Flowering Southern Trees You Need to Plant Now

By Southern Living

Make a big impact with a Southern tree that’s bursting with colorful buds. These iconic Southern plants are a surefire way to add a dose of character and curb appeal to your landscape.

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Crepe Myrtle

Rob Cardillo

These resilient flowering trees are a no-brainer in the South. They love a full sun environment and thrive in the upper, middle, lower, and coastal South planting zones. Their flowers come in a variety of shades including pink, purple, red, and white. You can expect your Crepe Myrtle to put on a show of color during the summer months. 

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Flowering Dogwood

Ralph Anderson

There are many dogwood varieties, but no type is quite as popular in the South as the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). The flowering dogwood, native to the eastern United States from New England to central Florida, is the state flower of North Carolina and Virginia. Its blooms are typically white, though you might occasionally spot pink and red variations also.

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Magnolia

Southern Living

The massive flowers of the Southern magnolia have become iconic in our region. It’s the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana and for good reason—it stuns year round. The blooms are wonderfully fragrant and borne among their leaves as opposed to the ends of the branches.

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Cherry Blossom

Southern Living

Though cherry blossom season is fleeting, lasting just about a month every spring, its stunning beauty can’t be disputed. Their subtly fragrant flowers also make for beautiful cut-branch arrangements.

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Redbud

Getty/Michael P Gadomski

Before their leaves arrive, redbuds explode in small, sweet peashaped flowers. They range in color from lavender-pink to rosy purple, appearing on twigs, branches, and even the main trunk. Beanlike pods appear after the flowers and give rise to seedlings that turn into broad, heart-shaped leaves. They thrive in full sun or partial shade.

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Forsythia

Getty/hdmddphoto

Forsythia are a popular choice because they’re inexpensive, easy to grow, and dependably colorful. They bloom with thousands of tiny yellow flowers from late winter to early spring.

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Jacaranda

Getty/Claver Carroll

If you live in the tropical South, chances are you’ve spotted these massive trees with countless lavender-colored blossoms. Jacaranda prefer sandy soil, but won’t flower if they’re in the path of ocean winds. They thrive in full sun.

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