20 Spectacular Flowering Trees for Every Landscape

Flowering trees provide seasonal drama, structure, and wildlife value unmatched by smaller plants. Selection requires considering mature size, bloom time, cultural needs, and maintenance. Here are outstanding varieties for diverse landscapes.

Spring Bloomers

• Flowering Plum: 20-25 ft, white/purple/pink clusters, burgundy summer foliage, edible fruit
• Flowering Dogwood: 33+ ft, red/white/pink blooms 2 weeks, red-purple fall color, red berries
• Flowering Cherry: 30-40 ft, pink/white blossoms, multiple varieties (Kwanzan, Yoshino, Weeping)
• Flowering Crabapple: 20 ft, fragrant white/pink/rose clusters, multi-stemmed forms best
• Magnolia: 25-60 ft, large fragrant white/pink/purple/yellow, 80+ species
• Redbud: Under 30 ft, purple-pink early spring, heart-shaped leaves, yellow fall color
• Golden Rain Tree: 30 ft, yellow summer panicles, red-purple seed pods, drought tolerant

Late Spring/Early Summer

• Catalpa: 40-60 ft, white orchid-like flowers with colored throats, heart-shaped leaves, blooms at 7+ years
• Hawthorne: Up to 400-year lifespan, white/red/pink flat clusters, some varieties bloom twice yearly
• Tulip Poplar: Fast-growing, tulip-shaped yellow-orange flowers, golden fall color
• Flowering Lilac: 25-30 ft, lilac/white/pink plumes early summer, chalky soil tolerant

Summer/Fall Interest

• Gulmohar (Flame of Forest): 20-30 ft, brilliant red-orange summer flowers, pollution indicator
• Jacaranda: Up to 98 ft, purple/blue lavender summer panicles, frost tender
• Pink Poui: 70-80 ft, pink/white/yellow/purple clusters after leaf drop, medicinal uses
• Bottlebrush: 15-30 ft, red/purple/pink/white/green brush-like spikes, drought tolerant
• Dwarf Red Buckeye: 20 ft, crimson early summer flowers, first to leaf in spring
• Yellowwood: 30-50 ft, white/pink drooping late spring clusters, rare native

Visit local nurseries for regionally appropriate selections and expert advice on placement and care.