5 Purple Flowering Trees

Welcome to the vibrant world of trees with purple flowers! These lovely trees give any scene a dash of sophistication, color, and charm.

Purple flowering trees are a beautiful complement to any outdoor environment, from the delicate petals of the Lavender Twist Redbud to the regal display of the Jacaranda tree.

Purple flowering trees are highly prized for their aesthetic appeal and adaptability in the world of gardening. They can be utilized to frame a walkway or entry, provide height to a garden bed, or create a focal point. 

They may complement a wide range of other plants and flowers with their distinctive color and shape, striking a stunning contrast that adds depth and richness to any landscape design.

Let’s take a look at these 5 purple flowering trees and what they have to offer!

5 Types Of Purple Flowering Trees

1. Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud

The Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud is one of the most well-known purple flowering trees.

The magnificent lavender-pink flowers that bloom in the early spring are the star attraction on this tree, which is also renowned for its unusually twisted and weeping limbs.

Lavender Twist Weeping Redbuds can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet and widths of 5 to 6 feet. It’s moderate to slow growth rate makes it perfect for smaller landscapes or container gardening.

The stunning lavender-pink flowers of the Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud bloom in the first few weeks of spring, usually in April. Heart-shaped green leaves that turn yellow in the fall appear after the flowers.

The medium green tint of the Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud’s foliage contrasts nicely with its brilliant purple-pink blossoms. The leaves have a silky feel and are between three and five inches long and wide.

The Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud favors well-draining soil and full sun over partial shade.

Although it may grow in a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils, it likes slightly acidic soil. Moreover, it needs occasional watering, particularly during the hot and dry summer.

2. Purple-Leaf Plum Tree

The purple-leaf plum tree is another popular purple flowering tree known for its deep purple foliage and early spring blooms.

It can grow up to 20-25 feet in height and 15-20 feet in width, with a moderate growth rate. It has a rounded shape and a dense canopy.

Typically in March or April, the purple-leaf plum tree displays a profusion of fragrant pinkish-purple flowers that cover the tree before its leaves emerge.

The foliage is its most notable feature; the leaves are small, oval-shaped, and serrated, with a glossy surface that reflects sunlight. In the fall, the leaves turn a deep red or bronze color before dropping off.

The purple-leaf plum tree prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It is tolerant of a range of soil types, but it prefers slightly acidic soil. It also requires moderate watering, especially during the hot and dry summer months.

3. Eastern Redbud

Beautiful native trees like the Eastern Redbud are widespread in the eastern part of the United States.

It grows at a moderate rate and can reach heights and widths of up to 20–30 feet and 25–35 feet, respectively. It has a broad canopy and a rounded form. 

Early in the spring, usually in March or April, the Eastern Redbud blooms with clusters of tiny pinkish-purple flowers that cover the tree before its leaves appear.

After a long, chilly winter, the blossoms are a welcome sight and a vital source of nectar for early pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Heart-shaped leaves on the Eastern Redbud have a vivid green color in the summer and turn yellow in the fall. The leaves are between three and five inches long and wide and feel smooth.

The Eastern Redbud prefers full sun to partial shade and soil that drains well.

Although it can thrive in both clay and sandy soils, it prefers slightly acidic soils. Moreover, it occasionally needs watering, especially during the hot and dry summer.

Any environment is made more charming and beautiful by the Eastern Redbud tree. Its early spring blossoms, vivid leaves, and small size make it a popular choice for both residential and commercial enterprises.

Moreover, it is a tough, low-maintenance tree that grows well in a range of conditions.

4. Jacaranda

The Jacaranda is a magnificent South American native flowering tree that is well-known for its breathtaking purple-blue blossoms.

Jacarandas have a moderate to rapid growth rate and can reach heights and widths of up to 40–50 feet and 30–40 feet, respectively. It has a large trunk that can expand up to 2-3 feet in diameter with a spreading canopy. 

The Jacaranda blooms with clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are an intense purple-blue color in late spring or early summer, usually from May to June. The blossoms are so numerous that they can cover the tree entirely and produce an amazing sight.

The delicate, fern-like foliage of the jacaranda is light green in the summer and turns yellow in the fall. The leaves are around 1 to 2 inches long and have a feathery texture.

The jacaranda favors well-draining soil and full sun over partial shade. 

Although it may grow in a variety of soil conditions, it loves slightly acidic soil. Moreover, it needs occasional watering, particularly during the hot and dry summer.

Overall, the Jacaranda is a wonderful tree that gives any scene a touch of the tropics. It is a well-liked choice for gardens, parks, and public spaces due to its magnificent blossoms, delicate foliage, and moderate stature.

Although it needs a little more maintenance than some other trees, the beauty it brings to any outdoor space makes the work worthwhile.

5. Royal Empress Tree

The Royal Empress Tree, also known as the Empress of India, is an Asian native that is recognized for its quick growth and impressive stature.

This purple flowering tree can grow to heights of 40 to 60 feet and widths of 30 to 40 feet, thanks to its incredibly quick rate of development. It has a straight trunk with a maximum diameter of 2-3 feet and a broad, spreading canopy.

With clusters of 1-inch long, fragrant lavender or pinkish-purple flowers, it typically blooms in May or June, in the late spring or early summer. Enormous seed pods that can reach a length of 16 inches follow the large blooms.

Large, heart-shaped leaves on the Royal Empress Tree are dazzling green in the summer and turn yellow in the fall before falling. The leaves have a slightly gritty texture and are between 10 and 15 inches long and wide.

The Royal Empress Tree requires circumstances that range from full sun to light shade, as well as soil that drains well.

Although it can live in a variety of soil types, including dry and low soils, it prefers slightly acidic soil. It also occasionally needs watering, particularly in the dry and hot summer.

This majestic tree with purple flowers enhances any scene with majesty and drama. It is popular for parks, expansive estates, and other public spaces due to its rapid growth, lovely flowers, and dense foliage.

How To Grow And Care For Purple Flowering Trees

Planting

Choose a spot with full to partial sunlight and well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as large as the root ball of the tree, making sure to loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole.

After placing the tree, backfill the hole with soil, being careful to press down the soil around the tree to remove any air pockets.

Watering and Fertilizing

During the growing season, deeply water the purple-flowered tree once every week.

During hot and dry spells, water it more frequently. Refrain from overwatering to prevent root rot.

Early in the spring, apply a slow-release fertilizer to encourage wholesome growth and blooming.

Pruning

Prune the tree in the late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and thin out any crowded or crossing branches.

This will improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, which can help prevent pest and disease problems.

Pest and Disease Control

Keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, scales, and mites. You can use natural remedies like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil to control pests.

If the infestation is severe, you may need to use chemical insecticides, but always follow the instructions carefully and use them as a last resort.

Purple flowering trees can be vulnerable to fungi that cause leaf spots and powdery mildew. Make sure the tree receives enough sunlight and airflow, abstain from overhead watering, and remove any affected leaves or branches to prevent the spread of these diseases.

If the disease is serious, you might need to use a fungicide, but only as a final option, and always carefully follow the directions.

Benefits Of Purple Flowering Trees

Purple flowering trees have a variety of advantages, such as aesthetic, environmental, and financial ones.

Aesthetic Value

The aesthetic value of purple flowering trees is one of their most noticeable advantages. These trees may give a splash of color to any setting, and their blossoms can be especially striking when set against a background of greenery or a clear sky.

There are many different species of purple-flowering trees, including Jacaranda, Lavender Twist Redbud, Purple Leaf Plum, and Royal Empress Tree, to name a few.

Environmental Value

Purple flowering trees also have a number of advantages for the environment. By collecting carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and filtering airborne pollutants, they can aid in enhancing air quality. 

Moreover, they can assist in mitigating the urban heat island effect by providing shade and cooling effects in metropolitan areas and reducing soil erosion by stabilizing it with their roots.

Economic Value 

Last but not least, purple flowering trees may also have economic value. By improving curb appeal and offering shade that can save on cooling energy costs, they can raise home values.

They can also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which is beneficial for agriculture and other sectors that depend on pollination.

Conclusion

Trees with purple flowers are a beautiful complement to any landscape scheme.

The Purple-Leaf Plum Tree, Eastern Redbud, Jacaranda, and Royal Empress Tree are just a few examples of the many varieties of purple flowering trees.

It’s crucial to pick the proper tree for your landscaping needs because they differ in terms of height and growth rate, seasonal bloom, foliage, and sun and soil requirements.

Purple flowering trees need to be planted in the proper location, frequently fertilized, pruned as needed, and monitored for pest and disease problems in order to develop and thrive.

There are several advantages to planting purple flowering trees in your landscaping, including the addition of color and visual interest, the creation of shade and privacy, and the attraction of various wildlife.

So, if you want to add something lovely and simple to grow to your landscaping, think about planting a purple flowering tree. It will provide your outdoor space with years of beauty and delight with proper care and upkeep.