The Most Popular Flowering Trees

Magnolia trees bloom with striking large, waxy flowers.magnolia image by Andrzej Włodarczyk from Fotolia.com

Flowering trees are popular tree selections for a landscape as they help to add beauty and seasonal interest. Flowering trees are second in importance only to the functional shade trees that are used to create shade and develop strong background elements. The University of Missouri Extension site suggests the use of only two or three flowering trees as sufficient for moderate sized properties. Large groups of flowering trees give best effect on commercial lands and larger estates.

Flowering Crabapple

Flowering crabapple (Malus) are among the most visually attractive of the flowering trees. The trees adapt well to most growing conditions and come in a variety of shapes including tall, weeping or rounded. The size of flowering crabapple ranges from 10 to 40 feet depending on variety. The tree blooms with single, semi-double or double flowers in white and shades of red or pink. Flowering crabapple also bears large or small red or yellow fruit which attracts birds and wildlife. (Reference 2). Flowering crabapple are the most popular flowering tree especially in the Midwest as cited by the University of Missouri extension site. There are over 200 cultivars and varieties of the tree. Flowering crabapples require regular pruning to keep in good form and needs to be watched for apple scab, fire blight and cedar apple rust.

Magnolia trees (Magnoliaceae) are small- to medium-sized trees that are hugely popular for their large, showy and fragrant flowers. The magnolia is a large family of about 210 different species. The tree is a native of eastern North America, East Indies, and East and Southeast Asia and blooms with large, waxy, 3 to 12 inch diameter flowers in purple, pink or white. Some varieties also have strap-shaped petaled flowers. Magnolia trees are deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen and sometimes the flowers appear before the leaves. The foliage is light green with dark green, fuzzy undersides. Magnolia grows best in well-drained soil and areas of full sun.

The University of Kentucky cites the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) as one of the most popular flowering trees in landscapes, given its relatively small size. Flowering dogwood is the state tree of Virginia and grows to a mature height of about 20 to 35 feet. The tree grows either as a multi-trunked tree or can be trained with a central trunk. The flowers are bright pink or red bracts surrounding small, yellow flowers. Flowering dogwood is a native of North America and has a medium growth rate. The trunk and branches have a tendency to droop on mature trees and need to be pruned to provide clearance. The tree is well resistant to breakage and grows best in well-drained, rich, clay or sandy soil.