20 Beautiful Flowering Trees For Indiana

Are you searching for flowering trees in Indiana that you can plant in your home garden? The Hoosier State can have harsh winters and summers, which means you will need sturdy, drought, cold, and heat-tolerant blossoming trees to plant in your garden so that they remain healthy and flower brilliantly. Read on to discover the best flowering trees to plant in Indiana! 

Contrary to popular belief, Indiana isn’t just a flat state; it’s blessed with a versatile landscape comprising of hilly areas and flatlands. The north side of the state is quite flat, but the southern part is blessed with canyons, hills, and more textured terrains.

The landscape of Indiana is divided into three geographical regions – the Great Lakes Plains, the Till Plains, and the Southern Plains and Lowlands. The landform comprises rivers, plains, lakes, forests, hills, and farmland. 

Apart from its diverse landscape, the state of Indiana also experiences four distinct seasons. It is situated in the humid subtropical climate region. This type of climate is typically characterized by hot, humid summers and temperate winters. The state also experienced moderately high humidity and rainfall fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.

Given its somewhat harsh summers and winters, you need to find sturdy trees to plant in your Indiana lawn. If you want to boost the curbside appeal of your home, you can plant some popular US native trees in your lawn, including the ever-gorgeous and stately Tulip Poplar, the low-maintenance Redbud, Maple, and the striking and popular Flowering Dogwood. 

Regardless of the type of tree you choose to plant in your garden, these flowering trees will attract bees, birds, butterflies, and other visitors to your garden due to their blossoming, fragrant flowers, excellent fall foliage, and fruit-bearing branches. 

So, without any ado, let’s take a look at twenty flowering trees that you can grow easily in your Indiana home garden! 

1. Yellow Poplar/Tulip Tree

• Liriodendron tulipifera
• Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
• Height: 70-90 ft

Yellow Poplar or Tulip Trees are majestic, tall flowering specimens with a columnar, pyramidal or broad conical crown. These deciduous eastern North American native blossoming specimens are loved for their tulip-like, yellow-hued, cup-shaped blossoms that have a distinctive orange band at the base of each petal. These trees also bear dry, scaly, cone-shaped, oblong brown fruits and four-lobed, bright green leaves that develop a golden-yellow hue in autumn. Tulip Poplar Trees grow well in sun-kissed areas and well-drained, rich, moist, loamy soils. 

2. Native Redbud

• Cercis canadensis
• Flowering in: Summer
• Height: 20-30 ft

Native Redbud Trees are widely popular flowering specimens. They are medium-sized US and Mexican natives with horizontally growing branches and a rounded crown. These multi-trunked flowering trees have heart-shaped, deciduous, dark green leaves that develop a canary yellow color in fall. They also feature long-lasting, rosy-pink flowers that blossom from tiny magenta shoots. Redbuds are exceptionally low-maintenance trees that can thrive in various growing conditions. 

3. Flowering Dogwood

• Cornus florida
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 25 ft

Grown popularly across the US, Flowering Dogwoods are ornamental trees native to Mexico and the northern US. They feature a pyramidal crown that becomes rounded with age. These trees feature deciduous, oval, green leaves that develop a purple-red hue in fall. They also produce minute white flowers that grow in compact clusters. The blossoms develop from pink bracts. Dogwood Trees grow well in well-drained, rich soils and partially shaded areas. 

4. Sweetbay Magnolia

• Magnolia virginiana
• Flowering in: Late Spring to Early Summer
• Height: 10-20 ft

Sweet Bay Magnolias are multi-stemmed flowering shrubs with a rounded, spreading crown. These flowering specimens are native to the southeastern United States. They feature slightly fragrant, cup-shaped, 9-petaled, waxy, creamy-white flowers. They also have shiny green leaves with unique silvery undersides. Sweet Bay Magnolias need to be planted in well-drained, organically rich, acidic, moist soils and sun-kissed or partially shaded areas to thrive. 

5. Hydrangea Tree

• Hydrangea macrophylla
• Flowering in: Summer
• Height: 25 ft

Commonly known as big Leaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea Trees are deciduous flowering shrubs with a rounded crown decorated with obovate to elliptic, serrate, dark green leaves. These shrubs also produce large, flattened or globose clusters of showy, creamy-white flowers. Hydrangea Trees grow well in well-drained, medium moist, rich soils and partially shaded areas. They can also tolerate the full sun when grown in consistently moist soils. 

6. Native Serviceberry

• Amelanchier alnifolia
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 10-25 ft

Also known as Saskatoon Serviceberry, Native Serviceberry Trees are multi-stemmed shrubs or small-sized trees that feature compact clusters of 5-petaled, white blossoms. The flowers are followed by tiny, rounded, edible, dark purplish-black-hued berries. These trees also feature oval-rounded, finely toothed, and pale to dark green leaves that turn various shades of yellow in fall. Native Serviceberry Trees thrive in well-drained, medium moist soils and sun-kissed or speckled locations.

7. Flowering Pear Tree

• Pyrus calleryana
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 40 ft

Flowering Pear Tree, also called Callery or Bradford Pear, is a medium-sized flowering specimen native to China and Vietnam. It’s a drought-tolerant, fast-growing blossoming tree that features dark green, ovate, alternate leaves. It has upright branches and an upright, narrow crown decorated with striking clusters of pure white blossoms. Flowering Pear Trees have spectacular red, orange, plum, and mellow golden yellow fall foliage. These trees grow well in somewhat alkaline, medium moist, organically rich, and well-drained soils and sunlit areas. 

8. Autumn Cherry Tree

• Prunus subhirtella ‘autumnalis’
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 20-30 ft

Autumn Cherry Tree, also known as Higan Cherry, is a Japanese native flowering specimen. It’s a small-sized, hybrid tree that features ovate to lanceolate, green, deciduous leaves that develop a yellow hue in autumn. This tree produces double, pale pink or white, non-fragrant flowers and bears pea-sized, black-hued fruits. Autumn Cherry Tree grows best and flowers brilliantly in sunlit areas and in well-drained, moist, fertile, loamy soils. 

9. Black Cherry

• Prunus serotina
• Flowering in: Early Spring
• Height: 60-90 ft

Black Cherry is a tall eastern North American native flowering tree. It features a rounded to columnar crown that is adorned with slender, pendulous clusters of white scented blossoms. This tree also bears drooping clusters of tiny red cherries. Black Cherry Tree has ovate-oblong, narrow, lanceolate, glossy, serrate green leaves that turn red and yellow in fall. This tree grows well in sun-kissed or speckled locations and moist, fertile, well-drained soils. 

10. Devil’s Walking Stick

• Aralia spinosa l.
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 12-20 ft

Also known as Hercules club, Devil’s Walking Stick is a large, suckering, upright, deciduous shrub that can also be grown as a small, flat-topped tree. Native to Missouri, US, this tree features club-like branches adorned with conspicuous, umbrella-like canopies of massive, compound, alternate, medium to dark green leaves that turn dull purple or yellow in fall. It also produces 5-petaled, small, white blossoms that grow in huge, terminal clusters. Devil’s Walking Stick is a drought-tolerant tree that thrives in moist, well-drained, fertile, humusy loams and sunlit or speckled areas. 

11. Prairie Crabapple

• Malus ioensis
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 30 ft

Prairie Crabapple Trees are North American and Eurasian natives. They are small-sized ornamental specimens that feature deciduous, maroon or purple-hued, pointy leaves that develop a dark green hue in maturity. These trees have an upright crown adorned with pinkish-red buds that blossom into profuse clusters of slightly scented dark pink and red blooms. Prairie Crabapple Trees are disease-resistant specimens that grow well in sun-kissed locations and moderately fertile, well-drained soils. 

12. Northern Catalpa Tree

• Catalpa speciosa
• Flowering in: Spring and Early Summer
• Height: 40-60 ft

Northern Catalpa Trees are award-winning flowering specimens. Native to the US, these trees feature attractive twisting, narrow trunks and curving branches that make up a slightly oval crown. They grow striking clusters of white-hued, trumpet-shaped, slightly fragrant flowers. The blooms feature distinctive yellow stripes and purple speckles. These trees also feature giant, glossy green. Heart-shaped, deciduous leaves. They need sun-kissed areas and organically rich, moist, loamy, and well-drained clay soils to thrive. 

13. Kentucky Coffeetree

• Gymnocladus dioicus
• Flowering in: Late Spring to Early Summer
• Height: 60-75 ft

Kentucky Coffeetree is recognized for its spike-shaped clusters of greenish-white blossoms. It’s a tall, drought-tolerant ornamental specimen native to Northeastern and Central America. This flowering tree features an upright crown with spreading branches adorned with bluish-green, compound leaves that develop a yellow hue in autumn. Kentucky Coffeetree grows well in sunlit locations and clay, sandy, moist, deep, and well-drained soils. 

14. Downy Hawthorn

• Crataegus mollis
• Flowering in: Late Spring to Early Summer
• Height: 15-30 ft

White hawthorn or Downy Hawthorn is a deer-resistant, small-sized tree with a rounded crown, tall trunk and horizontally growing branches. This flowering tree features small, flat-topped clusters of 5-petaled, white, pungent blossoms. It also grows oval, serrated, alternate, deciduous, yellowish-green leaves. This tree needs sunlit areas and well-drained, moist, fertile soils to thrive. 

15. American Plum/Wild Plum

• Prunus americana
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 15-25 ft

Wild Plum or American Plum Trees are short-trunked, small-sized flowering specimens that form thickets. Native to the US, these trees yield white, scented, massive blossoms that bloom in flat-topped clusters along its arching branches. They also have an attractive mix of electric red and pale yellow fall foliage. These blossoming trees grow well in well-drained soils and sun-kissed locations. 

16. Yellowwood

• Cladrastis kentukea
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 30-50 ft

Yellowwood Trees are medium-sized flowering specimens with upward-facing branches adorned with yellow-green, deciduous, pinnate leaves. These US native trees have a wide, rounded crown and vivid yellow fall foliage. Yellowwood Trees yield intensely aromatic white flowers that bloom in huge, pendulous clusters or tumbling canopies. These ornamental trees need sunlit spaces and fertile, well-drained soils to thrive. 

17. Spicebush

• Lindera benzoin
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 6-12 ft

Native to the Eastern United States, Missouri in specific, Spicebush is a small-sized, deciduous shrub with a rounded, broad crown. It produces clusters of apetalous, minute, scented, greenish-yellow blossoms that grow along its branches. The female flowers give way to bright red, bird-attracting drupes. This tree also has oblong-obovate, thick, light green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Spicebush grows well and flowers wonderfully in well-drained, medium moist soils and sunlit areas. 

18. Blackhaw Viburnum 

• Viburnum prunifolium
• Flowering in: Early Fall 
• Height: 12-15 ft

Blackhaw Viburnum Trees grow berry-like, blue-black-colored fruits. These US natives are upright, multi-stemmed flowering shrubs with flat-topped clusters of white blossoms. They also have ovate, finely toothed, dark green, glossy leaves that develop purple and red hues in autumn. Blackhaw Viburnum Trees are drought-tolerant specimens that thrive in sun-kissed or speckled locations and well-drained soils. 

19. Japanese Tree Lilac

• Syringa reticulata ivory silk
• Flowering in: Early Summer 
• Height: 15-25 ft

Japanese Tree Lilac is a small-sized, multi-trunked flowering specimen that you can also grow as a single-trunk tree. It’s an award-winning flowering tree with dark green leaves that contrasts exceptionally well with its copious, large, dense, pendulous clusters of creamy-white, minute, scented flowers.
Japanese Tree Lilacs are low-maintenance, hardy trees that grow well in sunlit areas and medium moist, well-drained soils. 

20. Star Magnolia

• Magnolia kobus var. stellata
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 20 ft

Grown popularly across the US, Star Magnolias are Japanese native flowering trees. These ornamental specimens feature scented, star-shaped, large white flowers that bloom on their stark, naked branches. Each exquisite flower has 25 to 30 distinctive, elongated, ribbon-shaped petals with pale yellow centers. These trees also have glossy, oblong leaves. Star Magnolias are versatile, pest-resistant trees that thrive in sunlit or speckled areas and well-drained soils.