Trees with purple leaves are not just a visual delight; they are a bold statement in landscape design, offering an alternative to the more common green foliage. These trees come in various species, from maples and plums to beeches and crabapples. The purple color in leaves is due to the presence of anthocyanins, pigments that can range from deep burgundy to vibrant purple, often intensifying in response to environmental stresses like bright sunlight, which can lead to even more dramatic color displays.
The appeal of purple-leafed trees extends beyond their visual impact. They are often chosen for their ability to add depth and interest to landscapes, especially in designs that aim for a rich, layered look. Many of these trees are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves in autumn, but before doing so, they might transition through a spectrum of reds and bronzes, adding to the fall spectacle.
In spring, some purple-leaf trees also boast flowers, which can be a stunning contrast to their dark foliage, further enhancing their ornamental value. However, this richness in color and form comes with considerations; these trees might require specific care, like full sun exposure to maintain their vibrant leaf color, and they’re often chosen for their aesthetic rather than functional use, such as providing heavy shade or privacy.
In terms of cultivation, trees with purple leaves generally prefer well-draining soil and can range from sun-loving to those that tolerate partial shade. Their growth habits vary widely; some are perfect for small gardens or as ornamental features in larger landscapes, while others can grow into substantial shade trees. While many are quite hardy, they can be more susceptible to certain pests or diseases, especially when not grown in optimal conditions, so site selection and maintenance are key.
Integrating purple-leaf trees into a landscape design can offer a strategic way to draw attention. They work well in both contemporary and traditional garden styles, serving as a bridge between different plant elements or as stand-alone features. However, they should be used judiciously to avoid overwhelming the space with too much of one color. Balancing them with plants of different hues, textures, and heights will create a more harmonious and visually appealing garden.
Trees With Purple Leaves
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’)
This cultivar is celebrated for its deeply dissected, rich burgundy-red leaves which maintain color throughout the growing season. It’s a smaller tree, often used in Asian-inspired gardens or as a focal point in mixed borders, growing up to 20 feet tall with a wide, spreading canopy.
Purple-Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter’s Vesuvius’)
With its oval, dark purple leaves, this tree is a stunning addition to any landscape. It also boasts pale pink flowers in early spring, adding seasonal interest. It grows to about 20-25 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens or as an accent tree.
Crimson King Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’)
A larger tree, this Norway maple cultivar offers dense, purple foliage that turns a bit darker as summer progresses. It’s used for shade in parks or large landscapes, reaching up to 40 feet in height, providing a dramatic contrast against green foliage.
Purple-Leaf European Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’)
Known for its majestic, slow-growing nature, this beech tree boasts deep purple leaves that turn coppery in fall. It’s ideal as a specimen tree or in formal landscapes, growing to significant heights of 40-50 feet over time.
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)
This tree or large shrub is famed for its smoky feathery flower plumes and its purple leaves. It’s not as tall as some other trees, reaching about 15 feet, and is perfect for smaller gardens, adding both color and an airy texture.
Purple Leaf Crabapple (Malus ‘Profusion’)
This crabapple variety is loved for its bright purple leaves in spring turning to bronze in summer, and its profusion of deep pink flowers. It’s smaller, growing to about 20-25 feet, suitable for both ornamental and edible gardens.
Purple-Leaf Filbert (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’)
A versatile tree or shrub with large, purple leaves, it’s excellent for screens or hedges. It can grow up to 25 feet, and while it produces edible nuts, the primary landscape appeal is its foliage.
Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’)
Similar to the purple-leaf European beech but often noted for its slightly different, deeper copper hue. This tree grows large and broad, making it a statement in landscapes, reaching heights of 50-60 feet.
Purple-Leaf Acacia (Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’)
This Australian native adds a touch of exotic with its blue-green to purple pinnate leaves. It’s adaptable to warm climates, growing to about 20-30 feet, and provides an interesting texture with its fern-like foliage.
Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Burgundy Lace’)
With its lacy, palmate leaves in a deep burgundy shade, this variety adds a delicate beauty to gardens. It’s smaller, often used in bonsai or as a specimen in rock gardens, growing to about 10-15 feet.
Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena)
This small, hardy tree or shrub offers vivid purple foliage that darkens as the season progresses. It’s perfect for smaller landscapes or as a hedge, growing to around 7-10 feet tall, with additional charm from its pink spring flowers.
Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’)
With its cascading branches and deep purple heart-shaped leaves, this redbud is a dramatic choice for landscapes. It reaches about 6 feet in height, ideal for smaller spaces or as a unique accent.
Purple Fountain Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula’)
This weeping form of the European beech has a graceful, drooping habit with rich purple leaves. It’s a stunning specimen tree for creating focal points, growing to around 10-15 feet tall but often wider.
Purple Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’)
A larger smokebush cultivar with leaves that transition from reddish-purple to burgundy, this tree is both a foliage and flowering spectacle with its smokey plumes in summer. It grows up to 15 feet, offering a bold statement in gardens.
Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’)
Known for its bright purple foliage in spring that fades to a burgundy-green by summer, this redbud also features deep pink flowers. It’s a medium-sized tree, reaching about 20 feet, great for mixed borders or as a specimen.
Purple-Leaf Linden (Tilia americana ‘Redmond’)
Though not as commonly recognized for its foliage, this cultivar has leaves that can show a purplish tint, especially in spring. It’s a larger tree, suitable for shade in parks or large gardens, growing to 40-60 feet.
Purple-Leaf Crabapple (Malus ‘Thunderchild’)
Another in the crabapple family, ‘Thunderchild’ has deep purple leaves and bright pink flowers, providing dual seasonal interest. It’s smaller, up to 20 feet, perfect for ornamental gardens where both foliage and blossoms are desired.
Purple-Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’)
Similar to ‘Krauter’s Vesuvius’ but with a more slender profile, ‘Nigra’ has very dark purple foliage and is known for its profusion of pink flowers. It’s well-suited for avenues or as a specimen tree, growing to about 20-25 feet.
Purple-Leaf Ash (Fraxinus americana ‘Autumn Purple’)
While primarily known for its fall color, this ash variety also has a purplish tint to its leaves during the growing season. It’s a large tree, ideal for larger landscapes or as a shade tree, capable of reaching 50 feet or more.
Purple-Leaf Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata ‘Purpurea’)
This hawthorn variety offers small, deeply cut purple leaves, white flowers in spring, and red berries in fall, making it a multi-seasonal interest tree. It grows to about 20-25 feet, suitable for smaller to medium-sized landscapes.