7 Ways to Grow Flowers
Flowering landscape trees are the true focal points of any yard, especially in spring when their blooms transform outdoor spaces into living works of art. From long-blooming Southern favorites to late-season varieties that extend color well into summer, this article explores some of the most striking flowering trees and shrubs that can dramatically enhance your landscape throughout the growing season.
Flowering landscape trees are the crown jewels of the yard. Perhaps no other plants, on their own, have as great an impact on a yard’s appearance in spring. Below are articles highlighting various types of flowering landscape trees, complete with descriptions and images to help you choose the perfect specimens for your outdoor space.
Crape Myrtles: Landscape Trees of the South
A popular choice among flowering landscape trees in the southern United States, crape myrtles are prized for their long blooming period, which typically lasts from mid-summer through fall. Their vibrant flower clusters appear in shades of pink, white, red, and lavender, forming at the tips of new wood. In northern regions, crape myrtles are sometimes treated as perennials that die back in winter but reliably return each spring.
Weeping Trees
Not all trees with a weeping habit are flowering landscape trees, but some notable varieties do produce beautiful blooms. This category includes several flowering weeping trees, highlighted by four distinct types of cherry trees that combine graceful form with seasonal color.
Saucer Magnolias
The impressive size and shape of the blooms give these flowering landscape trees their distinctive common name. Saucer magnolias are ideal for those seeking a specimen tree with exceptionally large, dramatic blossoms that command attention in early spring.
Rose of Sharon
Although often referred to as a landscape “tree” due to its height and ability to be pruned into a single trunk, rose of sharon is technically a flowering shrub. Its relatively late and extended blooming period makes it especially valuable for homeowners who want to spread color throughout the growing season rather than concentrating it all in early spring.
Top 10 Flowering Landscape Trees and Shrubs for Spring
This collection highlights ten flowering landscape trees and shrubs known for brightening spring landscapes. Featured plants include redbud, callery pear, and crabapple—each valued for their ornamental appeal and seasonal impact.
Hawthorn: Late-Blooming Landscape Trees
Washington hawthorn trees are particularly appreciated for their late blooming period, typically from late spring into early summer. While many popular flowering trees bloom earlier and fade quickly, hawthorns help extend the visual appeal of the landscape well beyond the early spring season.