Trees for Autumn Colour

The beauty of the leaves of many plants and trees masks an extraordinary powerhouse of chemistry. Each thin leaf has a complex structure of vessels and cells, designed to capture the energy of the sun and to harness that energy for growth and survival.

The leaves use the sun's energy to make sugars out of water and carbon dioxide from the air. This process uses chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green colour. In mid-summer this is in full swing, and the leaves need plenty of the green chlorophyll. However, as autumn approaches the process tails off, chlorophyll is used up and not replaced. As this happens, other pigments which may be present in the leaves begin to show more prominently. Also, other pigments may be produced by the breakdown of chemicals in the leaves. It is the interaction of all these colours within the leaf which lead to the breathtaking autumn displays that some trees give. And it is breathtaking. If single leaves of a few good subjects are examined, you will see brilliant colours from bright yellow, through orange and salmon, pink, bright red, deep red, purple.

The formation of these autumn colours in the leaves may be affected by the weather. It is said that the best colours occur when there is a sunny but not too warm spell in autumn, with cold but not frosty nights. However, some varieties produce a great show every year, and the autumn display is the crowning glory of many parks and forests. With a little thought and planning even a small garden can take part.

Hover over the images in the catalogue to view a larger size.

Acer cappadocicum

Medium sized deciduous tree. Glossy lobed leaves, copper when young, rich buttery autumn colour.

Acer davidii

Small snake barked tree. Striking cream and green striations, with rich autumn colour and plentiful attractive fruits.

Acer palmatum

Japanese maple. A small tree or large dome-shaped shrub. Tolerates most fertile soils. The leaves are bold, lobed, very attractive, fresh bright green, with excellent autumn colours. Appreciates some protection from the coldest winds

Acer platanoides Emerald Queen

Strong growing cultivar, with glossy deep green leaves, ascending branches, forming a noble rounded presence with age. Good yellow and orange autumn colour.

Acer rubrum

Red maple. Eventually quite a large tree, it has scorching autumn colours, reds, scarlet, and orange.

Amelanchier lamarckii

Amelanchier lamarckii (multistem) Snowy mespilus. A fabulous small deciduous tree, surprisingly tough. The young leaves are copper red, then green and finally a rich orange in autumn. Masses of racemes of white flowers in spring, with black fruits later. A fine choice for a medium to small garden.

Fraxinus angustifolia Raywood

Claret ash. A medium deciduous tree with a distinctive attractive habit. The narrow lance shaped leaves are fine and glossy. They turn a wonderful muted purple in autumn.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Liquidambar Styraciflua A large handsome tree. Tolerant of most soils and sites. Bold maple shaped leaves, born on the ascending branches, are a striking feature. In autumn the leaves colour spectacularly, in shades of crimson and gold.

Liquidambar styraciflua Lane Roberts

A selected clone of Liquidambar, this tree shows remarkable and reliable autumn colour. Deep, deep burgundy shades form an electrifying display.

Liquidambar styraciflua Thea

A selection of Liquidambar, making a tree slightly more compact than the type. Reliable autumn colours, in claret, burgundy, VP Rich Ruby.

Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon

A form of Liquidambar with finely lobed leaves. In autumn these turn to a range of brilliant oranges, yellows and gold.

Parrotia persica

Persian ironwood. A small tree or large shrub. Tolerant of most soil types. Tiny red flowers are born in late winter. The leaves are reminiscent of beech, but turn dazzling shades of red and orange in a favourable autumn.

Prunus pandora

Prunus Pandora

Prunus Pandora A smaller tree, with tidy ascending branches. Shoals of big, piercing pink flowers cover the branches in spring. Coppery young foliage turns a fresh mid green, before turning yellow and bronze in autumn.

Prunus sargentii

A beautiful medium-sized tree, thriving in any ordinary soil. The bark is a deep chocolate brown. Single pink flowers open in early spring, followed by copper leaves. In autumn these turn to marvellous shades of yellow, orange and red.

Prunus Spire

This tree has a close habit as the name suggests, it is excellent for confined spaces. Plenty of pink flowers, and good autumn colour.

Prunus Sunset Boulevard

Another narrow-headed tree, with a disciplined habit. Big white flowers appear in spring. The young leaves are almost a salmon red, becoming mid green in summer. Later they take on really good autumn colours, oranges, reds, yellows.

Sorbus hupehensis

Sorbus aucuparia section. A smaller but vigorous tree, with ascending branches. The leaflets are bluish and distinctively oval. The white flowers turn to white fruits, that are smudged with mauve. Good autumn colour.

Sorbus Joseph Rock

Sorbus Joseph Rock A small to medium tree, with ascending branches, and a tidy head shape. Cream flower heads are followed by abundant bunches of clear yellow berries, which last well into the autumn. The autumn foliage is spectacular.

Sorbus Sunshine

Sorbus Sunshine Sorbus aucuparia section. A small tree with strongly rising branches. Big bunches of bright yellow fruits follow the flowers, and contrast at first with the deep green foliage, which quickly turns in autumn.

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