Flowering Deciduous Trees

Trees for Full Sun

• Magnolia trees (Magnolia spp.) are a large genus of deciduous flowering trees that produce large, fragrant blooms in sunny locations. The exact plant hardiness zone, size and growing conditions vary from one magnolia tree to another. For example, “Ann” magnolia (Magnolia x “Ann”) produces reddish pink blooms 3 to 4 inches long and grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, while “Athene” magnolia (Magnolia x “Athene”) has 8- to 10-inch blooms and grows in USDA zones 7 and 8. Another option is the full sun-loving crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), which grows in USDA zones 7 through 9. These flowering trees and large shrubs produce flowers in an array of colors that appear in the summer and last until fall. Crape myrtles also have attractive grayish brown peeling bark and grow between 15 and 30 feet tall.

Trees for Shade

• Trying to find a flowering deciduous tree for shaded areas can be a bit difficult, but a few stunning plants can grow in full or partial shade. “Amanogawa” Japanese flowering cherry (Prunus serrulata “Amanogawa”) is one such tree growing in partially shaded areas throughout USDA zones 5 through 8. This 25-foot tall tree produces pale pink, semi-double blooms in early spring and the green foliage turns shades of red and orange in the fall. The Korean maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum) is slightly smaller than “Amanogawa” and reaches heights of only about 15 feet. It grows in USDA zones 4 through 8 in partial shade. As young foliage emerges, delicate purple flowers appear throughout the branches of this hardy tree. In the fall, the green leave change to vibrant hues of orange, scarlet and yellow.

Trees to Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds

• Several species and cultivars in the Malus genus produce fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds to gardens. “Amberina” (Malus "Amberina"), “Mary Potter” (Malus "Mary Potter”) and “Pink Princess” (Malus "Pink Princess") are three such examples that grow in USDA zones 4 through 8 and draw butterflies and hummingbirds with their fragrant, nectar-filled blossoms. “Amberina” reaches 7 to 10 feet tall with creamy white flowers, “Mary Potter” grows about 10 to 15 feet tall with white blooms and “Pink Princess” grows to no more than 8 feet tall with rosy pink flowers.

Trees for Wet Areas

• Various cultivars of the flowering pear (Pyrus calleryana) -- which grow in USDA zones 5 through 8 -- can tolerate overly wet soils. “Bradford” (Pyrus calleryana “Bradford”) grows between 20 and 25 feet, “Jaczam” (Pyrus calleryana “Jaczam”) reaches 15 to 20 feet and “Whitehouse” (Pyrus calleryana “Whitehouse”) climbs to 40 feet tall. All three flowering pears produce fragrant white blooms in spring and can grow successfully in poorly drained, soggy soil. The red maple (Acer rubrum) tree is another flowering deciduous plant that can tolerate wet soil. It grows in USDA zones 3 through 9, reaching heights of 40 to 70 feet. In spring, clusters of red flowers appear and are followed by red ornamental fruit. Red maple trees work well as a shade or street tree.