The best trees for autumn colour

By Klaudia Mihalova

Published: Monday, 05 September 2022 at 12:00 am

In autumn, gardeners are looking for trees with impressive colour that will brighten the garden as we get ever closer to the darker days of winter. The beauty of trees comes to the fore in the garden at this time of year, and their foliage interest extends the season and provides interest during a time when most flowers have long since finished their display.

Below is a selection of autumn trees have great colour and will suit small and large gardens alike.

In the list, there are a few rare autumn trees amongst some well-known types, but all are suitable to grow in British and northern European gardens.

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Kwekerij Arborealis nursery in the Netherlands. Specialists in trees and shrubs. Photo Maayke de Ridder

How to choose and buy the perfect autumn tree

  • Think how long you’re planning to stay in your current property and how patient you are.
  • Remember its ultimate size. Always opt for a tree of a scale and shape that can be accommodated within the space you have in mind.
  • Ask your neighbours about their experience of growing trees in their gardens. You might also be able to complement each other’s planting – not all trees are self-fertile, so if you plant the female, they could plant the male.
  • If you’re buying a young tree, check it’s not pot bound and look at its shape. Make sure the top is nice and straight, and that there are enough side branches.
  • If you’re buying a grafted tree, ask which type of roos stock was used – this may affect the suitability of your soil type.
  • We recommend going to visit gardens to see the tree in situ, before you buy it. It’s the best way to get a real feel for its appearance and height – a key factor to consider when choosing a tree for your garden.

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How to plant a tree

  • Plant when the soil is moist and frost-free, and water regularly during dry spells in the first growing season (from when the tree starts to leaf up until the leaves fall in autumn). Don’t make it ‘lazy’ by over watering.
  • Stake the tree immediately after planting. If you need to prune, do so just before bud burst in late spring, to avoid infection.
  • As a rule of thumb a tree’s root system is as wide as its crown. Be aware that shallow-rooting trees may get in the way of other planting ideas, and don’t forget to factor in sewage and other pipes when deciding where to place the tree.

The best autumn trees for colour

1

Stewartia pseudocamellia Koreana Group

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Beautiful flaking, camouflage-style bark in shades of grey, brown and burnt ochre. Autumn colour ranges from darkest claret to bright orange. Prefers peaty conditions and light shade.
Height after ten years  3-5m. Ultimate height 12m. Ultimate spread 6m. Hardiness rating RHS H5, USDA 8a.