Big Rock Landscaping

Utah offers an ideal setting for homeowners to create a dynamic landscape that is full of character and year-round beauty. One of the best ways this can be done is by adding color to your landscape design.
Design, Landscaping, Trees
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The Best Colors for Trees and Shrubs in Utah

With its mild springs, hot and dry summers, short autumns, and cold, snowy winters, Utah offers an ideal setting for homeowners to create a dynamic landscape that is full of character and year-round beauty. One of the best ways this can be done is by adding color to your landscape design. Adding colorful shrubs and trees to your yard can not only improve curb appeal and help with your home’s resale value, but it’s also a great way to create an inviting outdoor living space that you and your family can enjoy.  

Big Rock Landscaping is your local expert in creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces across the Wasatch Front. Let us help you transform your yard into a colorful oasis that can be enjoyed all year round. Whether you are just gathering ideas or ready to work with us, here are some things to keep in mind as you select the best colors for trees and shrubs in Utah.

Seasonal Color: The Best Utah Trees and Shrubs

With four distinct seasons, Utah offers a great opportunity to incorporate dynamic, changing color into your yard. What follows are some of our favorite shrubs and trees for each season. These recommendations will not only add seasonal color to your space but also thrive in the state’s semi-arid environment. 

Dive Deeper: The Best Trees for Utah Yards By Zone and Our Favorite Shrubs for Utah Landscaping

Turn Up the Vibrancy With Flowering Spring Plants

Between snowmelt and rain showers, Utah’s springs are relatively wet and marked by mild temperatures. Spring also marks an end to the region’s cold and snowy winters, so we love incorporating trees and shrubs that bring a pop of color and make your yard come to life with their vibrant blossoms.

Spring also marks an end to the region’s cold and snowy winters, so we love incorporating trees and shrubs that bring a pop of color and make your yard come to life with their vibrant blossoms.
Image Source: Utah.edu

Best Colorful Trees for Spring in Utah

  • Flowering Crabapple
  • Serviceberry
  • Eastern Redbud
  • Flowering Pear
  • Hawthorn

Best Colorful Shrubs for Spring in Utah 

  • Lilac
  • Forsythia
  • Spirea
  • Viburnum
  • Mock Orange

Add Depth With Summer Greens

Utah summers are known for their dry days and hot temperatures. When selecting trees and shrubs for your yard, you’ll want to make sure to choose hardy plants that can thrive in these semi-arid conditions. Many plants during this season will be varying shades of green, so it may be a good idea to look for contrasting textures that will add depth to your landscape. You can also find a few trees and shrubs that provide a pop of rich color and the occasional summer bloom. 

When selecting trees and shrubs for your yard, you’ll want to make sure to choose hardy plants that can thrive in these semi-arid conditions.
Image Source: Tree Utah

Best Colorful Trees for Summer in Utah 

  • Red Maple
  • Japanese Maple
  • Linden
  • Catalpa
  • Honeylocust

Best Colorful Shrubs for Summer in Utah

  • Russian Sage
  • Ninebark
  • Barberry
  • Rose of Sharon

Turn Up The Drama With Classic Fall Colors

While Utah autumns are relatively short, they don’t hold back when it comes to color. Cool nights and warm days lead to dramatic reds, oranges, and golds that are sure to make your yard pop.

While Utah autumns are relatively short, they don’t hold back when it comes to color. Cool nights and warm days lead to dramatic reds, oranges, and golds that are sure to make your yard pop.
Image Source: Logan Green House

Best Colorful Trees for Fall in Utah 

  • Autumn Blaze Maple
  • Quaking Aspen
  • Ginkgo
  • Serviceberry
  • Sumac

Best Colorful Shrubs for Fall in Utah

  • Burning Bush
  • Virginia Sweetspire
  • Cotoneaster
  • Oakleaf Hydrangea
  • Smokebush 

Add Color In Winter With Evergreens

Utah winters are known for their cold, snowy conditions. To ensure your yard still has some color, even after all your other plants have lost their foliage, be sure to choose a variety of evergreens. Adding evergreen trees and shrubs to your yard offers year-round visual interest and color contrast throughout each season. Here are some of our favorite evergreens for Utah yards.

Adding evergreen trees and shrubs to your yard offers year-round visual interest and color contrast throughout each season.
Image Source: USU.edu

Best Evergreen Trees for Utah Winters

  • Blue Spruce
  • Pinyon Pine
  • Austrian Pine

Best Evergreen Shrubs for Utah Winters

  • Boxwood
  • Juniper
  • Holly

Tips for Choosing the Right Colors and Plants for Utah’s Climate

Designing a vibrant Utah landscape starts with choosing the right plants, not only for the region’s climate, but also for your yard’s unique style and conditions. Some important things to consider include your yard’s sun exposure, soil type, and irrigation needs. In general, it’s a good idea to select plants that thrive in Utah’s high-desert climate. 

Learn More: The 5 Best Trees for Utah Landscaping That Are Drought-Resistant and Attractive

Designing a vibrant Utah landscape starts with choosing the right plants, not only for the region’s climate, but also for your yard’s unique style and conditions.

In addition to selecting plants that will thrive in Utah’s climate, you may also want to consider using color principles. Match plant colors to your home’s exterior. For example, you could try sage greens and silvers for mountain homes or bold reds and golds for desert settings. For lasting color and texture, try pairing native plants like serviceberry and pinyon pine with hardy ornamentals that can handle intense sun and dry air. 

Match plant colors to your home’s exterior. For example, you could try sage greens and silvers for mountain homes or bold reds and golds for desert settings.

Create a Colorful, Custom Landscape with Big Rock Landscaping

Ready to bring your Utah yard to life? Big Rock Landscaping specializes in designing beautiful, climate-specific landscapes that incorporate year-round color design. From concept to completion, our award-winning team can guide you every step of the way, whether you are looking for design help, installation, or maintenance. Schedule a design consultation today or check out our portfolio to see what’s possible.

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