Look past the overused options to these lesser-known species that will make your neighbors do a double take
Who does n’t love flowering trees ? When bloom , they bring home the bacon stunning focal point in the landscape . While crabapples ( Malusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) and hawthorns ( Crataegusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are two of the most common spring - flowering Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the Mountain West , there are some unique species that do well in our area and justify your consideration . I go for you will give one of these beauties a try !
Northern catalpa
Catalpa speciosaZones:4–8Size:40 to 60 feet marvelous and 20 to 40 feet wideConditions : Full sun ; median to damp soil
Northern catalpa has become one of my preferred trees for render shade . I have a beautiful specimen grow in my front yard . Catalpas have large , burnished light-green , heart - shaped leaves . They are typically one of the latest trees to leaf out in our field , which is a good thing because those large leave-taking can defend a mickle of blotto Baron Snow of Leicester in one of those late - season violent storm we are notorious for , and it would make quite a bit of breakage if they grew their leaves earlier . But when catalpas bloom inlate springand former summer , they are show - stoppers ! By June , they are cover in clusters of large , white , tubular , fragrant peak , which upon closer review have slight purple and orange veining on the inside of the prime . The blooms are followed by 10- to 20 - inch - long beanlike pods that die hard through wintertime . While the pods providewinter interest group , they can be a bit of a pain to clean up in the spring , with some more falling off after every windstorm . While catalpas prefer dampish stain , they can tolerate a wide range of different ground types .
Clear Creek®golden yellowhorn
Xanthoceras sorbifolium‘Psgan’Zones:5–8Size:18 to 22 feet tall and 10 to 15 groundwork wideConditions : Full sunshine ; temperate to dry soil
Clear Creek ® golden yellowhorn typically flower in May , when it ’s covered in clusters of blanched , star - mould flowers with yellow eyes . Those yellow-bellied centers turn maroon as the flowers geezerhood . These blossom are followed by large , interesting seedpod that prevail through the wintertime . This plant can be trained into asmall treewith a single trunk or allowed to grow in a enceinte , multistemmed shrubby mannikin . The bright special K , pinnate leaves give Clear Creek ® a ferny looking throughout the season . This cultivar may be hard to find , but it is cover by Plant Select ® and you may face for retailer on their website . uncalled-for to say , I like this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree so much that I added it to my garden . There are no majordisease or pest progeny , and minimum maintenance is require .
‘Autumn Brilliance’ serviceberry
Amelanchier×grandiflora‘Autumn Brilliance’Zones:4–9Size:20 to 25 feet tall and 20 to 15 feet wideConditions : Full Dominicus to partial nicety ; middling , well - drained soil
‘ Autumn Brilliance ’ serviceberry provides stake all season long , commence with bunch of small , white-hot , fragrant flowers that flower in early give . The blossoms are followed by eatable purplish - black fruit that can be used to make muddle and jellies — if you could beat the birds to them ! As the name implies , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is well recognise for its orange - redfall colouration , which sum a bright smirch to the autumn landscape painting . ‘ Autumn Brilliance ’ serviceberry can be grown as a single - stem Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or in a multistem form reckon upon breeding andpruning .
For more on spring - flowering trees , see out :
And for more Mountain West regional reports , click here .
— Michelle Provaznik is executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .
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Clear Creek® golden yellowhorn’s white flowers bloom in long racemes.Photo: courtesy of the Gardens on Spring Creek
It’s rare to see such a large tree covered in flowers; when Northern catalpa blooms, it makes for an impressive display.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
The yellow centers of Clear Creek®golden yellowhorn flowers age to red; you’ll sometimes see both colors on the same flower cluster.Photo: courtesy of the Gardens on Spring Creek
‘Autumn Brilliance’ serviceberry is one of the first trees to bloom in spring.Photo: courtesy of the Gardens on Spring Creek
In addition to its spring flowers, ‘Autumn Brilliance’ serviceberry has summer fruit and fiery orange fall foliage.Photo: courtesy of the Gardens on Spring Creek
