Injecting fall colors into your yard involves more than just planting some red maples (though that is a great choice for fall!) and calling it a day.

There are many other trees, shrubs and perennials that display bright shades of orange, purple, gold and more! Some bear gorgeous blooms, some put out colorful leaves and some exhibit both.

On that note, here are 25 versatile and eye-catching plants and trees that are sure to take your outdoor space to the next level this season.

1. Mariachi “Salsa” helenium – Helenium is a sun-loving perennial you can count on to produce lovely and long-lasting floral displays in the fall. Mariachi “Salsa” is a dense, compact kind of helenium covered in bright orange and deep red blossoms beginning in late summer.
2. New England aster – Plants under the genus Aster are daisy-like perennials that produce pink, purple and red blooms. The New England aster, which grows in meadows, produces red-purple ones.
3. Autumn crocus – Brighten the fall landscape with autumn crocus or meadow saffron. This flowering plant produces lavender blooms in the fall when no leaves are present.
4. “Autumn fire” sedum – Plants under the genus Sedum have fleshy leaves and stems. They range in both sizes and colors. For a fall garden, the variety called “autumn fire” is your best bet, thanks in large part to its bright pink blossoms that bunch up at the top.
5. “Autumn spire” red maple – Nothing says “fall” like red maple. So named because of its bright red foliage, red maple beautifies any yard it is planted in. If pressed for space, the “autumn spire” variety is your friend because of its upright and columnar growth habit.
6. “Autumn gold” flowering dogwood – Flowering dogwood produces show-stopping bursts of scarlet foliage in the fall, which often appear as white or light pink in the summer. For brighter, golden foliage, opt for the “autumn gold” variety.
7. “Sunshine blue” caryopteris – Caryopteris, or bluebeard, is a flowering plant endemic to China. It produces bright lavender flowers in the fall. The variety called “sunshine blue,” in particular, produces striking purple flowers.
8. Dwarf fothergilla – The dwarf fothergilla is a multi-stemmed shrub that produces white flowers in the spring. In the fall, its dark green foliage changes into bright shades of orange and scarlet.
9. Beautyberry – Beautyberry doesn’t afford much landscape value at other times of the year. But it bears pretty purple berries in the fall. It may reach up to six feet in height if planted in rich, moist soil.
10. Garden mums – The cooler temperatures of fall don’t bother garden mums. On the contrary, the cold air helps to intensify their bright hues of orange, gold, russet, burgundy and bronze.
11. Sumac – Most varieties of sumac, a plant often regarded as a weed, are great landscape plants. Sumac dresses in colors that range from red or maroon to a rich golden hue.
12. Ginkgo – Ginkgo biloba, also known as ginkgo, boasts unique, fan-shaped leaves that start out green in the summer but change to a rich golden hue towards the fall. It provides excellent shade as well.
13. Oakleaf hydrangea – Oakleaf hydrangea is so named because its leaves resemble those of oak trees in terms of both color and shape. This plant is sought after for its reddish, bronzy-orange foliage that turns purple in the fall. It tolerates shade but will produce brighter colors the more sunlight it receives.
14. “Karl Foerster” feather reed grass – “Karl Foerster” grass is a kind of feather reed grass known for its narrow, bright green leaves that can grow up to three feet tall. It is best planted alongside fall flowers to highlight their colors. You can also plant them around water gardens or garden paths.
15. Pansy – Pansies can’t tolerate heat, which makes them perfect for a fall or winter garden. Plant them just as summer is about to end and watch them bloom until a hard frost.
16. Sugar maple – You can’t go wrong with a sugar maple when decorating a fall garden. This classic fall tree puts out large, red-orange leaves in the fall. It prefers moist soil but can tolerate drought.
17. Russian sage – Russian sage produces tiny, purple blooms and silvery-green foliage into fall, even in dry conditions. It’s also a tough perennial that tolerates poor soil conditions.
18. “Fireworks” goldenrod – Goldenrod is a striking weed-like plant that grows best under full sun and in well-drained soil. The variety called “Fireworks” is especially perfect for a fall garden because its tiny, gold blossoms that spray out are hard to miss.
19. Black gum – Black gum is a popular landscaping tree because of its striking scarlet foliage.
20. “Apache rose” switchgrass – Switchgrass is a perennial warm-season bunchgrass endemic to the U.S. It is an ornamental grass that neither rain nor wind can uproot. The “apache rose” variety is the best type of switchgrass to plant in a fall garden because of its pink and tan-colored “flowers.”
21. Bluestar – The plant species Amsonia, or bluestar, is famous for its soft blue, star-shaped blossoms. It typically reaches no more than three feet in height. Use it as a backdrop for other fall flowers.
22. Blue fescue – This versatile perennial grass boasts an eye-catching shade of blue that lasts year-round. Because of its clump-forming habit, blue fescue forms uniform tufts of foliage.
23. Japanese maple – Japanese maple is quite versatile, as far as trees go. You can plant them directly on the ground outdoors or in containers for the patio. Sporting bright red leaves and slender branches, this tree is a no-brainer for any decent fall garden.
24. Fountain grass – This grass is a perfect pairing for fall flowers like pansies and garden mums. Plant it behind perennials for a dramatic backdrop.
25. Sassafras – Sassafras is a genus of trees endemic to the US. Its fragrant green foliage turns into bright shades of red, orange and scarlet in the fall.

Fall gardens aren’t just for planting fruits and vegetables. Keep your yard and home looking lively by planting several of the eye-catching trees, shrubs and perennials listed above.

Sources:

HGTV.com

GoodHousekeeping.com