7 Flowering Trees With Beautiful Blooms That Last for Weeks (or Even Months)

Crape Myrtle

For a long-blooming tree, it's hard to top crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia). "Most Southerners know that crape myrtle blooms literally all summer long," says arborist Doug Still. "Thriving in the harsh summer sun, crape myrtle belongs to the pantheon of quintessential Southern trees." He adds that the color and flowering times vary depending on the cultivar.

Gardening author and podcast host Kathy Jentz praises the beauty of the blooms. "The flowers are borne on long branches in panicles of crinkled blossoms with a crape-like texture. Flower colors vary from deep purple to red and white, with almost every shade in between," she says, adding that there are varieties in all shapes and sizes.

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: About 20 feet tall
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Kousa Dogwood

If your yard has limited space and you're looking for a tree that stays under 30 feet tall, the Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) fits the bill. This dogwood variety is one of the most reliable and showy trees, says Still. "Although the 'blooms' are white leaf bracts and not technically flowers, the show can last up to six weeks starting in early June," he says. "The tan and gray exfoliating bark is a visual bonus that lasts year-round."

• Zones: 5 to 8
• Size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 15 to 30 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, slightly acidic

Eastern Redbud

These lovely shrub-like trees produce flowers before leaves, leading to a spectacular color show that can last for months. Despite the Eastern in the name, this tree can grow in a range of areas across the United States. Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) has a delicate, elegant spread that makes it quite appealing when grown as an individual tree in an open space where the branches can spread.

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

Southern Magnolia

Gardeners can get a solid month of blooms out of Southern magnolia trees (Magnolia grandiflora), with some varieties blooming twice a year. The flowers themselves are a spectacle to behold, spanning 8 to 12 inches wide and with incredible fragrance. As the name implies, Southern magnolia grows best in southern regions and is a spectacular choice for gardeners in these areas. 

• Zones: 6 to 10
• Size: 60 to 80 feet tall x 30 to 50 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; slightly acidic soil

Chaste Tree

More like a shrub than a tree, chaste trees (Vitex agnus-castus) produce gorgeous purple (sometimes white or pink) blooms that put on a show from late spring to fall. "Vitex is a small tree native to the Mediterranean and Asia," says Jentz. "The tree blooms profusely in the summer. The flowers are fragrant, and the leaves are also scented. It produces a fruit, which is technically a drupe, but is commonly referred to as a berry." She notes that the chaste tree has been cultivated for thousands of years for ornamental and herbal uses, with its seeds, roots, and bark used in traditional medicine. "Vitex is a great addition to the butterfly garden," she adds. 

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 8 to 20 feet tall x 5 to 20 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
  

Fringetree

Small and native to the Eastern U.S., fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) yields amazing blossoms that hold for several weeks. "The 'fringe' of this tree refers to the long, white clusters of drooping flowers in late spring," says Jentz, adding that they are mildly fragrant. She advises protecting the tree from deer while it's young until it becomes tall enough that deer cannot reach the leaves. "Fringetree looks especially beautiful set against a backdrop of dark evergreen trees, and its white blossoms practically glow in the moonlight," she says.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 12 to 30 feet tall x 12 to 20 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, fertile, well-drained soil

Tulip Poplar

One excellent fast-growing variety is the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a native shade tree. "Tulip poplar is a favorite not only for its towering size but for its unusual flowers," says Still. With proper care, the yellow, orange, and green cup-shaped blooms can put on a show for up to three weeks. One downside is that this tree takes up to 15 years to bloom, but once it does, the annual show brings wonder and happiness for weeks on end, Still says. In the meantime, the leaves of the tulip poplar tree are particularly charming, looking somewhat like very rounded maple leaves.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 80 to 120 feet tall x 30 to 60 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil