Backyard Reflections

Since fall colors are so popular, it’s not difficult to identify shrubs and trees that change colors in the autumn. Avoid evergreen and coniferous plants, and you’re likely to come across something that turns yellow, red, or orange.  

Here is a list of some of the most popular fall plants that may bring color to your environment, compiled by a landscape services specialist.

1. Dogwood Tree
Dogwood is a slow-growing medium-sized tree that can reach 25 feet tall and wide. Its tiny size makes it suitable for most small gardens. It features wonderful spring blossoms, fascinating berries, and stunning red fall leaves.

2. Sedum
Succulents are the low-maintenance perennials to choose from. Sedums love late-season pollinators and tolerate a wide range of soils. They may also be grown in most climes because of their hardiness. They also produce great-cut flowers.

3. Toad Lily
Toad lilies have tiny orchid-like blooms and glossy foliage that is typically speckled or variegated. They like moist soil and part sun to shade. If you look after them, they will offer stunning color to your shade garden in the fall.

4. Heuchera
Colors range from lime green and silver to vivid scarlet and deep burgundy. Despite their fragile flowers in mid-to late-summer, they are grown for their magnificent foliage color that lasts all season until the first harsh cold. They’re tough tiny plants that look great grown in clusters.

5. Sugar Maple
Many outdoor living contractors recommend planting a sugar maple. No other tree offers as much gold, burned orange, and scarlet hues. It grows quickly, reaching 55-75 feet in height and 30-50 feet in width, allowing it plenty of room to spread its lovely canopy.

6. Beautyberry
This little-known native shrub bears little white flowers in April and is otherwise unremarkable. In the fall, they burst with beautiful purple berries, adding color to the environment. It looks stunning against the autumnal oranges and yellows. Some can grow rather huge, so choose a compact species.

7. Pansies
Fall is a favored season for pansies. They endure for weeks, tolerate a light frost, and come in a rainbow of hues. Though officially annuals, some will survive a moderate winter and bloom again following spring.

8. Burning Bush
Burning bush is a low-maintenance shrub that comes in a wide variety of sizes and functions. This plant is a must-have for a beautiful autumn garden, with bright red fall foliage that borders on fluorescent.

9. Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Beautiful pale pink, white, and fuchsia rosettes grace these hardy ornamentals. In northern areas, they’ll be among the last to fade, but in tropical climates, they may last all winter. They are lovely cut flowers!

10. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a great choice for the fall because of its vibrant autumn colors. This stunning flower is wonderful for both native gardens and other environments. While some blame goldenrod for causing hay fever, the real culprit is ragweed, which blooms around the same time. 

Backyard Reflections is the company to call if you need help with lighting design landscape and patio services. We design, develop, and manage outdoor living areas as a service to our clients. Give us a call at (218) 220-2785 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation.