8 Shrubs You Can Plant Now for Gorgeous Fall Color
Give your yard the ultimate autumn makeover.
Watching the leaves change from bright green to jaw-dropping shades of red, orange, and yellow is always one of the biggest highlights of fall. But towering fall trees aren’t the only plants that put on a dazzling performance when autumn rolls in. Shrubs can also bring plenty of vibrant foliage to your yard, whether you plant them along borders, in beds, or beneath windows.
For a front-row seat to the splendid performance that these shrubs put on every fall, late summer is the perfect time to start planting. By getting shrubs in the ground now, you’ll give their roots a chance to settle before the ground freezes. Plus, you’ll provide them with just enough time to sprout, so they can show off their colorful display this fall—and every fall after that. But even when autumn fades, many of these shrubs still offer something beautiful during every season.
If you’re looking to brighten up your autumn landscaping, these shrubs will get the job done. No matter what type of shrub piques your interest, each one is resilient, dependable, and undeniably beautiful.
Amp up the color by adding these plants to your fall yard:
Virginia Sweetspire
These hardy, easygoing shrubs boast beautiful color from early summer through fall. While their fragrant white flowers sprout at the start of summer, they transition to bright red foliage once the weather cools down. Add them to borders or foundations, and you’ll enjoy two equally stunning displays without planting anything new.
Red Chokeberries
This native shrub shifts from small white or pink flowers in the spring to glossy green leaves in the summer before showing off its eye-catching foliage and bright red berries in autumn. Since this shrub grows up to 12 feet tall and five feet wide, it makes a great natural privacy screen. For rich fall color, be sure to plant it in a sunny spot.
Witch Hazel
Climbing up to 20 feet tall, witch hazel is a shrub that commands attention, especially in the fall, when its oval green leaves transform into ribbon-like petals in glistening shades of yellow or orange. Some varieties even bloom in late fall or winter, which means you’ll get to soak up gorgeous color even when the rest of your garden has called it quits.
Fothergilla
Known for its white spring blooms, leathery summer leaves, and vibrant autumn foliage, fothergilla is a shrub worth planting, whether it’s along walkways or underneath windows. Since its leaves turn yellow, orange, and red in autumn, it’ll mirror the stunning treetops surrounding it. But the best part might just be its year-round appeal.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
When these bulbous blooms experience autumn, their bright, crisp hues morph into arresting shades of red, orange, and burgundy. Not to mention, their oak-shaped leaves are perfectly inline with the season’s rustic aesthetic. Even when the foliage fades, these shrubs leave behind a whole new look: peeling bark and dried flower heads.
Spicebush
For a brightly colored shrub that’s larger than life, you can’t go wrong with spicebush. This showstopper grows six to 12 feet tall and wide, so it’ll surely steal the show wherever you plant it. Despite the massive size, its sunny fall foliage and woodland-inspired look will give your yard a natural, earthy flair.
Winterberry Holly
While holly is typically associated with Christmastime, this berry-studded shrub isn’t one to miss in the fall. When autumn arrives, the leaves change color, fall off, and then leave behind ripe, red berries that practically glow on the bare branches. These jolly red berries will continue to shine all through winter.
Red-Twig Dogwood
This hardy shrub undergoes an impressive multi-season transformation: white blooms in the spring, white berries in the summer, red or orange foliage in the fall, and scarlet stems in the winter. While its color change will undoubtedly dazzle in autumn, there’s nothing more magical than seeing its striking stems set against a snowy yard.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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