As the boom and crackle of fireworks can be heard outside in early November, there is also a pyrotechnic display reaching its climax with many trees and shrubs. We expect colour with brilliant acers and majestic beech trees, but there are many other less obvious shrubs that take on exciting shades of red, purple and yellow in autumn. Some of the following examples are known for their flowers, berries and scent more than their foliage, but I reckon a plant that also gives good autumn colour is worth its weight in gold as we head into the gloom of November.
Enkianthus
Enkianthus campanulatus are shrubs grown for their clusters of bell shaped flowers that appear in May/June, most commonly in shades of pink. Its leaves are arranged in whorls clustered at the end of the twigs and they turn fantastic fiery shades of red and orange in autumn. I love the understated flowers of all types of Enkianthus, but I almost love it more in autumn.
I have an Enkianthus near my bay window which has just peaked colour-wise. Behind it is a Hydrangea quercifolia, which is turning colour gradually in a complex range of hues. Red, purple, orange, glimpses of green hanging on in there. It seems to be almost chameleon-like in trying to decide what shades to take on. Unlike most hydrangeas, this is not one for big, blowsy flowers (although it does flower) but is mainly grown for its lovely foliage in the shape of giant oak leaves. Hence Quercus (oak) folia (foliage). The clue is always in the name with plants.
Hydrangea quercifolia
In midwinter, the sweet scent of Hamamelis mollis (Chinese witch hazel) perfumes the air on still days. Clusters of bright yellow, spidery flowers cling to bare twigs. In autumn, the large bright green leaves turn soft yellow and dangle dramatically like washing hung out to dry. It’s a dull shrub in summer but it almost waves at you in autumn, like a long-lost friend shouting out ‘Hey, I’m over here’!
Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’ is an obliging miniature cherry that can be seen in every garden centre come spring. It’s ideal for small gardens with a profusion of pale pink blooms fading to blush white flowers in March. Like most cherries, it also has great autumn colour. Even when the gales have wrenched off the last gorgeous leaf, you’re left with interesting twisted wiry stems for the winter.
Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’ (centre) with an acer and Salvia ‘Amistad’ providing late colour in this Wilmslow garden.
Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ (Smoke bush) is a large shrub with magnificent, dark red-purple oval leaves that turn scarlet in autumn. In July and August, it is festooned with fluffy plumes of purplish-pink flowers that look like a haze of smoke. My shrub often doesn’t get to ‘smoke’. I prune it hard in late winter as I want the foliage to be big and bold. It hangs on to its foliage quite late in my garden and is usually the last rocket of the firework display that is autumn.
