As summer fades, your landscape doesn’t have to lose its charm. In fact, autumn offers a chance to add bold colour and texture to your landscape. With the right trees, you can enjoy vibrant leaves, striking bark, and even late-season berries. Let’s explore our top 5 trees for autumn interest!

1. Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’

Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’ is a large, deciduous tree that offers excellent winter interest for several reasons. As the tree matures, its grey-brown bark changes from smooth to deeply fissured and corky. This textured bark adds strong visual appeal during the bare winter months.

In addition, its bold branch structure stands out once the vibrant, maple-like leaves have fallen. These leaves, which emerge green in spring, turn brilliant shades of yellow, red, and purple in autumn. They also have deeper lobes than other Liquidambars, adding extra character. With its textured bark and strong winter form, ‘Worplesdon’ keeps your landscape visually engaging all year.

2. Euonymus alatus (Winged spindle)

This large, deciduous shrub offers strong year-round appeal. In spring, it produces small greenish flowers, followed by purple-red berries that split open to reveal bright orange seeds. As autumn arrives, its oval, dark green leaves turn a brilliant red, creating a spectacular display.

Winged Spindle also shines in winter. Once the leaves fall, the stems reveal thin, raised ridges known as “wings.” These corky edges add striking texture and structure to the bare winter landscape, and give the plant its common name. Thanks to this unique feature, Winged spindle remains visually interesting even in the coldest months.

3. Amelanchier lamarkii

Amelanchier lamarckii is perfect for adding year-round beauty to your garden. In early spring, star-shaped white flowers cover the branches, followed by small purple-black berries in summer. The leaves emerge with a soft bronze tint, turn green in summer, and then glow orange and red in autumn.

As winter approaches, its elegant branch structure becomes more prominent, especially when grown as a multi-stemmed tree. This form provides structure, seasonal interest, and light cover even in the colder months.

4. Crataegus ‘Paul’s Scarlet’

Crataegus ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ stands out for its beauty, structure, and year-round appeal. In spring, it puts on a vibrant show with clusters of double, pink-red flowers. As the seasons shift, its glossy green leaves turn golden yellow, while bright red berries add a splash of autumn colour and extend interest into winter.

5. Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan)

Sorbus aucuparia, also known as the Rowan or Mountain ash, is a great choice for year-round interest (especially in the colder months).

In spring, it produces clusters of white flowers. By autumn, these are replaced by bright red berries that last well into winter. These berries add strong colour to the bare landscape and attract birds, bringing life to your garden. As the leaves fall, its upright shape and open branching also helps to provide structure and texture. It is a valuable addition to any garden!

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I plant a new tree?

Container grown trees can be planted all year round. Watch our video guide on how to professionally plant and stake your tree!

How often should I water my tree?

As a guide, we recommend giving each tree 5 litres of water every other day during the growing season. The water should be directed at the base of the trunk.

5 Litres is a good starting point to make sure that the ground stays moist. If the soil starts to become saturated or dry adjust the amount as required.

Can you plant my tree for me?

We can offer our planting service if you are local to the nursery. Planting prices are dependent on the size of the pot. Please contact us if you would like a quote.