While red fruits are prevalent, some fruit trees possess the same vibrancy and boldness in their foliage. Are you wondering what those varieties are? To help you, we researched which fruit trees have red leaves. Here's what we found.
If you want a striking shade in your landscape, raise one or two of these fruit trees with red leaves when growing or when the season changes:
- American Cranberrybush
- Bailtiger
- Bonfire peach
- Crabapple
- Great Wall persimmon
- Japanese Barberry
- Lovi-lovi
- Red Balloon viburnum
- Red Chokeberry
- Thundercloud cherry plum
- Winterberry Berry Heavy
- Xiahong plum
In this post, we have a detailed discussion of red fruit trees. We'll also explore the selection of red produce and shrubs as alternative or companion plants and other related questions. So keep on reading to learn more.
Which Fruit Trees Have Red Leaves?
Below are the primary characteristics and care guides of fruit trees with red leaves and where they can thrive.
1. American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus)
The upright Redwing cultivar of cranberry has green foliage that changes into red during autumn. You can use it as stand-alone or as a hedge. Aside from the structural function, its tasty fruits are perfect for jam-making and preservation.
- Height and Spread: 8 to 10 feet high; 6 to 8 feet wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: August to September
- Soil Condition: well-drained clay or loam; flexible pH level
- Spacing: 72 to 96 inches
- Light Exposure: full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7
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2. Bailtiger (Rhus typhina Tiger Eyes)
This non-aggressive shrub has striking scarlet leaves, dark red berries, and purplish wood parts in the fall. It is low maintenance because of its high tolerance for drought and insect problems.
- Height and Spread: 3 to 6 feet high and wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: fall
- Soil Condition: flexible pH and soil type
- Spacing: 36 to 72 inches
- Light Exposure: full to partial sun
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
3. Bonfire Peach
These purple leaf peach shrubs have pink flowers, attracting butterflies and birds. They are widespread in Alabama, Connecticut, and Delaware.
Grow them through a budding method, whether in the ground or container. Although they are small, they require high maintenance.
- Height and Spread: 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: mid-spring
- Soil Condition: mildly acidic
- Spacing: 8 to 9 feet
- Light Exposure: full sun
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
4. Crabapple (Malus Hybrida)
The flowering crabapple has white to red blossoms and purple leaves. Create an accent in your landscape with this classic tree.
- Height and Spread: 12 to 15 feet high and wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: summer
- Soil Condition: fertile and well-draining; loamy, clay, or sand; mild pH
- Light Exposure: full sunlight
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
5. Great Wall Persimmon (Diospyrus kaki)
Another tree with red fall foliage is this medium-size persimmon, native to China. Hence, the name of this variant.
- Height and Spread: 15 to 20 feet high and wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: September to October
- Soil Condition: fertile and well-draining
- Light Exposure: full sun
- Water Needs: deep-watering
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
6. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Although this plant is a dwarf, it is still eye-catching. This is because of its red oblong leaves, tiny yet showy fruits, and yellow flowers.
- Height and Spread: 1 to 2 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: fall
- Soil Condition: flexible pH and soil type
- Spacing: 24 to 36 inches
- Light Exposure: full to partial sun
- Water Needs: low
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
7. Lovi-lovi (Flacourtia inermis Roxb.)
The Batoko plum or Lovi-lovi is an autotrophic tree, meaning it can produce its food from the carbon dioxide in its surroundings. It has orange-red leaves during younger years.
Seed, grafting, and air-layering are the best propagation methods for this tree. It bears bountiful fruits in clusters despite its moderate growth rate.
- Height and Spread: up to 50 feet
- Foliage Cycle: evergreen
- Bearing Period: year-round in tropical regions
- Soil Condition: moist loam
- Light Exposure: full sun
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 10
8. Red Balloon (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides)
While the Red Balloon resists deer, rabbits, and heat, it attracts insects and birds. It has green foliage that changes into the red during cold temperatures.
- Height and Spread: 6 to 8 feet high and wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: spring
- Soil Condition: acidic to neutral; moist loam or sand
- Spacing: 96 to 120 inches
- Light Exposure: full to part sun
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
9. Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Even though chokeberry endures wet and dry soil, watch out for the colonial spread.
- Height and Spread: 6 to 10 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide
- Foliage Cycle: deciduous
- Bearing Period: summer
- Soil Condition: acidic to neutral; loam or clay
- Spacing: 36 to 60 inches
- Light Exposure: full to part sun
- Water Needs: average
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
10. Thundercloud Cherry (Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’)
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, explore these related articles on fruit-bearing greeneries: