As we move further into autumn, Arundel Arboretum is changing day by day. The leaves on our trees and shrubs have begun to display their spectacular autumn foliage. In autumn, many trees and shrubs come into their own with flowers, fiery foliage or brightly coloured berries.
If you’re looking for plants that have beautiful autumn colours, now is the time to purchase them as you can see exactly what colours they are and how it will complement your existing trees and shrubs. Autumn and winter are good seasons to plant too as they’ll require less maintenance. The plants will settle over the winter months, so there’s no need for watering once the weather is consistently cold.
We have so many impressive autumn plants, it is difficult to know what to recommend! However, to help you decide, here is a small selection you could consider:-
Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ is a spreading, deciduous small shrub. Over time, the branches develop corky ridges. The green leaves turn a striking rosy-red in the autumn, with small green flowers which are followed by red-purple fruits that contain orange seeds. Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ can be grown in full sun or partial shade, in an exposed or sheltered position. It has an eventual height of 0.5-1m and a spread of 1-1.5m and should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil.
Leucothoe walteri ‘Zeblid’ is a dwarf evergreen shrub. Their leaves are glossy when they first emerge, becoming dark green during the summer months. In the autumn and winter, they transform into a spectacular ruby red. Leucothoe walteri ‘Zeblid’ has small white flowers that appear in the spring. They like a moist spot and full sun to enhance their colours to full effect, but they can tolerate light shade.
Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ is a compact, evergreen shrub. Its leaves are yellow-green during the summer, that turn orange and red in the autumn and winter. Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ produces small white flowers in the summer. Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and to get the best autumn colours, prefers full sun and being sheltered from the cold.
Nandina domestica is an elegant, small evergreen shrub. It has an upright, bamboo-like habit. The leaves are purplish-red in the spring, turning green before turning back to purplish-red in the autumn. Small clusters of white flowers emerge during the summer. These are followed by red berries during the winter. Nandina domestica can be planted in full sun in a sheltered position. With an eventual height and spread of 1-1.5m, it should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil.
Viburnum tinus ‘Spirit’ is a bushy, rounded evergreen shrub. From approximately November to May, small clusters of pink buds open into small, slightly scented white flowers. These emerge into blue-black berries in the summer. Its green, glossy leaves look good all year round. Viburnum tinus ‘Spirit’ can be grown in full sun or partial shade, in a moist, well drained soil. It has an eventual height and spread of 2m.
We would highly recommend a visit to Arundel Arboretum so that you can see our extensive range of autumn plants displaying their fantastic autumn colours. Our staff are always on hand to advise and suggest the suitable autumn plants for your garden.
