The plant life of springiness and summer with their lush foliation and heart - catch flowers experience a lot of attention in the garden .

But we should n’t leave about autumn ’s contribution to Mother Nature ’s colorful palette .

Many deciduous shrubs and bushes beam bright as the dog Day of summertime ebb and a hint of fall ’s nipping air begins to sneak in .

A Japanese style garden in the autumn showing off bright orange, red, and yellow fall colors.

Cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’).

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Let ’s front at our top pick , a collection of woody shrub that are in particular memorable and well - befit for landscapes east , west , Union and south .

All of these selections total vivid color and will definitely make an wallop in your landscape in the autumn and most can be grow throughout temperate North America and Europe .

Red fall foliage of Autumn Jazz Arrowwood Viburnum

Cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’).

15 Woody Shrubs for Dramatic Autumn Color

1. American Beautyberry

American beautyberry , Callicarpa americana , is native to southern North America and desirable for cultivation in Zones 6 to 10 .

In fall , the bright green leaves reverse a fantastic shade of yellowness which are attractively set off by the clusters of bright purple BB - pellet - sized fruit .

As a bonus for those appear for an understory shrub , this industrial plant is tone tolerant – it prefers a part shadowiness location . With a shrubby , open growth habit , this plant top out at three to five feet tall and wide .

A vertical image of a pathway through a colorful fall garden. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

American beautyberry is not picky about soil , either , and it ’s quite drouth - tolerant , though it does perform well with veritable lacrimation , specially when it ’s unseasoned .

American Beautyberry

If you ’d like to add American beautyberry to your garden , you could find plants in three - gal potsavailableat FastGrowingTrees.com .

A close up horizontal image of American beautyberry shrub growing in the garden with yellowish-green foliage and purple berries.

And you may check up on outour guide to growing American beautyberries here .

2. Bottlebrush Buckeye

Bottlebrush buckeye , Aesculus parviflora , is among the few bush on this list that favor funny stipulation . It even blooms profusely in the shade , developing long , erect spikes of white peak in late summer .

Its thick , light fleeceable leave grow up to five inches in length and turn glorious yellowed to furbish Orange River in fall .

This plant life prefer rich , moist loam , but will do fine in median soil offer it drains well . It is intolerant of dry soils , particularly when young .

A close up square image of the green foliage and purple berries of American beautyberry growing in the garden.

aboriginal to North America , it has a heavy , mounding development habit reach out a mature tiptop of eight to 12 feet with a width of eight to 15 feet . Bottlebrush buckeye is hardy in zone 4 to 8 .

Bottlebrush Buckeye

you could find plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up vertical image of the yellow and gold leaves of bottlebrush buckeye in the fall.

3. Crape Myrtle

As if its summertime - recollective display of deep scarlet or pinkish flower were n’t enough , French pancake myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica ) puts on a gloaming display too – with adorable yellow-bellied foliage .

French pancake myrtle are not picky about grease and can be quite drouth - tolerant once established . They do require a full Sunday location and are suitable for cultivation in Zones 6 to 9 .

Expect a mature tiptop of three to six feet tall and a width of two to four foot .

A close up square image of the green foliage and bottlebrush like flowers of bottlebrush buckeye growing in the garden.

Crape Myrtle with Pink flower

you may findL. indicawith pink flowers available in # 3 containersfrom Nature Hills Nursery .

4. Dwarf Fothergilla

genus Fothergilla gardeniiis aboriginal to the southerly US and does well in moist , acidic , organically plentiful , well - drained dirt . This compact beauty efflorescence best in full sun , but the plant also value some good afternoon tad in red-hot and dry climate .

In saltation , you ’ll experience fragrant lily-white bottlebrush - like prime in one- to two - in clusters . Come fall , expect to be dazzled by red , orange , and yellowed leave-taking .

Suitable for growing in Zones 5 to 8 , dwarf fothergilla grows to two to three feet marvelous and wide , with a mound growth habit .

Orange and yellow leaves of Victor Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Victor’) in the fall.

Dwarf Fothergilla

you’re able to find plants available from Nature Hills Nursery .

5. Goldflame Spirea

Spiraea japonica‘Goldflame ’ has leaves that will make you glad from spring through capitulation .

They emerge bronze - red in the spring , mature to yellowish - green in summer , and then offer a vibrant chickenhearted , copper , and orange show in fall .

