As summer's verdant abundance begins to wane, a common misconception takes hold: the gardening season is over. Yet here at Cedar Nursery in Cobham, our recent delivery of exquisite autumnal trees and shrubs tells a different story entirely. Far from being a period of decline, autumn offers some of the most spectacular colour displays of the entire year, with a richness and depth that summer's pastels simply cannot match.
The transformation from summer's fade to autumn's fire is not merely about accepting seasonal change - it's about embracing a palette that brings warmth, drama, and sophisticated beauty to your outdoor spaces just when you need it most. As specialists in premium trees and shrubs, we understand that creating truly exceptional gardens requires specimens with presence, structure, and seasonal performance that rewards for years to come.
Acer Palmatum: The Japanese Maple's Unrivalled Autumn Drama
When our Tree and Shrub Expert, Don, discusses autumn showstoppers, Japanese Maples invariably top his list, and with our current extensive collection, it's easy to see why. These architectural specimens deliver the kind of breathtaking colour that stops visitors in their tracks - leaves transforming into brilliant shades of scarlet, amber, and gold that seem to glow from within during autumn's softer light.
What makes Acer palmatum particularly valuable for sophisticated gardens is its remarkable versatility and variety. We currently stock numerous cultivars, each offering distinct characteristics that suit different garden situations and design aspirations. Don often recommends 'Osakazuki' for clients seeking reliable, intense crimson displays that photograph magnificently. For those wanting year-round interest, 'Sango-kaku' (Coral Bark Maple) delivers stunning autumn gold foliage followed by striking coral-red stems that illuminate winter gardens.
The dissectum varieties, with their delicate, lace-like foliage and cascading habit, create waterfall effects of autumn colour - 'Dissectum Atropurpureum' transitions from deep purple to brilliant scarlet, whilst 'Orangeola' offers fiery orange-red tones. For smaller gardens or container planting on patios and terraces, these more compact forms bring autumn drama to even the most space-conscious London gardens.
For landscape professionals and discerning homeowners across Surrey and the South East, Japanese Maples represent an investment in enduring beauty. Their elegant structure provides interest in every season, their relatively slow growth means they maintain perfect proportions for decades, and their autumn performance justifies their position as cornerstones of premium garden design. With our current extensive range, there's a Japanese Maple to suit every garden style, from contemporary minimalist schemes to traditional cottage gardens.
Cercis: The Judas Tree's Golden Transformation
Whilst Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) and Cercis siliquastrum (Judas Tree) are celebrated for their spring display of pink flowers appearing directly on bare branches, Don is equally passionate about their often-overlooked autumn performance. The distinctive heart-shaped leaves transform into clear, luminous yellows that bring warmth and light to autumn borders.
What makes Cercis particularly valuable is its multi-season appeal. The architectural branching pattern creates striking winter silhouettes, spring brings that extraordinary floral display, summer offers attractive foliage, and autumn delivers this wonderful golden finale. For those creating gardens with year-round interest - a hallmark of sophisticated garden design - Cercis represents exceptional value.
Don particularly recommends Cercis for clients wanting something slightly unusual. Whilst beautiful, they're less commonly planted than Acers, offering that 'something special' that discerning customers seek. Their moderate size makes them ideal for medium gardens, and they thrive in the South East's climate when given a sunny, sheltered position.
Parrotia Persica: The Persian Ironwood's Painterly Display
If Japanese Maples are the stars of autumn colour, Parrotia persica is the virtuoso performer that deserves far more recognition. Don describes this spectacular tree as offering 'the longest autumn show in the garden' - leaves gradually transitioning through yellow and orange to crimson and purple, often displaying multiple colours simultaneously in a painterly effect that's utterly captivating.
What sets Parrotia apart is its reliability. Whilst some trees can be temperamental about autumn colour depending on weather conditions, Persian Ironwood consistently delivers outstanding displays in our regional climate. The exfoliating bark - grey, green, and cream - provides winter interest, whilst small red flowers appear in late winter before the leaves emerge, making this a true four-season specimen.
For landscape professionals working on premium projects, Parrotia offers that combination of uniqueness and reliability that clients appreciate. It's substantial enough to make a statement (ultimately reaching 8-10 metres) yet slow-growing and well-behaved. Don often suggests it as an alternative to Acer for clients wanting autumn drama but needing a larger, more robust tree for exposed positions or larger gardens.
Rhus: The Sumach's Fiery Finale
For sheer intensity of autumn colour, few plants can rival Rhus typhina (Stag's Horn Sumach). The autumn transformation can be described as 'liquid fire' - leaves turning vivid scarlet, orange, and yellow in combinations that seem almost too brilliant to be real. The architectural, layered branching structure means these colours are displayed to maximum effect, creating specimens that become genuine focal points in autumn gardens.
What makes Rhus particularly appealing for contemporary garden design is its bold, structural quality. The velvety branches (which give it the 'Stag's Horn' common name) and large, pinnate leaves create dramatic texture year-round, whilst the autumn colour provides that seasonal crescendo. Female plants produce burgundy-red fruit clusters that persist through winter, adding another dimension of interest.
Whilst Rhus can sucker, the cut-leaf variety 'Dissecta' is generally better behaved and offers even more delicate, fern-like foliage that creates a softer effect whilst retaining that spectacular autumn colour. For those creating naturalistic planting schemes or wanting to add drama to larger borders, Rhus represents exceptional value and impact.
Hydrangea: Autumn's Unexpected Star
Whilst most gardeners associate Hydrangeas with summer flowering, Don is keen to highlight their often-overlooked autumn credentials. Many varieties undergo remarkable transformations as temperatures cool, with flower heads maturing into antique shades of pink, burgundy, and green that complement autumn's broader palette beautifully.
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) deserves special mention for its spectacular autumn foliage. Tthe oak-shaped leaves turn rich shades of burgundy, orange, and purple, rivalling any Acer for intensity whilst offering a completely different texture and form. The combination of these coloured leaves with the aging flower panicles creates a sophisticated, multi-layered display.
For those creating gardens with shade, Hydrangeas offer invaluable autumn interest in positions where many other autumn-colouring plants struggle. Don often recommends them for north-facing borders or woodland garden edges, where they provide structure, summer flowers, and this bonus autumn performance. They're particularly effective in contemporary gardens where their bold form complements architectural planting schemes.
Hamamelis: Witch Hazel's Autumn Prelude
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) is renowned for its fragrant winter flowers that appear on bare branches, but the autumn foliage display is equally worthy of attention. The rounded leaves turn wonderful shades of butter-yellow, orange, and red - often all on the same plant - creating a warm glow that precedes the winter flowering by several weeks.
What makes Witch Hazel particularly valuable for sophisticated gardens is this extended season of interest. You enjoy autumn colour through October and November, the architectural branch structure through early winter, then those extraordinary spidery flowers (often scented of citrus and spice) from December through February. For clients investing in premium specimens, this represents exceptional value and year-round garden presence.
Don particularly recommends planting Hamamelis where you'll pass it frequently, near pathways or by entrances, so you can appreciate both the autumn colour and later catch the scent of winter flowers. They're equally at home as specimen plants in lawns or as key components of mixed borders, and they thrive in the South East's conditions when given moisture-retentive soil.
Leucothoe: The Shade-Loving Autumn Gem
For those challenging shaded positions under trees or along north-facing walls, Leucothoe fontanesiana offers exceptional autumn and winter colour. This elegant evergreen shrub is one of the best-kept secrets for year-round interest in difficult spots. The arching stems and glossy leaves take on burgundy, bronze, and purple tones as temperatures drop, intensifying through winter before returning to green in spring.
What makes Leucothoe particularly appealing is its refined, graceful habit. The cascading stems create elegant mounds that work beautifully in contemporary gardens or as underplanting for larger trees and shrubs. Varieties like 'Rainbow' offer cream and pink variegated foliage that adds another dimension, whilst 'Scarletta' delivers particularly intense burgundy winter colour.
Leucothoe is recommended for clients wanting to create sophisticated layered planting -it's ideal beneath Acers or Parrotia, providing that crucial lower layer of interest whilst thriving in the dappled shade these larger specimens create. For patio containers in shaded positions, it offers reliable colour when many other plants struggle.
Creating Your Autumn Masterpiece with Trees and Shrubs
The key to exceptional autumn colour lies not simply in choosing the right specimens, but in understanding how to combine them for maximum impact. Consider the varying heights and habits: a multi-stemmed Parrotia or Cercis as your focal point, underplanted with the arching burgundy foliage of Leucothoe, with a sculptural Japanese Maple providing mid-height interest and contrasting form.
Don's expert advice emphasises the importance of thinking beyond just autumn. By selecting trees and shrubs that offer multi-season interest - spring flowers on Cercis and Hamamelis, winter bark on Parrotia and Acer 'Sango-kaku', summer structure from all of them - you create gardens that justify the investment in premium specimens whilst providing constantly evolving interest throughout the year.
For contemporary gardens, consider the architectural qualities: the horizontal layering of Rhus, the cascading habit of dissected Acers, the bold leaves of Hydrangea quercifolia. These structural elements work beautifully in minimalist schemes whilst delivering that seasonal colour drama that makes gardens genuinely photogenic.
Visit Cedar Nursery This Autumn
Our recent delivery represents the finest selection of autumn-colouring trees and shrubs available to Surrey gardeners this season, and we're delighted to offer 15% off our tree collection this October. Whether you're a landscape professional seeking premium stock for client projects, or a homeowner wanting to invest in specimens that will transform your outdoor space for decades to come, our curated collection offers something truly exceptional.
Don and our expert team are available to provide personalised advice on specimen selection, positioning, and planting techniques that ensure your investment reaches its full potential. We understand that creating sophisticated outdoor spaces with trees and shrubs requires more than just quality stock—it requires knowledge, experience, and understanding of how these plants will perform in our regional climate and develop over time.
Visit us in Cobham to explore our autumn collection and discover how the right trees and shrubs can transform your garden from summer fade to autumn fire. Take advantage of our 15% off trees offer and invest in specimens that will reward you with beauty and presence for generations. Because the most photogenic season in your garden is just beginning, and the best time to plant is now.