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close windowPlant list: Autumn foliage

They’ve put so much effort into growing leaves only to drop them all come the autumn, but some deciduous plants really do go out in a blaze of glory.

Berberis, Barberry
 Latin name:Berberis
 Common name:Barberry
 Type of plant:Shrub
 Hardiness:Hardy
 Flower colour:Orange yellow
 Leaf colour:Dark green
 Height and spread:1m to 4m x 1m to 2.5m (3.3ft to 13.1ft x 3.3ft to 8.2ft)
 Description:
Some barberries are evergreen, others are deciduous, and it’s the latter that put on a spectacular display of autumn foliage in reds, oranges and yellows. They also have attractive flowers and some have black fruits.


Hamamelis, Witch hazel
 Latin name:Hamamelis
 Common name:Witch hazel
 Type of plant:Tree
 Hardiness:Hardy
 Flower colour:Yellow, orange or red
 Leaf colour:Mid-green turning yellow in autumn
 Height and spread:4m x 4m (13.1ft x 13.1ft)
 Description:
Deciduous, upright, open, small tree. Following a wonderful display of autumn leaf colour, small, spidery, flowers appear on the bare branches. Prefers a slightly acid soil.


Cotinus coggygria, Smoke tree
 Latin name:Cotinus coggygria
 Common name:Smoke tree
 Type of plant:Shrub
 Hardiness:Hardy
 Flower colour:Pink
 Leaf colour:Green or dark purple
 Height and spread:3m to 4.5m x 3m to 4.5m (9.8ft to 14.8ft x 9.8ft to 14.8ft)
 Description:
A deciduous, bushy shrub with oval, leaves that turn a wonderful red/yellow in autumn. The flowers are smoky plumes that envelop the branches. Prefers full sun, will tolerate partial shade.


Acer palmatum, Japanese maple
 Latin name:Acer palmatum
 Common name:Japanese maple
 Type of plant:Tree
 Hardiness:Hardy
 Flower colour:N/A
 Leaf colour:Green or red
 Height and spread:6m x 6m (20ft x 20ft)
 Description:
Japanese maples prefer slightly acid soil, and need a sheltered spot out of the wind. They are grown for their very attractive leaves, that turn spectacular colours in the autumn – red, yellow, orange, depending on type.


Liquidambur, Sweet gum
 Latin name:Liquidambur
 Common name:Sweet gum
 Type of plant:Tree
 Hardiness:Hardy to frost hardy
 Flower colour:N/A
 Leaf colour:Green
 Height and spread:6m to 25m x 4m to 12m (20ft to 83ft x 13.1ft to 40ft)
 Description:
Grown for the leaves which look a bit like a maple, and also turn spectacular colours in the autumn – red, yellow and purple. Prefers sun or partial shade, and grows poorly on chalky soils.



Related plant lists:


Spring-flowering bulbs
Trees for spring blossom
Spring-flowering shrubs
Summer bedding plants

Summer perennials
Summer roses
Autumn foliage
Autumn berries and fruit

Autumn seed-heads
Winter evergreens
Winter bark and stems
Winter flowers