As we are on the cusp of fall we thought we would share with you a few varieties of vines and shrubs that are some of our favorites. Perhaps you're looking for ideas for next year, or wanting some warm fall foliage in the future. Here are a few of our favorites!
Oakleaf Hydrangea:
Oakleaf hydrangea is so named because its leaves resemble those of oak trees. These bushes produce white flowers in summer that fade to a pinkish-brown in fall. But oakleaf hydrangea is most sought after for its foliage, which turns reddish, bronzy-orange, or purplish in the fall. The shrub grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet, with a similar spread.
Oakleaf hydrangea is a great choice for creating four-season interest in your landscape because its branches sport an attractively peeling bark in winter. It will tolerate a bit of shade, but for optimal coloration, grow it in full sun.
Sumac:
Sumac bushes may not be the first thing that comes to mind for providing fall colors in the landscape. In fact, some people regard them as weeds, perhaps mistaking all Rhus shrubs for poison sumac. But many varieties of sumac are excellent landscape plants, providing fall colors ranging from reddish or maroon to golden. Two such varieties are staghorn and smooth sumac. The popular staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a relatively tall variety, reaching 18 to 35 feet. Another common type, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) can grow to 10 feet tall at maturity. 'Tiger Eyes' is a cultivar with golden leaves.
Viburnum:
A number of the viburnums can furnish your yard with good fall color, given proper growing conditions. Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is one of them. Plant it in a sunny spot, preferably near a window, porch, patio, or deck, where you will be able to fully appreciate its fantastic aroma. This upright shrub grows to 4 to 6 feet.
Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) yields white flowers in May, which become an edible fruit at harvest time. Fall color is offered not only by these bluish-black berries but also by colorful leaves (especially if grown in bright sunshine). It achieves a height of 12 to 15 feet and a spread of 8 to 12 feet.
If you're interested in adding some beautiful shrubs to your landscape to spice up it up with fall colors, give us a call! We're delighted to help!