Countless flowers appear at once, exploding out of thin, bare branches. The grey lines of dormant limbs that crisscross the cloudy sky suddenly release blossoms in a flurry of pinks and whites. The fact that this happens each year makes it no less miraculous. With excitement, with relief, the presence of blossoms on Cherries, Dogwoods and Magnolias announces that Spring is here.
Planting a Spring-blooming tree is an investment in the annual exuberance of Spring itself. For some, one brief period of ephemeral beauty might seem frivolous to devote to such a significant amount of garden space—we live in an age where the most common request, often from novice gardeners, is that their statement landscape plants be evergreen, static, and unchanging. But it’s the changeability of gardens that brings them fully to life and calls the gardener’s attention back in toward the space around them.
If the romance and absolute spectacle of a stories-high tree in full bloom doesn’t convince you of the value of Spring-flowering trees like Cherries, Dogwoods, and Magnolias, their importance to pollinators along with their fragrance, form, and garden-worthiness surely should.
And if space is limited in your landscape, never fear—we have specified our favorite flowering trees for small gardens, and more options can be selected from our blog Trees Under 20 Feet Tall. Come visit our garden centers to browse our tree nursery in person and find your perfect Spring-flowering tree.
Flowering Cherry Trees
Ornamental Cherry trees bring us into the beginning of Spring with their paradoxically fragile and abundant beauty. Their flowers are the first to emerge each year, often before we expect to see anything blooming at all. The buds that hold the flowers are scaly and small, and they open almost overnight, making them invisible one day and overwhelmed with flower the next. The pollen in each bloom is a critical food source for early-season bees.
The Festival of the Cherry Blossom, or “Sakura”, in Japan is a time to celebrate hope, renewal, and the fragility of life. Imagine bringing that sense of intention and quiet celebration of Spring’s promise into your own garden!
The Best Flowering Cherry Trees
For Mass Plantings
Akebono Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’) – Seen planted en masse on Portland’s SW Waterfront, Akebono (meaning “Daybreak” in Japanese) Flowering Cherry trees have blushing pink flowers that fade to white as they age and have a subtle fragrance. The bark is light and dark grey with characteristic horizontal pores or lenticels, and the form of the is upright and spreading. 25-35′ tall by 25-40′ wide
For Small Gardens
Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) – True pink, double flowers adorn this upright, vase-shaped specimen tree. Fluffy pink flowers are followed by bronze-red new growth that turns green as the season progresses. 20-25’ tall by 15’-20’ wide
Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry (Prunus x ‘Snow Fountains’) – Clear white blooms run the length of weeping branches that hang from this Ornamental Cherry tree; with superior disease and insect resistance, Snow Fountains is a lovely tree for compact spaces; 8-15′ tall by 6-12′ wide
For Use as a Large Specimen Tree
Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Yoshino’) – White petals offset brilliant pink stamens on one of the earliest cherry trees to bloom. The branches on this upright, vase-shaped tree form a pattern of wide limbs that reach upward at the tips; 30-50′ tall by 25-40′ wide
Caring for Flowering Cherry Trees
All Flowering Cherries perform best in full-sun exposure with moist, well-draining soil. Routine pruning to thin their branches may be necessary, and periodic cuts to shorten the length of weeping varieties should be performed as needed. All of the varieties stocked at our Portland nurseries have been selected for disease-resistance and for fewer requirements around spraying and maintenance.
Deciduous Magnolia Trees
Though perhaps not as popular as their evergreen, Southern relatives, deciduous Magnolias are completely arresting when in bloom. Their large, fuzzy grey buds are charismatic all Winter long before they erupt into astonishingly large, fragrant flowers each Spring. The petals are fleshy and quite literally sparkle in the sunlight, thanks to cells that produce fragrant oils laced across each of the nearly palm-sized petals.
Available in the widest range of colors of any Spring-flowering tree, Magnolias bloom in soft yellows, clear whites, warm pinks, and rich purples. Disease-resistant and virtually maintenance free, a Magnolia is a prized choice for gardeners who want to fully embrace the unmatched drama of Spring. Come shop our local garden centers to find a stunning Magnolia perfect for your landscape.
