Flowering Specimen Trees

Compare the Best Flowering Specimen Trees

Flowering periods and mature dimensions are approximate. Local climate, nursery stock, soil and growing conditions influence performance.

Why Plant Flowering Specimen Trees?

Best Flowering Trees for Small Gardens

Small gardens can benefit enormously from a flowering specimen tree, particularly where a single tree becomes the main ornamental feature.

Magnolia stellata is an excellent compact choice for a sheltered garden, while Crab Apple ‘Evereste’ offers blossom, fruit and attractive seasonal foliage.

Amelanchier lamarckii can also be suitable for smaller gardens where sufficient space is available for its mature crown.

Consider the tree's ultimate width as carefully as its height, particularly near buildings, boundaries and patios.

Explore our Best Trees for Small Gardens guide.

Flowering Trees for Large Gardens

Larger gardens offer the opportunity to use flowering trees as prominent focal points or as part of a coordinated planting scheme.

Cherry ‘Kanzan’ is particularly effective where its broad mature canopy can develop naturally, while groups of flowering trees can create a spectacular spring display.

Combining species with different flowering periods can help extend seasonal interest.

Read our Trees for Large Gardens guide.

Pink Flowering Trees

Pink blossom is particularly popular in ornamental garden design, creating striking colour against fresh spring foliage.

Cherry ‘Kanzan’ produces densely packed double pink flowers, making it one of the most dramatic spring-flowering specimen trees.

Common Hawthorn has white blossom rather than pink, with red fruits adding interest later in the year.

For a more restrained display, Crab Apple ‘Evereste’ has pink flower buds that open to white blossom.

White Flowering Trees

White blossom can create a particularly elegant appearance in contemporary, traditional and naturalistic gardens.

Amelanchier lamarckii produces delicate white flowers, while Magnolia stellata is valued for its distinctive star-shaped blooms.

Ornamental Pear ‘Chanticleer’ provides abundant white blossom on a relatively upright tree.

White-flowering trees can be especially effective against dark evergreen backgrounds or when viewed from inside the house.

Flowering Trees for Wildlife

Flowering trees can be valuable additions to wildlife-friendly gardens, providing food and habitat for insects and birds.

Crab Apple ‘Evereste’ offers spring flowers and fruit, while Amelanchier provides blossom and berries.

Not all ornamental flowers offer equal benefits to pollinators. Highly double flowers can provide less accessible pollen and nectar than single-flowered alternatives.

If biodiversity is your main priority, consider including native Hawthorn alongside ornamental flowering trees.

Discover more in our Trees for Wildlife guide.

Flowering Trees for Clay Soil

Clay soils are common across many parts of Lancashire and North West England. Some flowering trees can perform well in clay, provided drainage is suitable.

Ornamental Pear ‘Chanticleer’ can tolerate a range of soils, including some heavier conditions, while many crab apples also grow successfully in reasonably drained clay.

Magnolias generally benefit from moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Persistently waterlogged planting positions should be addressed before planting.

See our Trees for Clay Soil guide.

Flowering Trees for Full Sun

Many flowering specimen trees perform best in positions receiving good sunlight.

Cherry ‘Kanzan’, Crab Apple ‘Evereste’ and Ornamental Pear ‘Chanticleer’ generally flower well in sunny positions where soil conditions are suitable.

Amelanchier can tolerate some partial shade, although flowering and autumn colour may be influenced by light levels.

Read our Trees for Full Sun guide.

How to Extend the Flowering Season

A carefully selected combination of flowering trees can provide interest across several weeks of spring.

Magnolia stellata and Amelanchier are generally among the earlier flowering choices, followed by ornamental pears, crab apples and ornamental cherries.

Common Hawthorn typically flowers later in spring, helping to extend the display.

Exact flowering order varies with temperature, location and seasonal weather. A sheltered garden may experience earlier flowering than an exposed rural site.

Planting Flowering Specimen Trees

1. Choose the right position. Consider mature size, sunlight, wind exposure and the view of the tree from the house.
2. Check the soil. Assess drainage, compaction and moisture before planting.
3. Choose the correct stock type. Bare-root and rootballed trees generally require dormant-season planting, while container-grown trees offer greater flexibility.
4. Prepare the planting area. Remove competing vegetation and provide sufficient space for root establishment.
5. Plant at the correct depth. Keep the root flare at the appropriate finished soil level.
6. Support the tree. Use suitable staking or anchoring where necessary.
7. Mulch the root zone. Apply organic mulch without covering the trunk.
8. Water during establishment. Monitor moisture carefully, particularly through dry spring and summer weather.

Professional Flowering Tree Supply and Planting

Landscaping Emporium supplies selected flowering specimen trees for private gardens, country properties and professional landscaping projects.

Through Kirman Design, professional planting may be available across selected areas of Lancashire, the Ribble Valley, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria.

Our usual installation postcode areas include:

BB, BL, CH1–CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1–LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1–SK12, WA and WN.

Installation availability depends on tree size, delivery access, site conditions and project requirements.

Telephone: 01942 604976

Email: hello@landscapingemporium.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions