Forum home› Plants

Shrubs for Autumn colour

peteSpeteS Posts: 963
in Plants
Can anyone recommend a shrub/s which has great autumn colour and also looks ok in summer. It needs to be fairly compact in it's spread, and grows to about 3-4ft in height. It will also need to enjoy life without sunshine as it will be living beside a highish wall...not exactly shady as it will get lots of reflective light, but no direct sunshine. Thanks.
«13

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,145
    My first thought was Nandina domestica aka "Heavenly Bamboo" . The general theory is that they need full sun, but l have found that they can cope with semi shade if the light is good.
    https://upgardener.co.uk/nandina-domestica/

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,348
    Is it damper shade or drier shade @peteS?
    I have a red Berberis which is lovely at this time of year, but it's jaggy, so that may not suit.  They can be pruned every so often so not hard to keep at the height. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 758
    edited October 2020
    Maybe pittosporum tom thumb might be an option. Looks best in autumn and winter when there is none of the green fresh growth to take from the nice purple colour the mature leaves have.
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,533
    I absolutely love Loropetalum which looks great all year round and my Fire Dance cultivar has the most gorgeous deep maroon leaves this time of year, creating a great contrast amidst all the green. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 963
    Thanks all for your suggestions @AnniD, @Fairygirl, @robairdmacraignil, @amancalledgeorge. I'm rather taken by the Loropetalum I have to say.
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/327167/Mahonia-eurybracteata-subsp-ganpinensis-Soft-Caress/Details
    Flowers at this time of year. Evergreen and ever-interesting foliage.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,472
    I have several Loropetalum Black Pearl, which is a fantastic plant and hardier than some other cultivars, down to -10. It keeps it’s lovely deep purple foliage all winter in pots in semi-shade, in ericaceous compost. I tried one planted out in my alkaline clay and it’s a bit miserable and chlorotic.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,533
    Fire Dance has done really well in our neutral soil. So definitely worth trying if you have the right conditions @peteS
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,348
    Possibly a bit big, but some hydrangeas might suit if the soil doesn't dry out. There's a few more compact varieties available. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • peteSpeteS Posts: 963
    I've been looking at some golden coloured Acer palmatums, do you think these would succeed, possibly in a pot in light shade up against a wall.
Sign In or Register to comment.