Colorful trees year round bloom in different seasons of the year. These trees keep the landscape alive and attract wildlife with their stunning flowers and sometimes fruits.
Even though most of these trees take a while to reach maturity, they greatly influence their surroundings throughout the seasons– for this, they’re worth the wait.
Check out the list below for flowering trees that will make your landscape more colorful.
Contents
Different Colorful Trees Year-round for Your Backyard
1. Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica, popularly known as crape myrtle, or spelled as crepe myrtle, is one of the most spectacular flowering trees loved by many gardeners and landscapers for its blooming habits.
The interest in this tree primarily stems from the fact that it grows flowers when most other trees are done blooming for the season. As long as the tree is in good shape, its blooms will remain on it for several months after other trees have stopped blooming.
– Specific Features
Crape myrtle trees shed their leaves every year, but they would always regrow and stay colorful all year long. These trees are a favorite among southerners because they have a lengthy flowering period.
Note that several cultivars of crape myrtle are available, each with different flower colors and sizes. Crape myrtle can be cultivated as small shrubs or big trees, with flower colors ranging from pink, white, red, and lavender which would be blooming all spring through fall.
The showy flowers of the crape myrtle trees produce have petals that appear crumpled. Another exciting thing about these trees is their deep green leaves turn stunning yellow, orange, and crimson in fall.
These colors from each tree feature add colorful interest to the landscape. A smooth multicolored underlying bark that can be brown or gray is revealed as the bark at the top exfoliates.
– Growth Requirements
Crape Myrtle trees are easy enough to grow, they are relatively fast-growing, and they require very little maintenance. For the best results, grow crape myrtle trees under unfiltered sunlight, at least six hours daily. These trees will grow well in hardiness zones between 6 and 9.
The famous crape myrtle tree will grow in various soil types with acidic to slightly alkaline pH. Although these trees may tolerate a little drought, they favor moist, well-drained soils.
2. Fringe Tree
Chionanthus virginicus, known as a fringe tree or “old man’s beard” which is a small tree or shrub that’s stunning when it blooms. These trees grow abundantly in several parts of the United States. They are considered showstoppers and are always covered in faintly fragrant fringe-like blooms all spring through summer.
– Specific Features
Fringe tree flowers have a characteristic lilac-like smell. These flowers fill up their surrounding areas with their lovely fragrance, particularly at night. Fringe trees typically spread wide and can grow up to 20 feet tall. They have exciting foliage that turns a golden yellow fall color during the fall season.
Fringe trees can be male or female plants. On the one hand, the male trees produce a spectacular display of large flowers, while on the other hand, the female trees are the ones that are more popular as fruit trees. These trees would welcome bees and other pollinators for their growing and blooming necessities.
Lastly, these flowers and fruits are attractive to birds and wildlife as a food source, and the trees themselves provide shelter for some small animals.
– Growth Requirements
If you’re ready to plant fringe trees, there are just a few things to put in place, as these trees are low maintenance. First is the soil type and soil pH, to elaborate, the acidic soils are best for fringe trees. Although alkaline soils work for most varieties, some fringe trees will not tolerate alkaline soils.
Fringe trees can grow in a wide range of soil types (clay or sandy soils), some of which can be difficult for many other plants to grow in.
They can thrive in these soil types as long as they have the proper pH and are moist but not water-logged. Another condition is light intensity, because the fringe trees thrive under full sunlight. However, they do okay when they’re partially shaded.
3. Magnolia Trees
Are you looking for trees that will add color to your backyard year-round? Magnolia trees are perfect. They are ornamental trees that can be found and distributed widely throughout Asia, America, and the west indies.
Magnolias are among the best flowering trees loved by gardeners. They are cultivated for their spectacular fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves.
The most popular varieties of the magnolia tree are the star magnolia which may also be known as the Magnolia stellata, Southern Magnolia or the Magnolia grandiflora, and saucer magnolia. These trees have adapted to several terrains and can be grown as small trees or shrubs.
– Specific Features
Some varieties of Magnolia trees are evergreen, while others are deciduous. This means that some of them keep their green leaves through the seasons, while the leaves of others change colors and drop during fall– all this depends on their growing zones. Most Magnolia species will thrive in USDA zones 4 through 9.
Different varieties of Magnolia trees grow to heights between 15 and 80 feet. They can be grown as standalone trees or with other flowering trees to extend the blooms. Moreover, these trees are slow-growing, as you will be shocked at their stunning displays during blooming seasons if you’re patient enough.
– Growth Requirements
Magnolia trees stand out among other flowering trees in that they are shade trees. They can tolerate both full sunlight and shade. If you want these stunning ornamental trees to survive in your backyard, plant them in moist, well-drained soil with a pH lower than 7.
4. Japanese Tree Lilac
Syringa reticulata commonly called the Japanese tree Lilac, Japanese lilac tree, or Giant tree Lilac belongs to the Olive family.
These small ornamental trees are cultivated as small trees or shrubs throughout North America and Europe. Growing only about 30 to 50 feet tall, they can be planted in indoor gardens or outdoor backyards because of their relatively small size.
– Specific Features
Japanese lilac trees are of interest almost all year round, either for their flowers, fruits, leaves, or the color and texture of their bark. All these features come together to beautify the landscape, and would light it throughout the whole year, in addition, the trees grow stunning cream-colored flowers that bloom all spring.
On another note, they also have dark-green leaves that perfectly contrast with the white blooms. However, their leaves aren’t their most striking features, but rather, the bark of the trees.
The bark of Japanese lilac trees is reddish brown, but their horizontal lenticels make them so eye-catching, and would definitely raise the aesthetics of wherever it is planted.
– Growth Requirements
To grow Japanese lilac trees successfully, plant them in soils (sandy or clay) that are acidic, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. Although these trees can withstand shade, they need full sunlight to produce many flowers. They are resistant to most diseases, pests, and some wildlife, including deer, so those would not be a worry when growing them.
5. Dogwood Tree
Dogwood trees are flowering trees in the genus Cornus. There are several varieties of these trees in the Cornus genus, indigenous to the United States. Most available species are renowned for offering appeal throughout the year, with lovely fall colors to spring flowers and summer fruits.
Some popular dogwood tree species include; flowering dogwood which is also known as the Cornus Florida and kousa dogwood or the Cornus kousa. If you’re familiar with trees, you would probably have heard of one or both of them, and how beautifully they would bloom.
– Specific Features
Dogwood trees can grow tall or bushy and short. It all depends on the specie you’re working with. Some species will not extend more than 25 feet, while others will grow as tall as 40 feet when they mature.
The flowering dogwood species grows about 40 feet tall. A critical feature of dogwood trees is that some grow specialized leaves known as bracts.
Some dogwood species produce fruits known as drupes; not all are safe for people to eat, or for your pets to nibble on it. However, birds and other animals have no problem consuming these fruits.
Moreover, there have been many reports of skin irritation after touching the leaves and barks of these trees. As a result, take extra care when selecting the specie of dogwood to plant to avoid said irritation.
– Growth Requirements
Dogwood trees grow well in a variety of soil types. One common thing about the soil types they can grow in is that they’re all moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic. The ideal soil to grow dogwood trees in is a slightly acidic, loamy soil.
Also note that these trees require full sunlight and sometimes partial shade, especially when the weather gets too hot. Besides, they need to be watered frequently, but not to the extent that they become waterlogged, because if so, they would damage the growth.
6. Cherry Plum Tree
Prunus cerasifera, also called cherry plum tree, or myrobalan plum is a popular ornamental tree that you can find growing in some areas of North America and the British Isles. These plum trees produce lovely fragrant pale pink flowers in spring, but they would stay colorful all year long.
Cherry Plum trees are plants of interest in growing zones 4 to 8, where they thrive in abundance. They are pretty different from flowering weeping cherry trees or the Prunus subhirtella.
– Specific Features
Cherry plum trees have unique purple leaves that change color shades during the different seasons. The leaves are a bronzed purple hue in the spring, after which they become a darker reddish-purple hue during summer and a more natural red in fall.
The progressive change in the color of their leaves with the seasons makes cherry plums an interesting flowering tree selection, throughout the year.
On another note, they are also known for their edible fruits, which are a food source for birds and even other animals. These trees are great for small spaces since they don’t grow so tall, meaning only about 20 feet at most with the provided health conditions.
– Growth Conditions
Although they tolerate partial shade, these trees would prefer total sun exposure, because they grow optimally under full sun conditions. In addition, they thrive in acidic, alkaline, and neutral soils. They would also require moist, well-drained soils of any kind which can be either clay, loamy, sandy, and chalky soils as long as the pH is just correct.
7. Golden Chain Tree
Another attractive colorful tree you will enjoy year-round in your garden or backyard is the golden chain tree. This is the tree for you if you’re looking for something completely different to add to your space.
– Specific Features
The golden chain tree provides a stunning view in late spring when it blooms and produces beautiful, fragrant bright yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters and resemble peas. They also drop download and can grow about 24 inches long.
The bark of golden chain trees becomes fissure as they develop and grow older. These fissures don’t take away the tree’s beauty but add to the overall appeal of the tree.
