9 Ornamental Trees and Shrubs With Purple Leaves

Barberries (Berberis thunbergii)

Barberries are shrubs that can range from compact, 3-feet tall plants to 6 feet or more; whichever variety you choose, they add a pop to your garden. Pair them with lime-green plants for an especially eye-catching display. These are dense shrubs with thorns, so be careful when planting in a yard where children will play. Barberry varieties with purple leaves include 'Bagatelle,' 'Concorde,' 'Helmond Pillar,' 'Royal Burgundy,' and 'Royal Cloak.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: Red, gold, green, and purple foliage
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Copper beech trees feature purple leaves and produce beechnuts, which are edible for wildlife and humans. The young leaves of copper beech are also edible. Copper beeches may grow very large—over 100 feet, depending on the variety. Recommended varieties include 'Purpurea,' 'Atropurpurea,' and 'Atropunicea;' weeping copper beech varieties with purple foliage include 'Purpurea Pendula' and 'Purple Fountain.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
• Color Varieties: Green, purple, yellow, or variegated leaves
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Crabapples (Malus sp.)

Crabapple trees will add color to the garden in all seasons with their flowers, fruits, and leaves. Some have fruit that is edible for humans as well as wildlife. Crabapples are a diverse group with sizes ranging from 11 to 26 feet. Most types grow best in full sun, although there are some suitable for partial shade.  For crabapples with purple leaves, some choices are 'Profusion,' 'Purple Prince,' 'Radiance,' 'Red Barron,' 'Royalty,' and 'Thunderchild.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: White, pale pink, or red flowers; green, reddish, and purple foliage
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Elderberries

The fruits of elderberry shrubs (Sambucus nigra) can be used in recipes for jams, jellies, syrups, pies, wine, and brandy. The fruits must be fully ripe and prepared properly before ingestion, as they can be toxic before that point. Cordials and syrups are made from the fragrant flowers.

Most varieties are appropriate for zones 5 to 7. This shrub/tree grows about 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. 

Elderberries with purple leaves include 'Black Beauty,' 'Black Lace,' 'Purpurea,' and 'Thundercloud.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, gold, green, and purple
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Japanese Maples

The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a shrub or small tree that features distinctive leaves in shape and color making it a popular specimen tree for landscapes and gardens.

Japanese maples can be dependably grown in zones 5 to 8. The tree typically grows 15 to 25 feet tall, although some varieties are more dwarf. 

Some Japanese maple varieties that sport purple leaves include 'Atropurpureum,' 'Burgundy Lace,' 'Ever Red,' 'Garnet,' 'Sherwood Flame,' and 'Tamukeyama.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
• Color Varieties: Red, gold, green, and purple
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera)

For a tree that features purple leaves and small edible fruits, plant the purple leaf plum. Fragrant pale pink flowers open in early spring followed by fleshy purple fruits. These trees stay small, so they fit nicely in most yards. The plant lives around 15 to 20 years, so it is considered a short-lived landscape specimen. Purple leaf plum reaches heights of 15 to 25 feet with a rounded shape. Recommended varieties include 'Hollywood,' 'Mt. St. Helens.' 'Newport,' 'Pissardii,' 'Pendula,' 'Thundercloud,' and 'Krauter's Vesuvius.'

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, gold, green, and purple
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus X cistena)

The purple leaf sand cherry is a shrub or short tree that also features small purple fruits suitable for wildlife. Sand cherries are hardy in quite cold climates, suitable as far north as zone 2. It is a roundish specimen that grows 7 to 10 feet wide and tall and requires a lot of sunlight. 

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
• Color Varieties: Reddish purple foliage; pink or white flowers
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Purple Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Purple ninebark is a shrub that features white or pink flowers. It can live in climates as cold as zone 2, so it is a great choice for a landscape accent in cold regions. Ninebarks will tolerate partial shade, even preferring it in hotter climates as far south as zone 7. It grows 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. Some purple ninebark cultivars include 'Center Glow,' 'Coppertina ("Mindia"),' 'Diablo' or 'Diabolo' ('Monlo'), and 'Summer Wine' ('Seward').

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
• Color Varieties: Purple foliage; white flowers
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, acidic soil

Purple Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)

Smokebush shrubs get their name from the fuzzy balls of unfertilized flowers. While there are green varieties available, many people choose the purple-leaf varieties for use as a specimen in the yard. The purple smokebush can grow to be a rather large and sprawling shrub, 10 to 15 feet wide and tall. Smokebush varieties with purple leaves include 'Grace,' 'Nordine Red,' 'Notcutt's Variety,' 'Royal Purple,' and 'Velvet Cloak.' The purple leaf varieties produce better color in full sun.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Yellow flowers; green or purple leaves
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil