Best Plants for Autumn Foliage Colour

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 m tall and 6 m wide. 

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, so you can choose your favourite autumnal shades. Otherwise, bare-rooted trees are 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.

Claret Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywoodii') grows into a medium-sized tree about 12 m tall and 9 m wide. Its much loved for its vibrant autumn foliage, which develops a rich claret colour, hence the name. A visual feast for cool temperate to subtropical climates. One of the standout features of the Claret Ash is its adaptability to different soil types. This tree can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from sandy to clay soils, as long as they are well-drained. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is relatively low-maintenance once established. 

Japanese Maples grow best in cool and temperate climates. They can also grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates but develop better colour in cooler temperatures.

Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua) trees can grow up to 20 meters tall and have unique star-shaped leaves that turn bright shades of orange, red, and yellow in the fall. The leaves can still develop good colour in subtropical areas like Brisbane.

There are smaller forms of this plant available, which are more suitable for small and medium-sized gardens. 'Slender Silhouette' grows to 6 meters tall and 1.5 meters wide, while ' Gumball' is a grafted standard reaching 4 meters tall and 3 meters wide.

One of the best plants for autumn foliage colour is the maple tree (Acer spp.). Maples are known for their stunning display of vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves during the autumn months. There are many different varieties of maples that offer a range of colours and shapes, making them a versatile choice for adding beauty to your landscape.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is a popular species with many attractive cultivars. They grow between 10-20 m tall and up to 10 m wide, so are better suited to medium and large gardens. Acer rubrum 'October Glory' is a striking cultivar with fiery, pink-red foliage in autumn and green leaves throughout spring and summer. It devlops a neat, oval-round habit about 12 m tall and 9 m wide.

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.

Different varieties of Nandinas display red foliage in autumn, so choose one that fits your space and style. Consider newer seedless options to prevent spreading into natural areas.

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 regions, 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.