Purple flowering trees are a captivating addition to any landscape, offering a unique burst of color that stands out among the more common shades of green. These trees provide aesthetic beauty and attract pollinators and birds, contributing to the ecosystem. Here, we’ll explore 29 varieties of purple flowering trees, highlighting their characteristics, growing conditions, and potential landscaping uses.
1. Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa):
• Characteristics: This fast-growing tree boasts large, heart-shaped leaves and produces clusters of tubular, lavender-purple flowers in early spring.
• Growing Conditions: It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Ideal for quick shade and ornamental purposes, but it can become invasive in some regions.
2. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis):
• Habitat: Adaptable to a variety of soil types, but likes full to partial sun.
• Characteristics: Known for its pinkish-purple, pea-like flowers that bloom straight on the branches in early spring.
A well-liked tiny ornamental tree that is perfect for backyard gardens.
3. Pansy of the Forest Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud:
• Features: Known for its early spring blooms of pinkish-purple, pea-like flowers that are directly attached to the branches.
• Growing Environment: Tolerant of different soil types and enjoys full to partial light.
• Landscaping Uses: A well-liked tiny ornamental tree that is perfect for backyards.
4. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum):
• Characteristics: Some cultivars, like ‘Bloodgood,’ have deep purple leaves and display small red flowers in spring.
• Growing Conditions: Requires well-drained soil and partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: An elegant, small tree for Japanese-style gardens and as a focal point in landscapes.
5. Chinese Fringe Tree (Chionanthus retusus):
• Characteristics: Produces fragrant, fringe-like clusters of creamy white to pale purple flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Valued for its unique flowers and vibrant fall foliage.
6. The jacaranda tree, Jacaranda mimosifolia
Special features: From late spring through to early summer, the tree is covered in magnificent lavender-blue trumpet-shaped flowers.
Recommended growing conditions include full light, well-drained soil, and warm climes. Gardening and street plantings frequently include this tropical beauty.
7. Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria):
• Characteristics: Smoke tree varieties like ‘Royal Purple’ have deep purple foliage that produce smoky pink to purplish-pink flower clusters.
• Growing Conditions: Adaptable but prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Adds unique texture and color to landscapes.
8. Japanese Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata):
• Characteristics: It bears panicles of fragrant, pale lavender to deep purple flowers.
• Growing Conditions: It requires full sun and well-draining soil.
• Landscaping Uses: A small, elegant tree for focal points or hedges.
9. Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera):
• Characteristics: Known for its dark purple foliage and early spring pink to white flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Great for creating contrast in gardens and as a specimen tree.
10. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’):
• Characteristics: Features silvery-blue foliage with purple tinges and produces small, inconspicuous purple berries.
• Growing Conditions: It tolerates various soil types and prefers full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Used for privacy screens and as an accent plant.
11. Black Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Black Tulip’):
• Characteristics: Offers deep purple, tulip-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring.
• Growing Conditions: Requires well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: A striking specimen tree for early spring interest
12. Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’):
• Characteristics: Early summer flowering panicles of this plant include fragrant blooms that range in color from creamy-white to light purple.
• Growing Conditions: This plant does best in full sun to slight shade.
• Landscaping uses: Perfect for home landscaping and street plantings.
13. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor):
• Characteristics: Known for its columnar shape, with blue-green foliage, that may develop purplish hues.
• Growing Conditions: Adaptable to various soils and prefers full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Excellent for narrow spaces and creating vertical interest.
14. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’):
• Characteristics: Displays deep maroon foliage and pinkish-purple flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Similar to the Eastern Redbud but with an emphasis on soil quality.
• Landscaping Uses: Adds rich color to landscapes and gardens.
15. The Royal Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple)
• Features: Known for its fluffy, smokey pink to purple-pink flower clusters and deep purple foliage.
Prefers full light and well-drained soil for growing.
Adds a dramatic addition to gardens and mixed borders in landscaping.
16. Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa):
• Characteristics: Produces clusters of small white to pinkish flowers and dark purple-black berries.
• Growing Conditions: Tolerates various soil types and prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: Valued for its berries and fall foliage color.
17. Purple European Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’):
• Characteristics: Known for its deep purple, coppery leaves, and inconspicuous flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers well-draining soil and partial to full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Used for its striking foliage in formal gardens and hedges
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18. Purple leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cisterna):
• Characteristics: Showcases dark purple leaves and small pink to white flowers in spring.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Ideal for low hedges and as an accent plant
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19. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’):
• Characteristics: Features red-purple leaves and small, fragrant yellowish flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Adaptable to various soils and prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: Suitable for small gardens and colorful hedges.
20. Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium):
• Characteristics: Produces clusters of creamy white to pale pink flowers and dark blue-black berries.
• Growing Conditions: Tolerates a range of soils and prefers full to partial sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Valued for its berries and fall foliage.
21. American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus):
• Characteristics: It has fluffy, pink to purple-pink flower clusters and purple-red leaves.
• Growing Conditions: It prefers soil that is well-drained and full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: The Royal Purple Smoke Tree-like plant, which gives landscapes drama.
22. Purple Ghost Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’):
• Characteristics: Features striking purple and white variegated leaves and inconspicuous red flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Requires well-drained soil and partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: Adds a unique and colorful touch to gardens.
23. Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’):
• Characteristics: Known for its double pink to deep pink flowers in spring.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers well-draining soil and full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: A popular ornamental cherry tree for its stunning spring display.
24. Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus):
• Characteristics: Displays spikes of fragrant, lavender-purple flowers in summer.
• Growing Conditions: Tolerates various soils and prefers full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Attracts pollinators and adds late summer color.
25. Purple Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides ‘Purpurea’):
• Characteristics: Boasts heart-shaped, deep purple leaves and clusters of white flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Requires well-drained soil and full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Adds a unique foliage color to landscapes.
26. Purple European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Purpurea’):
• Characteristics: Features deep purple leaves and inconspicuous flowers.
• Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soil and partial to full sun.
• Landscaping Uses: Used for its attractive foliage in formal gardens.
27. Purple Leaved Filbert (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’):
• Characteristics: Showcases deep purple leaves and produces inconspicuous catkins.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-draining soil and partial shade.
• Landscaping Uses: Adds texture and color to woodland gardens.
28. Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cisterna):
• Characteristics: Features deep purple leaves and small pink to white flowers in spring.
• Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Landscaping Uses: Ideal for low hedges and as an accent plant.
29. PJM Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘PJM’):
• Characteristics: Boasts clusters of vibrant lavender-purple flowers in early spring.
• Growing Conditions: Requires acidic, well-draining soil and partial to full shade.
• Landscaping Uses: A popular choice for shade gardens and woodland settings.
It is advisable to take into consideration parameters like climate, soil type, size, and upkeep requirements when choosing a purple flowering tree for your garden. These magnificent trees may enhance diversity of your garden or outdoor space and offer year-round interest.
Q1: Why are purple flowering trees special in landscaping, and what are they?
A1: Purple blooming trees are a collection of trees that have purple foliage or produce blossoms in various colors of purple. They are distinctive in landscaping because of their vivid color, which gives gardens and outdoor areas an engaging feature visually. These trees can be employed in landscapes to add focus points, contrast, and aesthetic interest since they stand out from the surrounding greenery.
Q2: Can you recommend some purple flowering trees suitable for small gardens?
A2: Yes, several purple flowering trees are suitable for small gardens, including the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Japanese Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata), and Purpleleaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena). These trees are relatively compact and well-suited for smaller spaces.
Q3: What are some easy-to-care-for purple flowering trees for novice gardeners?
A3: The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), and Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera) are low-maintenance purple flowering trees for novices. These trees typically require little pruning and maintenance and are simple to maintain.
Q4: Do all purple flowering trees have purple foliage, or can they have green leaves with purple flowers?
A4: Not all purple flowering trees have purple foliage. Others, like the Eastern Redbud, have green leaves but produce purple flowers. Conversely, trees like the Purpleleaf Sand Cherry have purple foliage but may have pink or white flowers. The combination of purple foliage and purple flowers is in some varieties.
Q5: Is there a variety of climates that purple flowering trees can withstand?
A5: Some trees with purple flowers can thrive in various conditions. For instance, the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) can flourish in a number of USDA hardiness zones. There are numerous types of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) that can grow in various climatic regions.
Q6: Are purple flowering trees attractive to wildlife, such as birds and pollinators?
A6. Yes, many purple flowering trees are attractive to wildlife. Their flowers often attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. In addition, some trees, like the Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), produce berries that are a food source for birds.
Q7: Can you suggest some purple flowering trees that have fragrant blooms?
A7. Some purple flowering trees with fragrant blooms include the Japanese Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata), Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus), and Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’). These trees provide visual appeal and fill the air with delightful scents when in bloom.
Q8: How can I incorporate purple flowering trees into my landscape design?
A8. To incorporate purple flowering trees effectively into your landscape, consider their mature size, growth habit, and seasonal interest. Use them as focal points, create color contrasts with greenery, or plant them along pathways for visual interest. Grouping different purple trees together has a stunning visual impact.
Q9: Do purple flowering trees require special care compared to other tree varieties?
A9. Purple flowering trees generally do not require special care beyond what is typical for their species. Proper planting, watering, and occasional pruning to maintain shape and health are key. However, some purple-leaved trees may benefit from additional watering during hot, dry periods to prevent leaf scorch.
Q10: Are there any purple flowering trees suitable for urban settlements or small spaces?
A10. Absolutely yes. Several purple flowering trees are well-suited for urban environments and small spaces due to their compact size and adaptability. Examples include the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), and Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’). These trees can thrive in limited spaces while adding beauty and color to urban landscapes.
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