The Best Deciduous Magnolia Trees
For Early, White Blooms
Royal Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’) – This classic Star Magnolia is the earliest to bloom, producing fragrant white, multi-petaled flowers as early as March. Often grown as a small multi-stemmed tree or large shrub, the plant is an excellent low-maintenance option for large or small landscapes. 15-18′ tall by 10-12′ wide
For Hot Pink Flowers
Felix Jury Magnolia (Magnolia x ‘Felix Jury’) – Striking, bright pink flowers are intensely fragrant and the cup-shaped blooms absolutely cover this narrow, upright tree. Well-suited for smaller gardens, ‘Felix Jury’ is a great choice for gardeners that aren’t afraid of bright, intense colors. 16’-22’ tall by 5’-7’ wide
For Soft, Romantic Flowers
Rustica Rubra Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Rustica Rubra’) – Large, cup-shaped blooms hold two-toned petals that are rose-pink on the outer face and clear white on their interior, creating an eye-catching, multidimensional show. The tree itself is symmetrical and round with dark grey bark. 15’ tall by 15’ wide
For Dark, Moody Flowers
Black Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Black Tulip’) – Rich magenta-purple, cup-shaped blooms appear on the bare limbs of this multi-trunked specimen tree that is great for small gardens. Each striking blossom can be up to 6 inches across and has a clean fragrance. 15-20′ tall by 6-10′ wide
For Cheery Yellow Flowers
Yellow Bird Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata ‘Yellow Bird’) – Sunny yellow flowers sing out on this large specimen tree. Flowers are borne later in the season alongside foliage, making this plant an excellent choice for colder climates as flowers are unlikely to be damaged in the cold. 40’ tall by 25’ wide
Caring for Deciduous Magnolia Trees
All Deciduous Magnolias flower best in full sun and love soils that are high in organic matter. Beyond the removal of dead branches, Magnolias require very little pruning. All varieties stocked at our Portland and Vancouver nurseries have been selected to offer a broad range of flower color, branching habit, and overall form.
Flowering Dogwood Trees
Walk through any established neighborhood in Springtime and you’re sure to encounter a mature Dogwood in full bloom. They light up the landscape with their large, sturdy four-“petaled” flowers in white or shades of pink and coral, that are stunning in their profusion and modern simplicity. The elegance of a Dogwood tree is as much due to their layered, open habit as it is to their gorgeous array of flowers.
Flowering later than other Spring-blooming trees, Dogwoods plant us firmly in the season and signal that, at this point, there is no going back—the longer and brighter days are here to stay. Dogwood trees provide food for a huge range of bee species, and some butterflies use them as host plants. Thanks to modern breeding techniques, the latest introductions of Dogwoods are particularly disease resistant and perfectly suited to Pacific Northwest gardens. Our Portland metro area garden centers have a lovely variety of Dogwoods to add their distinctive look to your garden.
The Best Flowering Dogwood Trees
For Pink Flowers on a Large Tree
Stellar Pink Dogwood (Cornus x ‘Stellar Pink’) – Large, friendly pink flowers blanket this fast-growing tree in Springtime. With an attractive, layered branching habit this tree works well as a front yard specimen, or an accent in the periphery. 20’-25’ tall by 15’-20’ wide
For Pink Flowers on a Small Tree
Satomi Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’) – Coral pink flowers cover this vase-shaped tree, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Flowers are followed by clean green foliage and unique red fruits that are edible and excellent for bird life. 12’-20’ tall by 12’-20’ wide
For White Flowers on a Tall Tree
Eddie’s White Wonder Dogwood (Cornus x ‘Eddie’s White Wonder’) – Large, rounded white flowers smother this free-form tree. Often described as somewhat weeping, the structure of this tree lends itself to use as a specimen tree in larger landscapes, where the blooms and striking red Fall color can be fully appreciated. 35’-40’ tall by 20’ wide
For White Flowers on a Small Tree
Venus Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Venus’) – Round, pillowy white flowers cover this fast-growing specimen tree. Prized for its disease-resistance and drought tolerance, this tree is ideal for gardeners looking to make an impact without waiting for maturity. 15-20′ tall by 15-20′ wide
For Variegated Flowers & Leaves
Summer Fun Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Summer Fun’) – Cream and white variegated blooms flower on top of high-contrast white and green variegated foliage on this late-blooming tree that is great for smaller gardens. In autumn the foliage turns an ombre of red, orange, and pink before dropping to reveal a handsome branching structure. 16-18′ tall by 10-15′ wide
Caring for Dogwood Trees
Dogwoods like soils that drain well but contain high organic matter content. They are well-suited to partial shade conditions as well as sunnier aspects but can burn in hot afternoon sun if sufficient water is not provided. Dogwoods do not require much pruning when mature, though some initial guidance may be needed to form the canopies when young. Low-maintenance varieties have been selected for our inventory at Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Centers that have improved establishment success rates to ensure you can enjoy your Dogwood tree for many years to come.
Whether you’re drawn to the drama of deciduous Magnolias, the romance of Flowering Cherries, or the timelessness of Dogwoods, we hope you’ll give yourself the gift of a Spring-flowering tree. These stunning statement plants are the perfect way to herald and celebrate the arrival of Spring, right from your own backyard.