SERIES 37 | Episode 08
Costa suggests small trees and shrubs that have big impact with their brilliant autumn foliage.
If you live in a cool climate and love autumn colour, it’s time to celebrate! This season brings every shade of dazzling orange, golden yellows, and fiery reds. And it’s not just big trees – here’s a few shrubs and small trees that are just as colourful in pots or borders.
Why do they change colour?
Leaves produce sun blocking pigments rich in reds, yellows, oranges and purples, but these are masked during the summer growing season by high chlorophyll production, which turns the foliage green.
But as the plants slow down their growth in autumn and winter, the more colourful underlying pigments begin to show through, becoming more intense with bright sunny days and chilly nights.
Plants to choose
Maples – Both Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum cultivars include dwarf forms and weeping types that are ideal for pots, courtyards or layered plantings. In autumn they steal the show with colours that range from lemon yellow and apricot to scarlet and deep purple.
Gingko – The dwarf cultivar ‘Mariken’ is an outstanding choice for small spaces. with its fan shaped leaves turning a vivid golden yellow in autumn. It has a single trunk that reaches about 1.5 to 1.8 metres in height, making it ideal for containers or small feature planting. Ginkgos are living fossils dating back over 150 million years, making a striking connection between ancient heritage and contemporary gardens.
Dogwoods – Their foliage turns all shades of purple and red during the autumn show, but they are great all year round – come spring they’re covered in pretty 4-bract flowers with small central blooms.
Witch-hazels – Fothergilla cultivars have leathery green leaves that turn a blend of crimson, orange, yellow and even burgundy, often lasting well into early winter. The zigzagging branches add interest even when the leaves have dropped. It’s a small, low maintenance shrub that’s just as revered for its springtime blooms. It has bottle-brush shaped white fragrant flowers that attract pollinators, making it a good all-rounder for the cool climate gardener.
Featured Plants JAPANESE MAPLEAcer cv.MAIDENHAIR TREEGinkgo biloba ‘Mariken’DOGWOODCornus cv. *WITCH-HAZELFothergilla cv.* Check before planting: this may be an environmental weed in your area
Filmed on Dharug Country | Mount Wilson, NSW
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