19 Gorgeous Trees with Red Leaves for a Colorful Yard

Trees with red leaves, like Japanese maples and crimson king maples, add stunning colors to landscapes. Their bright red leaves are especially eye-catching in the fall and can make any garden look extraordinary.

Learn about different trees with red leaves to find one that suits your garden. Enjoy the beautiful change of colors they bring each year.

19 Best Trees with Red Leaves to Brighten Up Your Landscape

Marvel at the beauty of these 19 trees that showcase stunning red leaves. Perfect for adding a dramatic touch to any garden, these trees are a visual delight throughout the seasons.

Japanese Maple Tree

Striking colors define Japanese maples, especially the red varieties. Bloodgood stands out with deep purple leaves that turn into bright red in fall.

Emperor 1 showcases dark reddish-black bark and vibrant scarlet leaves as autumn arrives. These trees are native to Japan, Korea, and central China but have thrived in the West for over two hundred years.

Many people love their beauty for landscaping or container gardening, like bonsai enthusiasts who appreciate dwarf varieties. Maintenance is minimal once established, making these elegant trees a popular choice among gardeners seeking low-effort charm.

Smoke Bush

Clusters of fuzzy, feathery flowers bloom on smoke bushes every spring and summer. Their name comes from these fluffy plumes that look like puffs of smoke.

These plants can grow as large shrubs or small trees, showing their versatility in any garden. Different varieties offer a range of colors for anyone looking to add beauty to outdoor spaces.

Royal Purple stands out with its wine-colored leaves that shift to crimson in autumn, while the Golden Spirit displays chartreuse leaves which transform into rusty reds and oranges later on. During the growing season, bare branches give way to stunning foliage that is hard to miss when they are full of life.

Red Robin

Bright young leaves give the red robin shrub its name, showcasing a lively carmine color. Known as red tip photinia, the sturdy evergreen bush grows one to three feet each year.

As leaves mature, they shift to a deep forest green but still show hints of scarlet during new growth. Many people choose this plant for privacy hedges because it grows quickly.

Fungal leaf spots pose a challenge since they can spread rapidly to nearby plants. Keeping these shrubs as standalone features often proves beneficial for healthy growth and appearance.

Katsura

Katsura trees bring unique beauty to your landscape with their stunning colors throughout the seasons. In spring, the Red Fox cultivar displays rich reddish-purple leaves that shift to bluish-green as summer approaches.

When autumn arrives, a brilliant mix of orange and bronze takes center stage. These trees can grow tall, reaching heights between forty and sixty feet, while dwarf types stay around fifteen feet high.

The katsura tree also has an interesting feature; its fallen leaves release a sweet burnt sugar scent in the fall. This delightful aroma adds charm to any garden setting and gives these trees the nickname "caramel trees."

Japanese Rowan

A fascinating aspect of the Japanese rowan involves its colorful transformation in fall. Leaves shift from a grassy green to beautiful shades of red, orange, and purple, showcasing an ombre effect that catches the eye.

In springtime, vibrant orange-red berries appear on the tree, providing food for birds like blackbirds and song thrushes. This small to medium-sized deciduous tree reaches heights between 23 to 33 feet and belongs to the rose family known as Rosaceae.

Known as Mountain Ash due to its preference for high altitudes and leaf resemblance to ash trees, this ornamental flowering plant also carries mythological significance. People once believed planting rowan near homes could ward off evil spirits because of its protective red color.

Purple Weeping Crabapple

Beauty shines through weeping crabapple trees, especially in spring. These trees proudly display bright flowers that bloom in white, pink, or red for a few weeks each year.

Soon after the blossoms fade, shiny fruits appear in various colors. The Royal Beauty cultivar stands out with its unique purple leaves and ruby-red apples resembling jewels.

Describing these trees as "weeping" refers to their branches that droop down like they're shyly avoiding sunlight. While many fruit trees serve a purpose of providing edible produce, crabapples are grown solely for their stunning beauty throughout the seasons.

Chinese Tupelo

Chinese tupelo stands as a beautiful tree that adds charm to any landscape. This deciduous tree features a conical shape and belongs to the Nyssa genus, named after a water nymph from Greek mythology.

During winter, branches appear bare, but spring brings new life with leaves starting in a striking purple bronze color. As they grow, these leaves deepen into lush green tones before transforming again in fall.

The autumn display showcases vibrant shades of orange and red that catch the eye beautifully. Thriving near wet soils like lakes or streams makes this tree an appealing choice for your garden or yard setting.

Forest Pansy

Colors burst forth from the Forest Pansy tree, captivating for three seasons each year. Starting in March, rosy-pink flowers bloom on its branches, announcing spring with a joyful display.

As summer arrives, leaves transform into shimmering red adorned with purple highlights that shine brightly against the sunlight. When autumn comes, those same leaves deepen to maroon and showcase stunning shades of purple, yellow, red, and orange.

This tree stands out as one of the first to bring life back after winter's grayness ends. Despite sharing a name with pansy flowers, this beauty is unrelated; its heart-shaped leaves inspired the charming title instead.

Shumard Oak Tree

A Shumard oak tree makes a bold statement with its size and beauty. Known to grow between 82 and 115 feet tall, this tree is one of the largest in the red oak family.

Its lifespan can reach up to an impressive 480 years, adding even more value to your space. Careful planning is essential before planting one of these giants since they require plenty of room and consideration for future home changes.

The effort pays off when you enjoy their generous shade during hot summer days or admire their stunning colors in autumn. Committing to a Shumard oak means welcoming both nature’s grandeur and lasting beauty into your life.

Red Kousa Dogwood

Red kousa dogwoods stand out with their strong nature, making them a great choice for your garden. These trees flaunt striking fuchsia flowers instead of the usual delicate white ones, especially in the new Scarlet Fire variety.

In spring, starry blooms cover their branches and create a magical view. As autumn arrives, leaves turn into vivid shades of crimson that catch the eye beautifully.

Caring for kousa dogwoods can be tricky because they are sensitive to pests and diseases. Choosing these stunning trees means adding both beauty and resilience to your landscape.

Copper Beech

The copper beech stands out as a remarkable shade tree, growing between sixty to eighty feet tall with a canopy that can spread forty to sixty feet wide. This impressive size makes it an excellent choice for those seeking shelter from the sun.

Originally from Europe, this tree thrives in various environments across the continent, including England, Portugal, and Sweden. After being brought to North America, its popularity soared beyond that of the native American beech due to its adaptability in different soil types.

While American beeches grow slowly at one or two feet each year, copper beeches flourish much faster when given full sunlight and well-drained soil conditions. You can enjoy their dense foliage and unique purple leaves throughout your landscape.

Red Silver Flowering Crabapple

Spring brings a burst of color from the red silver flowering crabapple, captivating anyone who sees it. This tree stands out with its semi-weeping form, sitting between traditional and weeping types.

Height sets it apart too; while the Royal Beauty cultivar reaches about ten feet tall, you can expect the red silver to grow between 15 to 25 feet high. Canopies spread wide on these trees, stretching anywhere from 10 to 20 feet across compared to their taller relatives that are narrower.

Both thrive in moist soil under full sun but adapt well to various conditions. Each offers unique beauty in any landscape, making them an eye-catching choice for gardens and yards alike.

Purple-Leaf Plum Tree

Purple-leaf plum trees add striking beauty to any landscape, making them a favorite among landscape designers. In spring, these trees burst into life with sweet-smelling pink flowers that resemble cherry blossoms.

As summer progresses, you can expect small fruits to form on the branches; however, they are not the plums found in stores and aren't very tasty either. The stunning purple leaves deepen as summer turns into autumn when vibrant reds and purples take over.

Choosing a sunny spot is essential for this tree's growth since shade causes its leaves to lose their rich color. Be aware that while the fruits may be edible, parts of the plant contain cyanide and are toxic to both people and pets.

Red Maple Tree

Colors in autumn draw attention, and red maples stand out as one of the most stunning trees. Their leaves turn a striking crimson each fall, earning them names like scarlet maple and soft maple.

Abundant across the eastern United States, these trees thrive in various environments. They adapt well to different sunlight conditions and can grow in soils that are either dry or swampy with little care needed after they settle in.

Some cultivars even display orange or yellow leaves if you prefer those shades. For classic reds, consider varieties such as Autumn Blaze with its bright orange-red leaves or Schlesingeri showcasing deep red foliage; both will enhance any landscape beautifully.

Red Rocket Crepe Myrtle Tree

Known for their colorful blooms, crepe myrtle trees bring beauty to gardens with flowers in white, pink, or purple. The red rocket type stands out with its light red blossoms that deepen into a rich scarlet as they mature.

Fast growth is another exciting feature; these trees can reach five feet tall within just one year. These flowering beauties thrive in warm and humid places, especially in the subtropical regions of the American southeast.

Flowering typically occurs from July to September, offering a vivid display during those months. This stunning deciduous tree captivates everyone who sees it with its delicate flowers and lively colors.

Black Gum Tree (aka Black Tupelo)

Black gum trees can grow impressively tall, reaching heights of 30 to 50 feet. These trees belong to the Nyssicae family and are closely related to the Chinese tupelo tree.

Native to North America, black gums thrive in wetland areas just like their Asian relatives. The Chinese tupelo has a more modest size, maxing out at about 18 feet tall.

Both types need plenty of moisture for healthy growth, but they differ significantly in height and origin. Understanding these differences helps appreciate each tree's unique traits and habitat needs.

Garnet Maple

Many find garnet maple to be the most beautiful type of Japanese maple. This small tree shines with lacy leaves that burst into vibrant orange-red in spring and summer.

As autumn arrives, those leaves turn into a rich, deep red color. Perfect for container gardening, these trees fit nicely in smaller spaces.

The unique look of this cultivar adds charm wherever it grows. Its stunning colors throughout the seasons leave a lasting impression on all who see it.

American Sweetgum

Sweetgum trees stand tall, reaching heights between 80 and 120 feet in the right climate. Their striking star-shaped leaves catch attention, changing from glossy green in summer to a colorful mix of orange, purple, red, and yellow as autumn arrives.

Late-season enjoyment comes easy with these beautiful leaves hanging on for longer than many others. A unique feature includes the sweet-smelling sap that flows when the trunk is cut or injured; this fragrant characteristic adds charm to its presence.

While walking underneath one of these impressive trees can be lovely, beware of falling debris from their spiky spheres that often annoy homeowners.

Red-Leaf Euphorbia

Native to Mexico and parts of South America, the red-leaf euphorbia belongs to a wider family known as smoke bush. This tropical shrub stands out with its broadleaf, heart-shaped leaves that showcase tiny white flowers in summer.

Found in various forms around the world, smoke bushes thrive in regions like southern Europe and Central Asia. Viewing this plant can be fascinating, but caution is essential because it contains a poisonous sap within its purple stems.

Skin irritation may occur if you touch them, so observing from a distance is wise.

What Trees Turn Red in the Fall?

In fall, some trees like black cherry, flowering dogwood, hornbeam, white oak, sourwood, sweetgum, black oak, and winged sumac light up your garden with their red leaves. Their bright foliage contrasts beautifully with the gold, bronze, yellow, brown, and orange colors of other fall plants, making your yard look stunning.

These trees are perfect for adding a splash of color to your landscape during the fall season.

What Trees Have Red Leaves in the Spring?

When spring arrives, trees like the Forest Pansy redbud, Flame Thrower redbud, Red Dragon Japanese maple, Thundercloud plum tree, and Persian parrotia show off their red leaves. These eye-catching trees bring a dramatic touch to any area with their vivid red foliage, enhancing the beauty of the space.

Their stunning colors make them standout additions to any garden or landscape.