Despite living in Florida, the Sunshine State known for its tropical beauty, autumn remains my favorite season. Many people are surprised to learn that even in Florida, we can enjoy beautiful fall foliage that complements all the things we love about the season, from Halloween and Thanksgiving gatherings to pumpkin spice lattes and the cozy aroma of fireplaces and fire pits on crisp evenings. Discover these stunning plants that provide rich autumn colors for your landscapes and holiday containers. Good plants in Zones 7 through 10, all available at local nurseries or through online retailers.

5.  Nandina Heavenly Bamboo – Southern Living Collection.  Different types of nandina provide continuous color changes and unique foliage transitions. From vivid reds, burgundies, and blush pinks to complementary golden lime hues, these nandina plant varieties deliver dynamic color displays, ensuring your garden remains vibrant throughout every season but especially in Fall.  Obsession, vivid, bright red new growth that transitions beautifully to deep green, Flirt, Features deep red foliage with a compact growth habit, making it perfect for small garden spaces, container plantings, or as an eye-catching border.

4. Loropetalum – another fantastic Southern Living collection, with Red Diamond, midsize shrub 4’ – 6’, red blooms, Purple Daydream, dwarf, Purple Diamond, midsize, and Weeping Purple Pixie, 1’ – 2’ dwarf. Purple foliage, pink blooms.

3. Heuchera – Fyre Wing Dragon Collection, Amber, Jet, Rhodonite, Spinet, Hematite, with Foliage colors of Burgandy, Crimson, Wine, Honey and Fire.  Available through Plant Addicts.com

2. Oakleaf Hydrangea – Native flowering shrub, beautiful. Large oak-like leaves turn vivid red and burgundy in Fall.  You can also buy the new special collection from Proven Winners, Gatsby Gal, Gatsby Pink, and Gatsby Moon.  

1. Copperleaf Acalypha – medium to large shrubs, with striking, heart-shaped leaves that range from 4 to 8 inches long and display a variety of colors, including green, copper, crimson, pink, purple, yellow, and variegated patterns ‘Chocolate’ Tiki Island Sunrise, Louisiana Red, Independent nurseries like Quality Green Specialists, Petersons’ Nursery. Zones 9 - 11.