Blooming trees and shrubs for the garden

Anyone who creates a garden should make sure that something is in bloom in every season. There are flowering trees for each of the four times. Winter doesn’t have to be dreary. However, too much color shouldn’t come into play. Less is usually more. In addition, the growth of the trees must not be forgotten. Many grow meters high, too big for most gardens. It is ideal if a wood not only blooms, but also smells. There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right flowering trees. We have sorted flowering trees according to a few important criteria to make your selection easier. Inform yourself!

Blooming trees and bushes for spring

Many trees and shrubs begin to flower in spring, usually before the leaves shoot. The task here now is to create a not too big mess of colors. The great scents of many flowering trees should also not be mixed so strongly. Sometimes less works more.

  • Elderberry (Sambucus species) – flowers depending on the variety cream, greenish, pink, from April to August, with a fragrance
  • Snowforsythia (Abeliophylummdistichum) – white flowers, April to May, with a fragrance
  • Magnolias (Magnolia varieties) – flowers white, pink, pink, April to June, with a fragrance
  • Noble laburnum (Laburnum waterei ‘Vossii’) – deep yellow flowers, May, with scent
  • Purple hazel (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’) – red flower, March to April
  • Hanging catkins willow (Salix caprea ‘Pendula’) – yellow flowers, March to April
  • Early spring rhododendron (Rhododendron praecox) – lilac-pink flowers, March to April

Blooming trees and bushes for the summer

Many trees are still in bloom in summer. The whole garden indulges in a frenzy of colors. Flowering trees need to be chosen carefully. Instead of many different species, several of the same should be planted. Repetitions ensure calm and still provide enough color.

  • Elderberry (Sambucus species) – flowers depending on the variety cream, greenish, pink, from April to August, with a fragrance
  • Dyer’s gorse (Genista tinctoria) – yellow flowers, June to August, second flowering in late autumn
  • Rose hawkish (Hibiscus syriacus) – white, pink, purple flowers, June to September
  • Hydrangeas (varieties of Hydragea) – flowering white, pink, blue, purple and two-tone, June to September
  • Dwarf lavender (Syringa microphylla ‘Superba’) – pink flowers, mid-May to October
  • Summer tamarisk (Tamarix ramossima) – flowers white, pink, pink, June to September, depending on the variety

Blooming trees and bushes for autumn

Not many trees bloom in autumn. Most of them are already preparing for winter. But there are some that should be considered. You don’t need a lot of flowering trees, because in autumn you have enough shine with a great color of leaves.

  • Autumn-flowering witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – light yellow flowers, September to November
  • Bush clover (Lespedeze thunbergii) – flowering pink, September to frost
  • Autumn Fragrance Blossom (Osmanthus heterophyllus) – white flowers, September / October
  • Snow cherry / winter cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis) – white flowers, November / December + March / April
  • Fragrant honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) – white flowers, occasionally from November to March

Blooming trees and bushes for winter

Most of the trees bloom in spring and summer. However, there are also winter-flowering ornamental shrubs. These are best placed so that they can be seen from inside the house. Many of these “ice flowers” also smell, which unfortunately usually goes down. Not only flowers can delight in winter, but also trees with decorative bark, wonderful fruit decorations or picturesque growth.

  • Winter snowball (Viburnum botnantense ‘Dawn’) – pink, scented from December to April
  • Winter blooms (Chimonanthus praecox) – light yellow blooms, December to February
  • Witch hazel (witch hazel varieties) – flowers red, orange or yellow, depending on the variety, December to March
  • Pink Winter Cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’) – white blossoms, December to April
  • Yellow winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) yellow flowers, November to March

Fruit trees

Fruit trees have the advantage that they not only delight with their flowering, but also with the fruits they deliver. There are numerous growth forms because many houses do not have a garden sufficient to accommodate a large fruit tree. You should seek advice when choosing. Espalier trees are a good alternative to solitary trees.

  • Apple tree (Malus) – flowers in white, pink or red, depending on the variety, April / May
  • Cherry tree (Prunus) – flowers white to pink, depending on the variety, in April
  • Peach (Prunus persica) – pale pink flower, April
  • Plums, plums, mirabelle plums, Renekloden – flowers white, pink or red, depending on the type and variety, April / May
  • Pears (Pyrus) – flowers mostly white, rarely pink, April / May

Wild fruit
trees Gardens that have been left in their natural state are becoming more and more popular. Native plants find their place in it, for the benefit of insects and birds. Domestic wood is considered a bird protection and bird food tree. Flowering usually takes place in spring. One should bear in mind that uncut wild species can often quickly go beyond the scope of a small garden.

  • Ornamental quince (varieties of Chaenomeles) – flowers red, white or pink, depending on the variety, April to May
  • Hanging rock pear (Amelanchier laevis ‘Ballerina’) – white flowers, April to May
  • Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) – flowering yellow, March to April
  • Purple hazel (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea) – yellow flowers, March to April
  • Elderberry (Sambucus species) – flowers depending on the variety cream, greenish, pink, from April to August, with a fragrance
  • Sloe (Prunus spinosa) – white flowers, March to April, with a fragrance
  • Hawthorn (Crataeggus monogyna) – flowering white, May to June

Ornamental fruit
Not everyone wants to harvest fruit. This is associated with work and there is no time to process it. Ornamental fruit is a good alternative. Ornamental fruit includes a large range of wild fruit and ornamental apples and ornamental cherries.

  • Rock pear (Amalanchier) – Blossom in white, racemose inflorescences in white, at the end of March and April, bears small apples
  • Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) – golden yellow flowers, February to April, small red fruits
  • Ornamental apple (Malus varieties) – flowers white, pink or red, April / May, depending on the variety, small to medium-sized apples in yellow, orange or red
  • Ornamental cherry (Prunus) mostly hybrids – flowers in white or different shades of pink, depending on the variety from the end of March to May
  • Chokeberry (Aronia) – white or pale pink flowers, May
  • Sloe (Prunus spinosa) – white flowers, March to April, with a fragrance

Flowering trees with a strong fragrance

A flowering wood, which not only enchants with great flowers, but also with its fragrance, is something special. Scented plants look particularly good in the immediate vicinity of seats in the garden. It is important not to plant too many together, then the individual fragrances will go under and the mix can simply be too much for our noses.

  • Snowforsythia (Abeliophylummdistichum) – white flowers, April to May
  • Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii varieties) – flowers depending on the variety in white, pink, pink, violet, June to August
  • Winter blooms (Chimonanthus praecox) – light yellow blooms, December to February
  • Hawthorn (Crataeggus monogyna) – flowering white, May to June
  • Witch hazel (witch hazel varieties) – flowers red, orange or yellow, depending on the variety, December to March
  • Magnolias (Magnolia varieties) – flowers white, pink, pink, April to June
  • Double garden jasmine (Philadelphus ‘Virginal’) – white flowers, May to June
  • Sloe (Prunus spinosa) – white flowers, March to April, with a fragrance
  • Elderberry (Sambucus species) – flowers depending on the variety cream, greenish, pink, from April to August, with a fragrance
  • Lilacs (Syringa varieties) – flowers depending on the variety pink, white, violet blue, also two-colored, May, with a scent
  • Noble laburnum (Laburnum waterei ‘Vossii’) – deep yellow flowers, May

Evergreen flowering shrubs
Evergreen flowering shrubs are valuable in two ways. The leaves are a year-round ornament in the garden. Another highlight is added during the heyday.

  • Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) – bright yellow flowers, April / May, blue berries in autumn
  • Kalmia, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolie) – depending on the variety, white, light or dark pink flowers, April / May
  • Rhododendrons (varieties of rhododendrons) – depending on the variety, pink, white, purple, red or yellow, May to June, with a scent
  • Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – white, twisted flowers, mostly June to August (not really hardy)
  • Mediterranean snowball (Viburnum tinus) – white flowers, from March, not really hardy
  • Skimmia (Skimmia japonica) – red flower buds for months, white flowers in May, fruits in autumn

Flowering
hedges Flowering hedges are great alternatives for fences, walls and other property lines and privacy plantings. Since the trees bloom most beautifully and abundantly when uncut, space is required accordingly. These options are therefore limited for small gardens. Otherwise, flowering hedges are a feast for the eyes and if you plan well, there is always something to see. The trees are ideal for birds. They find shelter and food in it.

  • Forsythia (Forsythia) – bright yellow flowers, depending on the variety from March to May
  • Weigela (Weigela, Weigelia) – flowers white, pink to carmine red, also yellow, depending on the variety, May
  • Deutzia (Deutzia) – flowering white to pink, May to June
  • Five-fingered shrub (Potentilla) – flowers depending on the variety in white, yellow orange or red, depending on the variety from May to October
  • Firethorn (Pyracantha) – white flowers in May, berries in red, orange or yellow
  • Dogwood (Cornus alba Sibirica) – bright red bark, white flowers, May, white fruits

Flowering trees for sunny locations
Many flowering trees love the sun, so there is a large selection available. The main focus here is on the floor. It must not be too dry, otherwise this will severely limit the selection again. If possible, the sun should not only shine from one or two directions, otherwise many trees will grow on one side.

  • Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii varieties) – flowers depending on the variety in white, pink, pink, violet, June to August
  • Abundant splendor sparrows (Exochorda ‘The Bride’) – lots of white flowers, May
  • Garden marshmallow (Hibiscus varieties) – flowers white, pink, pink, blue or two-colored, July to September
  • Shrub Peony (Paconia suffruticosa varieties) – flowers pink, red, purple, white, orange or yellow, May to June, depending on the variety
  • Noble lilacs (Syringa vulgaris varieties) – flowers depending on the variety in red, white, pink, violet, also two-colored, May, with fragrance
  • Red climbing trumpet (Campsis ‘Mme. Galen’) – orange blossom, trumpet-shaped, July to September, climbing wood

Flowering trees for partially shaded locations
For partially shaded locations there are still plenty of flowering trees, although differences have to be made. Depending on the plants, more or less light or sun is required. Most of them do not want to be too dark, because it will be difficult with their growth and health.

  • Edible mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia ‘Edulis’) – white flower (umbel), May, red berries
  • Rhododendrons (varieties of rhododendrons) – depending on the variety, pink, white, purple, red or yellow, May to June, with a scent
  • Pheasant sparrow (Physocarpus varieties) – flowering white rose to creamy white (corymbs), June / July
  • Climbing hydrangea (Hydranga anomala ssp. Petiolaris) – white flower (umbrella panicle), May to July
  • Hydrangeas (Hydrangea varieties) – flowers depending on the type and variety in white, pink, pink, blue, purple and also two-colored, depending on the variety between May and September
  • Evergreen goat snake (Lonicera henryi) – yellow-red flowers, June to July, climbing wood

Flowering trees for shady locations Greening
the shade is often not that easy. It is a challenge for something to bloom too. Even the most shade-tolerant trees need light. The location is particularly important here. The only thing that plants cannot tolerate is shade.

  • Carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis) – creamy white flower, June
  • Double ranunculus (Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’) – yellow, carnation-like flowers, May / early June
  • Hydrangeas (varieties of Hydragea) – flowering white, pink, blue, purple and two-tone, June to September
  • Daphne mezereum – flowers white, pink, red, pink, lilac-red, depending on the variety, February to April
  • Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) – yellowish-green flowers in spring, April / May, small berries
  • Shadow bells (Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’) – white flower clusters, March to May

Frequently asked questions

Are there also flowering trees for planters?
Of course there are. A lot of woody species can be grown in pots, at least when they are young. The appropriate wintering is important. Numerous species also have to be planted out after a few years. It is best to find out what is feasible and what should be avoided before buying!

  • Hanging rock pear (Amelanchier laevis ‘Ballerina’) – white flowers, April to May
  • Ornamental quince (varieties of Chaenomeles) – flowers red, white or pink, depending on the variety, April to May
  • Finger shrub (Potentilla fruticosa varieties) – flowers yellow, white, pink, red or purple, depending on the variety, May to November
  • Lilacs (Syringa varieties) – flowers depending on the variety pink, white, violet blue, also two-colored, May, with a scent
  • White panicle spar (Spiraea cinerra ‘Grefsheim’ – white flowers en masse in April
  • Clematis (Clematis species alpina) – flowers white, pink, blue depending on the species and variety from May to June (September)

Are there flowering trees with blue flowers?
Yes, there are too. They are less common, but they do exist. However, you have to be careful with the accompanying plants so that the design does not become too colorful. White, yellow and orange plants go well with blue.

  • Beard flower (Caryopteris cultivars) – blue flowers from August to October (somewhat sensitive to frost)
  • Sackelflower (Ceanothus varieties) – blue flowers from June to October (somewhat sensitive to frost)
  • Peasant hydrangeas (Hydragea macrophylla, serrata varieties) – blue varieties from June to September
  • Blue rue (Perovskia abrotanoides) – blue bloom from July to October, with a scent
  • Cushion rhododendron (Rhododendron impeditum cultivars) – purple-blue flowers, April to May
  • Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) – purple-blue flowers from May to June, with a scent

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top