Our top 5 spring blooming trees for Dallas. Plant now for spring color!

January 21, 2015 | By webadmin

Come this time of year, most of us here in Dallas are ready for spring weather to return. Early blooming trees are such a wonderful welcome to the spring season. Often though, they bloom much earlier than we expect them to. So if you’re planning on adding some spring blooming trees to your landscape, now’s the time to do it! While the official first day of spring is March 20th, many ornamental trees will start blooming in mid-February. Many spring blooming trees are small in stature, making them perfect additions to crowded urban landscapes.

What to plant?

Choosing which blooming trees to plant can be tough. It’s important to choose varieties that not only complement your landscape, but are also the right size. It’s best if you choose trees that are easy to maintain and water-wise  Here are a few of our favorite spring blooming trees.

Flowering Cherry One of the most beautiful spring blooming trees is the flowering cherry. If you want to see them in their full glory, be sure to visit the Dallas Arboretum this spring, where they are planted en masse. Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’ offers up masses of pink and white blooms just before the start of spring. You’ll find flowering cherries in both traditional tree form that grow to 30- to 40-feet tall; and in a graceful weeping form that only grows to 12-feet. While cherries are not the longest living specimens in our climate, their beauty is worth it! Plant in full sun with good drainage.

Texas Redbud Cercis Canadensis var. texensis is a tough Texas native that sports tiny deep rose-colored flowers on it’s bare branches. Varieties are available with white and pink flowers as well. The heart-shaped foliage follows in late spring. Plants do best when planted in morning sun with some afternoon shade. Certain varieties, such as ‘Forest Pansy’ offer up deep purple leaves. Plants grow 15- to 20-feet tall.

Ornamental Peach 'Peppermint'

Ornamental Peach Prunus persica Ornamental, or flowering, peaches put on a spectacular show in Dallas come spring. While we usually plant peaches for their fruit, some varieties are grown primarily for their heavy flower show instead. Ornamental varieties can often set some small fruits, however they’re typically not of edible quality. ‘Peppermint’ is a particularly showy variety that sports double, pink and white striped flowers. Some branches will produce solid pink blooms, creating a unique look. Varieties with flower colors ranging from pure white to red are available. Plant in a sunny location with good drainage. Plants grow to approximately 15- to 20-feet tall, making them the perfect size for urban landscapes.

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum Another Texas native, this small tree offers not only large clusters of white blooms in early spring, but various foliage colors through the seasons. The underside of the leaves have deep orange colored hairs giving this Texas native its name “Rusty”. Size can vary on rusty blackhaw, ranging from 12- to 30-feet tall, depending on conditions. Very tolerant to our dry summers although they do prefer a bit of afternoon shade.

Mexican Plum Prunus mexicana A favorite fruiting Texas native, the early blooms have an unmistakable and intense fragrance. If there’s a Mexican plum blooming somewhere in your neighborhood, you’ll be sure to smell it before you see it! The scent is often compared to grape Kool-Aid. The cheery white blooms contrast against the dark peeling bark. Come early summer, you’ll have an abundance of tiny tart plums perfect for jams and jellies. Plant in a full sun location with good drainage. Plants grow to an average of 25-feet tall.

Don’t miss out on early spring color! Want to add one of these blooming trees to your new landscape design? Give us a call! Any of these choices would be perfect in a waterwise landscape.