Peter Dowdall: These plants add the best autumn colour to gardens 

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire. The autumn colour in the landscape is possibly the showiest and most dramatic of all the annual, seasonal highlights. Picture: iStock

The high levels of sunshine during July, August and even September mean that we should be in for an autumn colour bonanza this year as sunshine increases the levels of the pigment anthocyanin in leaves.

Anthocyanin is responsible for leaves taking on their russet-red hue at this time of year. From springtime, deciduous tree and shrub leaves are filled with chlorophyll which allows the plants to photosynthesise and turn carbon dioxide, water and light into sugars which feed the tree.