Burning bushes: what to plant now for a vibrant blaze of autumn colour
Now is the time to plant those shrubs and trees that will come alive with fire-bright colour during the autumn, says Hazel Sillver, as she looks at the best ones to buy
UNDER the glum grey skies of October, we need colour to lift our spirits. The leaves of acer, cherry, rowan and other select deciduous trees burn bright with flaming leaves, igniting the magic of autumn. In the average small garden, we can enjoy this seasonal display by planting shrubs that have fiery tints, and now is a good time to get them in the ground.
Even where space is limited, there are plenty of small shrubs that transform into burning bushes during autumn. Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) reaches just 20in (50cm), so it can be dotted through a border for patches of red when its foliage changes colour. The Chinese plumbago (Ceratostigma willmottianum) also has red autumn leaves that show off its blue flowers.
Japanese maples
The purple leaves of Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Rose Glow’ turn pink-red alongside red berries, and while it will reach just over 3ft (1m) it can be hard-pruned to a smaller size and is a good choice for a low hedge.
To brighten a patio or doorway, there are plenty of tiny Japanese maples that can be grown in containers. Both Acer palmatum ’Beni-maiko’ and A.p. ‘Wilson’s Pink Dwarf’ have red, orange and yellow autumn colour, and only reach 5ft (1.5m). Plant acers in large, well-drained pots with John Innes No2 or a general ericaceous compost, and protect their roots by taking the pot indoors during winter or wrapping the base in fleece or bubblewrap. Likewise, blueberries (such as ‘Bluecrop’) can be grown in pots of ericaceous compost and will produce fruit, as well as flaming autumn leaves.
Another good contender for a large pot is the ornamental cherry Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’, which has pretty spring blossom and red-hot autumn tints.
Plant a small tree
Where there is room for something larger, a small tree will provide habitat, shelter and insects for birds. Most rowans (Sorbus) have autumn leaf colour and berries. S. pseudohupehensis (often sold as ’Pink Pagoda’) and S. vilmorinii have pink berries, while S. ‘Joseph Rock’ has yellow fruit.
Plant one of these autumn stars now to ensure glorious flaming colour in a few months’ time.