However, you must remember that these trees are toxic, every single part of it can be poisonous to people and pets, so you must be cautious regarding this aspect.
– Growing Needs
Golden chain trees are easy to grow and maintain, in order to see it thrive, its need is to be grown under full sun, and proper soil conditions, which are both moist, well-draining soil, with neutral, alkaline, or acidic pH.
They grow best in USDA zone 5 to 7. While they are easy to grow, golden chain trees can be a bit fussy regarding temperatures, which means they don’t like too hot or too cold conditions.
8. Eastern Redbud Tree
Growing cercis canadensis, also called Judas tree or eastern redbud tree, is a terrific way to enhance your landscape. The vibrant colored flowers produced by the ornamental tree add some flare and drama to the environment, throughout all seasons.
Also, the redbud horizontal branching design adds a visual appeal to the landscape and creates a lovely canopy for a bit of shade from the sun.
– Specific Features
Eastern Redbud flowers bloom a vivid pink color in spring. Their leaves resemble two to six inches hearts and are attached to a long thin stem. They change colors from red to green to yellow each season– making for an exciting view.
What you must note is that this tree doesn’t grow big, hence, they are considered small trees or shrubs and only grow about 30 feet high and 35 feet wide.
Redbud trees are short-lived, as so many pests and diseases plague them, which means that unfortunately they live for about 20 years before they die.
– Growing Needs
Eastern Redbud trees don’t have a particular preference for soils; however, you must provide them with a damp, well-drained environments.
Moreover, regarding the soil’s acidity, it should be an acidic soil that is close to alkaline in the pH, so if you’re growing this tree, you should always test your soil before you plant. Eastern redbuds thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions– they produce the best blooms this way.
9. Japanese Maple Tree
Acer palmatum, popularly known as Japanese maple, palmate maple, or smooth Japanese maple, is a very popular tree among landscapers and gardeners. They are woody trees that can be found growing wildly in Korea, Japan, China, and some parts of Russia and Mongolia.
Many varieties of Japanese maple trees are cultivated for their interesting foliage, colors, and shapes, and how they stay colorful in a full year.
These trees are stunning as standalone trees in borders, walkways, driveways, and even when they are arranged on slopes. Their breathtaking display of foliage draws people to stare and marvel at their sprawling beauty.
– Specific Features
Japanese maple trees grow flowers, albeit tiny and inconspicuous. These flowers are inconsequential compared to their leaves.
However, many animals and birds, like songbirds, are attracted to them. Japanese maples have a smooth tree bark. Mature trees have reddish-gray stems. Some varieties of Japanese maple trees can be grown in containers because of how small they grow.
– Growth Requirements
Japanese maple trees need proper exposure to sunlight to produce vividly colored foliage. However, in hotter regions, the sun can affect them if they’re exposed for too long. Hence, some shade will be required in these regions, especially when the trees are infants.
While these trees can be sturdy, they need to be protected from strong winds, so their branches don’t snap. On another note these trees would thrive in moist, well-draining soils that aren’t water-logged.
Conclusion
There are so many options of colorful trees to choose from, and most of them don’t necessarily have to be flowering trees. We have compiled a list of the popular colorful trees in this article, as well as some of their important features and growing needs. Let’s recap:
The fruits and flowers of some of these trees, like the dogwood tree, can be toxic to people, or pets, and this is something be cautious about.
- At times, you may find the Japanese maple on streets, because it will stay colorful through all seasons.
- You can grow a seasonal flowering tree to create year-round color and texture in your backyard or garden.
- Most of the trees listed above can be classified as small trees or shrubs because they don’t grow so tall.
Now that you have gone through this article, you’ve probably found one or two trees that you wish to grow.
There are other trees like the chaste tree, vitex agnus-castus, smoke tree or the Cotinus coggygria, crabapple tree or flowering crabapple, pear tree, Washington hawthorn, and witch hazel, that would thrive year long and require full exposure to sunlight to produce colorful blooms and leaves.
References
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lagerstroemia-indica/
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/2008/jan08/ChinFringe.html&ved=2ahUKEwiU_t60zsL7AhWPTaQEHZgSBuoQFnoECFIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0lyDmGXiCBmcmvnpFi7rGZ
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=824
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/syringa-reticulata/&ved=2ahUKEwispKz_7sL7AhVxIMUKHUtXCDQQtwJ6BQiqARAB&usg=AOvVaw0L3wo7jbgF7c4qfF6-mR2-
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-cerasifera/&ved=2ahUKEwiSpL2NgsP7AhVPzqQKHT1lAisQtwJ6BAhFEAE&usg=AOvVaw3wtXIcvW32z3vCDfdiO5nM
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