Have a look at the trees and shrubs we’ve chosen for autumn colour. If you buy from any of these links it doesn’t affect the price you pay (if you can get any of them cheaper elsewhere, go for it!), but we get a small commission from the suppliers
Probably the most spectacular small tree for autumn colour but be aware...Rhus typhina tends to send out suckers. Just keep on top of that and you'll be fine. It's jolly hardy and doesn't grow enormous.
A very popular little tree
The large, deeply veined oval leaves of this tree are dark red/purple tinted when young, maturing to glossy green then turning rich shades of orange and wine red in the autumn.
In late winter, before the foliage emerges, it also bears clusters of unusual, spidery, crimson flowers because it is closely related to hamamelis (witch hazel).
Magnificent for a larger garden this is a fabulous centrepiece tree - beautiful in shape and gorgeous particularly in autumn.
Try not to put it in a very gusty location (its branches can be a bit brittle according to Elaine) but this has the 'presence' to be a real landmark tree in a planned garden.
A tree that was popular even in medieval times, a Medlar definitely has olde worlde charm; fascinatingly shaped fruits and autumn colour that has real class.
More interesting, you might think, than trees that simply blaze a single hue of red or yellow.
We all have this smashing shrub in our gardens - even Caroline in the Scottish Highlands because it's remarkably hardy and it's happy in most soils/aspects.
Its well-behaved and its purple berries in late autumn really have to be seen to be believed. A real joy!
Hamamelis are proper cheer-leaders. They brighten up late winter with their rich russet or yellow blooms straight from their branches and in the autumn, varieties like this one, 'Diane', produce really stunningly vibrant leaves.
They deliver proper value for your investment!
Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers early in the year on this unusual deciduous shrub are a total delight to Laura. The broadly rounded leaves of Fothergilla major are its most striking feature as Autumn turns them to glowing shades of fiery red and orange.
Ideal for small gardens this gorgeous Sorbus (or Rowan) is a hardy, deciduous tree with creamy white flowers in spring and autumn foliage of reds, oranges and purples, plus clusters of pale yellow to amber berries that last into winter.
Furthermore rowans are reputed to keep witches away - every garden should have one!
Known variously as rhododendron or azalea luteum, this deciduous shrub has addictively perfumed yellow blooms in spring and finishes off with fiery coloured foliage at the end of the year. It loves a sunny position and an acid soil. It likes to be dampish and really would be very happy in a slightly woodlandy setting.
It makes it sound fussy but it's really not!
For some reason Thompson & Morgan don't really tell you much about the stunning autumn colour of these shrubs, or that they like an acid soil, but both are true.
We can vouch for the following:
Flowers - lovely
Berries - lovely
Autumn colour - lovely
and it's as hardy as anything.
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