By Mike McKee
ISA Certified Arborist®
April 3, 2025
Flowering trees can be a great addition to any landscape. There is an unlimited range of options to add that splash of color to your property. The list is very large so I will pick some of my favorites that I have planted over my 35+ year career. Flowering trees, not only add a variety of colors, but also fragrance, The timing of the blooms can be spread over several months with proper selections. There are many optional choices among these selections, but I will concentrate on my favorites and best performers. The trees discussed in this article will stay in the small to medium size range.
Red Buckeye
Description. I will start with one of my personal favorites, the Red buckeye. Blooming in April/May timeframe, the tall red blossom display is hard to beat in your landscape. They actually produce buckeyes as well.
Common Name: Red Buckeye
Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia
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2. American Witch Hazel
One of the earliest bloomers in this list would be the Witch hazel. It can also be a late bloomer, depending on the variety chosen. There are definitely too many options to discuss in this article, but this plant can provide a variety of colors for many months, including winter.
Common Name: American Witch hazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana
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3. Flowering Dogwood
Dogwoods can be one of the most popular trees in central Ohio landscapes. There are many varieties which covers a wide color spectrum, mainly whites and pinks. This is also a tree that has all season interest due to its checkered bark, fruit, and vibrant fall color display. Cornelian cherry dogwood will be one of the first trees to bloom in the spring with small yellow flowers covering the entire plant. This tree remains under 25 feet and is a good choice under wires and other confined spaces, although it can become a wide plant with maturity.
Common Name: Flowering Dogwood
Scientific Name: Cornus florida
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4. Okame Cherry
Another of my favorite early flowering trees would be the Okami cherry. This tree typically blooms in March with vibrant pink flowers. This too is a compact tree that should stay under 25 feet.
Common Name: Okame Cherry
Scientific Name: Prunus x okame
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5. Allegheny Serviceberry
Another tree with all season appeal would be the serviceberry. Autumn brilliance is one of the favorites. It produces early spring white flowers, followed by edible fruit and finally brilliant fall color.
Common Name: Serviceberry
Scientific Name: Amelanchier laevis
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6. PRAIRIFIRE CRABAPPLE
The crabapple is another longtime favorite among central Ohio landscapes. There are more varieties than I can count so I will just list a few of my favorites. If you are looking for white flowers, you cannot go wrong with Adirondack. My favorite pink choice would be Prairiefire, with Strawberry parfait coming in a close second.
Common Name: Crabapple
Scientific Name: Malus x ‘Prairifire’
Height at Maturity: 15 - 20 feet
Width at Maturity: 15 - 20 feet
Sun Preference: Full sun
Spring Foliage Color: Pink
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7. Saucer Magnolia
Next on my list are the Magnolias. Once again, there are too many varieties to list, but the longtime favorites are the Saucer magnolia which has pink flowers and the Star magnolia which has white flowers. If you are looking for fragrance, make sure you add a Sweetbay magnolia to your landscape.
Common Name: Magnolia
Scientific Name: Magnolia x soulangeana
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8. Eastern Redbud
Another early blooming favorite that is being produced with several new options is the Redbud. There are currently many new varieties being developed with a variety of leaf colors, variation in bloom color, and habit as well, including weeding.
Common Name: Eastern Redbud
Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis
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9. Washington Hawthorn
One of the later bloomers in the spring would be the Hawthorne. This is another tree that can have all season interest with the white flowers, fragrance, fruit, and fall color make this a great selection.
Common Name: Washington Hawthorn
Scientific Name: Crataegus phaenopyrum
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10. Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac
Last on this list is the Ivory silk tree lilac. This is a plant that produces a creamy/white plum, usually long after other trees have bloomed.
Common Name: Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac
Scientific Name: Syringa reticulata
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This is just a small list of trees that could add a splash of color to your landscape. With a little research and planning you can have color, fragrance, fruit another interesting characteristics throughout the year. Choose wisely and plan for the mature size of your plants when making selections and picking planting locations.
Please review our other articles on planting, mulching, watering, and other related topics, before adding additional trees to your landscape in the coming year. For a free tree quote by one of our 20+ ISA Certified Arborists®, visit RussellTreeExperts.com/Quote or speak with our friendly, local office staff at (614) 895-7000!
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Mike McKee | Regional Manager, Russell Tree Experts
Mike graduated from Hocking College in 1983 with a degree in Natural Resources specializing in urban tree care. He has been an ISA Certified Arborist® since 1991. Mike started his career in the private industry in 1985 before becoming a municipal arborist in 1989. He retired after serving thirty years before joining us at Russell Tree Experts in September 2018. His love of trees has never waned since trying to climb up the ridges of the massive Cottonwood tree in front of his childhood home.