🌳 Top 5 Trees and Shrubs That Add Color to Your Fall Landscape

Published: Keywords: fall landscaping ideas, colorful shrubs, native trees, autumn color

Extend the Beauty of Your Yard Beyond Summer

As summer fades, your landscape doesn’t have to lose its vibrancy. Fall is one of the most rewarding seasons for garden design — with bold reds, golden yellows, and deep burgundies painting the scenery. By incorporating trees and shrubs that showcase brilliant autumn color, you can extend your yard’s beauty well into the cooler months.

At Rowan Valley Lawn & Landscape, we specialize in creating four-season landscapes using native trees and colorful shrubs that thrive in our region. Our design experts know how to bring out the best of fall’s palette while keeping your yard healthy, balanced, and easy to maintain.

🍁 #1: Red Maple (

Acer rubrum

)

Few trees rival the Red Maple for sheer autumn brilliance. Its leaves transition through a dazzling range of orange and crimson tones, making it a standout in any fall landscape. Beyond beauty, Red Maples are native across much of the eastern U.S., making them a reliable choice for both shade and structure in residential landscapes.

Why we love it: Fast-growing, adaptable, and strikingly colorful — a classic for fall landscaping ideas.

🌿 #2: Serviceberry (

Amelanchier spp.

)

Looking for a plant that shines in every season? The Serviceberry delivers. In spring, it bursts into delicate white blooms. Summer brings small, edible berries beloved by birds. By fall, its leaves shift to warm orange and red hues, adding another layer of beauty to your garden.

Bonus: Serviceberry is a native, wildlife-friendly shrub that supports pollinators and songbirds — a great choice for eco-conscious homeowners.

🔥 #3: Burning Bush (

Euonymus alatus

)

Known for its intense scarlet foliage, the Burning Bush has long been a favorite for fall color. Its rounded form and fiery leaves make it a dramatic focal point in garden beds and borders. However, it can become invasive in some areas — so we recommend considering native alternatives such as Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire), which offers similar red tones without the ecological impact.

Design tip: Use sparingly as an accent plant, and keep up with seasonal pruning to maintain its shape.

🍂 #4: Oakleaf Hydrangea (

Hydrangea quercifolia

)

If texture and rich color are what you’re after, Oakleaf Hydrangea delivers both. Its large, oak-shaped leaves turn a deep burgundy or wine-red in fall, while summer blooms fade gracefully into dried floral displays that last well into winter.

Perfect for foundation plantings or shaded garden spots, this native shrub offers beauty from spring through frost.

🌸 #5: Dogwood (

Cornus florida

)

The Flowering Dogwood is a true staple of the southern and eastern landscape — and for good reason. In fall, its leaves glow with shades of crimson, purple, and bronze, adding understated elegance to any setting. In addition to its showy spring blossoms, Dogwood also provides berries that attract birds in autumn.

Local favorite: A timeless native tree that thrives in well-drained soil and partial sun.

🌾 Bonus: Designing for Fall Interest

A truly stunning fall landscape balances color, texture, and structure. Here are a few tips from our design team:

• Mix evergreens with deciduous trees to ensure year-round interest.

• Add ornamental grasses for movement and subtle golden tones.

• Layer plantings — combine tall trees, mid-height shrubs, and low groundcovers for natural flow.

• Choose plants with complementary leaf shapes and colors to create visual depth.

🍁 Ready to Design Your Dream Fall Landscape?

Autumn is the perfect time to start planning next year’s color and texture. Whether you’re looking to add a single shade tree or redesign your entire yard, our experts at Rowan Valley Lawn & Landscape can help bring your vision to life.

👉 Book a design consultation today — and let us help you create a yard that shines in every season.