Plants with burgundy leaves add depth and year-round color contrast to garden beds and container arrangements. If you’re looking to create a garden with rich, dramatic foliage, these plants are an essential choice. They provide a stunning visual anchor that can make brighter flowers pop or create a moody, sophisticated palette on their own.
This guide will help you select, grow, and design with these beautiful plants. You’ll learn about popular varieties, their care needs, and how to combine them effectively in your landscape.
Plants With Burgundy Leaves
Many gardeners seek out plants with burgundy leaves for their unique color. This foliage can range from deep, almost black purples to bright, wine-red hues. The color is often due to pigments called anthocyanins, which can also provide some sun protection for the plant.
These plants fit into nearly every part of your garden. You can find trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals that offer this stunning foliage. The key is to understand their light requirements, as sun exposure often intensifies the burgundy color.
Why Choose Burgundy Foliage Plants
Burgundy leaved plants offer several advantages beyond their beauty. They provide consistent color throughout the growing season, unlike flowers that bloom and fade. This creates a reliable structure in your garden design.
They are excellent for creating contrast. Placed next to silver, lime-green, or bright green plants, burgundy foliage makes both colors stand out more. They can also cool down a garden that feels too hot with lots of yellows and oranges.
Many of these plants are also tougher than they look. The darker pigments can sometimes help protect leaves from strong sunlight. This can make them more resilient in challenging conditions.
Understanding Light Requirements For Color Intensity
For most plants with burgundy leaves, sunlight is crucial for the best color. While a few prefer shade, the majority need a good amount of sun to develop their richest hues. In too much shade, a burgundy plant might turn green or a washed-out purple.
A good rule is to provide at least 4-6 hours of direct sun for optimal color. Some plants, like certain coral bells, are bred for color retention in shade. Always check the specific plant’s needs when you purchase it.
Be mindful of very hot afternoon sun in warmer climates. Some burgundy foliage can scorch. If you notice leaf burn, consider providing light afternoon shade or ensuring the plant has adequate water.
Full Sun Burgundy Plants
- Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’
- Purple Smoke Bush
- Copper Beech Tree
- Purple Fountain Grass
- Alternanthera ‘Brazilian Red Hots’
Partial Shade Burgundy Plants
- Heuchera (Coral Bells) ‘Palace Purple’
- Tiarella (Foamflower)
- Coleus ‘Black Dragon’
- Begonia ‘Escargot’
Popular Trees With Burgundy Leaves
Trees with dark foliage make a powerful statement in the landscape. They can serve as a focal point or provide a dark backdrop for other plants. These trees often provide multi-season interest.
The Japanese Maple is perhaps the most famous. Cultivars like ‘Bloodgood’ and ‘Emperor I’ have finely cut leaves that are deep burgundy-red from spring to fall. They prefer dappled sunlight or morning sun in most regions.
The Copper Beech is a large, majestic tree. Its smooth, coppery-purple leaves are stunning in spring and summer. It needs plenty of space to grow and prefers well-drained soil.
The Forest Pansy Redbud is a smaller tree with heart-shaped, burgundy leaves that mature to a reddish-green. It has the added benefit of beautiful pink flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge.
Stunning Shrubs With Burgundy Foliage
Shrubs are the workhorses of the garden, providing structure and year-round presence. Burgundy shrubs are incredibly versatile for hedges, foundations, or standalone specimens.
The Purple Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) is a showstopper. Its rounded, wine-colored leaves are beautiful, and in summer it produces wispy, smoke-like flower plumes. It thrives in full sun.
Ninebark (Physocarpus) varieties like ‘Diabolo’ or ‘Summer Wine’ offer peeling bark and clusters of white flowers alongside their deep purple foliage. They are very hardy and low-maintenance.
Barberry shrubs, such as Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’, provide bright burgundy-red leaves on a compact, thorny plant. They are excellent for barriers and add strong color to borders.
Perennial Plants With Burgundy Leaves
Perennials come back year after year, making them a smart investment for your garden. Many perennials with dark foliage also have attractive flowers, giving you a two-for-one display.
Coral Bells (Heuchera) are top choices for shade gardens. Varieties like ‘Obsidian’, ‘Blackout’, and ‘Plum Pudding’ have ruffled leaves in shades of deep purple and burgundy. They send up delicate flower spikes in late spring.
Sedum ‘Xenox’ and other dark-leaved stonecrops offer succulent, burgundy foliage. They are drought-tolerant, love sun, and produce pink flower clusters that attract butterflies in late summer.
Ligularia ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’ has huge, rounded leaves that are a dark chocolate-burgundy. It prefers moist soil and partial shade, making it perfect for a damp spot in the garden.
Annuals And Tender Plants For Containers
For instant color and flexibility, annuals are perfect. They allow you to experiment with bold combinations in pots and garden beds each season.
Coleus is the king of colorful foliage for shade. Varieties like ‘Black Prince’, ‘Redhead’, and ‘Wizard Scarlet’ have intricate patterns and intense burgundy colors. They grow quickly and are easy to propagate from cuttings.
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) provides a cascading effect. ‘Blackie’ or ‘Sweet Caroline Bewitched’ have deep purple, almost black leaves that trail beautifully over container edges.
