By: Kendall Weyers
Nothing says spring like a blooming tree in full glory. The full blanket of flowers on a crabapple, the stunning display of a magnolia, and the subtle beauty of a redbud all belong as part of the spring show. These and other common spring bloomers have earned their popularity with consistent presentations of color year after year.
Yet the season of blooming trees can be greatly extended beyond spring and made more interesting by expanding the palette of trees we use. After awhile, row after row of crabapples can get a bit monotonous. Using a less common blooming tree with a unique flower will break that monotony and be appreciated that much more. It will especially enhance the landscape if it blooms later in the season when it can have the stage to itself, adding interest long after the flowers of the dominant early bloomers have faded and fallen away.
The benefits of diversity go beyond added visual variety and extended season of color. Diversity is also healthy for the “community forest.” A wider variety of trees means the landscape is more resilient and less susceptible to devastating diseases and insect invasions. Recent powerful reminders, such as Emerald Ash Borer and Pine Wilt Disease, among others, should make that painfully clear.
 White Fringetree Courtesy: National Park Service |
In the following list of alternative bloomers you will find their characteristics, both good and bad. Please consider their needs for optimum growth, because a unique tree has little appeal if it’s struggling to survive. Given the appropriate conditions, all of the following will provide a beautiful display to give your landscape that special and unique touch.
Corneliancherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) For one of the earliest blooming trees, it’s hard to beat this hardy, easy to grow dogwood. Profuse, bright yellow flowers appear in March and are affective for several weeks. It generally grows as a multi-stemmed tree reaching a height of 20 feet with subtly attractive bark. Corneliancherry Dogwood is virtually pest-free, and although adaptable, prefers rich well-drained soil in full to part sun. It is most effective in small groups or as a specimen, especially with a dark background that accentuates the delicate yellow flowers. Bright red fruits are produced in July and are attractive to birds. As with most fruiting trees, avoid using near patios and sidewalks. Profuse suckering is this tree’s biggest drawback. Zone 5-8.
White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) This is a small, elegant native that puts on a spectacular show in late spring with masses of fragrant, fine-textured white flowers. Usually maturing at 12 to 15 feet, Fringetree is quite adaptable to soils, though it prefers fertile, moist conditions in full sun to part shade. It works well as a specimen or in groups. Pest problems are minor and it is tolerant of urban conditions. Negatives are few but include an unpredictable habit and slow growth. Zone 5-9.
 Carolina Silverbell Courtesy: Missouri Department of Conservation |
Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina) Although delicate and subtle, the abundant, bell-shaped, pure white flowers make this a handsome native tree. It is pest free with interesting fissured bark, and grows rapidly up to 30 feet. If used with an evergreen background in part shade, Silverbell is an eye-catching specimen during its mid-spring bloom. The limiting factor is its specific soil requirements—acidic, high-organic matter, moist, and well-drained. Zone 5-8.
Seven-son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) Versatile, adaptable, and unique are just a few of the positive characteristics of this interesting small tree. Multi-stemmed and arching, it grows to 15 feet, and works well massed or as a specimen. Fragrant, white clusters of flowers appear in late summer, and are followed by stunning red sepals that are effective well into fall, combining to give a long-lasting display of color. Seven-son also has handsome exfoliating bark. This tree is adaptable, has few pest problems, and flowers best in full sun. Pruning and training are necessary to keep the plant looking good. Zone 5-8.
Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) Another tree that hits its peak when few others are blooming is the Goldenrain Tree. This mid-sized shade tree with a beautiful spreading habit displays abundant panicles of yellow blooms during the heat of summer, followed by interesting papery capsules. It has few pests and is tough and tolerant of a wide variety of soils and adverse conditions. Its major limiting factor is poor cold hardiness. Zone 5-9.
 Goldenrain Tree Courtesy: Missouri Department of Conservation |
Fragrant Epaulette Tree (Pterostyrax hispida) This is probably the most underused tree on this list, and hardest to find. Yet it has tremendous potential. The highlight of this tree is its striking display of 5 to 10 inch white panicles (resembling epaulettes) in early summer. Secondary attributes are attractive, bright green foliage and an interesting peeling bark. Epaulette Tree is also relatively durable and adaptable with no serious pest problems. It grows to 25 feet and makes a wonderful small shade tree. Low availability is its biggest current flaw. Zone 4-8.
Japanese Pagodatree (Sophora japonica) Here is one more tree that puts on its best display when few other trees are blooming. During July and August this large tree, ideal for parks, is blanketed with showy white panicles. Pagodatree is cold sensitive when young, but once established is quite tolerant of cold, as well as heat and drought. It is adaptable but prefers well-drained, loamy soil. Leaf hoppers, powdery mildew, and canker are potential pest concerns for this tree. Zone 5-8.
 Japanese Pagodatree Courtesy: Utah Water-wise Plants |
Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus) If the specific cultural conditions can be provided, Japanese Snowbells provide wonderful, multi-season interest, highlighted by delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers in May. The clean foliage and interesting bark also contribute to making this an ideal specimen plant. To succeed it must have a protected site with moist, well-drained, acidic soil high in organic matter. Zone 5b-8.
When availability is an issue, as with many of these trees, you can help just by requesting the plant from your supplier. It won’t happen overnight, but if you increase the demand, supply will eventually follow.
As always, it’s best to check with your local professionals to determine if the above trees are appropriate for your area. If they are, when your landscape design calls for a blooming tree, think beyond the old standards and expand your plant palette. The diversity and added interest is beneficial to everyone involved.
