Gorgeous shrubs for fall color

Don't forget to look down when taking in fall colors because it's just as colorful down low

Trees take all the glory when it comes to autumn color, but there are plenty of shrubs that also put on displays of stunning fall foliage. These can be used to complement the tree canopy as well as autumn blooming perennials and ornamental grasses. Several shrubs also produce fall fruits, which provide an important food source for migrating songbirds.

Foliage favorites

One of my favorite landscape shrubs is oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), a rugged deciduous shrub for shady locations. This species looks quite different from other hydrangeas, with deeply lobed foliage and woody stems with exfoliating bark. Plants produce large white blooms that persist through fall, turning rose-pink in some cultivars. The real autumn show is the foliage, which turns a brilliant ruby color.

The word blueberry probably doesn’t summon images of idyllic autumn days, but blueberries are among the showiest shrubs in the fall garden. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are well suited to Oklahoma as they have good heat tolerance. The glossy blue-green summer foliage turns a rich wine red in autumn. Plant as a hedgerow or tuck blueberries into mixed borders for a vibrant edible display.

As summer wanes, we start to see sumac blazing in fiery hues along the roadsides. An improved selection of this tough native is cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’), which has deep cut foliage and an open, spreading canopy. In addition to stunning foliage, female plants produce clusters of deep red fruit that provide food for songbirds including American goldfinch, catbirds and robins. Sumac suckers are best suited to larger landscapes where it can spread. It is excellent at stabilizing slopes.

‘Kaleidoscope’ abelia (Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’) packs a lot of color into a compact plant. Spring foliage emerges in lemon and lime hues, taking on golden tones throughout the summer months. Autumn brings brilliant orange and red hues to the variegated foliage. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is among the longest-blooming abelias, with fragrant white flowers continuing well into fall.

Fall fruits

When selecting plants for fall color, don’t overlook berries. The fruits of many plants that bloom in spring or summer ripen as the cool nights of autumn arrive. These fruits not only add color to the garden but are important for fueling bird migrations.

One of the most reliable shrubs for fall fruit is American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), a native shrub adored by gardeners and birds alike for its bright purple berries. This adaptable shrub has an open, arching habit and makes a great understory planting. American beautyberry is a study in complimentary colors, with yellow autumn foliage accenting the purple fruits. American robins, brown thrashers, purple finches and Eastern towhee are just a few of the more than 40 songbirds that feed on the fruits.

Another native shrub for fall fruits is strawberry euonymus (Euonymus americanus), also called hearts-a-bursting for the unique fruit capsules. Found in the forest understory, plants thrive in dappled to full shade and work well for naturalizing in woodland gardens. In autumn, the leaves turn shades of orange and red before falling and leaving the green twigs and stems exposed for winter. The unusual fall fruits start as warty red capsules somewhat reminiscent of strawberries. When ripe, the capsules burst open to reveal four to five orange-red seeds, which are framed by the persistent scarlet husks.

Finally, when it comes to fall color, few plants outperform viburnums. The foliage of many species turns brilliant orange, red or burgundy hues, while an abundance of fruits attracts songbirds. Enthusiasts believe every garden should have at least one viburnum!