Planting for Fall Foliage

You shouldn’t have to travel to enjoy the visual splendor of autumn. Incorporate these elements into your landscape and you’ll be leaf peeping from your couch next fall.
You shouldn’t have to travel to enjoy the visual splendor of autumn. Incorporate these elements into your landscape and you’ll be leaf peeping from your couch next fall.

Sugar Maple
When it comes to fall foliage, the sugar maple (Acer Saccharum) is the granddaddy of them all. Their range of color is impressive, offering reds, oranges, golds and everything between. If you’re tight on space it’s best to steer clear, however, as they regularly exceed 100 feet in height.

Burning Bush
No name paints a mental image like the burning bush (Euonymus alatus). Come fall this beautiful shrub turns bright red as if….on fire. Despite its beauty, the burning bush isn’t for everyone. Considered an invasive species, its sale is prohibited in many New England states.

Cockscomb
This plant’s generic name, Kelos, derives from the Ancient Greek word meaning “burning”. Cockscomb's (Celosia cristata) varietal colors span the rainbow allowing for pops of vivid blues, greens and purples. The perfect finishing touch on your autumnal showcase.

Flowering Dogwood
Prefer leaves that turn a deep red/purple when the temperatures drop? If so, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is for you! The beauty of these medium-sized trees isn’t limited to the fall, either. Their spring blossoms will take your breath away.

Oakleaf Hydrangea
When you hear "hydrangea" you might think of bright-colored mopheads. The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) takes it one step further with leaves that turn purple and red in the fall. Additionally, their bark begins to peel revealing beautiful cinnamon-brown visuals.

Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a versatile, hearty tree native to Japan. Their vivid colors make them the star of your landscape once autumn arrives. They aren't revered for their good looks alone - they're easy to maintain, requiring minimal maintenance once planted.