The appeal of burgundy foliage in a landscape stems from the way this deep, rich color contrasts with the typical greens of a garden. This color, which ranges from dark maroon and wine-red to deep purple, provides a sophisticated visual anchor that adds depth and drama to any planting scheme. Plants that display this coloration year-round, or even seasonally, have a unique aesthetic value. This dark hue acts as a visual break that highlights the brighter colors surrounding it.
The Pigment Responsible for Burgundy Leaves
The striking burgundy, red, and purple shades in plant leaves come from water-soluble compounds called anthocyanins. These pigments are synthesized within the plant cell’s vacuole through a complex process known as the flavonoid pathway. Anthocyanins absorb light in the blue-green spectrum, which allows the red and purple wavelengths to be reflected, creating the characteristic dark coloration.
The presence of anthocyanins acts as a mask, overlaying the green color of the chlorophyll and altering the leaf’s appearance. In plants with permanent burgundy leaves, this pigment is present throughout the growing season due to genetic programming. For many plants, however, anthocyanin production is triggered by environmental factors, such as high light exposure or temperature fluctuations, as a protective response against stress. The exact shade of the burgundy color is determined by the acidity level, or pH, of the cell sap inside the leaf.
Prominent Burgundy Trees and Landscape Shrubs
Many trees and shrubs offer this deep, dramatic foliage color, providing a long-term structure to the garden. The ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese Maple is a popular choice, displaying delicate, reddish-burgundy leaves that hold their color well throughout the summer. This ornamental tree is hardy across a wide range, generally thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 8. It is valued for its refined texture and consistent, deep color.
The Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena) is a widely used hybrid shrub that can also be trained as a small tree. It is known for its reddish-purple foliage that remains vibrant all summer, and it is exceptionally cold-hardy, growing in Zones 2 through 8. This plant typically reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet and a width of 5 to 8 feet, making it suitable for hedges or as an accent plant.
For a lower-growing, dense shrub, several varieties of Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) are available, such as ‘Royal Burgundy.’ This compact shrub grows to about two feet tall and three feet wide, featuring rich, velvety burgundy foliage that does not fade in the summer heat. The ‘Royal Burgundy’ Barberry is adaptable to various soil types and is reliably hardy in Zones 4 through 8. Finally, the ‘Burgundy Hearts’ Redbud is a small specimen tree, growing 15 to 20 feet tall, whose heart-shaped leaves emerge with a purple-burgundy hue after its rosy-pink spring blooms.
Popular Burgundy Annuals and Houseplants
For smaller spaces, containers, or indoor displays, several plants provide a similar rich color. Alternanthera dentata, often sold as Joseph’s Coat, is a popular annual or tender perennial grown for its foliage. Varieties like ‘Burgundy Threadleaf’ feature narrow, dark burgundy leaves, and this plant is frequently used as a filler in container arrangements or as a low border plant in the landscape.
Many varieties of Coleus, such as ‘Kiwi Fern,’ exhibit striking burgundy and purple patterns on their leaves, often with contrasting green or chartreuse edges. Coleus is a versatile plant used in bedding, hanging baskets, and as a houseplant. The Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy,’ commonly known as the Burgundy Rubber Tree, is an excellent houseplant that features thick, glossy, dark green leaves flushed with a deep burgundy-bronze color.
Another distinct indoor option is Oxalis triangularis, sometimes called the Purple Shamrock, which features deep purple, clover-like leaves that fold up at night. This plant prefers bright, indirect light indoors and provides a unique texture and movement to a sunny windowsill. For a trailing option, Tradescantia zebrina exhibits leaves with striking burgundy stripes, making it a fast-growing and easy-to-care-for hanging basket plant.
Cultural Factors Affecting Leaf Color Intensity
The intensity of burgundy foliage is not solely genetic but is significantly influenced by a plant’s growing environment. Light exposure is the most important factor, as the plant’s production of the red pigment is often maximized in direct, bright sunlight. Full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct light daily, is typically required for the deepest, most saturated colors.
A lack of sufficient light will often cause burgundy leaves to revert to a duller green or bronze color as the green chlorophyll becomes more dominant. Temperature also plays a role; for some plants, a period of cooler temperatures, particularly warm, sunny days followed by cool nights, can enhance the color saturation. This temperature fluctuation, especially when combined with high light, encourages the pigment production that results in the most vibrant reds and purples.