Color it “Fall” with Trees and Shrubs
Fall in North Texas brings much needed cooler temperatures and a brilliant display of fall foliage in shades of deep reds, bright yellows, oranges and more. The annual color change of existing trees and shrubs in the fall is one of the most beautiful sites to see locally. As the cooler temperatures of fall replace the hotter days of summer we look forward to the added color that fall brings to our landscapes. Fall is the perfect time to plant in North Texas! Trees and Shrubs planted during the fall will surely benefit from the cooler temps and added rainfall they receive this time of year. Trees and Shrubs planted now will better establish during the fall giving them a head start once spring returns.
Trees such as Red Oaks, Sweet Gums, Japanese and Red Maples not only provide unbeatable shade during the summer months but also reward us with some outstanding examples of fall color. There are many choices for fall color in the way of shrubs; plants like Nandina’s and Barberry, with their bright red and burgundy foliage are perfect for adding color to most any landscape. Or choose one of many perennial grasses to add a different texture as well as adding fall color. Azaleas not only offer a variation of fall color but they also bloom extremely well in the fall, they are available in pink, red, white and other colors. And don’t forget about hollies, with their bright red berries fall through winter. Choose from Yaupon Holly, Nellie R. Stevens Holly and Dwarf Burford Holly. Color it “Fall” with Trees and Shrubs.
Colorful fall foliage trees
Shumard Red Oak Tree (Quercus shumardii)
The Shumard Red Oak is native to Texas. It is a large shade tree with a wide spreading canopy. It produces 4 to 8 inch long glossy green leaves during the growing season and brilliant red-to-red orange colored leaves in the fall. Grows 120’ tall, with a 50-60’ spread.
Sweet Gum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The Sweet Gum Tree produces deep, glossy green star-shaped leaves in the spring. The leaves turn yellow-purple-red in the fall, and stay on the tree longer than most deciduous trees. Its shape is pyramidal, becoming more rounded with age. Grows 60′-70′ tall, with a 45′ spread.
Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum/Acer japonicum)
Japanese maples come in many varieties, they are most popular for their architectural form, and their lacy and delicate foliage, along with their dramatic foliage colors both spring and fall, this makes them an excellent choice for landscape accents as well as specimen plants. Heights and with varies by variety.
Red Maples (Acer rubrum)
The Red Maple brings color to your landscape year-round. Green stems turn red in winter; new leaves are red-tinged, turning to green. Fall color is deep red and or yellow. Flowers are also red. Fast growing shade tree tolerant of many soils. Grows to 40′ to 60′ tall, with a 40′ spread.
Colorful fall foliage shrubs
Heavenly Bamboo Nandina (Nandina domestica)
The Heavenly Bamboo Nandina continually changes color throughout the year. In the spring, it turns from it red fall and winter color to a coppery red color. As summer arrives green foliage begins to appear again. When fall come around it changes to a reddish-purple and produces red berries through the winter. Grows 4-6’ tall, with a 3-4’ spread.
Nana Nandina (Nandina domestica ‘Nana’)
The Nana Nandina has medium sized green pointed leaves. The leaves of the ‘Nana” nandina change color in the fall. The colors vary as the plant matures. The colors range from fire red to a lush bright green, bright yellow to a deep crimson. Not all leaves will change color; giving it a more textured appearance. Grows 18-24” tall, with an 18-24” spread.
Crimson Pygmy Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’)
Crimson Pygmy Barberry is a dwarf densely branched deciduous shrub with deep crimson colored foliage year round. Crimson pygmy Barberry with its deep red foliage makes it an excellent choice for fall. Grows 18-24” tall, with an 18-24” spread.
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’)
Maiden Grass is just one of the many varieties of Ornamental Grasses that can be use in the fall. Most perennial grasses have light brown-to-brown, green or silvery-gray foliage in the spring and summer, turning orange, gold and burgundy in the fall. Heights vary buy variety.
