We love fall in Madison, Wisconsin: a season of vivid colors, crisp air, and new ways of seeing the garden (we notice so many different things plants change shape and hue.) While our squash vines are being pulled and cosmos are cut back, some fruit trees and shrubs are still out there, giving us impressive autumn displays.

We’re big believers in growing even a little bit of what you eat (I don’t remember much about my Aunt Kathy’s Kenosha backyard, but I remember the few years she had those little Bartlett pear trees, and we brought dozens home in paper bags). We also believe that beauty is good for people and makes us smile.

Here’s our Aspen Garden & Landscape countdown of the best fruit-bearing plants for fall color in Madison, Wisconsin (hardiness zone 5).

#5 Aronia 'Viking' (Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking')

Also known as chokeberry, Aronia ‘Viking’ is a hardy shrub that thrives in Wisconsin landscapes, yielding clusters of antioxidant-rich berries in late summer. Its foliage turns a gorgeous red in autumn, contrasting beautifully with the dark berries.

Number five on our list, the leaves are gorgeous, but the berries are very astringent when eaten fresh (the neighborhood kids call them “super dryers” for the way they dry out your mouth). I like them as they are (especially out of the freezer with a good, dense yogurt), but they can be made into really nice jams, syrups, and jellies (they’re a great addition to apple jellies).

All in all, this is a shrub I always want to have around, but the berries aren’t for everyone. The wood is a favorite of rabbits, so be sure to cage young plants over winter!

Fall Color: ★★★★★
Fruit: ★★

#4 American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

Yes, the American persimmon is hardy here, and it’s not only a North American native, but a standout tree, admired for both its butterscotchy fruit and its beauty (it’s in the ebony family). It produces orange fruit in late fall, just as its leaves shift to shades of yellow, orange, and crimson. Truly beautiful, and the orange fruit glow like little lanterns.

There is some great breeding going on- for the best hardiness and fruit, look for named varieties like Meader, Prok, or John Rick. The trees are also disease resistant and don’t require much upkeep.

Fall Color: ★★★★
Fruit: ★★★

#5 Seckel Pear (Pyrus 'Seckel')

Known as the “sugar pear” for its dense, sweet, almost spicy flavor, the Seckel pear is a compact, low-maintenance tree. These lovely little pears are easy to grow, and the glossy leaves take on a rich burgundy color in late fall (see the photo at the top of the post.) This hardy variety thrives in Wisconsin, making a beautiful and long-lived addition to local landscapes.

You can read more about the history of Seckel pears here. You’ll need a pollination partner (I recommend Harrow Sweet, which doesn’t have notable fall color, but does have notable pears).

Fall Color: ★★★★
Fruit: ★★★★

#2 Contender Peach (Prunus persica 'Contender')

Yes, (some) peaches do grow in Wisconsin- I have three trees on my quarter acre lot and wouldn’t want to be without one. Contender peach is among the hardiest peach varieties, making it well-suited to Wisconsin winters. All summer the leaves are a lovely glossy green, and in fall they shift to shades of yellow, red, and orange, creating a warm and inviting display (see the photo at the top of the post). The fruit in late summer is delicious and abundant.

Fall Color: ★★★★
Fruit: ★★★★★

#1 Juneberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Everybody loves juneberries. At Aspen Garden & Landscape, we probably plant them more than any other tree, and for good reason. A Wisconsin native, juneberries (also known as serviceberries or Saskatoons) are versatile small trees or shrubs that bring year-round beauty. In spring, they produce delicate white flowers, followed by small, blueberry-like berries in early summer. Birds love these berries, and so do our kids (so do I!)

In the fall, the Juneberries’ sweet, small leaves transform into a striking blend of fiery oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows. The bark is beautiful in winter, too.

Fall Color: ★★★★★
Fruit: ★★★★★

Honorable Mention: American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

It’s not a fruit, but we had to mention the American hazelnut, one of our favorite shrubs for fall color (and nuts.) In spring, the plants produce long, elegant catkins, and in late summer, with good pollination, they yield small, sweet hazelnuts (I think American hazelnuts are the most delicious hazels- you can support local growers here).