Shrubs with Autumn Colour II

Cotinus coggygria ‘Young Lady’ – This Smokebush is an introduction from Holland and features a compact growth habit with blooms at a young age (hence the name). The creamy-pink flowers look like smoke billows at a distance (in June and July) and the rounded green leaves shift to yellows, oranges and reds in autumn. Grows 4-6′ high by 4-6′ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Berberis thunbergii SUNSATION (syn. ‘Monry’) – Another of the gold-leaved Japanese Barberries which may take on hints of lime green at maturity or when planted in partial shade. It looks best when lightly sheared to maintain density and features brilliant reddish-orange autumn tones. Drought tolerant once established. Grows 3-4′ high by 4′ wide. Hardy to zone 4.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’ (syn. ‘Snow Flake’, ‘Brido’) – The Oakleaf Hydrangea is a native of the southeast United States and has deep green oak-like leaves that shift to crimson and purple in the fall. The cone-shaped blooms are composed of double white flowers (with a green tinged center). It also has beautiful peeling bark. Grows 5-8′ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Waterfall’ – We often overlook green Japanese Maples in favour of red, but ‘Waterfall’ tolerates full sun rather well and features fantastic autumn tones of golden-orange with red highlights. This cultivar has a more pendulous appearance (hence the name) and is definitely one of the hardier weeping Japanese Maples. Average pruned height 4′. Zone 5.

Disanthus cercidifolius – This large deciduous shrub is a member of the Witch Hazel family and prefers a partial shade exposure. The Katsura-like heart-shaped leaves have variable autumn colours of deep burgundy, red, yellow and orange. It is native to China and Japan. RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Tiny maroon flowers appear in fall. Grows 6-10′ high and wide. Z5.