Best Plants for Fall Color: Shrubs, Trees & Grasses for Autumn Glory

Envious of neighbors' fall displays? Plant these for your own spectacular autumn show next year.

Japanese Maple

Smaller tree, stunning fall color, decorative year-round. Thrives widely. See our "Top Trees for Small Gardens" post.

Burning Bush (Euonymus)

Mid-sized shrub, eye-catching deep red. Hedge = breathtaking. Thorns, summer bees, but great backdrop.

Fothergilla (Bottlebrush)

Fragrant white spring flowers, fall leaves in orange/yellow/red—often on same leaf!

Smoke Bush (Cotinus)

Maroon shrub turns dramatic purple with smoke-like flower tufts. Excellent specimen.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

White summer panicles, oak-shaped leaves turn gorgeous red in fall. Three-season star.

Ornamental Grasses

Many turn bronze; texture = color. Miscanthus 'Purpurascens' (Flame Grass): Magenta flowers → silky white; gray-green foliage → flaming orange. Shenandoah Switch Grass: Red-tipped summer leaves → rich black-burgundy fall + feathery pink flowers.

For Southern Gardens: Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina)

Delicate rounded shrub, dwarf forms available, performs to zone 10. Deep red foliage late summer through winter, multiple color changes year-round.

Plant one or two this year—enjoy fall color for seasons to come. Share your favorites and zone!