Picture this: it’s a lazy Sunday morning, and the sun is lazily shining in the sky too. You walk out into your garden where your trees are boldly coloured with leaves in assorted shades – rich maroon, plum, amber and striking yellows – and the ground is covered in foliage. Your autumn garden is in its golden hour!

If you want this spectacular view to become a reality then it’s time to add trees to your space.

Here are 5 attractive deciduous trees to add to your garden:

1. Japanese Maple

Also known as Acer palmatum, Japanese maple is a highly valued and sought-after deciduous tree by South African gardeners, and rightly so. With its striking appearance and delicate foliage, it’s a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. 

This deciduous tree thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with adequate moisture. The Japanese maple is a low-maintenance tree that requires a bit of pruning every now and then to maintain its shape and size.

2. Silver Birch

If you’re thinking of adding some elegance to your garden, then the silver birch is your knight in shining armour. This exotic tree comes with a slender trunk, weeping (drooping) branches, and bright green leaves in summer and striking yellow ones in autumn. 

Silver birch trees are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can grow in both wet and dry conditions. This makes them well suited to our climate, where water shedding is a thing. Bonus points? They grow relatively fast.

Read more: Tree planting tip

3. Plane Tree

Also known as a sycamore tree, it’s a pretty cool choice for your garden. It doesn’t just look good, but it’s also great for improving air quality and providing shade. Plus, its deep root system helps to stabilise soil and prevent erosion.

The best part? It’s relatively low-maintenance and can live a long time. While it can be prone to disease, taking good care of it can help keep it healthy. So if you want to add some natural beauty and environmental benefits, consider planting a plane tree!

4. Liquidambar Tree

A pretty attractive deciduous tree that’s also known as sweet gum. One of the most striking things about this tree is its star-shaped leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow in autumn.

Unlike the other trees mentioned here, Liquidambar is a fussy tree that needs rainfall and good soil quality. It needs appropriate care and maintenance so it can thrive. Side note: you might need advice on the best tree species for your specific location and growing conditions.

5.  Dogwood Tree

So the dogwood tree is a really beautiful ornamental tree that’s native to the eastern region of the United States. It’s known for its rounded shape and glossy green leaves, which turn into vibrant shades of red, orange and purple in autumn. And let’s not forget about the dogwood tree’s bark: it’s pretty unique with its scaly appearance and mottled grey brown colour.

What makes the dogwood tree special, though, is its gorgeous spring blooms. These small flowers come in shades of white, pink or red and are arranged in clusters. They’re gorgeous and have made the dogwood tree a symbol of elegance and grace in art, literature and music

Read more: Ready to branch out and buy your first tree?