Out and about on the nursery at this time of year it is imposable not to be impressed with the wonderful array of colours that adorn all the trees. This has inspired me to give a list of my favaorate 10 trees for autumn colour.
Acer x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’
One of the if not the best hybrid of Acer rubrum and Acer saccharinum.
This vigorous, round headed tree turns a bright and stunning red in
autumn and is a far better choice over the often misfiring Acer Rubrum.
Acer x freemanii ‘Celebration’ or ‘Celzam’
Another of the crosses between Acer rubrum and Acer saccharinum, also colours up
very well as if slightly more varied to the colour with more yellow and orange mixed
in with the reds. It is also known for its wonderful columnar form.
Acer Griseum Paper Bark Maple
If you only have a small space for a tree this would be my recommendation.
It has wonderful peeling bark and the small, three-lobed leaves turn many
shades of red in autumn.
Amelanchier Lamarcki Snowy Mespil
Another good tree/shrub for a small space. This tree has it all with lovely white flowers in the
spring,but for me relay comes into its own in October when the oval leaves turn shades
of dazzling orange and red, by which time it’s small berries have become edible.
Cornus Kousa Chinensis Chinese Dogwood
Another small tree/shrub that also offers white flowers/bracts in the summer.
Its elongated leaves will turn fabulous red/purple in autumn and it holds this colour
for longer than some of the other autumn colouring plants.
Crataegus Prunifolia Splendens Frosted Thorn
This wonderful small tree is one of the best for autumn colour. Depending on the conditions
through the year its normally glossy green leaves can turn yellow, orange or even purple.
It also has the added benefit of red berries that booth look good and attract birds.
Euonymus Europaeus Spindle
The only native tree to make it into this list spindle is a very much underrated as it is often
only used in hedgerows. In the autumn is has double appeal as the leaves turn scarlet
and the seed casings become bright pink with orange seeds inside.
Liquidambar Styr Worplesdon Sweet Gum
Famous for the stunning displays in autumn Worplesdon is the best of the Liquidambars in
terms of form as well as reliability of autumn colour. It is a strong grower with its only notable
draw back being that it grows to large for most gardens.
Prunus Sargentii Sargents Cherry
One of the best colouring cherries, and also one of the first trees to colour up in the autumn
providing an attractive display of oranges and reds. It also offers pink flowers in the spring
and works well when space is limited.
SORBUS SARGENTIANA Sargent Rowan
Small tree mainly grown for the large leaves which provide perhaps the best autumn colour of
all the Rowans. It also features large bunches of red berries in Autumn
I hope you found my selection interesting if you have any suggestions of trees i missed please let me know.
Comments welcome,
Simon
