SHRUBS FOR   FALL COLOR

by Sally Cogdill

 

 
               No garden is complete without the splendor of brightly colored fall foliage.  With fewer flowers in bloom, trees and shrubs clothed in vivid hues of orange, burgundy, yellow and red take center stage in autumn.  If you are installing a new landscape or remodeling an existing one, consider including some of these all-star performers to provide eye-catching fall color.

 

Burning Bush (Euonymus alata)

  • Height: 8 – 12’     Spread: 8 – 12’
  • Fall Color: crimson red
  • This simple, tidy shrub features dark green leaves that transform to brilliant red in fall.  It is a valuable background plant in the landscape.  Dwarf Burning Bush (E. a. ‘Compactus’) is smaller, growing to a height of 4 – 6’ and a spread of 2 – 4’

Compact American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’)

  • Height: 4 – 6’     Spread: 4 – 6’
  • Fall Color: red, purple, yellow
  • Tri-lobed, maple-like leaves make this an attractive plant.  Several varieties and sizes are available.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)

  • Height: 4 – 6’     Spread: 4 – 6’
  • Fall Color: scarlet red, purple
  • This dense, native shrub features light green leaves with lobed, toothed edges.  Its berries are popular with birds.

Gro-Low Sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’)

  • Height: 2 – 4’     Spread: 6 – 8’
  • Fall Color: yellow, reddish-purple
  • This plant can be used as a low-growing shrub or a groundcover.  Its leaves are fragrant when touched or crushed.

Hedge Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus)

  • Height: 6 – 8’     Spread: 4 – 6’
  • Fall Color: orange, red
  • You can shear this plant as a hedge or topiary or leave it natural.  It is useful as a screen for privacy.  

Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium)

  • Height: 5 – 6’     Spread: 5 – 6’
  • Fall Color: red, orange, yellow
  • The shiny green leaves of this plant resemble holly leaves, as the name implies.  It is valued in the landscape because it does not lose its leaves in winter.  Compact varieties are available.

Saskatoon Serviceberry  (Amelanchier alnifolia)

  • Height: 8 – 10’ (or more)     Spread: 8 – 10’
  • Fall Color: yellow, orange
  • This native, drought-tolerant plant can be used as a large shrub or small tree.  It features white blossoms in spring and berries that are popular with birds.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

  • Height: 30’
  • Fall Color: crimson, burgundy       
  • This plant is a vigorous vine and can be used as a ground cover.  Engleman Ivy (P. q. var. engelmannii) is more compact with smaller leaves.

Western Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi)

  • Height: 4 – 6’     Spread: 4 – 6’
  • Fall Color: orange, red
  • This shrub is a good selection for hot, dry sites.  It has glossy, gray-green leaves and produces numerous white flowers, followed by sweet black cherries.