Canberra’s cool nights and clear autumn days are ideal for intense leaf colour and these compact trees are all well suited to our local conditions:
- Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) — 3–5 metres at maturity, extraordinary autumn colour from soft gold to deep burgundy. Prefers a sheltered spot away from harsh westerly winds.
- Manchurian pear (Pyrus ussuriensis) — a Canberra favourite. Tolerates the cold, stays tidy, and turns brilliant orange and crimson in April and May. Excellent as a street or front garden tree.
- Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) — a double season performer: summer flowers then warm orange-red autumn foliage. Dwarf varieties suit a courtyard or small bed.
Crepe Myrtles have stunning autumn colour, beautiful bark and flowers in late summer.
- Ornamental plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’) — holds its deep purple-red foliage through the season before dropping in a dramatic flush of colour.
- Pin oak (Quercus palustris) — definitely for a larger garden, this fast grower delivers stunning copper and red tones and holds its leaves late into winter. Warning: watch out for the roots. Plant well away from infrastructure.
When choosing a tree, always think about its mature size — not just how it looks in the nursery pot.