Begonias, such as the Rex begonia, offer stunning, patterned leaves with burgundy, silver, and green. They are ideal for adding a tropical touch to shady patios.
Designing With Burgundy Foliage Plants
Using plants with burgundy leaves effectively requires a thoughtful approach to color and texture. Their dark color can recede visually, so placement is key to making them stand out.
Use them as a contrast agent. Place a burgundy plant next to something with bright green, chartreuse, or silver foliage. The contrast will make both plants look more vibrant. For example, try Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ next to Hosta ‘Patriot’.
Create a monochromatic scheme. Combine different plants with burgundy, purple, and near-black leaves. Add plants with dark flowers for a sophisticated, moody look. This works well in evening gardens.
Use them to anchor bright colors. A bed of hot-colored flowers like yellow coreopsis or orange marigolds can look chaotic. Adding a burgundy shrub or perennial will ground the design and provide a visual rest.
Step-By-Step Guide To A Burgundy Foliage Border
- Choose a location with the right light. Most burgundy plants need sun for best color, so select a spot with at least 6 hours of sun.
- Prepare the soil. Amend it with compost to ensure good drainage and fertility.
- Select a structural plant. Start with a small tree or large shrub as a focal point, like a Japanese Maple or Smoke Bush.
- Add mid-layer shrubs. Incorporate 2-3 medium-sized burgundy shrubs, such as Ninebark or a dwarf Barberry.
- Fill in with perennials. Plant groups of Heuchera, Sedum, or Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ around the shrubs.
- Edge with annuals. For a finishing touch, add trailing Sweet Potato Vine or compact Coleus at the front of the border.
- Mulch and water well. Use a dark mulch to unify the look and help retain soil moisture.
Caring For Your Burgundy Leaved Plants
While care varies by species, some general principles apply to many plants with dark foliage. Proper care ensures they maintain their vibrant color and healthy growth.
Watering is crucial, especially for new plants. Deep, infrequent watering encourages strong root growth. Avoid overhead watering in the evening, as wet leaves can promote fungal diseases.
Fertilize moderately. Too much nitrogen can encourage lots of green growth at the expense of the burgundy color. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Prune for shape and health. For shrubs like Smoke Bush, prune in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth, which often has the best color. Remove any dead or diseased branches as you see them.
Common Problems And Solutions
Even tough plants can encounter issues. Here are some common problems for burgundy foliage plants and how to adress them.
Fading Color: If your plant’s leaves are turning green, it likely needs more sunlight. Consider transplanting it to a sunnier location if possible. For potted plants, simply move the container.
Leaf Scorch: Brown, crispy edges on leaves often indicate too much hot sun or inadequate water. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates and ensure consistent soil moisture. Mulching helps keep roots cool.
Pests: Aphids and spider mites can be attracted to new growth. A strong spray of water from a hose can dislodge them. For severe infestations, use an insecticidal soap according to label directions.
Propagation Tips For Popular Varieties
Many burgundy-leaved plants are easy to propagate, allowing you to create more plants for free. This is especially useful for expensive or hard-to-find varieties.
Coleus and Sweet Potato Vine root easily in water. Simply take a 4-6 inch cutting, remove the lower leaves, and place the stem in a glass of water. Roots should appear in 1-2 weeks.
For perennials like Heuchera and Sedum, division is the best method. In early spring or fall, dig up the plant and gently pull or cut it into smaller sections, each with roots and shoots. Replant immediately.
Some shrubs, like Ninebark, can be propagated from hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn. It takes longer but is very reliable.
FAQ About Plants With Burgundy Leaves
What are some shade plants with burgundy leaves?
Excellent shade choices include Heuchera (Coral Bells), many Coleus varieties, Begonia ‘Escargot’, Tiarella, and some Ajuga (Bugleweed) cultivars. These plants thrive without full sun and retain good color.
Do burgundy leaf plants need special soil?
Most prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. While they don’t need a special pH, very alkaline soil can sometimes cause chlorosis (yellowing) in some varieties. Adding compost at planting time benefits nearly all of them.
Can I grow burgundy foliage plants in pots?
Absolutely. Many are excellent container plants. Use a high-quality potting mix and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Coleus, Sweet Potato Vine, ornamental grasses, and dwarf shrubs like ‘Crimson Pygmy’ Barberry do very well in containers.
Why is my burgundy plant turning green?
The most common cause is insufficient sunlight. The anthocyanin pigments need light to produce. Too much nitrogen fertilizer can also promote green growth. Relocate the plant to a sunnier spot if possible and avoid over-fertilizing.
Are there any burgundy leaved plants that are deer resistant?
Yes, several are less palatable to deer. These include Barberry, Smoke Bush, some Sedum varieties, and Russian Sage (which has gray-green leaves but can be paired with burgundy plants). Remember, no plant is completely deer-proof if they are hungry enough.
Incorporating plants with burgundy leaves into your garden is a rewarding way to add drama and year-round interest. By selecting the right plants for your light conditions and combining them thoughtfully, you can create a landscape that is both beautiful and unique. Start with one or two varieties and see how their rich colors change the feel of your space.