• Like a splash of color on an otherwise monochromatic canvas, red leaves add welcome variety to the green summer landscape. Some may argue that the red color is actually purple or burgundy, but regardless, these leaves are the result of a different mix of natural pigments than are found in the more common green leaves. While green leaves have an abundance of chlorophyll, red leaves contain more carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are red or orange pigments, whereas anthocyanins vary, resulting in yellow, red, purple or blue, depending on the acidity level within the leaf. The selection of red-leaf plants is limited to a few specimen trees and shrubs. All are worth considering for your landscape.
  
  

Crimson King Norway Maple

• Crimson king Norway maple grows at a moderate rate to 45 feet at maturity in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3B through 7B. Best known for its purple-green foliage throughout the summer, this maple variety turns a deep burgundy in the fall. An oval to rounded specimen, crimson king provides thick shade and adapts to most soils if planted in full sunlight.
  
  

Japanese Maple

• Japanese maple, Acer palmatum, is an ornamental tree specimen growing slowly from 8 to 25 feet in height with a nearly equal spread, making it an ideal choice in the home entry area. Cultivars are on today's market that vary in leaf shape, texture and color. The specimen bloodgood, for instance, has deep purple-red foliage, while burgundy lace has a faded red color. Other varieties are known more for their finely lobed leaves including crimson queen, ever red and garnet. Japanese maple requires a rich, well-drained soil for optimum growth. It is hardy from USDA zones 5B through 8.
  
  

Royal Purple Smoke Bush

• Royal purple smoke bush is hardy from USDA zones 5 through 7. It grows to 10 feet tall and wide with deep purple foliage. Tiny flowers form soft, fluffy clusters in early summer, becoming insignificant fruit that produces hairs. These give the plant an unusual purplish smoke-emitting appearance. Royal purple smoke prefers damp, well-drained soil, but can survive dry conditions. Heavy pruning promotes vigorous new growth that will produce prominently colored leaves.
  
  

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry

• Purpleleaf sand cherry is an ornamental shrub maturing at a moderate rate to 8 feet tall by 8 feet wide. New leaves in spring are bright reddish-purple, holding their color throughout most of the season, changing eventually to a brown-green fall color. Purpleleaf sand cherry prefers damp, well-drained soils in full sun, but adapts easily to lesser conditions. This graceful specimen plant thrives in a wide range of USDA zones, 2 through 8, with a life expectancy of only about 15 years.
  
  

Red Leaf Japanese Barberry

• Red leaf Japanese barberry is a tough, dependable shrub that thrives from the midwestern to southern United States. Its bright red-purple foliage shows best in bright sun. There are many cultivars to choose from, growing to a maximum height of 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide with miniature selections that are much smaller. In the fall, some varieties produce abundant bright red berries on their stems standing out against the snows of northern climates. Barberry looks attractive in foundation plantings, massed together as a groundcover or in a low hedge.