9 Fast-Growing Flowering Trees to Fill Your Yard With Beautiful Color

Eastern Redbud

Low-maintenance eastern redbud trees (Cercis canadensis) work as a focal point for a lush garden or a standalone element in a small yard. "This tree bursts into life each spring with clusters of small, vibrant pink-to-purple flowers that cover its bare branches before the leaves emerge," says Dan Herms, vice president and general manager at the Davey Institute. "The heart-shaped leaves turn golden yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest."

This family of trees grows 1 to 2 feet each year and flowers as soon as four years after planting. "Redbud knows how to put on a show!" says Jacob Burns, curator of plant collections operations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. "'Forest Pansy' dazzles with deep purple foliage, while 'Rising Sun' glows with golden-orange new growth. 'Appalachian Red' cranks up the flower color to a brilliant neon pink."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 25 to 35 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
  

Crepe Myrtle

With 1 to 2 feet of growth each year and blooms appearing 12 to 24 months after planting, colorful crepe myrtle trees (Lagerstroemia) offer a quick return on your gardening investment. "Crepe myrtles are prized for their long-lasting summer blooms, which come in shades of pink, red, white, and purple," says Herms. "They begin flowering quickly, making them a great option for instant impact." Plus, crepe myrtles are drought-tolerant once established.

• Zones: 6 to 10
• Size: 10 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 20 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
  

Tulip Tree

The soaring tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), which tops out at 60 to 90 feet tall, offers vibrant spring color and year-round visual interest. "The tulip tree is a native standout that quickly adds beauty and shade to larger landscapes. With its smooth gray bark and bold four-lobed leaves, it brings texture and dimension to your space," says Burns. "Come late spring to early summer, it bursts into greenish-yellow tulip-shaped flowers with a pop of orange streaking through. Don’t be tempted to trim those lower branches—leave them be, or you’ll be reaching for binoculars to catch a glimpse of the blooms."

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 60 to 90 feet tall x 30 to 50 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, rich, well-draining, loamy soil
  

Golden Rain Tree

The citrus-colored blossoms draping off this tree's delicate branches appear in as little as three years. Golden tree (Cassia fistula) is a beautiful addition to your landscape because it offers shade and color throughout the seasons, says Herms. "This tree produces bright yellow flowers in mid-summer, followed by unique, lantern-shaped seed pods in fall," he adds.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 30 to 40 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-draining soil
  

Flowering Cherry

The flowering cherry family (Prunus spp.) boasts some of the most recognizable blossoms in the world, producing clusters of pale pink to white flowers in early spring. "The fragrant blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems," says Herms. "In fall, the small cherries provide food for birds like robins and cedar waxwings."

Burns especially likes the Sargent's cherry, which begins blooming after five to seven years and thrives in zones 7 and lower. "Sargent’s cherry brings a touch of Japan to the landscape with a spectacular early spring floral display. Its branches are covered in soft pink blooms with golden centers, creating a breathtaking contrast against its chestnut-brown bark," he says.

• Zones: 5 to 8
• Size: 25 to 50 feet tall x 25 to 40 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
  

Southern Catalpa

With a growth rate of up to 3 feet per year, the southern catalpa tree (Catalpa bignonioides) makes a dramatic statement in relatively little time. "Southern catalpa is a showstopper, with its giant heart-shaped leaves and stunning white trumpet-shaped flowers accented with purple and yellow," says Burns. "It quickly reaches a 40-foot-wide beauty that demands attention. Long bean-like seed pods add interest through fall and winter. A favorite of pollinators, this tree offers bold character and year-round appeal with minimal fuss, making it a standout in any landscape."

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 30 to 60 feet tall x 20 to 40 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining, loamy soil

Flowering Dogwood

Few trees offer as clear of a sign that spring is here as a flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida). Its iconic white, pink, or red blossoms are some of the earliest harbingers of warm weather. But these trees, which grow 1 to 2 feet each year, aren't just pretty: "They are a great addition because they attract birds in late summer and fall with their small red berries, and the flowers attract butterflies and birds," says Herms.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 15 to 30 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil
  

Sweetbay Magnolia

A smaller version of the Southern magnolia, the sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is just as striking and much better suited to damp, low-lying gardens. "Sweetbay magnolia is a native tree perfect for small spaces, often multi-stemmed and full of character," says Burns. "Its glossy evergreen leaves shine with a silvery underside, and in late spring to early summer, it wows with fragrant, creamy white flowers that take center stage, typically blooming around six years old. Afterward, it shows off striking red-tinged seed pods that linger through fall."

• Zones: 5 to 10
• Size: 10 to 35 feet tall x 10 to 35 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, slightly acidic soil
  

Korean Mountain Ash

Native to East Asia, Korean mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) shows off throughout all four seasons. "The Korean mountain ash dazzles with frothy clusters of white flowers in May, alternating between heavy blooms one year and lighter displays the next," says Burns. "As summer wanes, the tree boasts bright red berries that last into fall, offering a colorful treat. In autumn, its glossy green leaves transform into vibrant yellow and red hues. The tree’s smooth, light gray bark, resembling beech, adds winter interest."

• Zones: 3 to 7
• Size: 40 to 50 feet tall x 30 to 25 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil