The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (2024)

A well-planned garden includes layers of color and texture and overflows with annuals, perennials, and shrubs. But flowering trees are the showpieces of any landscape, no matter what the season. They offer shade, provide structure to your garden’s design, and serve as focal points or backdrops in mixed borders. Flowering trees also attract pollinators, like bees and butterflies, as well as birds to your garden. In addition many flowering trees burst into bloom in late winter or early spring, precisely when you don’t think you can stand one more dreary day.

When choosing a tree read the plant tag or description to learn its mature height and width. You don’t want to select a tree that will outgrow your garden’s design or place it under roof overhangs, eaves, or wires that will interfere with its growth or force you to trim it aggressively in a few years. Also make sure the tree is suited to survive winters in your USDA hardiness zone (find yours here). Finally pay attention to exposure when selecting a site in your garden: Many trees need full sun, which is six or more hours of direct sun per day, though a few prefer some afternoon shade.

Here are the 10 prettiest flowering trees to adorn your garden.

1

Kousa Dogwood

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (1)

M.Arai

Many types of dogwoods bloom in spring, but this type blooms about a month later than others. With creamy white flowers followed by bright red berries, which birds love, this tree has a beautiful vase shape and attractive bark for winter interest. Give it a prominent spot in your yard.

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2

Crape Myrtle

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (2)

Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world

Crape myrtle trees come in an array of sizes and colors, and they’re a wonderful addition to gardens in temperate regions of the country. They typically bloom in shades of white, pink, purple, or red from early summer to frost and can be shaped as a shrub or into a small tree form. They work well as part of a mixed border or privacy screen.

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3

Heptacodium

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (3)

Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.

This outstanding little-known tree, also called seven-son flower, boasts year-round interest as a focal point. It begins in spring with the emergence of striking leathery leaves, followed by fragrant white flowers in late summer, which attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Red bracts, which look like a second bloom, appear next. In winter its handsome peeling bark is prominent. Look for the variety Temple of Bloom, which keeps a tidy shape.

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4

Redbud

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (4)

Joe_Potato

This native tree boasts tiny lavender-pink or fuchsia sweetpea-like flowers clustered on bare branches before the heart-shaped leaves appear. Pollinators love this tree because it’s one of the first to bloom in early to mid-spring. Forest Pansy is a great variety for most gardens.

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5

Chastetree

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (5)

emer1940

Chastetree is another lesser-known ornamental tree, but its clusters of lovely blue-purple flowers, which appear in late summer and last into fall, make it an eye-catching focal point. Pollinators love this tree with its long-lasting blooms. Look for a dwarf variety such as Blue Diddley if you’re tight on space.

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6

Crab Apple

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (6)

Kris-10

Crab apple trees offer year-round interest. In the spring their bright pink or white blooms provide a welcome splash of color. Berries, which the birds love, persist into the winter months. Prairifire is an especially attractive, disease-resistant variety with hot pink flowers.

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7

Camellia

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (7)

Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world

Camellias come in an array of colors, and most flower in mid- to late winter through spring, just when you most crave some color. This evergreen is suited to more temperate regions of the country only.

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8

Flowering Cherry

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (8)

Shunrei

There’s a reason people travel to Washington, D.C., or Yoshino, Japan, to see the cherry blossoms in spring: They are stunning! Plant a flowering cherry in your yard to show off profuse blooms for weeks. The variety Kwanzan is a particular favorite for landscapes.

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9

Serviceberry

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (9)

Iva Vagnerova

This native shrub has lovely white spring blooms, blue fruit in summer, and stunning autumn color, so it’s basically the perfect landscape tree. The fruit can be made into jams and jellies, if you’re feeling ambitious (or if the birds don’t get it all). Autumn Brilliance is an especially attractive variety.

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10

Japanese Snowbell

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (10)

nickkurzenko

This is another less common tree, but it’s a true showpiece when it blooms in late spring. Fragrant white bell-shaped flowers drape along the branches and attract pollinators, while the foliage offers attractive yellow autumn color.

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Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more.

The 10 Prettiest Flowering Trees for Your Garden (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest flowering tree to grow? ›

What is the easiest flowering tree to grow? Tulip trees are one of the easiest flowering trees to grow. Once you know a few things about how to grow a tree, it is relatively straightforward. Tulip trees thrive in acidic soil, prefer to be grown in full sun and are fairly resistant to pests and disease.

What flowering tree has the longest lasting blooms? ›

25 Trees with the Longest Blooming Period
  1. Eastern Redbud. An Eastern Redbud is a flowering tree with small stems that bears gorgeous pink flowers and grows up to a height of 20 feet. ...
  2. Southern Magnolia. ...
  3. Flowering Dogwood. ...
  4. Forsythia. ...
  5. Hyperion Dogwood. ...
  6. Tree Hydrangea. ...
  7. Flowering Cherry. ...
  8. Smoke Tree.

