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red autumn colour

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  • Virginia creeper has great red leaf colour in autumn if you want a climber option and for a shrub I think Aronia melanocarpa has very nice red leaves at the same time. The berberis purpurea has also just taken on some very nice red tones at the moment and guelder rose is also after turning some nice shades of red. For a tree option Liquidamber styraciflua worpleston has a nice darker red leaf here as well.

    Happy gardening!
  • Fairygirl said:
    Rowans - loads to choose from. 
    Some spireas look great at this time of year - the white ones have great autumn colour. 

    If you can eventually get some protection from wind [shrubs and other trees are best]  lots of Acers will do the job.

    Thanks, will take a look
  • chicky said:
    Cotinus give a great show of red leaves in Autumn - we have Cotinus ‘Grace’ that never disappoints

    Not sure why this one doesn't grab me. I'll have a more thorough look and make sure I'm not being too picky!
  • jonathan.colejonathan.cole Posts: 221
    edited November 2021
    How about a malus tree with bright red crab-apples? I have the variety 'Gorgeous' and it really is!

    I think I'm leaning towards red foliage really, but thanks for the suggestion.
  • Virginia creeper has great red leaf colour in autumn if you want a climber option and for a shrub I think Aronia melanocarpa has very nice red leaves at the same time. The berberis purpurea has also just taken on some very nice red tones at the moment and guelder rose is also after turning some nice shades of red. For a tree option Liquidamber styraciflua worpleston has a nice darker red leaf here as well.

    Happy gardening!

    I presume Virginia creeper would get somewhat grumpy being continually hacked back to stay sensible on a 6ft post? Or would it not mind?

    I think I'll pass on the chokeberry as it's a bit too similar to blackcurrants and things we have and I don't want the children getting a nasty surprise!


  • Lovely suggestions here. I also need more autumn colour once the asters go. I've just treated myself to online order of Euonymus alatus Compactus. Hoping it still has leaves at this time if the year but if not there is always next year 🍁😊
  • Virginia creeper has great red leaf colour in autumn if you want a climber option and for a shrub I think Aronia melanocarpa has very nice red leaves at the same time. The berberis purpurea has also just taken on some very nice red tones at the moment and guelder rose is also after turning some nice shades of red. For a tree option Liquidamber styraciflua worpleston has a nice darker red leaf here as well.

    Happy gardening!

    I presume Virginia creeper would get somewhat grumpy being continually hacked back to stay sensible on a 6ft post? Or would it not mind?

    I think I'll pass on the chokeberry as it's a bit too similar to blackcurrants and things we have and I don't want the children getting a nasty surprise!



    Virginia creeper seems fairly tough to me so I don't think being cut back would set it back too much.

    The chokeberry are not inedible but I agree they don't taste great and might be better cooked. They are said to be full of vitamins and are very healthy food so if the children did try eating them I don't think the surprise would be that nasty. The birds always get to them here as soon as they are ripe before I have a chance to pick them while they leave the blackcurrants uneaten for months. I don't think the two shrubs look that similar and also don't think letting children eat random things in the garden they find growing is a good idea as there are quite a lot of common garden plants that are poisonous.

  • Virginia creeper seems fairly tough to me so I don't think being cut back would set it back too much.

    The chokeberry are not inedible but I agree they don't taste great and might be better cooked. They are said to be full of vitamins and are very healthy food so if the children did try eating them I don't think the surprise would be that nasty. The birds always get to them here as soon as they are ripe before I have a chance to pick them while they leave the blackcurrants uneaten for months. I don't think the two shrubs look that similar and also don't think letting children eat random things in the garden they find growing is a good idea as there are quite a lot of common garden plants that are poisonous.

    Maybe Virginia creeper isn't a definite no then. Will mull, thanks.

    The children are well trained to check with us, but the garden is very much an edible one so astringent berries that look like black currants might well cause confusion.


  • Does anyone have Acer Campestre Evenley Red? How's the autumn colour?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't be trying to grow a Virginia creeper up a 6 foot post. It isn't what they're designed for and would be completely pointless. They're meant for this sort of area



    Virtually any Acer will need some protection from wind, regardless of type, if you want good colour, because without that protection, the foliage is compromised.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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