Flowering Trees for Small Spaces

Story from: The Gateway Gardener September 2022

Flowering Trees for Small Spaces by Abby Lapides

Whether they’re adding another season of bloom, shading a garden or providing 3-dimensional value, flowering trees are a design staple in the yard. You don’t need a ton of space to enjoy these beauties, some of the best flowering trees come in small packages. Here are a few of my favorite trees that will provide gorgeous flowers without taking up too much space.

Versatile and tough as nails Forest Pansy Redbud, contains the rugged genetics of our native Redbud, Cercis canadensis but in a much prettier package. Brilliant scarlet-purple, heart-shaped foliage emerges in spring, maturing to a deep maroon color that contrasts beautifully with green or yellow foliage plants. This stunning tree was awarded the Plant of Merit award by Missouri Botanical Garden for its ornamental value and ease of care. But I forgot to mention the flowers – before the stunning leaves appear, bright purple buds open to showy lavender flowers all along the bare stems. Grows about 20’ tall and wide.

A unique tree that will surely stop traffic is the ‘Arnold Pink’ Carolina Silverbells Tree, Halseia carolina (pictured above). Large baby doll pink bells dangle off this tree in April before leaves emerge. As the wind blows you can almost hear the tinkling noise of these beautiful bells. Growing into an open pyramidal shape about 20-30’ tall and 15-20’ wide, this is a perfect tree where a taller, but not too wide, tree is needed.

If you’re looking for a tiny tree with a big show, look for Tinkerbelle Magnolia. Bred in New Zealand by revered Magnolia breeder Vance Hooper, Tinkerbelle delights with vibrant redpurple blooms that can repeat. With its compact columnar shape and abundance of flowers, Tinkerbelle is a perfect choice for a small garden or narrow border. In optimal conditions a secondary bloom appears immediately after the first and another wave of flowers presents in summer to early autumn. Grows 10-15’ tall, but only 6-8’ wide.

Halesia Arnold Pink Carolina Silverbells

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Halesia Arnold Pink Carolina Silverbells Tree

Charming pink bells bloom in spring on small tree.

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Cercis – Forest Pansy Redbud

Glossy purple heart shaped leaves and vibrant flowers.

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Enjoy the heady fragrance and beautiful form of Beijing Gold Lilac Tree, Syringa pekinensis. Bred in China at the Beijing Botanic Garden, Beijing Gold was chosen for its intensely fragrant butter yellow flowers, cinnamon-like bark and showy golden fall foliage display. Blooms later in the season than most flowering trees, usually toward the middle of May. Grows 15-20’ tall and 10-15’ wide.

Looking to add some late season interest to the garden? Try the common Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. This Missouri native tree delights with bright golden yellow foliage in fall. Once leaves drop in late fall, we can enjoy the whimsical flowers. October through December fragrant yellow ribbon-line flowers bloom all over the branches. With slightly twisting stems and smooth gray bark the common witch hazel is beautiful all year – even when dormant. Soft green leaves with pie crust edges appear in spring. Grows 10-20′ tall and wide. Can present as a large shrub or small tree.