Top 10 Autumn Colour Guide and Seasonal Catalogue

Autumn in Aotearoa brings cooler nights, softer light and a deepening of colour across gardens and landscapes. As we shift into the Season, our Autumn logo is now in place across our communications, marking the start of our Autumn programme. We’ve also released our Autumn into Winter Catalogue, showcasing reliable performers for colour, structure and cold-season resilience. Choose trees with strong branching, dependable colour change and tidy form; plant them while the soil is still warm and they’ll reward you with vibrant Autumn displays and long-lasting landscape value. Grouping trees in avenues or clusters will amplify colour and create rhythm through the garden.

Top 10 Autumn Colour Trees:

  1. Acer platanoides – Norway Maple
  2. Acer rubrum – Red Canadian Maple
  3. Amelanchier canadensis – Shad Tree
  4. Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ – Upright Hornbeam
  5. Fagus sylvatica – English Beech
  6. Fraxinus ‘Raywoodii’ – Claret Ash
  7. Liquidambar ‘Worplesdon’ – Sweet Gum
  8. Prunus var. – Flowering Cherry
  9. Quercus palustris – Pin Oak
  10. Ulmus hollandica ‘Lobel’ – Upright Elm

Autumn Colour Champions

Acer platanoides Autumn - March 2025 (11)

ACER platanoides – Norway Maple

When mature, the oval to rounded crown is spectacular. In Summer it’s full with dense 5 lobed green leaves that give a strong, healthy presence. As Autumn arrives the foliage turns a clear golden yellow before falling, creating a bright seasonal display suited to avenues, feature planting and larger gardens.

ACER rubrum – Red Canadian Maple

Deep green lobed leaves in Summer create a neat, formal aesthetic. As the Season cools, the red veins extend colour through each lobe until the whole canopy glows. The shift from green to red is striking and almost unreal. Ideal for smaller gardens, driveways and avenues where Autumn Colour is a priority.

Acer rubrum October Glory 35-45lt March 2025 (11)
Amelanchier canadensis 25-30lt RP April 2024 (1)

AMELANCHIER canadensis – Shad Tree

Often called the Service Berry, this tree gives a clear seasonal signal. White starry flowers appear in Spring, often coinciding with the arrival of whitebait. Bronze tipped new leaves turn to a fresh mint green in Summer before shifting again in Autumn. A graceful, multi-season performer for gardens and naturalistic plantings.

CARPINUS betulus ‘Fastigiata’ – Upright Hornbeam

A tidy, compact pyramidal tree with bright green oval leaves marked by fine corrugations. Excellent for smaller avenues, formal entrances and structured gardens. Autumn brings a soft yellow tone that complements its upright form.

Carpinus betulus Fastigiata flower - Cardrona - March 2019
Fagus sylvatica April 2025

FAGUS sylvatica – English Beech

Known as the Queen of British Trees, this species forms a glorious leafy canopy supported by upward sweeping branches. Fresh green leaves in Spring and Summer turn to copper and gold in Autumn. A classic for avenues, large gardens and long-term structure.

FRAXINUS ‘Raywoodii’ – Claret Ash

An upright grower with a sense of formality. Mature trees form a rounded crown with narrow glossy leaves that hold a deep green through Summer. In Autumn the foliage shifts to a rich claret tone, as if poured over the canopy. A standout for colour and shape.

Fraxinus Raywoodii - March 2023 (1)
Liquidambar Worplesdon autumn foliage Feb 2026 (1)

LIQUIDAMBAR ‘Worplesdon’ – Sweet Gum

A tree that stops people in their tracks. Large star shaped leaves shift from green to gold, then vibrant orange, then red. The upright pyramidal form suits avenues, driveways and feature planting where strong Autumn Colour is wanted.

PRUNUS var. – Flowering Cherry

One of the most decorative trees year-round. Rich Spring flowers give way to reddish copper leaves that turn dark green in Summer. Autumn brings orange and bronze tones. A graceful ornamental tree that offers colour in every Season.

Prunus autumn colour - March 2019 (2)
Quercus palustris 12-16lt RP April 2023 (1)

QUERCUS palustris – Pin Oak

A popular pyramidal tree with classic green Summer foliage that turns a velvet red in Autumn. Strong structure and reliable colour make it excellent for avenues, parks and larger gardens.

ULMUS hollandica ‘Lobel’ – Upright Elm

Dark green leaves are small, rough and closely arranged on short branches that maintain a pyramidal form. Eventually forms a dense crown that turns a striking bronze in Autumn. A reliable, upright performer for avenues and exposed sites.

Choose Autumn Colour species that suit your site, plant them in groups or avenues to amplify the display and give young trees careful establishment care so roots and structure develop quickly. With the right mix of Deciduous performers, regular formative pruning and mulching, and attention to soil warmth and moisture, you’ll create landscapes that glow through Autumn and carry strong form into Winter.
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