7+ Shrubs With Red Leaves All Year (+ Our Red Leaf Deciduous Shrubs Guide!)
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If you wish to add a real showstopper to your garden, evergreen shrubs with red leaves all year will do the trick. Whether you’re looking for something that can withstand cooler temperatures or just a striking pop of color, it can be tricky knowing which shrubs to plant.
So – let’s explore some of the best evergreen shrubs with red leaves that won’t fade away before you get a chance to enjoy them. We’ll also discuss a handful of the most breathtaking deciduous shrubs with red leaves for part of the year. Hopefully, you’ll find one (or a few) that you enjoy.
Sound good?
Then let’s begin!
What’s Inside:
- 7+ Evergreen Shrubs With Reddish Leaves All Year!
- 20 More Deciduous Shrubs With Lovely Red Foliage, Berries, and Flowers!
- 1. Japanese Barberry
- 2. Smokebush
- 4. Spiraea Double Play Big Bang
- 5. Diabolo Ninebark
- 6. Crape Myrtle Black Diamond
- 7. Japanese Maple Bloodgood
- 8. Smokebush Velveteeny or Royal Purple
- 9. Japanese Maple Inaba Shidare
- 10. Ninebark Tiny Wine
- 11. Black Lace Elderberry Plant
- 12. Wine & Roses Weigela
- 13. Dart’s Gold Ninebark
- 14. Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
- 15. Sutherland Gold Elderberry
- 16. Penstemon Onyx and Pearls
- 17. Panicle Hydrangea – Quick Fire
- 18. Little Miss Maiden Grass
- 19. Purple Beech
- Final Thoughts
7+ Evergreen Shrubs With Reddish Leaves All Year!
Have you ever been out walking and noticed a shrub with red leaves – even during winter? Perhaps you’ve seen it in your garden or at the park. You stand there, mesmerized by its beauty, but you can’t help but wonder what type of shrub it is. Well, if that’s been your experience, then don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Here are several gorgeous evergreen shrubs with reddish leaves that look spectacular in any garden, walkway, or front yard.
(And you may recognize a few of them as old-time or new favorites.)
Let’s look closer!
1. Heuchera
These evergreen perennials are well known for their beautiful foliage, which ranges from deep purple to bright red to yellow-golden tones. Heucheras are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. But ensure they get planted in rich soil with good drainage and plenty of sunlight or light shade.
They can tolerate cold winters as long as they get protected from frost damage, so they’re great for colder climates (USDA Hardiness Zones 4-10). Heucheras generally grow between 12 inches and 18 inches high, although some larger varieties can reach heights of up to 3 feet!
2. Fringe Flower
If you’re looking for something different, consider this unique evergreen shrub that produces cascading clusters of fragrant yellow flowers from early summer through fall against dramatic bronze, olive green, or burgundy foliage. It reaches 6 feet tall by 8 feet wide when mature, preferring full sun or light shade with moist soil.
3. Red Tip Photinia
Red Tip Photinia is an evergreen shrub with glossy red, stunning foliage that can be trimmed into a hedge or left alone for an informal look. It grows shockingly fast! It’s perfect if you’re looking for something that won’t take forever to fill out. This shrub loves full sun but will do well in partial shade.
4. Burgundy Loropetalum
This showstopper features brilliant pink flowers against rich burgundy foliage from late spring through summer before turning a deep mahogany color in wintertime! This hardy shrub can reach up to 10ft high by 10ft wide. You can also prune it back if needed. Ensure it gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day with moist yet well-drained soils for optimal growth.
5. Coral Bells Berry Smoothie
This evergreen perennial has bright red foliage that adds waves of color all year round! This plant loves full sun or partial shade (USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9) and requires moist but well-drained soil. It reaches up to 1 foot tall with an equal spread – great for those with limited space.
6. Fairy Wing
This evergreen shrub produces bright glossy green leaves that turn red when temperatures cool down (USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10). It’s best grown in full sun with moist but well-drained soils – too much moisture can lead to root rot.
7. Red Leaf Hibiscus
This stunning shrub boasts beautiful dark magenta blooms surrounded by bright red foliage all summer long (USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11).
8. Ajuga Black Scallop
This evergreen perennial is perfect for adding texture to your garden, as its dark green foliage intersperses with scalloped edges of deep purple-red. It grows up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide and prefers moist soil and partial shade.
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- 12 Best Trees to Line Driveway! Colorful Privacy Trees!
20 More Deciduous Shrubs With Lovely Red Foliage, Berries, and Flowers!
We couldn’t find many shrubs with consistent red leaves or flowers all year. Only a few qualify! But – we want to showcase a barrage of red, burgundy, and maroon leaves and blooms with varying blossoming times.
That way – you can enjoy crimson flowers and red leaves all year round!
Sound good?
Then here’s our list of red-leaved deciduous shrubs. And we’re starting with one of our all-time favorites!
1. Japanese Barberry
This deciduous shrub grows up to 3 feet tall and wide and thrives in full-sun areas. It has small spines on the stems and red foliage all year long, making it an attractive accent plant for any garden. Japanese Barberry is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and prefers moist but well-drained soil.
2. Smokebush
This deciduous shrub grows up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide with a rounded shape. The leaves are deep purple or red when they first emerge in spring, turning bronze or yellow during summer before fading to purple or red (again) in fall. Smokebush is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil conditions.
4. Spiraea Double Play Big Bang
This deciduous shrub grows up to 4 feet tall and wide with an upright form. It has bright evergreen foliage that turns orange-red in fall, then white flowers from late spring to early summer. Spiraea Double Play Big Bang is hardy in USDA zones 5-8 and prefers moist, well-drained soil conditions.
5. Diabolo Ninebark
This deciduous shrub grows up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide with an upright form. It has glossy dark green foliage throughout the growing season that turns reddish purple in fall. We also adore the white flowers from late spring to mid-summer. Diabolo Ninebark is hardy in USDA zones 3-7. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions, provided that it grows in well-draining soil.
6. Crape Myrtle Black Diamond
This deciduous shrub grows up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide with a rounded form. It has bright green foliage throughout the growing season that turns a stunning orange-red hue in fall and white flowers from late spring through early summer. Crape Myrtle Black Diamond is hardy in USDA zones 6–10 and prefers moist but well-drained soil conditions.
7. Japanese Maple Bloodgood
Another popular option is the Japanese Maple Bloodgood. This small tree grows best in zones 5-8, with a height of 10-15 feet and a width of 8-20 feet, depending on how you prune it. It prefers moist but well-drained soil and can tolerate full sun and partial shade. Its bright red foliage pairs beautifully with its unique shape and texture, making it an eye-catching addition to any landscape design.
8. Smokebush Velveteeny or Royal Purple
Another choice for those seeking reddish leaves is Smokebush ‘Velvetteeny’ or ‘Royal Purple.’ This bush does best in zones 4-7 with heights ranging from 6-10 feet and spreads from 4-6 feet wide. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade, especially during hot summers. Smokebushes are known for their vibrant purple foliage, which turns red in the fall months when temperatures begin dropping.
9. Japanese Maple Inaba Shidare
This ornamental tree has deeply cut red-purple foliage that makes a stunning display throughout the year. It’s slow-growing, reaching 8-12 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, and it does best in full sun or partial shade with moist soil.
10. Ninebark Tiny Wine
This deciduous variety only reaches 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide but has a massive impact thanks to its deep burgundy-maroon leaves that stand out against other plants in the garden. It prefers full sun but can tolerate shade. It also likes well-drained soil.
11. Black Lace Elderberry Plant
If you’re looking for an eye-catching shrub that provides seasonal interest, this is the one for you! The lacy foliage emerges bright red in spring before turning dark purple in summer and scarlet in fall. It reaches 6-8 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil.
12. Wine & Roses Weigela
This popular flowering shrub produces bright pink flowers against deep purple foliage from late spring through summer. It grows 3-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide and likes full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil.
13. Dart’s Gold Ninebark
Another evergreen option with reddish leaves is this compact and popular variety which only grows 2–3 ft high by 2–3 ft wide, making it ideal for small gardens where space is limited. The golden foliage turns coppery red in cold weather, so it’s an excellent choice for winter interest. It enjoys full sun or light shade with well-drained soil.
14. Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry might be the one for you if you want something more unique. This small deciduous shrub has purple-red foliage and produces edible red cherries in the summertime. It’s easy to grow and only reaches about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide at maturity. Plant it in full sun for best results.
15. Sutherland Gold Elderberry
‘Sutherland Gold’ Elderberry is another colorful option with its bright yellow-green leaves tipped in red and burgundy during the growing season. This fast-growing shrub is tolerant of wet soils and drought conditions, making it perfect for many gardeners. It matures at 6-8 feet tall and can handle full sun or partial shade conditions quite nicely.
16. Penstemon Onyx and Pearls
This evergreen sub-shrub has beautiful dark purple foliage and white flowers in the spring. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a hardy plant that can handle full sun or partial shade. Penstemon ‘Onyx and Pearls’ is best grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 and should cultivate in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic or neutral. It grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it perfect for small gardens.
17. Panicle Hydrangea – Quick Fire
With its striking pink blooms on dark red stems, this deciduous shrub is sure to be a showstopper in any garden. Panicle Hydrangea ‘Quick Fire’ prefers full sun or part shade, so make sure it gets planted somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day (USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8).
This shrub grows up to 8 feet tall with an equal spread, so make sure you have enough space before planting! As far as soil type goes, it needs moist but well-drained conditions – too much water will cause root rot.
18. Little Miss Maiden Grass
This grass has delicate pink flowering spikes that turn deep red in autumn when temperatures start cooling off (USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9). Plant this grass in partial shade or full sun on well-drained soils. It likes a lot of moisture during summer but doesn’t need much fertilizer throughout the rest of the year.
19. Purple Beech
This tree has large glossy purple foliage, which turns deep scarlet during autumn before falling off for winter (USDA Hardiness Zones 5–10). Plant this tree somewhere sunny, where it will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It needs moist but well-drained soils. So make sure you add plenty of compost when planting!
Final Thoughts
No matter what climate you live in or the style of garden you prefer, there are plenty of options for adding a splash of red color year round!
From Barberry Bush to Japanese Maples, these breathtaking varieties of shrubs offer beautiful contrast against other plants while requiring minimal maintenance! And growing many of these shrubs is surprisingly easy.
But which shrubs with red leaves all year is your favorite? Or maybe we forgot to add your favorite red-leaf tree or shrub?
Let us know!
And thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!