One of the best things about gardening in New England is watching the landscape transform each fall. While mums and pumpkins bring plenty of seasonal charm, the right trees and shrubs can create an incredible display of red, orange, yellow, and gold year after year. If you’re looking to add more autumn interest to your yard, these standout trees are beautiful choices for Connecticut landscapes.

Katsura Tree

The Katsura Tree is a wonderful option for anyone looking for something a little different. Its attractive, heart-shaped leaves emerge with hints of bronze in spring before turning blue-green for summer. Come fall, the foliage changes to beautiful shades of yellow, apricot, and soft orange. As an added bonus, fallen Katsura leaves are famous for giving off a sweet scent that many people compare to caramel or cotton candy!

Japanese Stewartia

For year-round interest, it’s hard to beat the Japanese Stewartia. Delicate white flowers appear during the summer, followed by foliage that turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and burgundy in autumn. Even after the leaves fall, its beautiful peeling bark adds texture and visual interest to the winter landscape. It’s an excellent specimen tree for a spot where it can really stand out.

Himalayan White Birch

The Himalayan White Birch offers beautiful contrast in the landscape. Its green summer foliage transitions to a bright golden-yellow in fall, but its striking white bark is what really makes this tree special. The brilliant bark becomes even more noticeable once the leaves drop, providing interest throughout the colder months and creating a gorgeous backdrop for evergreens and colorful fall plantings.

October Glory Red Maple

If classic New England fall color is what you’re after, the October Glory Red Maple certainly delivers. This popular maple is known for its spectacular autumn display, with leaves changing from deep green to vibrant shades of orange-red, scarlet, and crimson. Its fall color often develops later in the season, helping extend the show in your landscape after some other trees have already dropped their leaves.

Plant Now, Enjoy for Years

Fall is a fantastic time to add trees and shrubs to your landscape. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on newly planted material while the soil remains warm enough for roots to continue establishing before winter arrives.

Whether you’re looking for fiery reds, cheerful yellows, warm oranges, or a combination of all three, choosing trees with great fall color can completely transform your property. Stop by Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe and explore our nursery, or speak with one of our nursery specialists for help finding the right tree or shrub for your space. A little planting now can mean decades of beautiful fall color ahead!