Like many of its colorful cousins , ‘ Goldflame ’ isa butterfly attractor . It expand in loamy , medium - moist , well - drained soils in Zones 4 to 8 .

A close up of the pink flowers of a crape myrtle shrub pictured on a soft focus background.

Topping out at three to four understructure grandiloquent and wide , this cultivar prefers a full sunlight fix but will tolerate faint shadowiness .

S. japonicais aboriginal to Japan and can spread aggressively via suckers and seeds . It ’s currentlylisted as invasivein many states including Alabama , Georgia , Kentucky , and Pennsylvania , so be certain to retard before planting .

‘ Goldflame ’ Spirea

A close up horizontal image of the flowers of dwarf fothergilla growing in the spring garden pictured on a soft focus background.

industrial plant in # 1 and # 3 containers areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .

6. Highbush Blueberry

Highbush blueberry bush bush ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) do n’t just provide ornamental sake in the garden , but you ’ll bask a harvest of comestible berries as well . arise this tasty dainty in acid grunge in a full to part Lord’s Day location in Zones 3 to 7 .

This plant , native to easterly Canada and eastern and southern US , point off all class , with ruby - gullible spring leaves that turn blue green in summertime and then red , icteric , purple , and orangish in fall . The lowly berry mature from July through August .

‘ Jersey ’ is a vigorous cultivar that bring out average sized Berry on six- to eight - invertebrate foot - improbable plants . The green leaves turn a flare orange in fall .

A square image of dwarf fothergilla growing in the garden.

‘ Jersey ’ Highbush Blueberry

you’re able to line up ‘ Jersey ’ plantsavailable from Burpee .

Read more about grow highbush blueberry bush shrub here .

A close up horizontal image of the red fall foliage of ‘Goldflame’ spirea pictured on a soft focus background.

7. Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia ) is native to southeastern US that blooms with long , refined panicles in pink , ruddy , or ashen .

These shrub prefer rich , well - drained , slimly acidulous soil that stays evenly moist without becoming quaggy . promiscuous to cultivate in Zones 5 to 9 , they top out at four to 15 pes tall and encompassing .

The oak tree - similar leave can grow up to 12 inch all-inclusive , and add up fall , they transform into a radiant show of red , orangish , gold , bronze and purpleness .

A square image of a small ‘Goldframe’ spirea shrub growing in a border by a pathway.

In some climates , the colored display can last into the wintertime month . When the bush does drop its leaves , exfoliate cinnamon - brown barque is revealed .

Gatsby Pink ® akaH. quercifolia‘JoAnn ’ sports promising pinkish blooms that last from midsummer into late surrender .

Gatsby Pink

A close up horizontal image of the fall colors of highbush blueberry foliage pictured in light sunshine.

you could find Gatsby Pink ® available at Nature Hills Nursery .

8. Red Chokeberry

Native to the easterly United States , chokeberry ( Aronia arbutifolia ) pop the question seasonal interest year - round .

Clusters of very pocket-size white-hot bloom get in in natural spring , follow by copious amounts of small , glossy ruby fruit . Leaves are dark green on top and gray - green underneath , turning bright Red River to ruby - purple in declivity .

This low - maintenance shrub boom ina mixed bag of soil types , and grows to a mature height of six to eight fundament with a spread of three to four feet .

A close up square image of ‘Jersey’ blueberries growing in the garden.

Red chokeberry is brave in zone 4 to 9 and needs at least six minute of unmediated sunshine daily .

Red Chokeberry

plant in # 3 containers and two- to three - feet - tall bare radical areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up horizontal image of the fall foliage of an oakleaf hydrangea plant pictured in light sunshine.

9. Red Osier Dogwood

violent osier dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) aka brook or reddish twig dogwood is aboriginal to North America and its sensational capitulation coloration comes not from the leave but from the stems .

This deciduous shrub has an upright , spreading growth drug abuse and its legion stems move around a vivid red in the declension .

In late spring , humble white bloom are a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators , giving way to white berry . The mystifying light-green foliage turns carmine - purpleness in fall before falling to the earth and let on the gorgeous reddened stem .

A close up square image of the pink flowers of ‘Gatsby Pink’ oakleaf hydrangea growing in the garden.

Red osier dogwood is hardy in zone 2 to 7 and necessitate about four time of day of unmediated sunlight each day , but is ok with tad or dappled shade the rest of the day . carry a mature height of seven to nine foot , with a spread of up to 10 feet .

Red Osier Dogwood

you’re able to chance plantsavailable at FastGrowingTrees.comin a choice of size of it .

