17 Trees With Purple Flowers: A Must-have for Your Landscape

Trees with purple flowers are not only beautiful, but they symbolize success and royalty! These trees will add a much-needed colorful bloom to your home garden, leaving it much more vibrant.

However, finding the right tree that suits your needs and space can take time and effort. We have created this list to help you get all the information you need about these trees. 

A List of the Trees With Purple Flowers

1. Jacaranda Tree

The Jacaranda tree of the Bignoniaceae family also called the Jacaranda Mimosifolia is native to South America but has been grown everywhere due to its attractive and long-lasting violet-colored blooms and fern-like foliage. 

– Features

This Jacaranda genus tree announces the arrival of the spring season in South Florida with its fairy-tale flowers, in addition to the fragrance of the nectar in flowers. The blooms would start to show from early spring to summer with clusters of beautiful and fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers.

This tree makes excellent shade and street trees, but is not suitable for small yards because it will grow taller and wider. It can bloom all year long in frost-free areas, but exposure to frost kills it.

– Common Names

Other common names for this tree include the fern tree, jacaranda, blue jacaranda, Nupur, or black poui. The reason why it has different names is that this tree is found in different areas, and it has common features but at times the flowers may grow a little deeper in blue.

– Growing Requirements

The jacaranda tree requires enough space to accommodate it as it can grow up to 66 feet tall when mature.

It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11 under full sun and sandy or dry soil, what’s important is that it should be a well-draining one so that the roots won’t rot. The soil must be fertile and kept moist frequently. It will not thrive in coastal regions as it’s not tolerant to salt.

2. Chaste Tree

The chaste tree is native to Asia and Europe and belongs to the Verbena family, and when it blooms during spring, it thrives with its beautiful flowers. 

– Features

Chaste is not a very tall tree, but a tall shrub that you can train into a tree. This plant produces grayish-green, palm-shaped foliage. It has blue and violet flowers that bloom from early summer to early fall. The blooms attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

– Common Names

Chaste tree is known by other names, including chaste berry, lilac chaste tree, Texas lilac, or monk’s pepper. Because this tree is a loved one, you can find it under the scientific name of Vitex Agnus-castus. 

– Growing Requirements

Chaste trees thrive in dry, well-drained soils. Water it frequently before it gets established; after that, you might never have to water it. You can grow it in USDA hardiness zones five through eight under direct sunlight, because it will not get sunburned, but on the contrary, it will bloom and produce more flowers. 

– Care

This shrub does best in hot weather, however, when it is in cooler climates, you can prune it severely to the ground during winter, and it will grow back in the spring. Pruning is best done in early spring, removing the dead plants to allow robust flowering. And in spring, you will see it grow and blossom.

3. Crepe Myrtle Tree

Crepe myrtle is native to North America Northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and some Oceania areas. At times, you may even find this flowering tree to be known as the Lagerstroemia Indica.

– Features

Crape is commonly grown in commercial and domestic landscapes across North America, is known for its vibrant and long-lasting flowers that bloom every summer and fall.

The flowers would start growing in gorgeous purple, red, pink, or white. Its dark foliage contrasts the flowers, turning orange in the fall.

– Growing Requirements

Crepe myrtle grows in almost any soil – sand, loam, or clay. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sunlight. This variety grows in USDA hardiness zones seven to nine and is drought and alkaline tolerant. It dies back to the ground during cold weather and grows back when the weather is more favorable.

4. Magnolia Tree

The Magnolia tree is also called the saucer magnolia or Ann magnolia due to its many white and purple blooms that fill this tree.

This flowering tree is loved by so many keepers because when it starts to bloom up again it will start bringing pollinators such as bees, because they love to take the pollen of the flower, and bring with the prosperity for the rest of your garden.

– Features

Magnolia has white and purple blooms that grow up to eight inches wide, filling the tree with a delicious fragrance. Flowers appear in late fall before the leaves turn into a coarse texture.

The fruit ripens in the fall, too, and is killed by frost. It is a deciduous tree of large shrubs reaching around 30 feet tall and a rounded canopy.

– Growing Requirements

Magnolia likes moist acidic, well-draining soils, full sun, or partial shade. The best soil is loamy and organically enriched under full sun to partial shade.

Protect these plants from the wind and frosts. When you water it, make sure that the soil is dry, because the tree will not enjoy when the soil has abundant amount of water on top of it.

5. Desert Willow

Desert willow is native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. This tree is not a true willow, but has willow-like leaves. It belongs to the Bignonia family, Bignoniaceae and in botany, it is called the Chilopsis Linearis. You will commonly find it growing along riverbanks and Mojave Deserts.

– Features

Desert willow has fragrant pink or burgundy trumpet-shaped blooms.

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to this scent flocking to these trees when they bloom, you may even find some bees coming around it and taking the flower pollen. These flowers bloom in spring and summer.

– Growing Requirements

Desert willow s drought tolerant and prefers well-drained soils and full sun. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones eight and nine. These plants love low moisture making them perfect for rock gardens and xeriscapes. If you grow it in a container, water it more often, especially on scorching days.

6. Purple Lily Magnolia (Magnolia Liliflora)

The purple lily magnolia is very different from the standard magnolia tree, and this is why at times you will find it called the Ann magnolia or even as magnolia Liliflora, which is the direct translation of purple flowers of magnolia.

It is native to South Central and Southeastern China, growing in forest edges and slopes in the wild. It is also planted as an ornamental in Europe and North America. 

– Features

The purple magnolia is a slow-growing, ornamental, deciduous shrub that grows eight to 12 feet tall. It produces stunning white blooms that are purple on the underside.

It blooms in the spring with lily-shaped flowers and has six to seven petals. The leaves, that this plant has, are dark green on the upper surface and pubescent on the lower side.

– Growing Requirements

Purple magnolia prefers acidic soil and regular watering significantly when younger, but once established, it can take occasional watering only when necessary as it gets older. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones five through nine. In addition, you must provide it with full or partial shade or sun so that it thrives.

7. Purple Orchid Tree

The purple orchid tree is sometimes called the butterfly tree and scienfitically the Bauhinia Purpurea. This fast growing orchid tree will reach 35 feet tall and wide, and you will see the flowers in spring. 

– Feature

The purple orchid tree has slender trunks topped with arching branches with two-lobed deciduous leaves. It has heart-shaped leaves and branches that grow big depending on how you prune it. 

Before the leaves drop in winter, it produces showy blooms that are three to five-inch fragrant, purple, pink or butterfly-shaped magenta flowers. They appear from September through November and have a breathtaking view of the autumn landscape.

– Growing Requirements

This plant can grow in the garden and containers, both indoors and out. It enjoys well-drained soil that easily releases water.

It cannot tolerate clay or mucky soils that hold water for long, so you must not overwater it. Note that it needs to be under full sun, and during the first week and a half, you must water it once, so that it established its roots.

8. Mountain Laurel

The mountain laurel is a relative to the Rhododendrons native to North America. This tree grows to roughly 15 feet tall, making it perfect for small yards or cramped spaces.

– Features

Mountain laurel is a flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub. It is famous for its flowers that burst with white, red, or pink color streaked with rich purple color that would draw shades of maroon starting from late spring to early summer.

It has deep green glossy leaves resembling rhododendron and gnarled stems, making this plant attractive year-round.

– Growing Requirements

This tree grows well in USDA zones of five through nine and is tolerant to various growing conditions. This means it can grow in deep shade, full sun, or anything in between. For maximum blooms, provide it with full sun for at least six hours daily, and you will see the flowers blooming.

9. Purple Leaf Plum

The purple-leaf plum is a unique tree with dark, reddish-purple leaves all year round. It is native to Western Asia and the Caucasus, but note that it grows in most regions across America. 

– Features

This deciduous tree grows to about 15 to 30 inches tall with a shrubby, spreading habit. The leaves are ovate, elliptic, and thin at three inches long.

