower clusters that resemble puffs of smoke.The most commonly cultivated species are Cotinus coggygria, known as the European smokebush, and Cotinus obovatus, the American smoketree. In addition to its airy blooms that appear in late spring to early summer, smokebush offers vibrant fall colors, with leaves turning brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple. Varieties such as ‘Royal Purple’ and ‘Grace’ are particularly prized for their robust color displays, making smokebush a stunning focal point in any garden. The shrub tolerates a wide range of soils and will usually survive dry conditions once established.
Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 5 to 25 feet
 

Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

Best for larger spaces due to its sizable height, the Katsura tree is a delicately textured, ornamental tree that transforms to golden yellow in autumn. Plant in full sun to partial shade where soil is moist but well drained. Do not let new plants dry out, since they are intolerant to drought. While they tend to grow in pyramidal form, they can adopt a round shape if permitted to take a multi-stemmed habit. Weeping varieties are also available.
Zones: 5 to 8
Size: 40 to 50 feet tall
 

Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

These favorites from the hydrangea family produce delicate white flowers in summer that later turn pink. About the same time, the oak-shaped leaves turn a deep reddish-purple, further accenting this beautiful plant. Like other hydrangeas, they prefer moist, well-drained soil, though they will tolerate drier conditions in the short term. Be sure to plant in slightly acidic soil where partial shade is available. Varieties like ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Alice’ are particularly popular for their robust blooms and striking fall colors.
Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6-8 feet tall
 

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Several species of sumac are native to the US and provide brilliant red displays along fall roadsides. However, some varieties can be invasive in some locations, so take care when choosing yours. We like the fragrant sumac (not considered invasive) for its gorgeous fall color, its potential as a ground cover, and its dual-season interest—flowers in spring, berries and color in fall. Bringing fragrant sumac into your landscape is a great way to take advantage of nature’s colorful display while minimizing work.
Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 4 feet

Enhancing color through healthy plants

For those species that traditionally put on a fall display, you can maximize color by providing optimal soil nutrients, adequate moisture, and all the sunshine a plant needs. Caring for your trees and shrubs by minimizing stress through organic amendments and regular irrigation will help them make the most of whatever the climate throws their way.