Spring weather in North Texas is typically present from March through June! Spring temperatures in North Texas can vary from day to day and week to week. Likewise different popular North Texas spring bloomers or tree species that begin to show off their natural assets at different times throughout the spring season. Some people aren’t aware of just how many beautiful flowering trees thrive here in Texas. Here at TreeTech, we see the beauty in all of our North Texas trees. Here are some fantastic flowering trees that you may choose to add some spring color to your property and neighborhood.
SAUCER MAGNOLIA
Perhaps North Texas’ earliest spring bloomer, the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangena) or closely related tulip magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) provide some of the most vibrant early spring color. This is a great choice if you’re looking for showy pink and purple blossoms that appear in early spring before the new leaves open. It is known for its strikingly beautiful and fragrant flowers. This small, deciduous tree blooms in early spring, offering large, saucer-shaped flowers that are typically white on the inside and pink-purple on the outside, hence the name ‘Saucer Magnolia’.
This species is much smaller than it’s relative the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) often found all over the South. In fact, this fast-growing, low-branching, multi-trunked species, usually only reaches a height of about 20 to 25 feet at maturity. The leaves appear after the flowers, and are large, dark green, and provide a nice contrast to the bright blooms. The Saucer Magnolia is a favorite amongst garden enthusiasts due to its relatively easy care requirements and its ability to add color and beauty to the landscape. They are a good choice for our area since they thrive in alkaline (high pH) soils which dominant most of the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
PURPLE LEAF PLUM
The Purple Leaf Plum tree (Prunus cerasifera) is another great choice for spring flowers in North Texas. This species is a short-statured non-fruiting tree with dark purple leaves all growing season and boasts brilliant pink flowers in early spring that become most prolific when planted in full-sun locations. The tree’s leaves range from a rich burgundy to a dark purple that adds a unique splash of color to landscapes. In early spring, the tree comes alive with a profusion of small, fragrant, pale pink to white flowers that appear before the leaves emerge. These blossoms are often followed by small, red or purple fruits, which while edible, are mostly decorative and enjoyed by birds.
Typically, a Purple Leaf Plum tree grows to a height of 15 to 25 feet and is often used for lining streets or as a feature in small garden landscapes. It thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil. However, it’s essential to note that this tree’s lifespan is relatively short, often around 20 years, and it may also be prone to a variety of diseases and pests. Due to its beauty, it has become a popular ornamental tree in North Texas that, as it is widely appreciated for its striking purple foliage and beautiful early spring blossoms.
REDBUD TREE
Redbud is a small tree, reaching around 25 feet at maturity, that has a variety of excellent cultivars to choose from across the country. The most common varieties include Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis), Mexican redbud (Cercis canadensis var. mexicana), and Oklahoma redbud (Cercis reniformis ‘Oklahoma’). Redbud is one of the earliest bloomers around with each variety providing slightly different hues of pink and purple flowers. Redbud also offers attractive heart-shaped leaves that can be found in green and purple as well.
The Redbud is most celebrated for its stunning early spring display of magenta or pink blossoms that appear before the leaves emerge, covering the bare branches like a cloud of color. The blossoms are small, but because they bloom in such profusion, they create a significant splash of vibrant color. It is also know for its iconic fall color changes, as the heart-shaped leaves transition from a lush green shade in the summer to bright hues of yellow in the fall.
While theres trees are versatile and grow well in a variety of soil conditions, they are known to prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Redbuds are commonly used as ornamental trees in landscaping and are especially striking when planted in groups or as an understory tree in woodland gardens. Their flowers, foliage, and shape add color and texture, making them a favored choice for North Texas yards.
FLOWERING DOGWOOD
The Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a native understory forest tree that loves the shade. It is perhaps best known for its stunning spring display when it is covered in a profusion of blossoms. They possess white flowers in the spring as well as showy red berries in the fall. An Asian species known as Kousa Dogwood, Korean dogwood, or Japanese dogwood (Cornus kousa) has larger white flowers. A red flower variety (Cornus florida var. rubra) is also available. Following the spring bloom, the tree produces bright green, ovate leaves that provide dense shade, and in autumn, these leaves turn to brilliant shades of red and purple. Adding to its fall appeal, the Flowering Dogwood produces clusters of bright red fruits, often attracting birds.
Typically, the tree reaches a height and width of 15-30 feet, featuring a layered, somewhat flat-topped look when mature. Flowering Dogwood trees are popular choices for residential landscaping due to their luscious spring flowers and attractive fall foliage. While the native dogwood grows in North Texas, they do prefer sandy low pH soils and can grow in full sun to partial shade. To promote long-term health and better flowering, soil amendments are recommended to meet their needs.
Many property owners use these gorgeous native trees to decorate their yards. All of these unique trees are attractive options for North Texas properties in both urban and suburban settings. We especially loves these trees because they also attract local wildlife and native birds. If you are interested in learning more about North Texas’ wonderful trees, feel free to reach out and talk to our professional Tree Tech Arborists!
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