These leaves do not get a fall color, but they would hold the dark, reddish-purple color throughout their growing season. 

It produces fragrant, solitary five-petaled white flowers in early spring. Edible sweet fruits would follow the flowers in the blooming season.

– Growing Requirements

These trees grow well in USDA hardiness zones four through nine. They enjoy partial shade and full sun. However, the more shade you give them, the greener the leaves become rather than attaining the purple color. They will need weekly watering until they get established, but once they do, you won’t have to water them anymore.

10. Purple Robe Locust

Purple robe locust, commonly known as black locust, is a medium-sized suckering deciduous tree that grows up to 40 feet tall. It is scientifically known as the Robinia Pseudoacacia.

– Features

Black locust has an oval, upright growing habit that is attractive. This plant has compound leaves and pendant racemes of violet-purple pea-like flowers that would look very elegant when they bloom. It has pinnate bronze leaves, each carrying about 23 lance-shaped ovate leaflets.

The flowers are wisteria-like violet-purple flowers in pendant racemes that bloom in mid to late spring. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to these flowers because of their fragrance, and they would use the polen, and as a result you would see the tree thriving. Smooth, flat purple-brown seed pods follow the flowers.

– Growing Requirement

These plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones four through eight and prefer full sun and rich soils. It is drought-tolerant and resistant to deer attacks due to its protective thorns. You can find it commonly growing along the streets or any complex landscape.

11. The Royal Empress Tree

The royal empress tree is at times even known as the Princess tree, is named after the Russian princess as for its scientific name is Paulownia Tomentosa. It is native to Eastern Asia and is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the Paulowniaceae family. 

– Feature

This tree is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world, growing at a rapid 15 feet each year, reaching a mature height of 50 feet and 30 feet wide in 10 years.

It is one of the It has bright green leaves that are very large and velvety, producing large pink or purple flowers that smell like vanilla. Mature royal empress trees grow a thick, dense canopy that makes this tree super attractive. 

– Growing Requirement

This plant tolerates a range of soils, including low fertility and high acidity. It prefers moist, sandy, or loam well-drained soils. It can withstand some light shade but prefers full sun. Air pollution and coastal conditions do not bother this plant. It self-seeds when left to do so.

– Invasiveness

It is essential to check the invasiveness of this plant in your state before planting. Some states consider this plant invasive and do not allow growing it. 

12. Korean Lilac Tree

Korean lilac tree has magical flowers like the Jacaranda tree, although these are more vibrant. It is more petite than the jacaranda, at only 10 feet tall. But the purple flowers on this one would grow in a more dark shade of purple, and it would grow throughout the leaves.

– Features

The Korean lilac tree is a spreading lilac that is wider than its height.

It has reddish blue buds that open to pale lilac, and a very rich fragrant flowers. It blooms profusely from mid-spring to summer. 

– Growing Requirements

This tree thrives in USDA hardiness zones four through eight and can withstand extreme cold and salt. Therefore, you can grow it in the coastal regions without any problem. It prefers full sun and occasional rain or deep watering and is easy to care for.

13. Fragrant Lilac

Fragrant lilac trees or Syringa Vulgaris are shrubs growing quickly and large from grated suckers, which would make excellent cut flowers. There are over 200 cultivars of aromatic lilac species, some of which are very tall while others are more compact.

– Features

This lilac is a highly fragrant, spring-flowered shrub or small tree. Some cultivars include single or double flowers of various colors, rose, cream, magenta, pinkish-purple, lavender, or purple. These flowers bloom in the late spring to summer.

– Growing Requirements

These fragrant lilacs would do well in cold winter climates. Meaning, for their buds to mature, they will require a long winter chill. Late frost usually kills the buds, so they must be protected or covered to keep them from dying.

It tolerates different soil types, such as a fertile one that is well draining, but does not do well in highly acidic or poorly drained soil.

14. Texas Mountain Laurel

Texas mountain laurel is a shrub that grows slowly in addition to being evergreen. It is a tough tree commonly cultivated in hedges and borders. It adapts well to the coastal gardens. 

– Features

This tree has leathery pinnate and mid to olive-green foliage. It produces purple-blue flowers in small groups, which would bloom in thick clusters of very fragrant flowers with an original aroma of bubble gum mixed with soda.

These flowers attract many pollinators due to their sweet smell and bees and butterflies would be seen in spring and early summer. The flowers are followed by fuzzy pods that ripen into light brown color and shed their coat.

– Growing Requirements

Texas mountain laurel thrives in USDA hardiness zones seven through ten under full sun and partial shade. It requires average fertile and well-drained loamy, sandy, or clay soils with neutral to mildly alkaline pH. It tolerates dry conditions and rocky ground, and make sure that the soil is not soggy for every time you water it.

15. Eastern Redbud Tree

The Eastern redbud tree is a small or large shrub native to Eastern North America, extending from southern Iowa to Pennsylvania, South to northern Florida, and west into Texas.

– Features

This tree typically grows 20 to 30 feet tall with a short trunk and spreads the branches to form a broad, flat, or rounded crown. Young plants have an upright vase growth habit and will develop an irregular shape if it does not grow in the open. 

This tree would show its rich burgundy heart-shaped foliage, which would turn yellow in the autumn. Nonetheless, it has purple-red flowers in the early spring and looks beautiful in a zen or woodland garden.

– Growing Requirements

Ruby thrives in USDA hardiness zones five through nine and requires full or partial shade. This tree requires regular watering, especially when the weather turns hot.

16. Saucer Magnolia

Saucer Magnolia is a widespread flowering or large shrub created by cross-breeding. It is native to Japan and at times it is called tulip magnolia, but it should not be confused with tulip trees, as it is scientifically the combination of two flowers hence it is called the Magnolia x Soulangeana.

– Features

Saucer magnolia is a multistranded pleasing tree with large, saucer-like fragrant blooms that come up in early spring. You can train it to form a small tree by pruning it in its first years to have one central trunk.

It appears in early spring before its broad dark green leaves and may continue to bloom even after the leaves come up for up to two weeks. 

– Growing Requirements

This plant grows in USDA hardiness zones five to nine. It reaches 20 to 25 feet high and 25 feet wide at maturity. It prefers consistent and regular moisture in well-drained, acidic, loamy, organically enriched soils. 

Furthermore, it should be grown under full sun to partial shade. Not only that, but it withstands pollution but needs to be protected from frost, hence some time it is planted in cities because of this characteristic.

17. Takasago Flowering Cherry Tree 

The Takasago cherry tree is an ornamental flowering tree with purple yet pink flowers that have an amazing shade which would see blooming in a big number in early spring.

– Features

The Tasakago flowering cherry tree produces flowers that are rose pink or lavender in color and stands against the bronze foliage of the leaves.

They are able to grow up to 20 feet tall but have a shallow canopy clearing about two feet above the ground when they grow with the proper requirements.

– Growing Requirements

This tree does well in USDA hardiness zone 5b and can live up to 50 years. It is tolerant to city pollution and can be planted under power lines.

However, you must remember to plant it in a place where it would receive full sun and in moist soil, but you must make sure that the soil is not soggy, because this would hinder the growth.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed looking at the trees with purple flowers. Here are a few considerations before starting your purple trees.

• All these trees require easy maintenance and can be grown by all gardeners, even the newbies who are learning about trees.
• Our favorite choices of beautiful purple flowering trees include the jacaranda tree, crape myrtle tree, fragrant lilac, Texas mountain laurel, and Korean lilac tree. All of them have breathtaking flowers that fill the garden with such beauty.
• Ensure you check with your state to ensure that these trees are allowed in your area before you plant them.
• If you want to spice up your garden with a color pop, these dramatic trees are a sure bet that they will bring perfect purple flowers. 

Many of these trees are excellent privacy screens and accent plants of shrubs in your garden.

Remember to enjoy these trees the most; consider where each tree grows. Whether you are a beginner plant enthusiast or a seasoned one, it’s easy to grow any of these purple flowering trees.