BLog

In Minnesota, the change in color of leaves in the fall is a sacred hallmark of time. We wait for it. We plan drives around it. We photograph it, comment on it, mourn when it’s over.

While fall color is something we all look forward to, if you want to enjoy it in your own yard — not just on scenic drives — the time to plant is now. Spring through fall are ideal times to let trees establish during our growing season, giving them a full year to settle in before their first Minnesota winter.

If you’re dreaming of more fall color in your yard this year, here are our top ornamental tree varieties — each one chosen for breathtaking autumn displays and long-term beauty.

Acer ‘North Wind’ — Miyabe Maple

• Fall color: Brilliant orange to red
• Mature height: 15–20 feet
• Why we love it: Cold-hardy, adaptable, and stunning in fall

‘North Wind’ is a tough, reliable maple bred specifically for northern climates. It tolerates urban conditions, handles clay soil, and puts on a show-stopping display of fiery orange and red leaves in fall. The compact, rounded canopy makes it a beautiful choice for yards where you want impact without overwhelming the space. This is the kind of tree that becomes a focal point every October.

Acer ‘Ice Dragon’ — Dwarf Korean Maple

• Fall color: Deep red to burgundy
• Mature height: 6–10 feet
• Why we love it: Perfect for small spaces, unique bark, year-round interest

‘Ice Dragon’ is a compact, slow-growing maple with exquisite form and multi-season appeal. The bark is striking — smooth, olive-green with silver striations that stand out in winter. In fall, the foliage turns deep red to burgundy, glowing against the unique bark. This is an ornamental gem for small yards, patios, or as an accent tree in larger landscapes. It’s the kind of tree people stop to ask about.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

• Fall color: Golden yellow
• Mature height: 15–30 feet
• Wildlife value: Flowers feed early-season pollinators; seeds feed birds

Redbud is beloved for its early spring blooms — vibrant pink-purple flowers that emerge before the leaves, signaling the true start of spring. But it’s also a beautiful fall performer, with heart-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators when little else is blooming, and the seed pods feed birds later in the season. A tree that gives back to wildlife and delivers beauty in multiple seasons.

Blue Beech (American Hornbeam) (Carpinus caroliniana)

• Fall color: Orange, red, and yellow
• Mature height: 20–30 feet
• Wildlife value: Native; seeds feed birds and small mammals; dense canopy provides shelter

Blue beech is a Minnesota native that deserves far more attention than it gets. The smooth, muscular-looking bark is beautiful year-round, and in fall, the foliage turns a mix of orange, red, and yellow that glows in low light. It’s adaptable to wet or dry conditions, tolerates shade, and provides critical habitat and food for wildlife. This is an understory tree that feels wild and intentional at the same time — perfect for naturalizing under larger trees or adding structure to shaded areas.

Crabapple (Malus spp.)

• Fall color: Yellow to orange-red (varies by variety)
• Mature height: 10–25 feet (depending on variety)
• Wildlife value: Spring blooms feed pollinators; fruit feeds birds (especially cedar waxwings, robins, cardinals) well into winter

Crabapple trees are workhorses for wildlife. Spring blooms feed bees and butterflies, and the small fruits persist on the tree well into winter, offering critical food when other sources are scarce. Many varieties also deliver beautiful fall color — ranging from golden yellow to vibrant orange-red. Choose disease-resistant varieties, and you’ll have a low-maintenance tree that supports wildlife and looks stunning in every season.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

• Fall color: Fiery orange to red
• Mature height: 4–20 feet (depending on variety)
• Wildlife value: Early spring blooms feed pollinators; berries feed over 40 species of birds

Serviceberry is one of the best four-season trees you can plant. It blooms early in spring — feeding pollinators when little else is available — then produces sweet berries in early summer that birds devour almost immediately. And in fall? The foliage turns fiery orange and red, rivaling any ornamental tree on the market. It’s beautiful, it’s functional, and it’s native. A true Minnesota treasure.

Planting a Tree Is a Gift

To plant a tree is to give a gift — to yourself, to loved ones, to the planet. A gift to yourself as you gaze out at your garden and watch wildlife move through the branches, track the change of color with the seasons, and enjoy a shade garden under the hot afternoon sun .

Trees are also a beautiful gift to commemorate meaningful moments — a birth, a wedding, a memory you want to honor with something that will grow and endure.

And it’s a gift to the planet. Trees filter our air, sequester carbon, cool the earth, and provide habitat for countless species. Every tree you plant contributes to something larger than curb appeal — it’s part of the collective effort to create healthier, more resilient ecosystems.

Ready to plant? Visit Sunnyside Gardens to explore our selection of ornamental trees with stunning fall color. We’ll help you choose the right tree for your space, your soil, and your vision — and get you started on the path to years of autumn beauty.

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now.