Fall is a season of glorious change. We often think of majestic trees bursting into colorful reds, yellows, and oranges throughout the landscape. But don’t forget that many shrubs offer surprise color this time of year as well! Here are three of my favorites:

1) One of the most popular plants for sale at Hoerr Nursery is commonly known as the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus ‘Compacta’). Its medium green leaves and upright vase shape are attractive. This large shrub may grow to 10’ tall and wide but is often kept smaller by pruning early in the spring. The Burning Bush also tolerates our summer heat and humidity, and most deer leave them alone.

We are leading up to the exciting time for Burning Bush. Those growing in full sun (at least six hours per day) will soon become brilliant flaming red! What a delightful gift from nature.

2) The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) grows 2-3’ tall and wide up to 10’ tall and wide depending upon which variety you choose. It prefers part sun to part shade with the sun in the morning. This is a true four season shrub. Lobed oakleaf shaped leaves appear in spring. Up to one foot long cones of white single or double flowers cover the plant in summer. The blooms mature to pink and then brown. They may be left on or cut off for use in indoor or outdoor dried arrangements.

Oakleaf Hydrangea foliage turns a beautiful wine, purple, maroon to bronze in the fall. The cinnamon-colored, exfoliating bark adds winter interest to this fine shrub.

3) Little Henry Sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’) is a lovely small shrub that grows in sun or shade. It gets to be 2-3’ tall and 2-3’ wide which makes it a versatile plant for a perennial border, a low hedge, or an accent in the landscape. The fragrant white tassel-like flowers appear in early summer. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds – how could you go wrong with that! ;-)

The dark green foliage becomes hot orange red to burgundy red in autumn. A true multi-season shrub!