Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Costa suggests small trees and shrubs that have big impact with their brilliant autumn foliage.
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Plants to choose
Maples – Both Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum cultivars include dwarf forms and weeping types that are ideal for pots, courtyards or layered plantings. In autumn they steal the show with colours that range from lemon yellow and apricot to scarlet and deep purple.
Gingko – The dwarf cultivar ‘Mariken’ is an outstanding choice for small spaces. with its fan shaped leaves turning a vivid golden yellow in autumn. It has a single trunk that reaches about 1.5 to 1.8 metres in height, making it ideal for containers or small feature planting. Ginkgos are living fossils dating back over 150 million years, making a striking connection between ancient heritage and contemporary gardens.
Dogwoods - Their foliage turns all shades of purple and red during the autumn show but they are great all year round - come spring they're covered in pretty 4-bract flowers with small central blooms.
Witch-hazels - Fothergilla cultivars have leathery green leaves that turn a blend of crimson, orange, yellow and even burgundy, often lasting well into early winter. The zigzagging branches add interest even when the leaves have dropped. It's a small, low maintenance shrub that's just as revered for its springtime blooms. It has bottle-brush shaped white fragrant flowers that attract pollinators, making it a good all-rounder for the cool climate gardener.
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Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Watch more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
Costa suggests small trees and shrubs that have big impact with their brilliant autumn foliage.
Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
Plants to choose
Maples – Both Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum cultivars include dwarf forms and weeping types that are ideal for pots, courtyards or layered plantings. In autumn they steal the show with colours that range from lemon yellow and apricot to scarlet and deep purple.
Gingko – The dwarf cultivar ‘Mariken’ is an outstanding choice for small spaces. with its fan shaped leaves turning a vivid golden yellow in autumn. It has a single trunk that reaches about 1.5 to 1.8 metres in height, making it ideal for containers or small feature planting. Ginkgos are living fossils dating back over 150 million years, making a striking connection between ancient heritage and contemporary gardens.
Dogwoods - Their foliage turns all shades of purple and red during the autumn show but they are great all year round - come spring they're covered in pretty 4-bract flowers with small central blooms.
Witch-hazels - Fothergilla cultivars have leathery green leaves that turn a blend of crimson, orange, yellow and even burgundy, often lasting well into early winter. The zigzagging branches add interest even when the leaves have dropped. It's a small, low maintenance shrub that's just as revered for its springtime blooms. It has bottle-brush shaped white fragrant flowers that attract pollinators, making it a good all-rounder for the cool climate gardener.
___________________________________________
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Watch more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC's Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
