15 Shrubs to Plant NOW for Fall-Interest

15 of our favorite Shrubs to Plant NOW for Fall and WINTER Interest!

 

With cooler temps in the forecast, the North Texas landscape will soon begin shifting into its autumn palette, with many shrubs stepping into the spotlight. These reliable, hardworking plants not only dazzle with colorful fall blooms and vibrant berries, but also provide food for songbirds and nectar for pollinators, including migrating monarchs.

What makes them even better? The shrubs below are adapted to the poor-draining clay soils that dominate North Texas– and thrive in our sometimes harsh and unpredictable climate… season after season. Check out the 15 shrubs below, that will not only survive but will shine for years to come—bringing beauty and wildlife to your garden without missing a beat. And if you have shrubs that are struggling just to just get by, consider these Texas-tough alternatives available at Rooted In!

 

1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

Texas Sage, sometimes referred to as Cenizo or “barometer bush,” blooms in bursts of purple, typically after rainstorms, as if celebrating the moisture. The silvery, drought-tolerant foliage is striking year-round, making this a standout plant in both fall and dry spells. Best of all, it requires little attention once established, perfect for those who prefer low-maintenance beauty.

• Mature size: 4-6 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Purple
• Bloom season: Late summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for pollinators, including bees and butterflies
• USDA zone: 7-11
• Light requirements: Full to part sun
• Type: Evergreen

 

2. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

In autumn, American Beautyberry dazzles with vibrant clusters of purple berries that wrap around its arching branches like beaded jewelry. These berries provide much-needed sustenance to songbirds, particularly as winter subsides. This Texas native is a resilient performer, especially in challenging clay soils, making it a true garden treasure.

• Mature size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Small, white or pink (summer)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds and wildlife
• USDA zone: 6-10
• Light requirements: Partial sun to dense shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

3. Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua)

Possumhaw Holly is like the “hidden gem” of the holly family, quietly biding its time until fall when it drops its leaves to flaunt clusters of show-stopping bright red berries. These small fruits persist through winter, offering food for birds when other sources are scarce. Whether nestled in the corner of your yard or taking center stage, it adds pops of color to otherwise quiet winter gardens.

• Mature size: 10-20 feet tall, 8-15 feet wide
• Bloom color: Small, white (spring)
• Bloom season: Fall to winter berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light requirements: Full sun to full shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

4. Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)

Coralberry may be understated during the growing season, but when fall arrives, it steals the show with clusters of bright pink berries that persist well into winter. This tough native thrives in super shady areas as well as clay soils, making it a reliable choice for understory plantings. As they say, the best things come in small packages—Coralberry proves it.

• Mature size: 2-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Pink (summer)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds
• USDA zone: 4-9
• Light requirements: Shade to partial sun
• Type: Deciduous

 

5. White Mistflower (Ageratina havanensis)

When fall arrives, White Mistflower covers itself in clouds of fragrant white blooms that seem to hover like mist. Monarch butterflies can’t resist it on their journey south, and the soft fragrance lingers in the air. Its ability to thrive in tough clay soils makes it a go-to plant for Texas gardeners who want beauty without a lot of fuss.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: White
• Bloom season: Fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies and bees
• USDA zone: 7-11
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

6. Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata)

If you’re looking for an evergreen shrub with a prickly personality, Agarita fits the bill. Its spiny, holly-like leaves might deter would-be deer and rabbit invaders, (although the spines are relatively soft)– while its fall berries delight birds and wildlife. Drought-tolerant and perfectly suited to amended well-draining soils, Agarita is a tough-as-nails addition to your landscape with beauty to boot. Consider planting on a southwestern exposure or on a slope if areas  are slower to drain.

• Mature size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Yellow (spring)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Evergreen

 

7. Dwarf Abelias (Abelia x  grandiflora – many cultivars)

Known for their adaptability and resilience, dwarf abelias brings year-round structure to your garden with dense, colorful evergreen foliage and clusters of white to pink blooms spring through fall. The blooms provide a feast for bees and butterflies, while their compact shape make them an ideal choice for hedges or foundation plantings. Their ability to handle North Texas clay soils makes them a winner for tough landscapes.

• Mature size: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: pink to white clusters
• Bloom season: Spring through fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for pollinators
• USDA zone: 5-10
• Light requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Type: Evergreen

 

8. Althea ‘Diana’ (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’)

Althea, or Rose of Sharon, is a late-summer and fall bloomer that offers large, pure white flowers that glow in the evening light. ‘Diana’ is one of the longest-blooming varieties, providing beauty and nectar for pollinators well into fall. Its ability to thrive in clay soils makes it a favorite for North Texas gardeners.

• Mature size: 5-8 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: White
• Bloom season: Summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for bumble bees, butterflies AND hummingbirds
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

9. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

The perfect petite version of the classic Yaupon, this dwarf variety offers all the beauty of its cousin with the female specimens producing bright red berries and evergreen foliage– just in a compact size. It’s ideal for low hedges or foundation plantings, adding structure and color to your garden year-round. Like its full-sized counterpart, it thrives in North Texas clay soils and requires little care once established.

• Mature size: 2-4 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Small, white (spring)
• Bloom season: Fall to winter berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Evergreen

 

10. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Buttonbush is anything but ordinary with its unusual white, spherical flowers that give way to seed heads, which are a magnet for birds in the fall. This native thrives in moist conditions and slow draining  clays, making it a versatile choice for Texas landscapes. The flowers’ spiked spherical design is like nature’s playful nod to geometry and attracts both pollinators a people alike.

• Mature size: 6-12 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: White
• Bloom season: Summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for pollinators, seeds for birds
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

11. Fragrant Mimosa (Mimosa borealis)

Fragrant Mimosa offers puffs of pink blooms in late spring, followed by interesting seed pods that persist into the fall. As a Texas native, it is perfectly at home in well draining southwestern exposures, requiring very little water once established. Its drought tolerance is as fragrant as its flowers—this shrub will always leave you smelling success.

• Mature size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Pink
• Bloom season: Late spring to summer
• Wildlife benefits: Attracts pollinators
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Light requirements: Full to part sun
• Type: Deciduous

 

12. Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum rufidulum)

If you’re looking for multi-season interest, Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum has you covered. It offers stunning white blooms in the spring, followed by eye-catching red fall foliage, and finishes with rich blue berries that are a feast for birds. This native viburnum doesn’t mind heavy soils and brings a sophisticated touch to North Texas gardens.

• Mature size: 10-15 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: White (spring)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds
• USDA zone: 5-9
• Light requirements: Full sun to full shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

13. Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea)

With its long, fiery red flower spikes, Coralbean beckons hummingbirds and butterflies alike. In the fall, its brilliant red seed pods add another layer of interest, making it a dramatic performer in the landscape. Its spiny stems and unique shape make it a conversation starter, while its Texas toughness ensures it thrives with minimal care.

• Mature size: 3-5 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Red
• Bloom season: Late summer to fall
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Deciduous

 

14. Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens)

A year-round winner, Evergreen Sumac brings dense, glossy green leaves to your landscape, turning reddish in winter for a pop of cold-season color. In fall, its red berries provide an important food source for birds. This Texas native is highly drought-tolerant and adapts easily to clay soils, making it a reliable choice for North Texas gardens.

• Mature size: 5-8 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Creamy white (summer)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds, pollinator-friendly flowers
• USDA zone: 7-10
• Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Type: Evergreen

 

15. Prairie Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)

This Texas native takes center stage in the fall with its brilliant red foliage that practically glows against the backdrop of North Texas sunsets. Its small red berries attract birds, while its rugged nature allows it to thrive in rocky and clay soils. Consider Prairie Flameleaf Sumac the plant equivalent of a bonfire—warm, bright, and impossible to ignore.

• Mature size: 10-15 feet tall and wide
• Bloom color: Greenish-white (summer)
• Bloom season: Fall berries
• Wildlife benefits: Berries for birds, pollinator-friendly flowers
• USDA zone: 7-9
• Light requirements: Full to part shade
• Type: Deciduous

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These 15 shrubs offer vibrant blooms, berries, and structure that carry your garden from fall through winter– all while helping support local wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a punch of color or a feast for the birds, these tough Texas performers are sure to please, even in heavy clay soils.