In gardens with limited space, small flowering trees are perfect for adding color and fragrance. In the spring and summer, dwarf ornamental trees add pink, red, purple, and white to gardens. Shade, rich foliage, beautiful flowers, and wildlife attract are all characteristics of several tree varieties for tiny gardens. You’ll get a lot of fruit throughout the summer if you choose little fruit trees.
Of course, small flowering trees are suitable for use in small landscaping areas. Dwarf ornamental trees are appropriate for lawns or growing places where large, spreading trees would be difficult. Most gardens can accommodate small deciduous trees, dwarf weeping trees, and tiny flowering trees.
Several tiny pink, white, and purple blooming trees flourish in containers, even if you have a patio or concrete yard. The greatest types of small flowering trees are discussed in this article. Help you choose the finest decorative trees for your front or backyard by looking at and describing flowering trees.
How to Identify Small Flowering Trees
Trees that don’t grow taller than 25 ft. (7.6 m) are commonly referred to as dwarf or small flowering trees. You may have to look for smaller cultivars or dwarf specimens if your yard is small. The kind of leaves, tree bark, flower sort, and when the tree blooms must all be examined to identify tiny decorative trees.
The distinctive colors of tiny flowering trees are frequently used to identify them. Compact cherry blossom trees, for example, produce pinkish-white blooms in the spring. In addition, dwarf magnolia flowers are typically lovely. In the spring, however, eastern redbud trees are often only pink.
You can also find flowering trees for small gardens that bloom in summer or winter. Purple crape myrtle trees and some small white magnolias produce flowers in summer. Witch hazel is a small shrub-like tree that grows yellow flowers throughout winter.
If you choose small flowering trees such as tree hydrangeas or tree roses, you can select ornamental trees in various beautiful colors.
Types of Small Flowering Trees with Name and Picture For Easy Identification
For your front yard or backyard, let’s take a closer look at the greatest specimens of little flowering trees. The hues of the blooms of various ornamental trees are used to categorize them in this list.
Types of Small Flowering Trees with Pink Flowers (With Pictures)
Many varieties of pink blossoms can be found on several tiny and tiny tree species. Cherry trees, red buckeye, and eastern redbuds are three of the most lovely tiny flowering trees with pink blooms. Between 10 and 25 of these pink blooming tiny trees grow. The trees are 3 feet (0.91 meters) to 7.6 feet (2.4 meters) tall.
The distance from your home that you may place the tree will also be affected by the tree’s height. The tree’s distance from your home should be at least one-half its height, according to a rule of thumb. Therefore, plant your tree at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the structure if it will grow to be 20 feet (6 meters).
Let’s examine some little trees with pink flowers in greater depth.
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
Red buckeye is a little pink blooming tree that grows to be about 15 feet (4.5 meters) tall with a rounded canopy of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide for the front or backyard. In mid to late spring, the dark green lance-shaped leafy foliage is adorned with stunning clusters of reddish-pink flowers. Brown fruits or seeds that resemble a buck’s eye distinguish red buckeye.
For small landscapes, red buckeye is a slow-growing, compact tree. The tree is also known as the firecracker plant, scarlet buckeye, and woolly buckeye because of its deep pink flowers. USDA zones 5 – 9 are ideal for growing red buckeye. It’s a low-maintenance flowering tree that thrives in full sun. To create a lovely blooming hedge, grow crimson buckeye trees as specimen trees in rows.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
The eastern redbud is a lovely pink-flowering small tree that adds beauty to any garden setting. The delicate rosy-pink flower clusters bloom before the bright green, heart-shaped leaves of this ornamental tree. With pink spring blooms and lovely green leaves that turn yellow, eastern redbud has spectacular, colorful displays. Between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 meters) tall and broad, eastern redbuds develop.
The colorful dark magenta-pink blooms that cover exposed limbs distinguish small eastern redbud trees. Eastern redbuds may develop into a big deciduous flowering shrub since they are multi-stemmed trees. Heart-shaped, broadly ovate leaves, rose-colored spring blooms, and chestnut brown winter buds are all characteristics of the eastern redbud.
USDA zones 4 – 9 are ideal for growing eastern redbud decorative flowering trees. Make sure the well-draining ground is constantly moist and grow in full sun to part shade.
Cherry blossom trees (Prunus)
Cherry blossom trees only grow to be around 10 feet (3 meters) tall, and they have ruffled pink blossoms. Pink cherry blossoms come in a variety of forms, from solitary five-petaled flowers to spectacular double blooms with up to 300 petals. Dwarf ornamental cherry trees reach heights of 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) and broadness.
The spreading habit and vase-shaped, rounded crown of deciduous cherry blossom trees distinguish them. In mid- to late-spring, the pink blooms bloom in dangling clusters of pinkish-white blooms. Flowering dwarf weeping cherry trees are great if you have a small garden landscape.
Between 6 and 15 feet (1.8 and 4.5 meters) tall, dwarf cherry blossom trees grow. Pink flowering trees seem to be a waterfall of pink hues because of their arching branches.
Types of Small Flowering Trees with White Flowers (With Pictures)
When masses of white flowers cover the branches of several small flowering trees in the spring and summer, they look spectacular. Crabapple trees, hawthorns, and flowering dogwood trees are some of the most popular white blooming small trees. Up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and broad, several tiny trees with white blossoms. Some lovely small white blooming white trees are shown below.
Crabapple Trees (Malus)
Crabapple trees range from 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) tall and have five or more oval petals, glossy green leathery oval leaves, and tiny apples with a tart flavor. Crabapple trees, which seldom grow higher than 15 feet (4.5 meters) in small gardens, may be planted. The tiniest crabapple trees, however, seldom grow taller than 5 feet (1.5 meters).
USDA zones 3 – 8 are home to cold-hardy crabapples, which have lovely white blossoms. In full sun and relatively rich, well-draining soil, easy-care crabapple trees grow best. Crabapples have clusters of little, berry-like apples that are popular. There are also small flowering crabapple trees with red, orange, light pink, and deep purple flowers, despite the fact that most crabapple varieties have white flowers.
Tree Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’)
This deciduous small multi-stemmed shrubby landscaping tree is known for its creamy-white conical flower clusters, dark green leaves, and huge rounded crown. It may be trained as a solitary trunk tree. The white flowers of the decorative tree hydrangea sway in the breeze and bend branches in the weight of the blossoms.
The large white blooms of this massive hydrangea plant fall after blooming in the autumn. It can also be trained as a solitary stem little tree, dubbed ‘PeeGee’ or ‘Grandiflora.’ In the autumn, the leaves turn reddish-purple. In USDA zones 3 – 8, the hydrangea ‘Grandiflora’ tree may grow up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall. The sun-loving tree thrives in heat and performs best during the summer. As a specimen tree, blooming privacy screen, or in mixed shrub borders, tree hydrangeas flourish best.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus)
With their white oval, four-petaled blossoms, flowering dogwood trees add a lovely touch to any garden. In the summer, green ovate leaves cover the trees, then in the autumn, clusters of crimson berry-like drupes emerge. Between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 and 7.6 meters) tall, small deciduous dogwood trees grow.
Little white flowers grow in oval clusters on some kind of small flowering dogwood trees. USDA zones 3 – 8 are the best places to grow dogwood white flowering trees. The trees need rich, well-draining soil and prefer full sun to part shade.
Hawthorn (Crataegus)
Hawthorn trees (Crataegus phaenopyrum) are small multi-stemmed trees with lovely white blooms that create a lovely spring display. In the spring and throughout the fall, Hawthorn leaves are lobed and glossy green. Small deciduous Hawthorn trees have a rounded crown and grow between 15 and 20 feet (4.5 and 6 meters) tall.
Hawthorn trees have sharp branches and trunks, as the name suggests. The red edible tree berries that grow on Hawthorn trees are used to make jellies and jams. Hawthorn trees are also known as hawberry, quickthorn, and thornapple.
USDA zones 5 through 7 are ideal for ornamental Hawthorn trees. Specimen trees of the lovely decorative trees are in high demand. Hawthorns make excellent security hedgerows because of their thorny branches and shrubby growth.
