From a gentle lilac to deep violet, trees with purple flowers are sure to add the most beautiful contrasting color to your backyard.
But depending on your location, you’ll want to make sure you’re planting the right tree.
Here is a list of some of the most popular flowering trees that are purple.
Table of Contents
1. Jacaranda Trees
- Scientific Name: Jacaranda Mimosifolia
A hurricane of Jacarandas; the Jacaranda is a popular tree known for its beautiful purple flowers.
They are fast-growing trees that can reach up to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide.
The Jacaranda is best suited for USDA zones 9-11.
These trees need full sun all day, so it’s best to plant them somewhere it won’t be crowded.
2. Crape Myrtle Trees
- Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia Spp
Crape Myrtle flowers begin blooming in the early summer.
By the fall, the leaves turn into shades of yellow, orange, and red before the flowers die and fall to the ground.
These trees are hardy and can survive frosty winters and hot summers, but they are best suited for USDA zones 7-9.
The Myrtle tree can grow to be between 15 and 25 feet tall, and its branches spread outwards, giving the trees a round shape.
The bark is thin and smooth, and it can be either light or dark gray in color.
3. Chaste Trees
- Scientific Name: Vitex Agnus-Castus
The Chaste Trees are deciduous shrubs that can grow up to 15 feet tall.
It has terminal panicles of small, fragrant, purple flowers and dark green leaves.
These trees are native to the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor, but they can also be found in other parts of the world, including the United States.
The Chaste Tree is tolerant of a wide range of soils and climates, but it prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is also drought-tolerant once established.
The Chaste Tree is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
4. Lilac Bush
- Scientific Name: Syringa Vulgaris
A lilac bush is a shrub that typically has many thin, branching stems and grows 3 to 6 feet tall.
The leaves are oval, green, and about 2-4 inches long. Lilac flowers are fragrant, tubular, and come in shades of purple, white, or pink.
They grow in clusters at the ends of the branches and bloom in late spring.
Lilac bushes are hardy in USDA zones 3-7.
They prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade, and will do best in soil that is well-drained and fertile.
Lilacs are relatively low-maintenance shrubs, but they should be pruned annually to encourage new growth.
5. Magnolia ‘Royal Purple’
- Scientific Name: Magnolia x Soulangeana
A magnolia flower can be described as large, purple, and strikingly beautiful.
They can grow up to 20 inches in diameter and typically bloom during the spring. The trees themselves can grow up to 80 feet tall.
Magnolia trees grow the best in USDA zones 5-9.
They prefer moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
Magnolia flowers are pollinated by beetles that also thrive in the same climate.
6. Purple Flowers Lily Magnolia
- Scientific Name: Magnolia Liliflora
While similar, these magnolia trees are very different.
The Royal Purple magnolia trees produce a large purple flowering, but the purple lily magnolia produces white flowers.
The underside of these flowers is purple, and when seen from a distance, they give off a light purple look.
The purple lily magnolia grows best in zones 5-8.
They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade, making them a good choice for those who live in areas with hot summers and shady yards.
7. Mountain Laurel
- Scientific Name: Kalmia Latifolia
Mountain Laurel is a fairly small tree that grows up to 30 feet tall.
When the flowers blossom, they are purple bell-shaped and hang down from the branches. The leaves are dark green and shiny
Mountain Laurel is native to the eastern United States and prefers to grow in shady, wooded areas. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types but prefers acidic conditions.
Mountain Laurel will do best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
8. Purple Robe Locust
- Scientific Name: Robinia Pseudoacacia
The Purple Robe Locust is another flowering tree that has purple flowers.
The flowers are small and clustered together, and they have a sweet fragrance, perfect for patio plants.
These trees are native to North America, and it grows in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, prairies, and along streams.
The Purple Robe Locust is a fast-growing tree, and it can reach heights of 30 feet (9 meters). The tree has compound leaves with 20-40 leaflets, and the leaves turn yellow in the fall.
The Purple Robe Locust is a popular tree for landscaping, and it is also used as a street tree in many cities.
The USDA zone where the Purple Robe Locust grows the best is 6-9. The tree is cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
These trees also tolerates drought and windy conditions.
9. Orchid tree
- Scientific Name: Bauhinia Variegata
Orchid trees are small, low-maintenance trees that grow to a maximum height of 10 feet.
They are known for their large, bright purple flowers that bloom in early spring and look similar to regular orchid flowers.
These trees are sometimes called the Butterfly Tree. When the bright petals open up, they look like large butterflies sitting on branches.
They are best suited for USDA zones 9-11 because they need warm weather and plenty of full sun to thrive.
10. Dogwood
- Scientific Name: Cornus Florida
Dogwood trees are a type of flowering tree that can be found in many parts of the United States.
They typically have a purple flower and grow to be around 25 feet tall.
Dogwood trees are a popular choice for landscaping because of their beautiful flowers and unique leaves.
Dogwood trees grow well in zones 5-9. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun.
11. Desert Willow
- Scientific Name: Chilopsis Linearis
Desert willows are small trees that typically grow between 10 and 20 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 inches.
They have long, narrow leaves that are up to 8 inches wide and 2 feet long.
The flowers are very showy, with large petals that range in color from white or light pink to deep purple orchids.
Desert willows grow well in USDA zones 7 through 10. They prefer hot, dry conditions and full sun.
12. Royal Empress Tree
- Scientific Name: Paulownia Tomentosa
The royal empress tree is a deciduous tree that typically grows to a height of 30-40 feet.
It has large, hanging flowers that are purple when they first emerge but turn green as they mature. These trees produce fragrant purple flowers that smell like vanilla in late spring or early summer.
The royal empress tree grows best in USDA zones 5-9.
It is a drought-tolerant tree that requires little maintenance, making it a good choice for areas with hot summers and limited rainfall.
These trees will grow best when they aren’t competing for root space. If you want one of these trees in your backyard, don’t plant anything else around the base.
13. Eastern Redbud Trees
- Scientific Name: Cercis Canadensis
Eastern redbud trees are small, deciduous trees that typically grow to a height of around 20 feet.
They have a rounded shape and produce clusters of purple flowers in the spring. The leaves are heart-shaped and turn yellow in the fall.
Eastern redbud trees are native to eastern North America and are commonly found in woodlands and forests.
The eastern redbud trees grow best in USDA zones 5 through 9.
They are tolerant of a variety of soil conditions and can grow in both full sun and partial shade.
The purple flowers are a beautiful addition to any landscape, and the leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall.
14. Lavender Twist
- Scientific Name: Cecis canadensis
If you compare the scientific name of the lavender twist, and the eastern redbud above, you’ll notice they are similar.
That’s because they are in the same family! The lavender twist is a small tree, only growing to about 15 feet tall.
It has beautiful purple flowers that bloom in the springtime. These trees are native to eastern North America and can be found in woodlands and forest edges.
The lavender twist grows well in zones 4-9. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade to full sun.
15. Hibiscus Tree
- Scientific Name: Hibiscus Syriacus
A hibiscus tree is a beautiful sight to behold. It has large, purple flowers that bloom in the summertime.
The leaves are deep green and the branches are sturdy. The hibiscus tree grows well in hot climates and is a popular choice for landscaping.
The USDA zone where the hibiscus tree grows the best in zones 9-11. This is because it needs a lot of sun and these zones have the most sun.
16. Leaf Plum | Color Purple
- Scientific Name: Prunus Carasifera
The Purple leaf plum is a small, deciduous trees that typically grows 15-25 feet tall.
It has purple or reddish leaves and purple flowers that bloom in the spring. The fruit is a small, dark purple plum.
The Purple leaf Plum prefers cooler temperatures and doesn’t like the heat. It is best suited for USDA zones 4-8.
17. Purple Wisteria Tree
- Scientific Name: Wisteria Sinensis
The purple wisteria tree is a beautiful and unique tree that has purple flowers.
It is a deciduous tree, which means that it loses its leaves in the winter. The leaves are deep green and the flowers are a beautiful purple.
These trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and has a spread of 20 feet. They are fast-growing trees and bloom in the springtime.
The purple wisteria tree grows best in USDA zones 6-9. It is a fast-growing tree and needs plenty of sunlight, so it grows best in warmer climates.
The tree blooms in the springtime and the flowers are a beautiful purple.
18. Silk Floss Tree
- Scientific Name: Ceiba Speciosa
The silk floss tree is a beautiful, exotic tree that has large, purple flowers.
These flowers are extremely fragrant and can be smelled from a long distance away. The tree itself is very tall and can grow up to 100 feet tall.
The silk floss tree grows best in USDA zone 10b.
It is able to tolerate high temperatures and humidity, making it the perfect plant for tropical climates.
19. Takasago Flowering Cherry
- Scientific Name: Prunus Sieboldii
The Takasago Flowering Cherry is a beautiful tree that blooms with stunning purple flowers. It can grow up to 25 feet tall and has a graceful appearance.
These trees are native to Japan and are prized for their lovely blossoms.
The Takasago Flowering Cherry grows the best in USDA zones 5-8. It is resistant to pests and diseases and is tolerant of a variety of soil types.
The tree’s purple flowers are beautiful and make it a popular choice for landscaping.
20. Korean Lilac Tree
- Scientific Name: Syringa pubescens
Technically these trees are more shrubs.
In full sun, it grows to be about 5 or 6 feet tall.
The purple flowers on the Korean lilac tree look a lot like the flowers on a jacaranda tree, but it doesn’t need a tropical climate to grow.
The Korean lilac tree grows the best in USDA zones 4-8.
They prefer well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate part of shade.
They can tolerate mild summers and bitterly cold winters. Even the road salt won’t bother these trees.
21. Texas Smoke Tree
- Scientific Name: Cotinus Obovatus
Texas smoke trees are a type of deciduous tree that typically grows 20 to 30 feet tall, with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. They have a rounded shape and light gray bark.
The leaves are green and turn yellow in the fall and the flowers are small, purple, and fragrant.
The flowers on the Texas smoke tree, also sometimes called the American smoke tree, form in clusters that are 6-10 inches long.
These trees like full sun, and well-draining soil, and they thrive in USDA zones 6-9.
Texas smoke trees are drought tolerant and they don’t need a lot of fertilizer. If you do fertilize them, use a low nitrogen fertilizer in the spring.
22. Royal Purple Smoke Tree
- Scientific Name: Cotinus Coggygria
These trees almost didn’t make the list.
It has small yellow flowers, but the trees produce dense, dark purple leaves that give it a smoky appearance, hence the name.
The royal purple smoke tree is a fast-growing tree that can reach 15 feet tall and it does best in USDA zones 5-9.
Best Fertilizer for Purple Flowering Trees
The best type of fertilizer you can give a flowering tree is a slow-release, high phosphorous blend that will help the flowers bloom.
Phosphorous is responsible for the development of strong roots and helps the plant to take up nutrients from the soil. It also encourages flowering.
A high phosphorous fertilizer will encourage more flowers to grow on your tree.
It is important to use a slow-release fertilizer so that the nutrients are released over time and don’t all get used up at once.
This fertilizer is great for all types of flowering trees. It is designed to produce more flowers and brighter colors from your flowering trees.
Final Thoughts
As we come to the end of this blog post, we want to remind our readers that trees with purple flowers can be found in many different parts of the world.
No matter where you live, there is probably a tree that will produce lovely blooms in the springtime.
We hope you take some time to get outside and explore your local flora!
