Fall color shrubs

When we think of fall color we always think of trees. In Modesto Pistache, Liquidamber, Ginkgo and Modesto Ash come to mind first. Other trees with nice fall color include Red Maple, some of the Japanese Maples, and Scarlet Oak.

There are a number of shrubs that also are valuable for the Fall colored foliage. Most notable of there are the numerous kinds of Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo. Not a bamboo, most have bamboo like foliage and cane branching structure. The standard kinds grow from 6-8 ft tall with an upright structure.

Some of the newer selections, Gulfstream and Sienna Sunrise, are lower growing to about 4' tall and bushier. Both of these have dramatic fall color if they get enough sun. Even lower is Harbor Dwarf also with nice fall color.

They all like full to part sun. There is an other variety called "Nana Purpurea" or Fire Power which makes a clumping plant. This is often planted in the sun but prefers at least partial shade for good foliage color in the summer. It does need some sun for the best fall color.

Other good Fall color plants include Purple Hopseed. This is a large 8-10' shrub. Bay Breeze Indian Hawthorn which is a low growing form of Indian Hawthorn. both of these are evergreen.

Some deciduous fall color shrubs include some of the spireas especialy Shoe Button Spirea. Snow Ball bush is another large deciduous shrub that has attractive fall color.

Other sources of Fall color include berries and flowers that I will discuss in a later post.