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Embrace Fall with These Four Colourful Native Shrubs

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September 30, 2024 by Justin Lewis

With autumn approaching, now is the perfect time to consider adding some vibrant, fall-colour shrubs to your garden. Native shrubs not only provide stunning seasonal displays but also offer year-round benefits for your landscape and local wildlife. Read on to learn more about four exceptional native shrubs that will transform your yard into a captivating autumn wonderland.

American hazelnut (Corylus americana)

The American hazelnut is a versatile shrub that grows to twelve feet high and eight feet wide. It features a dense, rounded crown with gracefully spreading ascending branches. In early spring, delicate flowers emerge before the leaves, providing an early splash of interest. The small, edible nuts, which are encased in leafy husks, mature in late summer, offering a delightful treat for both people and wildlife. The leaves, initially dark green above and pale green below, undergo a breathtaking transformation as cooler months approach. They turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple, creating a stunning fall mosaic that makes the American hazelnut a highlight in any autumn landscape.

 

Collage of American hazelnut showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form.
Collage of American hazelnut showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form. Left: © 2016 Brenna Anstett / LEAF Top: © 2023 Brenna Anstett / LEAF Bottom: © 2015 Brenna Anstett / LEAF

 

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)

Fragrant sumac is a low-growing shrub that reaches about four feet in height and spreads up to six feet wide. It has a dense crown formed by upright, spreading branches. In early spring, before the leaves unfurl, it displays tiny yellow flowers (male catkins on some shrubs and female clusters on others) that add early interest to the landscape. By late summer, female shrubs produce small, red clusters of drupes (berry-like fruits with hard stones in the middle), each containing a single nutlet, which adds a splash of colour to the foliage. Shiny and aromatic leaves emerge in spring and are medium green on top and paler green beneath. As autumn approaches, these leaves transform into brilliant shades of orange and red, making fragrant sumac a vibrant addition to any fall garden.

Collage of fragrant sumac showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form.
Collage of fragrant sumac showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form. Left and Top: © 2016 Brenna Anstett / LEAF Bottom: © 2015 Brenna Anstett / LEAF

 

Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)

Highbush cranberry is an attractive shrub growing up to eight feet in height and width, with a dense, rounded crown and gracefully spreading branches. In late spring to early summer, it produces small, flat-topped clusters of white flowers that add delicate charm to the landscape. By late summer to early fall, these flowers give way to small, red clusters of drooping drupes containing hard, stone-like seeds. These vibrant fruits persist through winter, offering visual interest and valuable food for wildlife. The dark green, maple-like leaves emerge in spring and transition to rich shades of red and purple in autumn, making Highbush cranberry a striking choice for fall colour and year-round appeal.

 

Collage of highbush cranberry showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form.
Collage of highbush cranberry showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form. © 2016 Brenna Anstett / LEAF 


Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Common ninebark is a versatile shrub that reaches about six feet in both height and width. It features an upright, rounded to irregular crown with dense, wide-spreading and arching branches. In late spring, it produces small, white, five-petaled flowers clustered in dense, round heads, adding a burst of brightness to the garden. By early summer, these flowers develop into small, pinkish-red clusters of inflated, papery seed capsules that may persist throughout the winter, providing lasting visual interest. The greenish-yellow, maple-like leaves emerge in spring and take on a vibrant yellow hue in fall, making Common ninebark a striking addition to any autumn landscape.

 

Collage of common ninebark showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form.
Collage of common ninebark showcasing fall foliage, fruit and form. © 2016 Brenna Anstett / LEAF 

 

Each of these native shrubs offers distinctive beauty and vibrant fall colour, making them perfect for enhancing your garden’s seasonal appeal. Ready to transform your landscape this fall? LEAF provides a range of hardy native trees and shrubs through our subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program. Visit our Homeowners page to get started on tree planting and check out our Shrubs, Garden Kits and Pawpaws page to order shrubs that will bring fall beauty to your garden.

 

Justin Lewis is the Marketing and Communications Lead at LEAF

LEAF offers a subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program for private property. The program is supported by the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipality of York, the City of Markham, the Town of Newmarket, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Town of Ajax, the Township of Brock, the Municipality of Clarington, the City of Oshawa, the City of Pickering, the Township of Scugog, the Town of Whitby and Ontario Power Generation.


 

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