A close up horizontal image of red chokeberry leaves in the fall pictured on a soft focus background.

Find tips on growing carmine osier dogwood here .

10. Spicebush

Spicebush ( Lindera benzoin ) is popular not only with human race butalso with bird , cervid , rabbits , raccoons , and opossums .

One type of butterfly likes spicebush so much that it consume its name from the plant – Papilio troilusis commonly cognize as the spicebush swallowtail .

Native to North America and hardy in Zones 4 to 9 , spicebush sports light immature , fragrant leaves and in other saltation the limb are adorned with yellow - unripened flower clustering that draw a miscellany of pollinators .

A close up of the bright berries of red chokeberry pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

The foliage ring in fall with a display of smart as a whip yellow leafage . The people of color is more vivacious when it is plant in full Sunday .

Spicebush is easy to grow in average soil , provide it drains well , and tops out at six to 12 substructure tall and wide-cut .

Spicebush

A close up vertical image of red osier dogwood stems after the leaves have dropped in autumn.

you’re able to rule one- to two - infantry - tall plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

11. Sumac

TheRhusgenus consists of about 35 species commonly known as sumac and many types are illustrious for their endearing capitulation color .

Here are a couple of standouts to look for :

Cutleaf staghorn sumac ( genus Rhus typhina‘Dissecta ’ ) grows good in Zones 4 to 8 . you’re able to look it to reach heights of nine to 15 ft , with a spread of 15 to 20 feet .

A close up square image of red osier dogwood with bright red stems covered in snow.

This species grow vainglorious enough that some might call it a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , but its blanket spreading , multiple bow , and strong-growing thicket - form riding habit put it more in the shrub class .

Whatever you call it , it ’s a beauty , especially come autumn when the retentive , deeply serrate leaves change by reversal white-livered , orange , and red .

This one wish average soil that drain well . It appreciates full sun but will tolerate some shade , and it is drought - liberal once established .

A vertical image of the yellow fall foliage of spicebush pictured in light filtered sunshine.

Cutleaf Staghorn ‘ Dissecta ’

flora areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .

Fragrant Sumac ( R. aromatica ) may be develop in Zones 3 to 9 . It ’s a smaller shrub , maxing out at two to six foot tall and six to 10 foot blanket .

A close up square image of the red berries of a native spicebush plant pictured on a soft focus background.

While related to toxicant sumac ( Toxicodendron vernix caseosa ) , fragrant shumac is not poisonous and its leaves offer a pleasant scent when crushed .

The trifoliate green leaves turn yellow , orangish , red , and regal in fall , offering a spectaculardisplay of fall color .

This low - maintenance beauty does well in much of the United States , requiring part shade to full sun , and needing low to temperate amounts of water .

Cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’) with orange and red leaves in the autumn.

It prefers well - drain soils and thrives in difficult areas .

Fragrant Sumac

you may find three- to four - feet - marvelous bare rootage plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up square image of the fall foliage of cutleaf staghorn sumac.

12. Turpentine Bush

aboriginal to the southwesterly United States and northern Mexico , turpentine bush ( Ericameria laricifolia)likes it hot , and reward with numerous tiny xanthous peak in late summertime and fall .

Its common name come from the fact that the foliage is covered with a resin that , when concern , smells like turps . Its other usual name is narrowleaf goldenbush .

This evergreen flora mature best in Zones 7 to 10 , and boom in poor , teetotal soils that are dispirited in organic material . It ’s tolerant of sandy dirt and those containing limestone .

A close up horizontal image of the fall foliage of fragrant sumac pictured on a soft focus background.

Turpentine bush is drought tolerant and lead out at one to three feet tall and broad .

Or read our detailedEricameria laricifoliagrowing guide here .

13. Viburnum

A number of genus Viburnum species display brilliant fall color , and it ’s too arduous for us to pluck just one !

Blackhaw , for example , show off not only purple , reddish - bronze , or ruby leaves , but also disconsolate - black berries in autumn .

It will endure drouth and may be establish in clay soil . It like full sun to part shade .

A close up square image of the red berries of fragrant sumac growing in the garden.

‘ Forest Rouge ’ Blackhaw Viburnum

This type grows best in Zones 3 to 9 , and can reach superlative of 12 to 15 feet and widths of eight to 10 feet at maturity .

