Purple-leaved trees and shrubs are one option.

Over the years, manycultivarsof trees and shrubs have been developed to fill this need.

Warning

Barberries are invasive plants, and they feature sharp thorns.

Crabapple tree with bright pink blooms in front of wooded area

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

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.

Crabapples (Malus sp.)

illustration of shrubs with purple leaves

The Spruce

Crabapple treeswill add color to the garden in all seasons with their flowers, fruits, and leaves.

Most types grow best in full sun, although there are some suitable for partial shade.

Most varieties are appropriate for zones 5 to 7.

Barberries tree branch with small purple leaves and tiny pink buds

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

This shrub/tree grows about 8 feet tall, depending on the variety.

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

Japanese maples can be dependably grown in zones 5 to 8.

Copper beach tree with deep purple leaves hanging on weeping branches

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The tree typically grows 15 to 25 feet tall, although some varieties are more dwarf.

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.

Crabapple tree branch with small pink blossoms and copper leaves closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Purple leaf plum reaches heights of 15 to 25 feet with a rounded shape.

Recommended varieties include ‘Hollywood,’ ‘Mt.

‘Newport,’ ‘Pissardii,’ ‘Pendula,’ ‘Thundercloud,’ and ‘Krauter’s Vesuvius.’

Elderberry tree branch with tiny white flowers clustered on branch with purple leaves

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Purple Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Purple ninebark is a shrub that features white or pink flowers.

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.

Japanese maple tree branch with copper-purple leaves covered in dew

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Purple Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)

Smokebush shrubsget their name from the fuzzy balls of unfertilized flowers.

The purple leaf varieties produce better color in full sun.

Abbey, Tim.The Invasive Japanese Barberry.PennState Extension, 2017.

Purple leaf plum tree branches with tiny white blossoms and copper-colored leaves

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Fagus Sylvatica.Plants of the World Online.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Edible Plants: Crabapple.Brandeis University.

Purple leaf sand cherry tree branches with small pink-white blossoms and copper leaves

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Common Elderberry.Missouri Department of Conservation.

Prunus cerasifera Atropurpurea.NC State Extension.

Prunus x cistena.NC State Extension.

Purple ninebark shrub branches with purple-green leaves under white flower clusters

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Purple smoke bush with purple leaves and yellow fuzzy flowers

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova