Top 10 Purple Flowering Trees for a Vibrant Landscape

Purple flowering trees captivate with their gorgeous blossoms and rich foliage, adding a touch of elegance and vibrancy to any landscape. These trees provide a beautiful display of color, from the delicate petals of the Purple Orchid Tree to the stunning purple canopy of the Jacaranda. 

Every garden can have the ideal purple-flowering tree, whether you’re searching for a shade tree, a focus point, or a small-space-friendly species. This blog covers the best purple-blooming trees, their special qualities, and growing advice. 

10 Best Purple Flowering Trees

The following list of the 10 best purple flowering plants to elevate your garden with breathtaking purple flowering trees.

• Jacaranda mimosifoli
• Purple Orchid Tree
• Lagerstroemia ‘Purple Magic’ (Crape Myrtle)
• Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera)
• Petrea Volubilis
• Western Redbud 
• Judas Tree
• Silk Floss Tree(Ceiba speciosa)
• Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree (Wisteria sinensis)
• Purple Robe Locust Tree (Robina pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’)     

You can explore more such purple flowering trees with the help of the Plantora app.

Jacaranda mimosifolia 

The Jacaranda mimosifolia is well-known for its gorgeous purple-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. It is native to South America, grows well in warm areas, and is known for its beautiful blue-violet flower in contrast with fern-like foliage. The tree produces a stunning canopy in the late spring and early summer. 

It is generally low-maintenance and moderately fast-growing. Under the tree, they create a captivating purple carpet when they fall. Jacarandas can reach a height of 20 meters and prefer full sun and well-drained soil for growth. Treasured for their decorative beauty, they represent knowledge and regeneration. 

Purple Orchid Tree

The Purple Orchid Tree (Bauhinia purpurea) is an exotic tropical tree native to South Asia. It is known for its lovely, fragrant, and vibrant orchid-like flowers that bloom in winter and persist until early summer. In the fall, before the leaves fall, Orchid-Tree is covered with many beautiful, delightfully fragrant, five-inch-wide blossoms. 

It has bilobed leaves and the blossoms are arranged to nearly resemble orchids, with delicate purple, pink, and lavender petals. It needs partial to full sun, well-draining soil, and a warm temperature between 20-35°C for efficient growth.  Purple orchids symbolize beauty, luxury, and strength, making them ideal for expressing admiration and respect.

Lagerstroemia ‘Purple Magic’ (Crape Myrtle)

Lagerstroemia ‘Purple Magic’ (Crape Myrtle) is a great shrub for planting in small gardens because it is small and grows to a height of 6 to 10 feet. It consists of clusters of vibrant flowers in contrast to deep green foliage, which blooms in mid to late summer. This resilient plant, which has outstanding disease and drought resistance, grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. 

Due to its low-maintenance nature and resistance to various diseases and pest infestation, it has become a great choice for gardeners at all levels. This purple flowering tree represents beauty, determination, and the delight of summer with its lovely clusters of delicate, crepe-like blossoms in vivid colors.

Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera)

The purple-leaf plum is a medium-sized, ornamental, deciduous tree with a short lifespan. This purple flowering tree is native to Eastern and Central Europe and Central and Southwest Asia. It is distinguished by its delicate pinkish-purple blossoms and vivid purple foliage. 

Its fragrant, five-petaled blooms bloom in early spring and create a stunning display before the leaves sprout. This species’ cultivars have pale pink or lavender blooms and rich reddish-purple foliage. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows 15 to 25 feet tall if given proper sunlight and well-drained soil. The Purple-leaf plum is susceptible to many insects and diseases. 

Petrea Volubilis

Petrea volubilis is a tropical woody vine or small tree that grows up to a height of 12 meters. It is an ornamental plant known for its clusters of purple blooms that resemble stars. It grows well in tropical and subtropical areas and is indigenous to Central and South America. 

Its vivid violet blooms, which resemble wisteria, create an amazing spectacle when they bloom in the spring and summer. Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to this purple flowering tree, which thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and can withstand drought. It is a valued addition to gardens, and trellises because of its long-lasting blossoms and decorative appeal.

Western Redbud 

Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis), a beautiful deciduous shrub-like tree, blooms with vivid purple-pink flowers that appear in early spring. It can reach heights of 10–20 feet and widths of 10–15 feet. This little, drought-tolerant tree is native to the western United States and grows well in foothills, canyons, and arid slopes. It needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, yet it is very versatile. 

This purple flowering tree is a favorite in native plant gardens because of its eye-catching floral display, durability, and advantages for wildlife. The tree yields tiny seed pods in the summer that last into the winter. The Western Redbud symbolizes renewal and is a lovely and environmentally responsible addition to gardens.

Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum)

The beautiful purple-flowering tree scientifically known as (Cercis siliquastrum) is indigenous to Western Asia and Southern Europe. Along its bare branches and trunk, it explodes into vivid magenta-pink blossoms in the early spring before its foliage arrives giving it a striking visual appeal. It is generally planted in fall prefers full sun and chalky soil for growth, and can reach up to a height of 20 to 25 feet. 

Pollinators like bees and butterflies are drawn to the tree. This purple flowering tree produces long, flat seed pods that mature in late summer. These pods have several seeds that can be spread by water or wind, aiding in the tree’s growth. The Judas Tree is perfect for urban landscapes and gardens because of its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Silk Floss Tree(Ceiba speciosa)

Ceiba speciosa is a large, semi-deciduous magnificent purple flowering tree renowned for its beauty and unique characteristics. It is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South America. It produces big, star-shaped, vivid pink to purple flowers with palmately compound leaves that bloom from late summer to fall. The tree has a wide, spreading canopy and reaches a height of 30 to 60 feet. 

Its most distinguishing characteristic is its spiky green trunk, which deters animals and holds water. It grows quickly and can withstand drought in warm climates with well-drained soil. Because of its distinctive trunk, colorful blossoms, and resilient nature, it is a striking ornamental tree.

Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree (Wisteria sinensis)

The Blue Chinese Wisteria tree is a deciduous species known for its fragrant, purple flower clusters that cascade down. It originated from Central and Southern China. It produces a captivating display in the spring and early summer with blooms that range from lavender to deep violet and dark green leaves throughout summer that turn to golden yellow in the fall season. 

This tree is a relatively small yet fast-growing purple flowering tree that reaches a mature height of 10 to 15 feet. It is a common choice for gardens, and trellises because it grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Its pleasant scent increases biodiversity by drawing pollinators like bees and butterflies. To keep it in form and promote abundant blooming, regular pruning is necessary. 

Purple Robe Locust Tree (Robina pseudo acacia ‘Purple Robe’)    

The Purple Robe Locust is a beautiful medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous purple flowering tree that grows up to a height of 30 to 50 feet tall. It is a cultivar of the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), which is native to the southeastern United States, particularly the Appalachian and Ozark regions. Its fragrant, wisteria-like flower clusters, which bloom from late spring to early summer, draw hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. 

The fluffy, complex leaves of the tree become golden yellow in the fall after maturing from bronze-red to deep green. It needs dry to medium well-drained soil, partial shade, and bright full sun. This drought-tolerant plant is an eye-catching ornamental plant that adds durability and color to landscapes. Despite its beauty, it may develop suckers and need sporadic care. 

Conclusion 

With their breathtaking display of vivid colors, purple flowering trees provide a touch of vibrancy to any landscape. These trees are enchanting with their elegance, from the brilliant petals of the Silk Floss Tree and Purple Robe Locust to the flowing splendor of the Jacaranda and Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree. Each tree contributes color, scent, and aesthetic appeal, whether it’s the powerful presence of Lagerstroemia “Purple Magic” or the delicate charm of the Western Redbud. These purple-flowering trees are ideal for gardens, parks, or roadways because they turn any place into a beautiful landscape, celebrating nature’s beauty in every season.