Pennsylvania gardens can have striking color year-round with the right trees. Some species hold onto their red leaves even through snow and frost.
They offer a consistent splash of beauty without extra effort. Choosing the right one transforms any landscape instantly.
1. Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’
Dark crimson foliage makes this Japanese maple variety a showstopper in Pennsylvania gardens. The ‘Bloodgood’ cultivar maintains its deep burgundy color from spring through fall, and even holds some leaves into early winter.
Homeowners across Pennsylvania love this tree because it grows well in partial shade and reaches about 15 to 20 feet tall. The leaves have a lacy appearance that adds elegance to any landscape design.
Plant it near patios or walkways where you can appreciate its stunning color up close throughout the growing season.
2. Copper Beech
With leaves that emerge bright copper-red in spring, this majestic tree keeps its reddish-purple tones all summer long in Pennsylvania. Copper beech trees can grow quite large, sometimes reaching 60 feet or more, making them perfect shade providers.
Pennsylvania residents appreciate how the leaves darken to bronze-purple as temperatures rise. The tree’s smooth gray bark adds visual interest during winter months.
Give this beauty plenty of space to spread since its canopy can extend 40 feet wide when fully mature and healthy.
3. Crimson King Maple
Maroon-red leaves appear in early spring and stay that rich color until they drop in late fall across Pennsylvania. This Norway maple variety grows fast and tolerates urban conditions better than many other trees.
Streets and parks throughout Pennsylvania feature this popular choice because it handles pollution and compacted soil well. The leaves are large and create dense shade perfect for hot summer days.
Watch for volunteer seedlings since this maple spreads easily and might pop up in unexpected garden spots around your property.
4. Forest Pansy Redbud
Heart-shaped burgundy leaves make this redbud variety instantly recognizable in Pennsylvania landscapes. Spring brings gorgeous pink-purple flowers before the stunning red-purple foliage emerges and lasts through summer.
Smaller than many shade trees, Forest Pansy grows 20 to 30 feet tall, fitting perfectly in Pennsylvania yards with limited space. The leaves gradually shift from bright red-purple to greenish-purple as summer progresses.
Plant it where morning sun and afternoon shade occur for the most vibrant leaf color throughout the entire growing season.
5. Purple Leaf Plum
Reddish-purple leaves emerge early in Pennsylvania’s spring and maintain their color through most of the growing season. White or pale pink blossoms appear before the leaves, creating a beautiful contrast against dark branches.
This smaller ornamental tree reaches 15 to 25 feet tall, making it ideal for Pennsylvania front yards or as an accent tree. The leaves start out bright red-purple and deepen as temperatures warm up.
Prune it regularly to maintain good shape and encourage dense foliage that showcases those stunning burgundy leaves all season long.
6. Red Japanese Barberry
Bright crimson leaves stay vibrant from spring until frost arrives in Pennsylvania, making this compact shrub a garden favorite. Though technically a large shrub rather than a tree, it can be trained into a small tree form.
Pennsylvania gardeners use it for hedges, borders, or specimen plantings because the red foliage provides constant color. Small yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries in fall.
Be aware that barberry can spread aggressively in some Pennsylvania areas, so check local planting guidelines before adding it to your landscape.
7. Thundercloud Flowering Plum
Deep purple-red foliage emerges after stunning pink spring blooms fade away in Pennsylvania gardens. This variety maintains darker leaf color than other flowering plums, staying rich burgundy-purple throughout summer.
Growing 15 to 20 feet tall, Thundercloud fits nicely into smaller Pennsylvania yards while still making a bold statement. The leaves provide excellent contrast against green-leafed plants in mixed borders.
Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for best results, and your Pennsylvania landscape will feature consistent red-purple color for months each year.
8. Tricolor Beech
Pink, white, and red variegated leaves create a stunning display throughout Pennsylvania’s growing season. This unique beech variety keeps its rosy-red tones mixed with cream and green from spring through fall.
Pennsylvania homeowners prize this rare tree for its unusual coloring that changes slightly as seasons progress. Young leaves emerge bright pink-red before developing their characteristic three-color pattern.
Plant it as a focal point where its special coloring can be admired, and provide afternoon shade in Pennsylvania’s hottest areas for best leaf color retention.