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
The star magnolia is a little blooming deciduous tree with leathery green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn and has white, star-shaped flowers. The brilliant white flowers appear on leafless branches of Hardy magnolia trees, which bloom early in the spring. Between 5 and 8 feet (1.5 and 2.4 meters) tall, star magnolia trees
The appearance of the tree’s white flowers gives it the common name star magnolia. Flowers with oblong white petals that spread out like rays make a star-shaped pattern. In USDA zones 4 – 9, ornamental small star magnolia trees flourish. Full sun and organically rich, well-draining soil are ideal for hardy trees. In garden landscapes, most people grow star magnolias as specimen plants. Magnolias are deciduous or evergreen trees that grow in various climates.
Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
The fringe tree is a low-maintenance, multi-stemmed little deciduous tree with fragrant white blooms and wiry white petals. It has scented white blossoms. When the fuzzy-looking cream-white blossoms cover the tree’s green leaves, fringe trees bloom in late spring. The petals look like a snow blanket covering the ground when they fall in late summer. Between 10 and 20 feet (3 and 6 meters) tall, fringe trees may be found.
Year-round interest comes from fringe trees. These tiny trees have lance-shaped green leaves that provide summer shade. In the spring and summer, the tree is adorned with stunning snow-white blooms. Winter interest is provided by the gray-brown furrowed bark. USDA zones 3 – 9 are ideal for fringe trees, which prefer to be planted as a specimen tree or in mixed borders.
Flowering Japanese Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata)
The Japanese lilac shrub-like tree has dark green, ovate leaves and a rounded crown. It is a popular front of house little tree with big clusters of white blooms. Tree lilac blooms in the early summer are brief and only last two weeks. The copper-colored bark offers winter interest after the flowers have faded, and tan seed pods stay on the tree until winter.
As an attractive landscape tree, Syringa reticulata grows to be 20 feet (6 meters) tall and broad. Full sun or partial shade is ideal for Japanese tree lilac. Make sure there is adequate air circulation and that the shrubby lilac tree thrives in well-draining soil to avoid illness.
Types of Small Flowering Trees with Purple Flowers (With Pictures)
In garden landscapes, small trees with purple flowers add a lot of beauty. Flowers in various lilac, lavender, purple, and mauve hues may be seen on some ornamental dwarf trees. Between 4 and 20 feet (1.2 and 6 meters) long, small trees with purple flowers are common.
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
The saucer magnolia has huge blooms that range in color from pink to purple and white, and it grows between 15 and 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) tall. The enormous, light purple-pink tulip blooms give the little saucer magnolia tree its popular name. The purple magnolia blooms, which bloom early in the season, create a stunning floral show on bare branches.
The saucer magnolia’s thick shade foliage is created in mid-spring by huge leathery, dark green oval leaves. Before the leaves fall in the autumn, this lovely rounded crown makes a stunning garden feature. Saucer magnolia trees are evergreen in warmer climates. USDA zones 6 – 9 are ideal for saucer magnolias. For optimal results, plant small landscaping trees in full sun and keep the soil moist.
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
Little deciduous shrubs known as dwarf crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Catawba’) range in height from 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters). From spring to fall, clusters of brilliant purple blooms bloom on several species of small decorative crape myrtle trees. The green foliage, which includes tiny, ovate green leaves that turn golden yellow in the autumn, contrasts with the purple blooms.
As beautiful miniature ornamental trees, many crape myrtle shrubs grow. In landscapes throughout the summer, the showy clusters of purple, pink, red, and white blooms provide plenty of color. USDA zones 6 through 10 are ideal for small crape myrtle decorative trees. Small trees can be grown as patio plants in pots, specimen lawn trees, or foundation plants. Crape myrtles may be kept as hedge plants if they’re not grown as shrubs.
Chaste (Vitex) Trees
Vitex agnus-castus is a multi-stemmed bushy plant with purple blooms that thrives in full sun. The multi-stemmed chaste tree, which has spectacular purple spiky flowers that reach up to 12″ (30 cm) in length, is an simple-care deciduous bushy tree. Its vase-shaped development has five to seven lance-shaped leaflets and thick foliage, with masses of palmate leaves.
