Autumn seems a bit late to arrive this year. Temperatures have been warm, and we’ve only started to see a bit of fall color (at least north of Boston).
If fall is your favorite season (it’s definitely mine) and you’re thinking of planting this time of year (which is a great idea), here are 5 gorgeous shrubs that will bring loads of color to your landscape at this time of year.
Fothergilla major ‘Mt. Airy’: Fothergilla is a beautiful, native shrub with white flowers in early spring. In the fall, though, its foliage turns a brilliant palette of red, orange and yellow and even at times a deep purple. It is gorgeous paired with ornamental grasses.
Hamamelis intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’: This large vase shaped shrub likes full sun to part shade. It blooms early in the season (February/March) but I think it shows off most in the fall with its multi-colored foliage. Plant this where you’ll see and appreciate the early season flowers and the late season color.
Lindera benzoin: Spicebush is a native shrub that can be planted in anything from full sun to full shade. Its yellow flowers are a more low key alternative to forsythia in spring, but in fall this plant really shines with golden yellow leaves. A great option for a wet or shady area.
Vaccinium corymbosum (any variety): Highbush blueberry is a fantastic landscape shrub. Not only do you get edible berries during the summer, the foliage in fall is a brilliant red. For clients of mine that have (and love) the color of Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), I often recommend this as a replacement.
Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’: I just love Viburnum! The Winterthur variety has a glossy leaf and wine red foliage in fall. To top it off, its fruit changes from white, to pink, to dark blue as the fall season progresses. Another large shrub, this can stand alone or looks fantastic in a group.
