Posted on September 26th, 2018
Fall in New England means football, fairs, and foliage. Leaf peepers from all over the world flock to our region to catch a glimpse of the leaves as they transition from emerald green into fiery reds, yellows, and oranges. Fortunately for us locals, we never have to leave the comfort of home to enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer during this breathtaking time of year. Here are some of the best trees to plant in our region for gorgeous New England foliage, right in your own backyard.
People often associate crabapple trees with their brilliant spring blossoms. However, the crabapple tree also touts some of our area’s most vibrant foliage. Best of all, this tree’s fruit lasts throughout much of the winter, serving as a food source for hungry critters once the frigid temperatures are upon us.
Much like the crabapple tree, Kousa dogwoods are often most commonly known for their pink or white springtime blooms. However, this tree delivers a spectacular fall transformation as its leaves change colors from green into reds, purples, and scarlets.
Also known as Nyssa sylvatica, the black gum tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and can mature in height anywhere from 30-75 feet tall. The springtime leaves of the black gum are light green. At the onset of fall, black gum foliage can showcase a multitude of colors including yellow, orange, red, and purple.
Also known as Carolina red maple, swamp maple, and scarlet maple, the red maple is a hardy, versatile tree that thrives in our New England climate, making it one of the most popular plants on the East Coast. While the red maple offers aesthetic appeal all year long, autumn is when this tree truly stuns with a gorgeous red and orange leaf display.
This tree offers highly fragrant and edible leaves that have been used to make a multitude of foods and beverages (root beer, anyone?). Here in New England, the sassafras tree does best in shady gardens, offering brilliant copper foliage during the cooler seasonal months.
This northern shrub gets its name from its highly aromatic leaves and foliage. Throughout spring and summer, the spicebush showcases small green and yellow blooms. During the fall, the spicebush touts bright yellow leaves, making it an excellent choice for ornamental beds and gardens.
The Easter redbud is a hardy plant that does well in most soil types and various sun exposure levels. In the spring, the redbud boasts lovely pink blossoms that last up to three weeks. In the fall, the redbud’s heart-shaped leaves go from a hunter green to a beautiful gold. Its ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions on an annual basis makes the redbud a highly sought after choice for both residential and commercial New England properties.
As a locally owned and operated business, Turf Unlimited knows New England tree and shrub care.
Contact us today to create a customized ornamental planting plan for your home or office.
