Top Flowering Trees for Spring and Summer Color

Dogwood (Cornus)

Showy spring blooms (white to pink), elegant structure, stunning fall color. Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) is more stress-tolerant and disease-resistant than flowering dogwood (C. florida). Plant in partial shade. Height: 20–25′. Zones: 5–8. Pick: 'Satomi' for dark pink blooms, purple foliage.

Magnolia

Southern magnolia (M. grandiflora) is iconic. Saucer magnolia (M. × soulangeana) blooms white to purple; lily-flowered (M. liliiflora) has vivid purplish flowers. Height: varies, mostly small/medium. Zones: 6–9. Pick: 'Elizabeth' (yellow), 'Galaxy' (freeze-resistant).

Redbud (Cercis)

Early spring crimson-pink flowers on bare stems. Fast, easy care. 'Avondale' fits small spaces (12′). Western redbud for arid climates. Prune for wide branch angles to prevent splitting. Height: 12–20′. Zones: 6–9. Pick: 'Forest Pansy' (purple foliage).

Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

Fragrant yellow summer spikes, lantern-like pink-brown seed pods persist into winter. Well-behaved for tight spaces. Height: 30′. Zones: 6–9.

Flowering Cherry (Prunus)

'Mount Fuji': sweet white flowers, arching form. 'Okame': earliest, carmine-red explosion. Height: 25–30′. Zones: 6–8. Pick: 'Kwanzan' (double pink).

Crab Apple (Malus)

White-pink flowers from red buds. Rugged, reliable northern bloomers. Choose disease-resistant: 'Tina', 'Prairifire', 'Snowdrift'. Height: under 30′. Zones: 5–8. Pick: 'Indian Summer' (rose-red blooms, red fruit).

Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum × watereri)

Spectacular yellow racemes in early summer. Espalier to showcase wisteria-like blooms. Height: 25′. Zones: 6–8. Pick: 'Vossii' (extra-long clusters).

Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

Purplish-blue spring flowers, ferny foliage. Drought-tolerant once established. Filtered shade for decks/patios. Height: 50′. Zones: 10–11.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Profuse summer spikes (white, pink, lavender). Peeling bark. Hard to Zone 7; dies back in Zones 5–6 but regrows and blooms. Prune hard winter for size/vigor. Height: 25′. Zones: 7–9. Pick: 'Peppermint Lace' (pink with white fringes).