Trees kind of take a back seat through the summer as far as garden design goes – their main real contribution to a garden at this time of year is the shade that they bring. But some of them hurl themselves centre stage in autumn with a massive hit of colour – ‘Ta-dah’! 

The ones that are most known for this are the maples. They give the east coast of the USA its stunning colour changing landscape that draws millions of people to see it. The UK has a few places that also give a great display – this is Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire. Other places to see fantastic tree colour include:

Coombe Hill in Buckinghamshire 

Grizedale Forest in Cumbria 

Stourhead in Wiltshire 

Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire

Knightwood Oak Trail in the New Forest 

Birks of Aberfeldy in Perthshire 

Glen Affric in the Highlands 

If you want to bring some autumn colour into your garden or landscape, think carefully about how big the tree will eventually get – much like baby lions, they don’t stay cute and small forever: they eventually get big and troublesome if in the wrong place. Visit a arboretum where they’ll have a range of trees of different ages so you can see them in the flesh; by going to a local one, you’ll see which ones will grow in your area. Pace out the canopy and make a note of their height, then pace out and measure this in your garden to see if it’ll fit. Give it a bit of wiggle room too – think we all appreciate that, don’t we? 

📷 Andy Evans Photos via Adobe Stock #385314755