Chaste trees are popular among landscapers because they grow quickly and don’t take up much space. The tree may grow up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) tall and 12 feet (3.6 meters) broad during vigorous flowering. Specimen plants, patio trees, shrub borders, and foundation plantings are all great choices for chaste trees. In full sun and well-draining, loamy soil, grow chaste trees.
Other Types of Small Flowering Trees (With Pictures)
Other kinds of tiny flowering trees with unusual blooms and attractive development may be examined in further depth.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)
Witch hazel is a little tree or shrub with spidery petals that is cold tolerant and produces beautiful yellow blooms throughout the winter. Witch hazel blooms from October through February, with yellow blossoms adorning woody, leafless branches. The tree’s lovely oval green leaves are seen throughout the summer, until they turn yellow and fall away. Decorative witch hazel trees grow to be 20 feet (6 meters) tall and 20 feet (6 meters) broad. Witch hazels grow in USDA zones 3 – 9 as a cold-hardy small tree.
Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum x watereri)
The golden chain tree is a little tree that grows to be 12–15 feet (3.6–4.5 meters) tall with dangling clusters of tiny pea-like yellow flowers. The golden chain tree appears to be cascading yellow chains from the branches when it is in full bloom in late spring. The flower clusters, which are up to 2 feet (60 cm) long, are stunning. USDA zones 6 to 8 are ideal for the golden chain tree. As a specimen tree, over arbors, or pergolas are the ideal ways to grow these deciduous trees.
Red Powder Puff Tree (Calliandra haematocephala)
Red powder puff trees are tiny, heat-loving shrubs that produce unusual fuzzy blooms in crimson, pink, and white hues. The little blooming red powder puff trees have tiny pink, white, or red blooms that are covered in a spreading vase shape. Fan-shaped brushes dipped in colorful paint are the look of the unusual tree flowers.
Powder puff trees reach a height of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) after just ten to fifteen years. Only USDA zones 9 through 11 have trees that grow in the ground. As a corner-of-house accent, lawn tree, along driveways, or as a patio shade tree, the best way to grow powderpuff trees in your sunny garden is.
Rose Tree (Rosa)
Tree roses are rose shrubs grafted to a rootstock, and their gorgeous blooms give any garden setting an exquisite appearance. Tree roses have long-blooming flowers that cover a dense foliage and thorny branches with a globular growth. Planting tree roses provides you with a wide range of colorful blooms to choose from.
Tree roses flourish in warm weather and thrive in full sun in warmer regions. In cooler areas where you can overwinter tree roses in a warmer location, it’s preferable to cultivate them in big pots.
Plumeria Tree (Frangipani)
Plumeria is known for its fragrant, exotic, and showy blooms. It is a collection of tiny flowering trees or shrubs. Plumeria blossoms range in color from white to yellow to pink to red and have multiple colors. Frangipani is another name for plumeria trees.
Deciduous or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs are the types of tropical trees. Nonetheless, the Plumeria obtusa and Plumeria pudica are two of the few evergreen plumeria tree species. USDA zones 9 through 12 are ideal for spectacular flowering trees. Florida, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands, Mexico, and Central America are all home to these flowering trees.
Frangipani trees, which may grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall, are moderate to rapid-growing plants. The exotic trees, on the other hand, grow to be 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) tall in the majority of tropical and subtropical garden settings. Sunlight, well-drained soil, water, and fertilizer are all that plumeria trees need.
Purple Leaf Plum Tree (Prunus cerasifera)
The purple leaf plum tree (Prunus cerasifera) is a tiny decorative blooming tree with fragrant white-pink spring blossoms and dark burgundy or purple leaves. Five petals grow in a radial pattern that is 1″ (2.5 cm) across on each lovely, fragrant blossoming. Between 15 and 25 feet (4.5 and 8 meters) tall, the little blooming purple leaf plum tree grows. The vase-shaped crown of the deciduous tree is densely packed with leaves.
The purple leaf plum is a popular decorative tree that thrives on moist, well-drained soil that is somewhat fertile. It’s also known as the cherry plum tree. The attractive dark foliage tree thrives in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Too much shade, on the other hand, causes the leaves to turn green. Little plum-like yellow or red edible fruits are also produced by the purple leaf plum tree.