Best Plants for Autumn Foliage Colour

Crepe Myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) is one of the most fabulous trees for suburban gardens. In summer they are covered in masses of ruffled white, purple, red, mauve or pink flowers. The flowers last for many weeks and are a magnet for bees. Crepe Myrtles also have attractive smooth bark, which has interesting mottled patterns. Then, as the temperatures drop in autumn, their leaves develop vivid shades of purple, red, yellow or orange. Available in various sizes, from large shrubs to medium-sized trees, Crepe Myrtles are definitely worth growing for their spectacular flower and foliage show.

Crepe Myrtles can be grown Australia-wide but will develop better autumn colour in cool to temperate climates.

Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) trees are autumn foliage heroes, developing intense shades of yellow, crimson, orange and red leaves as the weather cools. They are excellent trees for a medium-sized backyard, growing to around 8 metres tall and 6 metres wide. And being deciduous, provide welcome summer shade and let the winter sunshine stream in.

They’re fairly hardy trees that will tolerate moderately dry conditions and most soil types, however, will do best in a well-drained spot. Some nurseries will have potted Chinese pistachio trees for sale during autumn, where you can choose your favourite autumnal shades. Otherwise, bare-rooted trees will become available during winter.

Chinese Pistachio can be grown in cool to warm temperate gardens, with some grown as far north as Brisbane.

There are several species of Cercis, which are often referred to as redbuds or the Judas tree. Many Cercis have colourful purple foliage in spring and summer, morphing to brilliant bright orange or yellow in autumn. Cercis are small deciduous trees, ranging from five to eight metres tall, so they’re perfect for small backyards. Another feature of Cercis are their traffic-stopping pink flowers, which smother the bare branches prior to new foliage emerging in spring.

Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) are small trees with the most divine autumn colours. Depending on the variety, the foliage can turn bronze, red, crimson, burgundy, orange or gold as the weather cools. Some Maples also have colourful foliage during spring and summer, providing an additional reason to grow these beautiful trees. Most Japanese Maples do best in a wind-sheltered, partly shaded position in moist but well-drained soil.

Cool and temperate climate gardeners are fortunate to be able to grow one of the best autumn foliage trees around. They can also grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates but will develop much better colour in cooler temperatures.

For potted Japanese Maples, use a pot with good drainage holes filled with a premium potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. To help keep the soil or potting mix cool and moist, apply a layer of bark chips around the root zone.  

Nandina (Nandina domestica), also known as Japanese Sacred Bamboo (although it’s not a Bamboo), is often overlooked for its autumn colour.

Nandinas are hardy evergreen shrubs, ranging from a compact 60 cm to 2.5 m tall. Nandinas are suitable for growing in cool and tropical climates, so even gardeners in warm areas can enjoy their brightly coloured autumn foliage.

Some Nandinas produce red new foliage during autumn, while others turn a vibrant red. Look for Nandinas that will suit the space and style you have, and also for newer seedless varieties that don't have the potential to spread into bushland.

Nandinas make a spectacularly colourful low hedge or border plant and their vivid colours beautifully complement plants with green foliage.

Nandinas can be grown in cool to warm-temperate gardens, with some grown as far north as Brisbane.

Here is a short list of plants and the shades they are known for showing in autumn.

• Berberis: red
• Boston Ivy (climber): red, orange, purple
• Cornus (Dogwood): red, orange, yellow, purple
• Crab Apple: Yellow, orange
• *Chinese Tallow: red, orange, yellow
• Fagus: red, orange, yellow, purple
• *Ginkgo biloba: yellow
• Hydrangea (Oakleaf variety): red, orange, purple
• Lilac: red, orange, yellow, purple
• *Liquidambar: red, orange, yellow, purple
• Ornamental Pear: red, orange, yellow, purple
• Prunus (Ornamental Cherries, Plums, and Peaches): red, orange, yellow, purple
• Robinia: yellow
• *Smoke Bush: red, orange, yellow, purple
• Tilia: yellow
• Elm: yellow, red

* Can be grown in cool, temperate and sub-tropical gardens but will develop better colour with cooler temperatures.