Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' (Witch Hazel)

Winter flowers

A sensational and popular witch hazel, Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' has lovely, scented yellow flowers that are borne in abundance in late winter and early spring. The specimen plant in our gardens has flowers with a wonderful citrus fragrance to them currently.

The leaves when they emerge are dark green in colour turning vivid shades of golden yellow in the autumn before falling.

Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' is a cracking plant for a winter border where its fragrance can be appreciated and in my opinion is best planted next to paths, doors or parts of the garden which will see some use through the winter.

Autumn colour

Also Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' and other witch hazels can be grown very successfully in a large container if required, we tend to repot our show plants into a larger size every year or two.

Although hardy, Hamamelis may sometimes benefit from frost protection when young once the new leaves have emerged. Also, they do not generally grow well in wet soils and despise water logging and so should be planted in a well drained position if possible.

If planting in a winter border, they compliment other trees well, in-particular snakebark maples such as Acer tegmentosum and Acer davidii.

Acer palmatum 'Viridis'

Summer leaves

Ideal for a small garden, Acer palmatum 'Viridis' has a mound-like habit and deeply cut leaves which colour brilliantly to gold or red in the autumn before falling.

Low growing with weeping branches, this graceful maple is most effective when planted as part of a low border or allowed to grow on rockeries, or over low walls.

autumn colour

We have several Acer palmatum 'Viridis' in the gardens and also grow a number in large containers for display in show stands. It is tough and hardy (for a maple) and looks good through the year, even the bare branches in winter look attractive after heavy frost, etc.

Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' (Persian ironwood)

Parrotia persica 'Vanessa'

One of my favourite trees for autumn colour, Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' is an unusual small tree with green leaves in spring and summer which turn a glorious plum purple, red and orange in the autumn time before falling. The bark on an established trees tends to flake over time, leaving a very attractive patchwork of steely grey and white.

In our experience this selection of Parrotia persica tends to grow with a more upright habit initially, although it can eventually spread later once once established.

As well as giving a display of vivid autumn colour, it is also very long lasting with the Parrotia persica 'Vanessa' in our arboretum starting to turn in September with the finally leaves falling usually in mid to late November (if we have decent autumn weather).

Autumn colour in October

Parrotia persica is a close relative of the witch hazel and as such has a display of small, spidery, red flowers in late winter or early spring before the leaves emerge.

The Persian ironwood is an excellent choice of branching tree, enjoying moist or well drained soils and notably tough and drought tolerant once established.

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'

Liquidambar 'Worplesdon' 

A famous and popular selection, Liquidambar 'Worplesdon' is a tree with autumn colour which appears relatively early, starting in  September and lasting until late October with the leaves turning a fiery-orange, red and yellow before they fall.

The mature Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' in our garden has reached a height of approx 32 ft and a spread of 20 ft after 16 years and gives a very reliable display of colour each year. Despite being in a fairly windy position, the leaves hold on well and it is very hardy, having survived cold down to -20oC with us in Derbyshire with no damage in recent winters.

The autumn colour of individual sweetgum trees will vary according to weather and in particular the pH of your soil. In our experience the the best, most vivid colours will occur in lime-free or acid soils. A liberal annual application of flowers of sulphur around the base of a Liquidambar, at a rate of up to 2 oz. per square yard on neutral or slightly alkaline soils will slowly lower the pH and intensify the autumn colour!

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' is a handsome and reliable tree with long lasting autumn colour, suitable for garden or woodland planting.

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)

Acer griseum peeling bark

Of all the small trees in cultivation, this maple stands supreme with gorgeous, peeling cinnamon coloured bark and fiery red and orange autumn colours. The autumn colour and peeling bark gives Acer griseum year round interest and as it is slow growing, makes it an ideal small specimen tree for gardens with limited space.

Acer griseum in winter

Acer griseum was introduced to the United Kingdom from China in 1901 and is very hardy although it does grow better with shelter from strong winds. Unlike most Japanese maples, the paperbark maple will also grow on an alkaline soil or even on chalk.

One of my favourite trees, the beautiful peeling bark of Acer griseum looks good at any time of year but especially when combined with the autumn colours. Our tree in the garden has reached a height of approx 20 ft tall in 18 years and has survived cold down to -20oC during the winter.  

 

Acer palmatum 'Garnet'

Acer palmatum 'Garnet'  is a popular maple ideal for small gardens which is grown for its deeply divided, rich purple-red leaves and dome-like habit. The garnet-coloured leaves hold their colour well in spring and summer, turn pleasing shades of yellow, crimson or orange in autumn before falling.

The low rounded habit makes Acer palmatum 'Garnet' particularly suitable for growing in a large tub or container and eye-catching when planted as part of a low border or next to a small stream or pond.

The specimen in our gardens has been growing for approx 8 years and has now reached a height of 3ft and a spread of 3 ft. It has a really good display of crimson red autumn colour.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

The jade green young flower bracts of a Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' growing in our gardens in a position with light, dappled shade. This one is approx 5 ft tall with a spread of 5 ft and is cut back hard each March to 1 ft above ground level. At the same time, we mulch it heavily with well rotted manure.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is an excellent garden plant and also looks great when planted in large numbers, three or more planted together can be exceptionally eye-catching.