What is the prettiest tree to plant? ›

Here are some of the most beautiful trees in the world.
  • American Elm (Ulmus americana) ...
  • Antarctic Beech (Nothofa*gus moorei) ...
  • Argan (Argania spinosa) ...
  • Aspen Tree (Populus) ...
  • Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) ...
  • Bamboo (Poaceae) ...
  • Baobab (Adansonia) ...
  • Beech (fa*gus)

What tree will bloom all summer? ›

Other summer blooming trees to consider are Stewartia (Stewartia spp.), Yellowhorn (Xanthocerus sorbifolium), Sweetbay (Magnolia), Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Chinese Chestnut (Castanea), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), and Amur Maackia (Maackia amurensis).

What is a pretty fast growing tree? ›

Overall, Willow Trees and Poplar Trees are among the fastest-growing trees for colder growing zones, while Evergreen Trees and Conifers can be relied upon to grow quickly in many different climates. You don't have to wait years or even decades to see a tree you've planted reach its full glory.

What is the best smelling flowering tree? ›

Fragrant Flowering Trees For Your Yard
  • Pink Mimosa Tree. Botanical name: Albizia julibrissin. ...
  • Okame Cherry Tree. Botanical name: Prunus 'Okame' ...
  • Kwanzan Cherry Tree. Botanical name: Prunus serrulata. ...
  • Yoshino Cherry Tree. ...
  • Jane Magnolia. ...
  • Just Joey Rose Tree. ...
  • Royal Star Magnolia. ...
  • Profusion Crabapple.
8 Feb 2022

What is the most elegant tree? ›

In Japan's Ashikaga Flower Park, this old wisteria has been hailed as the most beautiful tree in the world. With long, sweeping branches and dangling, purple flowers, the tree has a magical, ethereal feel.

What is the most popular ornamental tree? ›

Japanese Maple

Easily the most popular ornamental tree on the market, this is a classic option. Maroon and green leaves adorn your choice of drooping or rigid branches.

What is the best tree to put in front of your house? ›

Japanese Maples

Japanese Maple Trees are some of the best front yard trees available. They are absolutely beautiful and unique. They come in weeping and upright forms and a variety of leaf colors. Japanese maples tend to be dwarf trees so they can fit in just about any yard.

What is the most Colourful tree? ›

The Rainbow Eucalyptus Is the Most Colorful Tree on Earth.

Which tree is mostly grown for its beautiful bright blossoms? ›

One of the most beautiful ornamental trees in India is The Indian Laburnum. It is also known as India's golden shower or golden rain tree. The tree is in full bloom during the hot months of April-May with its cluster of bright golden yellow flowers, giving it its popular name.

What is the coolest looking tree? ›

Here are the 10 coolest trees in the world:
  • Baobab trees. These magical trees are found naturally in dry climates, including Madagascar, Africa, and Australia. ...
  • El Arbol de la Sabina. ...
  • Chapel Tree. ...
  • Socotra Island trees (Dragonblood trees) ...
  • Japanese purple Wisteria. ...
  • Rainbow Eucalyptus. ...
  • Boojum Tree. ...
  • Slope Point Trees.

What is the most meaningful tree? ›

Oak trees are a symbol of courage and power, and some even call it the most powerful tree. They're popular because of their strength and resilience, as well as their unique growth pattern, expansive canopy, and gorgeous leaves. Oak trees can last for hundreds of years.

Is there an evergreen flowering tree? ›

Flowering Evergreen Trees

Magnolia grandiflora are native beauties, but they do take several years or growth before they begin blooming. Mandarin orange. In a warm climate, this fruiting tree is evergreen. They also produce tasty fruit and white spring flowers that attract pollinators and have a gorgeous fragrance.

What trees stay pink all year? ›

Pink Dogwood: One of Our Most Popular Trees and a Beauty All Year-Round! The Pink Dogwood is one of our nations most popular landscape trees. Just one look at this stunning specimen of beauty in full bloom, and you'll know why!

What is the number one fastest growing tree? ›

Record-breaking growth

The Empress Splendor (botanical name Paulownia fortunei and P. elongata) is the one of the fastest-growing trees in the world. A hardwood, it can grow 10-20 feet in its first year and reaches maturity within 10 years. This picture shows a 2 year old tree grown in Alabama.

What trees can I plant close to my house? ›

These include willow trees, poplars, cottonwoods, aspens, silver maples, Norway maples, and American elm trees, among others. Smaller trees with shallow roots, however, pose little risk to your home. Japanese maple trees, for instance, are safe to plant relatively close to your house.

