Home Garden & Home Plants Eight Perfect Plants for Autumn Colour

Eight Perfect Plants for Autumn Colour

If your concept of seasons is influenced by phenology – nature’s calendar – the arrival of autumn is not dictated by something as arbitrary as a month. It is characterised by blackberries and holly berries arriving on plants, by the first tint of autumn colour on ash and elder and by the migration of swallows and reed warblers.

A traditional view of autumn would also suggest it is the season when the garden goes over and bright summer colour fades. It is still perfectly possible, however, to bring plenty of colour to containers and borders by choosing bedding plants, trees and shrubs that yield late colour.

All plants subject to availability at Hillier Garden Centres.

Acer Palmatum

Acer Palmatum, also known as Japanese maple, are small deciduous trees that have been grown for hundreds of years in Japan. The different varieties produce stunning autumn colour, with leaves in varying shades of burnt red, orange and green. They make the ideal container plants, growing slowly over years.

Leucothoe

The evergreen shrubs, Leucothoe, are a fantastic choice for year-round foliage colour. Their simple, lance-shaped leaves often offer mottled colour to beds and borders. Ideal for informal and cottage gardens, they are also an excellent choice for the underplanting of roses. Come the spring, the fresh growth bursts through in shades of pink and red.

Sarcococca ‘Confusa’ — *Sarcocccoca ‘Confusa’*

Sarcocccoca confusa

Sarcocccoca are compact shrubs with glossy evergreen foliage. Plant Sarcocccoca confusa in a sheltered spot and you can enjoy the deep green of the leaves in autumn and fragrant white flowers in late summer and autumn. These flowers have a sweet scent, inspiring its common name ‘sweet box’.

Malus

Malus, better known as crab apples, are deciduous trees that produce edible and ornamental fruit in autumn. There is a wide range of colour and size of fruits between varieties. Malus domestica ‘Scrumptious’ for example, will produce beautiful pale pink flowers and red fruits that have a sweet and fragrant flavour and make for an attractive autumn garden.

Liquidambar

Liquidambar trees have absolutely outstanding, long-lasting autumn foliage. The maple-like leaves produce fiery shades of orange, red and yellow that illuminate the garden. Liquidambar can grow above 12 metres at full maturity.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen are perfect to bring colour to a shady spot in the garden or for potting up in containers nearer to the house. With shades of pink, red and white they bring a beautiful lift to the garden in autumn.

Chrysanthemum frutescens or indicum

Both frutescens and indicum are hardy varieties of Chrysanthemum that are extremely popular for an instant splash of autumn colour. Garden Mums, as they are sometimes abbreviated to, will look glorious overflowing in a big pot. By removing faded flowers, you can ensure more keep coming throughout the season.

Pansies and violas

Pansies and violas are the backbone of all autumn colour in the garden. Planted in beds and borders, they can create vibrant colour right through to the spring. How can you tell which is which? Pansies have four petals that point up and one that points down, whereas violas have three petals that point up and two that point down.