‘ Forest Rouge ’ blackhaw plants ( Viburnum prunifolium‘McKRouge ’ ) areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up vertical image of the bright yellow flowers and green foliage of a turpentine bush growing wild.

V. nudum‘Winterthur ’ aka smooth witherod is another gorgeous option . It create showy , fragrant white flowers in the give , and the foliage turns deep red in the fall .

‘ Winterthur ’ appreciate full sunlight to light shade and wet to somewhat dry soils . It can be grown in Zones 5 to 9 and will make a matured peak of about six feet tall with a spread of five to 12 feet .

Korean spicery ( V. carlesii ) is another enticing option . This low - sustentation plant likes a moderate amount of water and prefers full Sunday to fond shade . The leaf turn various shade of red in autumn .

A close up horizontal image of the vibrant fall foliage of common viburnum pictured on a soft focus background.

Korean Spice Viburnum

It will grow mirthfully in Zones 4 to 7 , maxing out at about four to six metrical unit in height and width .

Plants areavailable from Nature Hills Nurseryin # 3 and # 5 containers .

A close up square image of ‘Forest Rouge’ blackhaw Viburnum with a bight display of crimson leaves.

Finally , see arrowwood ( V. dentatum ) , another genus Viburnum to search for if you ’re after cool - weather condition colour .

‘ Autumn idle words ’ Arrowwood Viburnum

Its lustrous , sinister green leaves change to glossy red and reddish - purple in the downfall . Half - inch grim puritanical berries mature in former fall .

A close up square image of Korean spice viburnum flowers growing in the garden.

It thrives in geographical zone 2 to 8 , and you may expect it to get through five to nine foot grandiloquent and wide at matureness .

‘ Autumn Jazz ’ arrowwood genus Viburnum plants areavailable from Nature Hills Nursery . Choose from three- to four - feet unornamented beginning or # 5 container .

Read more about growing viburnum here .

A close up square image of the red fall foliage of arrowwood viburnum pictured in light sunshine.

14. Virginia Sweetspire

Virginia sweetspire ( Itea virginica ) is native to the easterly United States and it flourishes in average , well - drained ground . It prefer moist , hoummos - rich territory , but will tolerate a wide range .

It will do well in full sun to part shade locations in Zones 5 to 9 , reaching a matured altitude of three to four foot with a spread of four to six feet .

Virginia sweetspire yield fragrant , tiny white flowers borne in three- to six - inch - long cylindric clusters . Its dark green oval leaves twist varying shade of Au , red , purple , and orange in autumn .

A close up horizontal image of the red fall foliage of Virginia sweetspire growing in the garden.

Scentlandia ® is a dwarf cultivar that tops out at two to three feet magniloquent and wide . It features highly fragrant bloodless flush in the summer months and vivacious red and thick purple foliage add up fall .

Scentlandia ® Sweetspire

you could see Scentlandia ® plants in # 3 containersavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up of the vibrant fall foliage of Scentlandia sweetspire.

15. Witch Hazel

vulgar Wiccan hazel , Hamamelis virginiana , puts on a dazzling autumn show with fragrant yellow flowers feature shoulder strap - similar , crumpled petal that are standardised tothose of Chinese fringe blossom .

Witch hazelprefers full sunto part ghost and does n’t mind clay soils , though it does do respectable in moist , well - drain dirt .

This plant is hardy in Zones 3 to 8 and can farm to be 15 to 30 foundation magniloquent and wide , but many gardeners care to keep it lop to a smaller shrub size of it .

A close up horizontal image of the yellow autumn blooms of common witch hazel pictured on a soft focus background.

excerption of the works ’s leaves , branchlet , and barque is used in the cosmetic industry as an astringent .

Common Witch Hazel

you may find one- to two - feet unornamented root common witch hazelnut tree plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

A close up square image of the yellow fall foliage of common witch hazel growing in the garden.

Learn more about growing witch Pomaderris apetala here .

Autumnal Awesomeness

When the pinks and lavender of summertime slice , will your garden graciously morph into the classic red , yellows , and purples of autumn ?

Wherever you populate , we hope we ’ve provided you with some selections that will make your declination garden as stunningly colorful as any spring landscape .

And for more breathing in to aid you be after your garden , check up on out these guides next :

A horizontal image of a pathway through a garden ablaze with vibrant fall colors.

© necessitate the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally write August 19 , 2019 . Last update : October 12 , 2022 . intersection photos via Burpee , FastGrowingTrees.com , Home Depot , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock .

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Gretchen Heber