Purple Flowering Trees

Jane Magnolia

• Jane magnolia (Magnolia x 'Jane') belongs to a group of hybrid magnolia trees and blooms with fragrant, tulip-shaped purple flowers. This small tree has dark green, leathery foliage and is a popular choice as an accent and specimen tree. Jane magnolia grows to a mature height of 10 to 15 feet and grows best in areas that receive full morning sun but are shaded in the afternoon. It is also a good tree for use in larger borders. Jane magnolia should be planted in rich, moist and well-drained soil and adapts well to USDA Hardiness Zones 4b to 9.

Jacaranda

• Jacaranda (Jacaranda acutifolia) is a deciduous tree that blooms with 1 ½-inch-wide, purple trumpet-shaped panicles of flowers growing on the tips of branches. The tree has fern-like, fine-textured foliage and grows best in sandy, well-drained soil in areas of full sun. Jacaranda does not do well in soggy and poorly drained ground. The tree is able to grow up to 50 feet tall and is not recommended for small areas. There are a number of species of jacaranda and most of them are native to South America and the Caribbean. Young jacaranda trees have an upright growth but tend to grow irregular branches as they mature. Jacaranda trees are hardy in zones 9 to 11.

Texas Mountain Laurel

• Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is a small evergreen tree that grows to a mature height of about 30 feet. The tree has dense, dark green, glossy foliage consisting of seven to nine round leaflets. Texas mountain laurel blooms with three- to seven-inch-long, hanging clusters of showy, fragrant lavender flowers that appear early in spring. The tree is drought-tolerant and grows best in areas of full sun and partial shade in well-drained sandy or clay loam. Texas mountain laurel has a good resistance to heat and cold and a low to moderate water requirement. The tree is hardy in zones 7b to 10a.