Burning bushes

Now is the time to plant those shrubs and trees that will come alive with fire-bright colour during the autumn, says Hazel Sillver, as she looks at the best ones to buy

- Hazel Sillver

UNDER the glum grey skies of October, we need colour to lift our spirits. The leaves of acer, cherry, rowan and other select deciduous trees burn bright with flaming leaves, igniting the magic of autumn. In the average small garden, we can enjoy this seasonal display by planting shrubs that have fiery tints, and now is a good time to get them in the ground.

Even where space is limited, there are plenty of small shrubs that transform into burning bushes during autumn. Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) reaches just 20in (50cm), so it can be dotted through a border for patches of red when its foliage changes colour. The Chinese plumbago (Ceratostigma willmottianum) also has red autumn leaves that show off its blue flowers.

Japanese maples

The purple leaves of Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea ‘Rose Glow’ turn pink-red alongside red berries, and while it will reach just over 3ft (1m) it can be hard-pruned to a smaller size and is a good choice for a low hedge.