Ten shrubs for autumn colour

An autumn garden can be highly colourful if it includes some of these shrubs. Some are grown for their autumn leaf colour and/or berries, others for their flowers. To complement them, plant some autumn-flowering bulbs and perennials, such as autumn crocuses and Michaelmas daisies.

• Barberry(Berberⁱs thunbergii) Leaves turn brilliant red in
• Californian lilac(Caenothus `Gloire de Versailles’) Starts flowering in summer and continues well into autumn. Deciduous, with masses of scented light powder-blue flowers. 1.5m/5ft. Likes a light fertile soil and a sheltered position in full sun. Prune hard back in early spring.
• Caryopteris x clandonensis Dwarf shrub, about 60cm/2ft in height, with aromatic greyish-green leaves and a long succession of blue flowers. Needs plenty of sun. Any soil. Cut hard back in early spring.
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• Cotoneaster`Cornubia’ Large semi-evergreen shrub, whose branches are weighed down in autumn and winter by tremendous crops of red berries. Height around 6m/20ft. For any soil, including chalk, and sun or partial shade.
• Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea lalandei) Evergreen shrubs completely covered with orange-red berries in autumn. 3-3.6m/10-12ft, quickly attained. Grows anywhere, in sun or partial shade.
• Japanese maple(Ater palmatum) Varieties grown for their brilliant autumn leaf colour— generally flame-coloured. Very slow growing, 2.4-3.6m/8-12ft. Ideal for dappled shade of woodland. Needs shelter. Likes cool, moist, humus-rich soil.
• Sea buckthorn(Hippophae rhamnoides) Plant both male and female plants for huge crops of bright orange berries in autumn. Attractive deciduous silvery foliage. 2.4-3m/8-10ft. Excellent for seaside gardens. Sun or partial shade.
• Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Flame’) Rounded shrub with the most brilliant orange autumn leaf colour. Plumes of pink flowers in summer, fading to a smokey grey. At least 2.4m/8ft. Any well-drained soil in full sun.
• Spindle (Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade’) Bears an incredibly large crop of brilliant red and orange fruits. Good autumn leaf colour. 2.4-3m/8-10ft. Any soil; good on chalk. Sun or partial shade.
• Stag’s horn sumach (Rhus typhina) Interesting shrub with antler-like branches and large compound leaves, which turn to brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. Suckers freely. 3-4.5m/10-15ft. Any soil, and sun or partial shade.

Three shrubs with highly fragrant flowers

Plant these shrubs near a door, path or patio where their powerful scent can be fully appreciated. Choose a wind-free spot close to the house if possible, so that the scent is even more pronounced.

• Daphne x burhwoodiiSemi-evergreen shrub with pale pink flowers, in large clusters, in late spring and early summer. Try to obtain the variety ‘Somerset’. 1.2m/4ft. Any soil, including chalk; sun or partial shade.
• Mexican orange blossom(Choisya ternata) Neat bushy evergreen with shiny leaves, and a long succession (spring to autumn) of white flowers, which resemble orange blossom. Prune after flowering. Soon attains 1.8m/6ft. Choose a warm sheltered spot in full sun.
• Mock orange (Philadelphus hybrids) Popular deciduous shrubs with large white flowers in early summer, smelling of orange blossom. 1.8-3.6m16-12ft, quickly attained. Any soil, good on chalk, and full sun or partial shade. Cut back old flowered shoots after flowering.

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