Small flowering trees are a floral asset to any home landscape. In addition to providing colorful blooms in the early spring, many small ornamental trees will also fill the air with fragrance when in bloom. Shade, habitat for small wildlife and increased property value are other benefits that small flowering trees offer. Easy to plant, easy to grow and providing a wide range of benefits, what’s not to love about these small, blooming beauties? Even the smallest garden has room for one dwarf flowering tree, and here is is list of the top 10 so you can easily find one that’s just right for your outdoor space. You may also like to see flowers that bloom in the winter month.
Dogwood
Dogwoods (Cornus florida) produce white, pink or red blooms in the early spring and put on a spectacular leaf show in the fall. After all the leaves have fallen, red berries will remain on the branches to provide winter food for wildlife. Dogwoods are hardy in zones 5-8, will reach a mature height of 20 feet and grows best when planted under a taller tree.
Yoshino Cherry
Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is the pride of Washington D.C. in the spring. An abundance of white, fragrant flowers will fill the tree in early spring. This dwarf flowering tree is drought tolerant, adapts to most any type of soil condition, hardy in zones 5-8 and will reach a mature height of 20 feet.
Crepe Myrtle
Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) come in a many different heights and bloom colors. A perfect flowering tree for small gardens, crepe myrtles are easy to keep pruned to desired shape and size. Hardy in growing zones 6-9, drought tolerant with long-lasting blooms.
4. Little Gem Magnolia
Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is an evergreen small flowering tree that produces large, white and fragrant blooms in the spring. Compact growing width makes is a perfect small tree for gardens. reaching a mature height of 15 feet. Hardy in zones 6-9.
Eastern Redbud
A spectacular pink flowering tree, the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring. Hardy in zones 4-9, this small flowering tree adapts to most any soil condition. Will reach a mature height of 20 feet.
Weeping Cherry
The Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula) is unique dwarf flowering tree with its graceful, weeping branches and abundance of white flowers in the early spring. Hardy in growing zones 5-8, the Weeping Cherry will reach a mature height of 20 feet and 15 feet in width. Adaptable to most soil and climate conditions.
Smoketree
Smoketrees (Cotinus coggygria) come in a wide range of colors and mature sizes, with the largest variety reaching 20 tall. This ornamental small flowering tree puts on a spectacular spring show with plumes of colorful flowers that look like smoke. Smoketrees are deciduous and will put on a colorful show in the fall with leaves that turn yellow, orange, red and purple in the fall before dropping off.
Japanese Snowball
Hardy in zones 6-8, the Japanese Snowball (Styrax japonicus) will grace your small garden with showy and fragrant white flowers in the spring. Hardy in zones 6-8, adapts well to soil and climate conditions. This spring small flowering tree will reach a mature height of 30 feet if left un-pruned.
Crabapple
Hardy, colorful and fruit-bearing, the Crabapple tree ( Malus) produces a profusion of reddish-purple blooms in the spring. The blooms are followed by small, tart apples that are often used in jelly making. Crabapple trees reach a mature height and width of 15 feet and adapt well to most growing conditions.
Santa Rosa Plum Tree
Another dwarf flowering tree that provides both blooms and food. The Santa Rosa Plum (Prunus salicina) blooms in early spring and produces sweet plums soon after. Hardy in zones 5-10, this small flowering tree will reach a mature height of 20 feet.