Small Trees for Autumn Colour

November: The Perfect Time to Plant

November marks bare-root season - the ideal window for planting many trees and shrubs. During this time, trees are dormant, having shed their leaves and slowed their growth. Nursery stock is sold without soil around the roots, making them easier to transport andplant.

Planting bare-root trees is also more sustainable and economical. Without heavy pots of soil, they require less packaging, less plastic, and lower transportation energy, reducing their environmental footprint. At the same time, bare-root trees are often moreaffordable than container-grown specimens, making them a cost effective way to enhance your garden.

Even though we’re in the thick of autumn colour, with some trees already shedding their leaves, this is the perfect moment to observe your favourites in the garden, which forms, colours, and textures you like most, and to plan for next year’s planting. Planting now gives young trees a head start, allowing roots to establish before spring growth, making them stronger, healthier, and ready to thrive.

The Magic of Autumn Colour

As the light softens and the air cools, gardens take on a different kind of beauty. Autumn brings a richness of tone that can transform even the smallest space, and few things capture that sense of quiet drama better than small trees with glowing leaves.

The best choices offer more than just a few weeks of colour, they give blossom in spring, fruit for wildlife in autumn, and structure throughout the year. Three trees that exemplify this are:

• Snowny mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii)

• Crabapple (Malus spp.)

• Rowan (Sorbus spp.)

• Japanese maples (Acer palmatum)

Amelanchier lamarckii - Resilient and Refined

Amelanchier, or Snowy Mespilus, is one of the most versatile small trees you can plant. In early spring, it’s covered in starry white flowers, followed by soft bronze foliage that matures to green through summer. By autumn, the same canopy burns with tones of copper, crimson and gold. Small, dark berries follow the blossom, a favourite with birds, making this a tree that offers both beauty and biodiversity.

In our own coastal garden, two Amelanchiers are thriving despite regular salt laden winds. They’re tolerant of most soils (as long as they’re well-drained) and will grow happily in sun or light shade. For compact gardens, they add a fine, delicate texture that feels graceful rather than heavy.

Crabapple (Malus spp.)- A Tree with Year-Round Charm

Crabapples are an all-round favourite for small gardens. Their spring blossom is exuberant, clouds of pink or white, and by late summer they’re hung with jewel like fruits in yellow, orange or red. These fruits persist well into winter, providing food for birds and adding bright colour against bare branches.

Crabapples prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil; plenty of species are happy on a heavier clay soil too. They’re generally hardy, but near the coast it’s worth giving them a slightly sheltered spot to protect the blossom from strong winds. Varieties such as Malus toringo and Malus trilobata stay compact, with good form and superb autumn colour.

Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) — The Fragrant Flame

A medium sized tree for sheltered, larger gardens: The Katsura tree is one of the most captivating of all autumn performers. Its heart-shaped leaves shift through a spectrum of apricot, rose and flame-orange, releasing a sweet scent, often compared to toffee or burnt sugar, on still autumn days.

It’s a little more particular about where it’s planted, preferring sheltered positions and deep, moisture-retentive soil. Katsuras dislike coastal exposure and dry conditions; in our own garden near the sea, it struggles where Amelanchiers and Crabapples flourish. But in the right setting, few trees can match its elegance or sensory appeal.

Rowan (Sorbus spp.)- A Light-Limbed Tree with Fiery Autumn Colour

Rowans are ideal for smaller gardens, with their airy canopies and delicate, fern-like leaves that turn rich shades of gold, orange, and crimson in autumn. Clusters of white spring flowers are followed by bright berries, red, orange, or even white, that attract birds well into winter.

They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating poor ground and exposed conditions, even at altitude. Compact species such as Sorbus aucuparia ‘Joseph Rock’ or S. commixta ‘Embley’ combine manageable size with spectacular autumn display and good wildlife value.

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) — Exquisite Form and Colour

Few trees rival Japanese maples for grace and intensity of autumn colour. Their finely divided leaves glow in shades of crimson, orange, and gold, often shifting tone as the season progresses. In summer, their sculptural form and delicate foliage bring elegance to shaded corners or courtyard gardens.

Acers prefer a sheltered, partially shaded spot with moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Protection from harsh wind and hot sun preserves leaf edges. Compact varieties such as Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ or ‘Shaina’ suit small gardens beautifully, rewarding with a fiery autumn finale.

Designing with Small Trees

When choosing trees for a smaller garden, consider what you want them to do: provide structure, screening, seasonal colour, or support wildlife — ideally all of these. The best small trees are those that bring multiple layers of interest throughout the year without overwhelming the space.

Amelanchier and Crabapple are particularly rewarding — both are compact, adaptable and full of seasonal character. They also complement contemporary or traditional garden designs equally well, fitting easily into different planting palettes and styles.

For more inspiration, explore our earlier blog: Best Trees for Small Gardens - our evergreen guide to choosing trees that offer structure, proportion and beauty year after year.