Which tree gives perfume? ›

The agarwood tree (Aquilaria malaccensis), whose resin extract is widely used in perfumes and incense, is one step away from being declared extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

What tree has the best fragrance? ›

1. Balsam Fir. The Balsam fir is the most fragrant of the trees, making it the most popular Christmas tree variety.

What trees have the prettiest leaves? ›

TOP TREES FOR FALL COLOR
  • VINE MAPLE (Acer circinatum) ...
  • FRANKLIN TREE (Franklinia alatamaha) ...
  • WASHINGTON HAWTHORN (Crataegus phaenopyrum) ...
  • APPLE SERVICEBERRY (Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance') ...
  • RED OAK (Quercus rubra) ...
  • QUAKING ASPEN (Populus tremuloides) ...
  • DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) ...
  • SASSAFRAS (Sassafras albidum)

What is a good backyard tree? ›

Best Backyard Trees
  • Dogwood Tree. Cornus florida. Growing Zones 5-9. ...
  • Eastern Redbud. Cercis Canadensis. Growing Zones 4-9. ...
  • Northern Red Oak. Quercus rubra. Growing Zone: 3-8. ...
  • Red Maple Tree. Acer rubrum. Growing Zone: 3-9. ...
  • Tulip Poplar. Growing Zone: 4-9. Mature Height: Up to 70 feet tall. ...
  • Weeping Willow. Salix babylonica.
8 Feb 2022

What is the most versatile tree? ›

Oaks, pines, and fruit trees do not have as many diverse uses as the chestnut. No tree species in history has offered such a wide range of uses or importance.

What is the most resilient tree on earth? ›

Coast redwoods are also some of the most resilient trees on Earth. Their tannin-rich bark seems to be nearly impervious to the fungus and disease that fells other trees, according to the NPS.

What trees dont need much water? ›

Top 10 Drought Tolerant Trees for California
  • Golden Rain Tree.
  • Common Hackberry.
  • Northern Catalpa.
  • Bur Oak.
  • Kentucky Coffee Tree.
  • Maidenhair Tree.
  • Mulga Tree.
  • Eastern Red Cedar.
9 Jul 2022

What is a good tree to plant in memory of someone? ›

One of the most popular remembrance trees is the oak tree. The oak is a symbol of strength and longevity. It can live for centuries and is considered the king of trees!

Which flower bloom all year round? ›

The golden trumpet is a flower that can bloom all year round. Apart from its beautiful appearance, this all-year flowering plant is used to kill bacterias and reduce swellings. It is scientifically known as Allamanda cathartica and is native to Brazil.

Which is the rarest and the most beautiful flower? ›

Middlemist's Red (Middlemist Camellia): Only Two Samples Of This Flower Exist In The World. The Middlemist Red is one of the rarest and most beautiful flowers in the world; so much so, that only two of its samples exist today.

What is the Queen's favorite tree? ›

Her Majesty was particularly fond of the English oak (Quercus robur), but she was also said to love the London plane trees (Platanus x hispanica) at Buckingham Palace, planted by Queen Victoria.

What is the most mystical tree? ›

Oak. The longevity, size, and nutritious nature of its acorns combine to make the oak tree be considered as sacred to any culture who encounters them. It was considered to be the King of Trees.

What is a nice feature tree? ›

A good feature tree has a combination of practical and aesthetic value. Typically, one with grand stature, striking architectural shape, seasonal foliage, textural qualities or stunning flowers makes for the perfect candidate.

What is the best month to plant a tree? ›

Fall is often considered the best time of year to plant new trees. Generally, late August, September and October are the best months. It all depends, though, on when it actually feels like fall. As long as the hottest days of summer are gone and the ground isn't frozen yet, you can still plant trees.

Which trees should not be planted in front of house? ›

Large trees, like the peepal, should not be planted too close to the house as their roots can damage the foundation of the house. The trees that attract insects, worms, honey bees or serpents should be avoided in the garden. They bring bad luck.

What plant is good in front of door? ›

It is said when a basil plant is placed near to the entrance it acts as one of the good fortune plants for the front door as it attributes to financial success.

What is the easiest tree to grow? ›

Top 13 Fastest Growing Trees
  • Thuja Green Giant. The Thuja Green Giant is an evergreen tree that can grow in Zones 5 to 9 at a rate of 3 to 5 feet per year. ...
  • Leyland Cypress. ...
  • Autumn Blaze Red Maple Tree. ...
  • Weeping Willow. ...
  • Black Bamboo. ...
  • Baby Giant Arborvitae. ...
  • Lombardy Poplar. ...
  • Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree.
29 Jan 2020

What is a nice tree for the front yard? ›

We really like Emerald Green Arborvitae, Blue Point Juniper, Nellie Stevens Holly, Italian Cypress, and Oakland Holly for front yards. If you have a large yard you also have options like cypress, thuja, spruce, or cedars. Evergreen trees offer year-round interest and tend to be very low maintenance.

What is the best tree in front door? ›

Magnolia, crape myrtle and pink flowering dogwood are some of the best trees to plant in your front yard. 'Look for trees that do not create a mess or create planting beds around them so the mess is masked by the surrounding plants,' suggests certified arborist and garden expert Melinda Myers (opens in new tab).

What is the easiest and fastest tree to grow? ›

Best fast-growing tree for year-round interest

Birch (Betula) trees look great all year, thanks to their enchanting bark. Birch trees grow quickly, don't take up too much room, and don't cast dense shade. On top of this, they look spectacular in the fall, when their shimmering green leaves take on butterscotch tones.

What is the most colorful tree? ›

The Rainbow Eucalyptus Is the Most Colorful Tree on Earth.

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