In late October, curtains are being lowered on the old year. Large trees with their massive, kaleidoscopic displays of fall colors have commonly held the lead roles. But there’s one more act left. With modern hybridizing and increased production, we are now seeing some newcomers to nature’s stage. And, what are these? They are shrubs which now exhibit beautiful autumn leaf colors in addition to their earlier admirable flowering summer features.
These smaller, knee-to-waist-high landscape elements are good candidates for mass plantings in low fencing, borders, foundations, and flower bed backdrops. Their multiple or mass planting usage enhances the visual effectiveness of their color display. All should be grown in full sun sites to induce maximum fall coloration.
Because they are smaller, they are more readily incorporated into a home landscape, enhancing the house itself and other features of the house setting. Most all are sold in one- or two-gallon containers and lightweight enough to be handled and planted by the homeowner.
Most of these plants are moderately drought tolerant and many bloom for several weeks. All grow and color best in full sun. Some tolerate shade, but fall color is reduced or absent. Here are the cultivated varieties (called cultivars) that are available.
Spirea: ‘Tor’ – White flowers mid to late spring; blue-green birch-like leaves; full sun to half shade; purple and red fall color. ‘Crispa’ – Pink flowers in late June; various fall colors. ‘Goldflame’ – pink flowers in early summer; new leaves with rosy tinge color, bright yellow in summer, and rosy tinge again in fall. ‘Magic Carpet’ – only 1-2 feet high and wide; pink flowers mid summer and gold leaves highlighted by bronze tips; copper and yellow fall color. ‘Neon Flash’ – pink and red flowers mid summer; green and purple fall color.
Barberry: ‘Crimson Pygmy’ – white and yellow flowers all summer; orange, red and yellow fall color. ‘Golden Nugget’ – bright gold leaves cast with orange; yellow flowers; red fall color. ‘Sunsation’ – bright golden leaves cast with orange are more colorful than flowers; orange fall color. ‘Rose Glow’ – deep red leaves mottled beautifully with pink and rose; white and yellow flowers; brilliant orange to scarlet fall color. ‘Royal Burgundy’ – twice as tall and wide as most other varieties; burgundy – purple leaves; white and yellow flowers; orange, red and yellow fall colors.
Euonymus: The common name for many is Burning Bush. Cultivars with various degrees of brilliant red fall color are ‘Chicago Fire’, ‘Tures Winged’, ‘Rudy Haag’, ‘Fireball’ and ‘October Glory. These plants can reach 7 to 8 feet in height and width except for ‘Rudy Haag’ which averages 5 feet high and wide.
Smokebush: Large open branched shrubs averaging 10-15 feet high and wide.
‘Flame” – brilliant orange-red fall color; ‘Grace’ – lovely pinkish-red fall color; ‘Royal Purple’ – rich red-purple fall color; and ‘Velvet Cloak – spectacular reddish purple fall color.
Itea virginica: ‘Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire’ Grows 3-4 feet high and wide. Brilliant reddish-purple fall color.
Rhus aromatica: ‘Gro Low’ is a low spreading woody form that makes a robust ground cover. Outstanding orange-purple fall color.
Fothergilla: Rounded, multi-stemmed shrubs with fragrant white flowers. ‘Dwarf Fothergilla’ is 2-4 foot high; ‘Mt Airy Fothergilla’ is 3-5 feet tall. Striking orange-red fall color.
Hamamelis: Witchhazel – ‘Arnold Promise’ – Brilliant yellow/red flowers in February-March and golden yellow fall color. Most witchhazels are big plants 15 – 20 feet high and wide and loosely spreading, most suitable for a building the size of a barn.
Good growing weather in the fall is common for these plants and planting conditions are ideal in fall. The residual warm summer soil promotes root growth, (even better than the cool spring soil), helping the plant to get established, and all the while you can enjoy the beautiful color.
In local garden centers, these plants are now at their peak display which allows you to preview them in full fall color…something you can only imagine when you select them in spring.
Copyright © 2010 Margaret Balbach
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