Spring's arrival is truly heralded by the vibrant blooms in the garden. After a long winter, the sight of delicate petals against a bright sky signals the new season's joys.
Though these blossoms are often fleeting, lasting just a week or two, their beauty is undeniable. This brief display makes spring blooms feel especially precious.
Here, gardening experts share five fantastic trees that will brighten your yard each spring, featuring both beloved favorites like magnolias and cherries, as well as some lesser-known varieties suitable for pots and borders. If you're looking to add a splash of spring color to your yard, consider planting one of these fast-growing flowering trees.
5 Amazing Trees for Spring Blooms
While spring brings excitement with blooming bulbs and perennials, trees deserve equal attention.
Beyond providing shade and privacy, many trees showcase stunning floral displays. Consider these five varieties to enhance your spring garden with lasting beauty.
1. Flowering Cherry
Among the top choices for spring blooms, flowering cherry trees are a perennial favorite. With over a hundred varieties, these trees thrive in zones 5 and 6.
'Growing flowering cherry trees in pots or borders is simpler than you might think,' notes Alex Kantor, owner of Perfect Plants Nursery. 'Most prefer a sunny, sheltered location for prolonged blooming.'
Dwarf varieties such as Prunus 'Kursar' and Prunus incisa 'The Bride' are great for smaller spaces, or choose a weeping cherry for a stunning cascade of blooms.
Weeping flowering cherry trees are available from Perfect Plants Nursery.
2. Crab Apple
Crab apple trees are renowned for their abundant spring blooms and small fruits that develop later. They thrive in sunny spots with moist, well-draining soil.
Most crab apple varieties can be grown in US hardiness zone 4 and can adapt to various planting methods, including containers.
In South Wales, we trained several pleached crab apples to create a flat screen of branches. By early spring, these trees were a spectacle of white blossoms buzzing with pollinators.
Crab apple live trees are available to order from Nature Hills.
These blue leather gardening gloves will keep your hands protected while planting and pruning your flowering trees.
Felco pruners are highly regarded and will easily prune tree branches and stems, keeping your plants in good condition.
This heavy-duty spade is ideal for digging and planting flowering trees in your borders and is built to last.
3. Magnolia
Magnolia trees are famous for their breathtaking spring blossoms. The star magnolia, Magnolia Stellata, is one of the smaller varieties, reaching heights of 10 to 15 feet, with stunning spider-like white flowers that are perfect for limited spaces.
Most magnolias thrive between US hardiness zones 4 and 9. For optimal growth, choose a bright, sunny spot with well-draining soil.
To protect buds from frost or wind damage, plant in a sheltered area near your home. Some species can even tolerate partial shade conditions, like the southern magnolia.
For a pink flowering variety, try magnolia 'Jane', live plants are available from Perfect Plants Nursery. This variety flourishes in full sun but can manage in partial shade. To encourage flowering, feed magnolia trees in spring.
4. Almond
Almond trees display profuse white or pink blossoms, resembling cherry trees. 'Almonds thrive in Mediterranean climates with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers,' says Mike Murphy, garden expert.
They grow best in US hardiness zones 7 to 9, requiring full sun for at least 6 hours daily. Ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
'You might manage to grow them in slightly cooler zones,' Mike adds, 'but winter protection is essential, especially in containers.'
Live bare-root almond trees are available from Walmart, providing a budget-friendly option for these spring-blooming beauties.
5. Serviceberry
Numerous serviceberry species, or Amelanchier spp., are native to North America, including the Allegheny serviceberry, Amelanchier laevis, and the Canadian serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis.
These medium-sized trees typically grow 15 to 20 feet tall. They're known for their stunning spring displays and attractive seasonal foliage, making them great native alternatives to Japanese maples.
Most species can thrive in zone 4, and with proper winter pruning, they adapt well to containers or smaller gardens.
