Yard Landscaping: 10 Breathtaking Trees With Purple Flowers
Trees are an essential part of any property. They provide good shade in the summer and attract beneficial wildlife like birds and pollinators. Depending on the variety, they can even give you some fruits. But most importantly, they inject life into your property.
However, while your standard white and pink blossoms look nice, they’re quite common. If you want your backyard to really stand out, you will need a more unique color. In that case, look no further than purple trees. These 10 trees with purple flowers are exactly what you need to bring life to your homescape.
Why Is the Color Purple Important For Flowers?
There’s a reason why trees with purple flowers are so breathtaking — it’s because you don’t see them every day. Purple is actually one of the rarest colors in nature, particularly in fruit and foliage. It’s produced by anthocyanin, a special pigment that’s also responsible for creating pink, red and blue colored petals.
According to scientists, these vibrantly colored flowers have a greater evolutionary advantage over their less vibrantly colored siblings. The color is more likely to stand out amid the green foliage and thus attract more pollinators.
Ultraviolet is particularly attractive to bees, who will distribute the flower’s pollen when they land to collect some delicious nectar.
What’s more, they’re likely to associate the color with rewarding food sources. All of this will then guarantee the bee will keep coming back to pollinate again, thus ensuring the flower’s survival.
10 Trees With Purple Flowers to Add to Your Yard
Trees with purple flowers don’t just have an evolutionary advantage. They also have an aesthetic one. Purple blossoms are the most vibrant way to spruce up your landscape. Luckily enough, there’s plenty of trees with purple flowers to choose from.
1. Crepe Myrtle
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Possibly one of the most popular trees with purple flowers in domestic landscapes, the Crepe Myrtle is the ideal addition to any yard. This beautiful, 100 ft tree is actually native to the Indian subcontinent. However, it can also be found in warmer clients like in some parts of southeast Asia, northern Australia, and some parts of Oceania.
Lagerstroemia, as is its scientific name, is a tree that is renowned for its long-lasting flowers: the ruffled blossoms tend to bloom in the summer, however, they’ve also been known to last well into the fall as well. Though they do come in other color varieties, like red, white, and pink, purple remains the most popular and most breathtaking.
The bark is equally aesthetically pleasing. It’s a light, ashy grey and very smooth to the touch. The tree itself varies in height, from below one foot to over 100 feet, which can comfortably rest in the average yard, without looking overly bulky.
What’s more, those lovely ruffled blossoms are a favorite amongst hummingbirds, so they’re likely to attract some beneficial pollinators.
However, since this tree originated from warmer climates, it thrives best in southern areas, zones seven through nine. It’s also important that you keep an eye out for pests that could potentially damage the myrtle, like the Japanese beetle or aphids.
2. Jacaranda Tree
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Though it’s native to sub-tropical regions like Argentina and Brazil, the Jacaranda Tree has spread to yards all over the world. This is entirely thanks to their lovely purple flowers.
The blossoms are trumpet-shaped and they hang loosely off the branches. They bloom in late spring and early summer, though if the climate is warm enough they can sprout at any time of the year.
The Jacaranda tree is fairly large in stature, reaching heights of up to 66 feet. Therefore it’s the perfect addition to any large, spacious yard. Though the tree can withstand colder temperatures to a certain degree, it still favors warm climates, typically zones nine b through to eleven.
3. Purple Robe Locust
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If you’re looking for a hardy tree that can withstand most climates, then the Purple Robe Locust tree should be top of your list. Scientifically called Robinia pseudoacacia, it’s a deciduous tree that thrives best in USDA zones 4 through 8.
This sturdy tree is compatible with all types of soil, including sandy. This is excellent news if you live in dryer desert climates, where foliage has a hard time growing.
The tree has some of the most beautiful blossoms on this list. In May, it grows long clusters of purple buds that closely resemble Wisteria flowers.
When fall comes, these blossoms turn into brown seed pods, while the elongated leaves gradually morph from a bronze-green into a rich gold. Predictably, the treetop’s color scheme is very attractive to pollinators, and bees especially tend to cluster around this tree.
Since the tree is about 50 ft tall, it provides excellent shade while occupying modest space. However, since the branches are covered in jagged thorns, they may not be suited to families with small children.
4. Purple Orchid Tree
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Another hardy survivor, the purple orchid tree can be counted as one of the most resilient types of trees with purple flowers. This tropical evergreen originated in the Indian subcontinent and can bloom anywhere between summer and winter.
Because it’s very resilient, this tree can thrive in both full sun or in partial shade. It’s also compatible with many different soils, like loam or sandy soil. Finally, it’s also highly compatible with most climates, though it grows best in USDA zones 9b through 11.
The tree blossoms have a deep purple pinkish hue which form brown seed pods during the autumn months. They’re also a touch smaller than the previous entries on this list, usually reaching a modest height of 35feet. Therefore, they make the ideal decoration for any smaller yard, or driveway.
5. Chaste Tree
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As opposed to the other trees with purple flowers on this list, the chaste tree leans more toward belonging to the shrub category. However, it’s still classified as a low-hanging tree, which can bear either blue or purple flowers. Plus, because of its shrub-like appearance, it’s ideal for those who want something to border their yard.
Originating in the Mediterranean regions, the tree is highly compatible with different types of soil. It thrives on dry, sandy, and even rocky soils, and is fairly low maintenance compared to some entries here. It’s also fairly climate resistant and can thrive even in cold weather.
The tree usually blooms in late summer or early fall. The hanging clusters of deep purple blossoms can bring life to a yard, while also being very appealing to pollinators. Butterflies in particular are very attracted to this shrub in peak season. So if you want your yard to be a hub of life, definitely plant a Chaste Tree.
6. Desert Willow
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Out of all the entries on this list, the Desert Willow has the most misleading name. This is because this type of tree isn’t actually from the willow family. It actually belongs to the Trumpet-Creeper family, a family that features many tropical plants like the catalpa tree and the cross vine. But the Desert Willow itself is a native of the southwestern US and Northern Mexico.
This fast-growing tree can grow 30 feet max, which is ideal for a smaller yard, looking for something to create a border. Because they’re a very sturdy shrub, they make for an ideal windbreaker or privacy shield.
The tree’s trumpet-like flowers bloom between May and September and have the most delightfully aromatic scent. The smell alone is a magnet for many pollinators, as well as different bird species, like the hummingbird.
7. Purple Lily Magnolia
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Purple Lily Magnolia belongs to the Magnolia family — predictably, this makes this type of tree with purple flowers very delicate. The flowering shrub is native to China and Japan and highly sensitive to climate.
It can only grow in warm areas where it’s heavily protected from the wind. It’s also only compatible with rich, slightly acidic, and well-drained soil. However, despite the tree being fairly high-maintenance, it more than makes up for it with beauty.
The cone-shaped blossoms have a deep purple-pink color, with six to seven petals for each flower. As expected, pollinators love them, especially in the springtime.
In the summer, when the flowers sprout cone-shaped, brown fruit, they attract other small animals. Wild turkeys, possums, and various bird species eat these flowers and then disperse their seeds.
The tree itself is quite small, reaching only 12 ft. this is ideal if your family home doesn’t have much yard space
8. Royal Purple Smoke Tree
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Possibly the most stunning amongst trees with purple flowers, the Royal Purple Smoke Tree has more than earned the ‘royal’ in its name. At first glance, their flowers don’t look purple, but red.
However, closer inspection reveals that they’re actually a combination of the two, a deep eggplant purple with a smokey red coating. This combination not only looks stunning but stands out against a green backdrop.
Apart from looking lovely, this tree is one of the most resilient types of trees with purple flowers. It can thrive in almost all types of soil.
However, the soil must be well-drained. The tree fares best in growing zone 4, and when it’s exposed fully to the sun. Since it reaches a height of 15 feet, it’s perfect if you want to add a splash of bold colors to your small garden.
9. Korean Lilac Tree
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If you want a tree with purple flowers that radiates affluence, then this next entry is for you. The Korean Lilac Tree, as its name suggests originated in Asia, and got transplanted into Europe via the Ottoman Empire. Since then, it’s become a favorite amongst landscape designers because of its low maintenance and fragrant flowers.
The tree makes for excellent patio decoration. It’s only six feet tall, so it will line a yard nicely, especially when planted side to side. Its ideal growing zone is three through seven, and it’s fairly sensitive to climate. More specifically it requires direct sun exposure and warm weather.
10. Royal Empress Tree
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Another entry with ‘royal’ in its name, the Royal Empress tree is famous for being able to grow very quickly. Not only that, but the tree is compatible with all types of soil and can thrive in both hot and colder temperatures.
The bell-shaped pale purple blossoms bloom in spring. They have a distinctly sweet smell which attracts quite a lot of pollinators. What’s more, the tree is highly environmental. Just one of these babies can absorb upward of 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per day, and replace it with oxygen.
Additionally, since the tree can be up to 50 ft in height, it provides excellent shade in the summer.
