October in Pennsylvania brings a spectacular transformation to our gardens. As the temperatures drop and leaves change color, many shrubs reach their peak beauty, providing structure and visual interest when other plants begin to fade.
Having lived in Pennsylvania for over a decade, I’ve come to appreciate how certain shrubs can truly elevate a fall garden.
Whether you’re looking for vibrant berries, colorful foliage, or interesting bark, the right shrub selections can make your garden shine throughout autumn. I’ve gathered nine reliable performers that have consistently impressed me across various Pennsylvania gardens during October.
1. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
The fiery red foliage of Burning Bush creates a spectacular display in Pennsylvania gardens during October. The leaves transform from green to intense crimson, creating a focal point that demands attention in any landscape.
Plant these shrubs in well-drained soil with full to partial sun exposure. In Pennsylvania’s climate, they’re remarkably low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal care even as temperatures fluctuate.
I planted three small specimens along my property line five years ago, and they’ve become the highlight of my fall garden. Neighbors regularly stop to ask about these eye-catching shrubs when they walk by my yard in October.
2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)
Native witch hazel varieties showcase golden yellow foliage in Pennsylvania gardens during October, while some cultivars display orange to reddish tones. Beyond the colorful leaves, the unique spidery flowers appear late in the season, offering unexpected bloom when most plants are dormant.
For best results in Pennsylvania’s varied climate, provide witch hazel with consistently moist, acidic soil. These shrubs appreciate protection from harsh afternoon sun, especially in the hotter regions of the state.
My favorite witch hazel grows near my kitchen window, where I can appreciate its subtle fragrance on mild fall days. During one particularly warm October, it bloomed early, creating a magical golden haze visible from inside my home.
3. Spirea (Spiraea)
Fall-flowering spirea varieties bring welcome color to Pennsylvania gardens in October. Their delicate clusters of pink or white flowers contrast beautifully with the changing foliage, which often develops rich burgundy or orange highlights as temperatures cool.
These adaptable shrubs thrive throughout Pennsylvania’s diverse growing zones. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain their compact shape and encourages more blooms. Most varieties handle our clay-heavy soils surprisingly well.
Last autumn, I discovered how striking spirea looks when planted alongside ornamental grasses. The combination in my front border created a textural contrast that looked particularly stunning when backlit by the low October sun.
4. Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Panicle hydrangeas offer extended seasonal interest in Pennsylvania gardens with their cone-shaped flower clusters that transform from white to antique rose as October progresses. The dried blooms provide structure and visual interest well into winter.
These hardy hydrangeas perform reliably across all Pennsylvania growing zones. Unlike their mophead cousins, panicle varieties require minimal special care and maintain their beauty even after light frosts have damaged other garden plants.
I’ve found that leaving the faded blooms intact throughout fall creates beautiful frost-covered sculptures in my garden. During a particularly colorful October three years ago, my ‘Limelight’ hydrangea’s pink-tinged blooms perfectly complemented the surrounding autumn foliage.
5. Boxwood (Buxus)
Evergreen boxwoods provide essential structure in Pennsylvania gardens when October’s frost causes other plants to retreat. Their dense, glossy foliage creates reliable green accents that anchor the landscape through seasonal transitions.
Choose cold-hardy varieties like ‘Green Velvet’ or ‘Winter Gem’ for Pennsylvania gardens. These cultivars maintain their rich color without the bronzing that affects some boxwoods during colder weather, especially important as we head toward winter.
After experimenting with several varieties, I’ve found Korean boxwood to be particularly resilient in my western Pennsylvania garden. During one unusually early October snowfall, these steadfast shrubs remained perfectly green beneath a dusting of white, creating a striking visual contrast.
6. Barberry (Berberis)
Barberry shrubs light up Pennsylvania landscapes in October with foliage ranging from deep burgundy to brilliant orange-red. Their small, glossy leaves intensify in color as temperatures drop, often holding their striking hues well into November.
These tough shrubs tolerate Pennsylvania’s varied soil conditions and thrive with minimal attention. Their thorny branches make them excellent security barriers along property lines while still providing ornamental value through multiple seasons.
The ‘Rose Glow’ barberry in my side yard creates a stunning backdrop for late-blooming perennials. I’ve noticed that in particularly sunny spots, the fall color develops earlier and more intensely, something I’ve taken advantage of in my garden design.
7. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Ninebark earns its place in October gardens with its colorful foliage and interesting exfoliating bark that adds textural interest. Purple-leaved varieties develop rich autumn tones while the peeling bark becomes more noticeable as leaves begin to drop.
Native to Pennsylvania, ninebark thrives in our local conditions with minimal fuss. It handles both wet springs and dry falls with remarkable resilience, making it perfect for gardeners seeking low-maintenance options for challenging spots.
The ‘Diabolo’ ninebark in my rain garden has surprised me with its adaptability. During an unusually dry October last year, it maintained its deep color while other shrubs showed stress, convincing me to add more of these reliable natives to my landscape.
8. Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
Many viburnum varieties showcase a spectacular color transformation in Pennsylvania’s October landscape. Beyond their brilliant foliage in shades of burgundy, orange, and purple, certain species display clusters of berries in jewel tones that attract hungry birds.
Viburnums appreciate Pennsylvania’s moderate rainfall and generally perform well in our native soils. Plant these adaptable shrubs where they receive morning sun but have afternoon shade to extend the display of fall color through the entire month.
My blackhaw viburnum has become a neighborhood attraction each October. I’ve counted five different bird species visiting its dark blue berries in a single afternoon. The combination of wildlife activity and fall color makes it one of my favorite garden investments.
9. Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii)
Fothergilla delivers an impressive color display in Pennsylvania gardens during October, with leaves transforming into a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange, and red—often all on the same plant. This native shrub creates a watercolor effect in the autumn landscape.
Plant fothergilla in acidic, well-draining soil for the best fall color development. In Pennsylvania gardens, they perform particularly well when given consistent moisture through our sometimes dry autumns, especially during their establishment years.
The dwarf fothergilla near my front walkway stops visitors in their tracks every October. After three seasons of growing it, I’ve found that it develops the most intense color when planted where it receives bright morning light but some protection from harsh afternoon sun.