10 Best Shrubs to Plant in Fall With Striking Foliage

Because your home's curb appeal doesn't have to suffer once the temperature drops.

Autumn conjures images of cascading red and gold leaves falling from tree canopies , but shrubs can offer brilliant bursts of color as well. If you want to add striking fall foliage to your yard, some low-maintenance shrubs can do the trick.

“Planting shrubs in the fall can be a great choice as temperatures cool and allow for better rooting before winter,” says Kaustubh Deo, president of Blooma Tree Experts in Seattle. Add interest to your garden and celebrate autumn with these shrubs that are perfect for fall.

Meet Our Expert

• Zahid Adnan , founder of the Plant Bible
• Kaustubh Deo , president of Blooma Tree Experts in Seattle
• Sal Musto , owner of SalCorp Landscaping and Construction in Walpole, MA

Burning Bush

For a burst of ruby red fall color, plant burning bush ( Euonymus alatus ), a deciduous shrub with striking red hues during the fall season.

“This shrub is famous for its fiery red fall foliage, making it a vibrant addition to any garden,” says Zahid Adnan, founder of The Plant Bible. “It’s also hardy and adaptable to various soil types ."

Burning bush grows easily and is low-maintenance. Plant burning bushes in well-drained soil with full sun exposure for the best color, Adnan advises. Prune the shrub in late winter to help maintain its shape, but note that burning bush is toxic to pets and people if ingested.

• Sun: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Thrives in acidic soil but can also grow in neutral and alkaline soil
• Zones: 4 to 8

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Another colorful shrub that will bring cheer to your fall is the oakleaf hydrangea  ( Hydrangea quercifolia ). The flowering shrub offers different hues throughout the year , with green, white, pink, and maroon blossoms, depending on the season.

“The oakleaf hydrangea, known for its large, oak-shaped leaves and stunning fall colors, offers beauty year-round,” Adnan says. “The leaves turn deep red and purple in autumn.”

The brilliant shrub prefers well-drained soil. Mulch around the base of your oakleaf hydrangea to help protect roots in the winter. Oakleaf hydrangea is toxic to pets and can cause upset stomachs in people if ingested.

• Sun: Partial sun
• Soil: Rich, well-draining soil, prefers acidic soil
• Zones: 5 to 9

Related: The Hardiest Hydrangea Varieties That’ll Thrive in Your Growing Zone

Kaleidoscope Abelia

Another colorful fall shrub is kaleidoscope abelia ( Abelia x grandiflora ). True to its name, the leaves change to varied colors, with the outer edges turning rich orange and red in the fall and the centers remaining green. Kaleidoscope abelia is an evergreen dwarf shrub that grows well in cool temperatures.

“Kaleidoscope abelia, which thrives in cooler weather, offers stunning foliage and pollinator-friendly blooms ,” says Deo.

To plant this low-maintenance shrub, choose an area with partial or full sun and well-draining soil. Prune kaleidoscope abelias in late winter or early spring.

• Sun: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil
• Zones: 6 to 9

Dwarf Fothergilla

“Another excellent choice for fall is dwarf fothergilla,” says Sal Musto, owner of SalCorp Landscaping and Construction.“This deciduous shrub is prized for its fall foliage in vibrant orange, red, and yellow hues.”

To add fall foliage to your landscape, plant dwarf fothergilla ( Fothergilla gardenii ) in a sunny location with moist, acidic soil. Dwarf fothergilla thrives in full sun, especially for the best fall color, Musto says.

• Sun: Full to partial sun
• Soil: Moist, well-draining, acidic soil
• Zones: 5 to 8

Smoke Bush

If you’d like to add year-round color to your landscape, smoke bush ( Cotinus coggygria ) offers hues ranging from purple to orange, depending on the season.

“With its fluffy, smoke-like plumes in summer and dramatic fall foliage in shades of orange, red, and purple, smoke bush is an eye-catching addition to your garden,” Adnan says.

Smoke bush thrives with full sunlight and well-draining soil. While the shrub is drought-tolerant , it needs regular watering during the establishment phase.

• Sun: Full
• Soil: Well-draining soil that can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline
• Zones: 4 to 9

Azaleas

For a low-maintenance, vibrant shrub , azaleas ( Rhododendron ) are a prime choice for fall. The brilliant blooms can turn gold, red, and burgundy in the autumn season.

“Azaleas are one of my favorites,” Musto says. “These evergreen shrubs produce bright pink flowers in spring and require acidic, well-drained soil and part shade." Azaleas need minimal maintenance once established.

• Sun: Partial to full
• Soil: Well-draining, acidic soil
• Zones: 6 to 8

Gold Dust

Gold dust ( Aucuba japonica ) is a hardy evergreen shrub that thrives in low-light conditions. The signature gold-speckled leaves are especially brilliant in fall and the shrub blooms with small purple and white flowers in spring.

“If you need a shrub for shade , gold dust offers vibrant color and can grow quite large, adding visual interest to your garden,” Deo says.

The slow-growing shrub prefers rich, well-draining, moist soil and does well in cool weather.

• Sun: Partial, shade
• Soil: Well-draining, moist soil that is neutral, acidic, or alkaline
• Zones: 7 to 10

Viburnum

Another striking shrub for the autumn season is viburnum ( Viburnum spp. ). The flowering perennial shrubs come in over 150 varieties and offer splendid fall foliage.

“Viburnum shrubs offer stunning fall colors ranging from red to burgundy, and many varieties produce berries that attract birds,” Adnan says.

Plant viburnum in full sun to partial shade and water regularly during the first few years to help it establish a healthy root system. Water viburnum weekly if there is no rain.

• Sun: Partial or full
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, neutral or acidic soil
• Zones: 2 to 9

Related: This Is the Best Time of Day To Water Your Plants

Ninebark

For a fast-growing shrub with brilliant colors, plant ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ). The deciduous shrub blooms with flowers in spring and gold and red-tinged leaves in fall.

“This shrub adds year-round interest with its peeling bark and vibrant fall foliage in shades of bronze and burgundy,” Adnan says.

Ninebark thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires minimal maintenance. Prune in early spring to promote healthy growth.

• Sun: Partial, full
• Soil: Acidic, clay, loamy soil
• Zones: to 8

Red Twig Dogwood

Red twig dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) makes a captivating fall shrub, with striking red bark and rose and gold-tinged leaves in autumn.

“With its vibrant red stems , this shrub provides winter color once its leaves have fallen, making it a great choice for fall planting,” Adnan says.

Red twig dogwood grows quickly and prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Prune in early spring to encourage the growth of new, colorful stems.

• Sun: Partial to full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
• Zones: 3 to 8

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