21 Great Flowering Trees For Utah Gardens

Do you wish to plant flowering trees in your home garden in Utah? Well, you’re in luck! The Beehive State is known to have some of the most exquisite ornamental blossoming trees in all of America. Read on to find out everything you need to know about 21 flowering trees in Utah! 

Named after the people of the mountains – Native American tribe Ute – Utah is blessed with a splendid terrain that includes some noteworthy, majestic mountainous ranges. It’s primarily divided into three significant geographic regions – the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Ridge Region, and the Rocky Mountains. These regions boast spectacular mountains, cliffs, valleys, flat landscapes, canyons, rock formations, and more. The state also has a low desert and a high desert. 

Moreover, Utah is one of the luckier US states that enjoy four distinct seasons. The state has widely variable climate zones, but primarily, it has a dry, semi-arid and desert climate. It’s also one of the driest US states with one of the lowest humidity percentages in the country. 

Summers in Utah are hot with relatively cooler nights. Meanwhile, winters bring low temperatures with snow in the north. In the mountainous regions, the summer season is quite pleasant, with surprisingly cold nights, while winters can be harsh. In the south of Utah, winters are relatively warmer. 

Thanks to its versatile landscape and dry climate, Utah grows some of the hardiest trees. Common trees that you can see across the state include different types of Maple Trees, Oak Trees, Pine Trees, and Fir Trees. The desert state can also grow a wide range of drought-tolerant, versatile flowering trees. 

Related: 7 Best Shade Trees For Utah

Some of the best-grown flowering trees in Utah include Redbuds, Canada Red Chokecherry Trees, Hawthorns, Black Locust Trees, Fringe Trees, and Desert Willow Trees. You can grow these and other flowering trees in your garden as standalone specimens, understory, pruned trees, or multi-stemmed shrubs. You can rest assured that once they bloom, they will instantly boost the curbside appeal of your home. 

So, without any ado, let’s take a look at 21 stunning flowering trees in Utah! 

1. Tulip Tree

  • Liriodendron
  • Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
  • Height: 70-90 ft  
Tulip Tree
Michiel Thomas Tulip Tree

Tulip Trees are tall, stately eastern North American natives. They feature a pyramidal or oval-rounded crown decorated with glossy, 4-lobed, bright green foliage. These trees yield tulip-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers with an orange base. The blooms give way to cone-shaped fruits. Tulip Trees tend to thrive in well-drained, moist, acidic, organically rich soils and sunny areas. 

2. Canada Red Chokecherry

  • Prunus virginiana ‘Canada red’
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 30 ft
Prunus virginiana Canada Red
David J. Stang Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red’

Canada Red Chokecherry is a medium-sized, ornamental tree with a widespread, oval to rounded crown and a straight trunk. It features deciduous green leaves that grow on arching branches and turn reddish-purple to dark purple in maturity. It produces small white flowers that give way to tiny black fruits. This hardy tree grows well in sunny or partially speckled spots and needs evenly moist, well-drained soils. 

3. Crabapple

  • Malus sylvestris
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 40 ft
Malus sylvestris
Hans Hillewaert Malus sylvestris

Crabapple Trees are medium-sized flowering trees that yield stunning clusters of white and pink flowers. These trees are native to the temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. They bear clusters of fleshy yellow, red, and green tart apples. Crabapple Trees also feature deciduous, oval, pointy-tipped, green foliage that turns yellowish-orange and reddish-purple in fall. This versatile tree grows best in sunny or partially speckled spots and moist, well-drained soils. 

4. Eastern Redbud

  • Cercis canadensis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 30 ft
jumpstory download20210211 144057
JumpStory Eastern Redbud

Eastern Redbuds are popularly-grown, medium-sized, multi-trunked ornamental trees. These low-maintenance US and Mexican natives feature a rounded crown made of horizontally-growing branches. Redbuds are adorned with deciduous, dark green, heart-shaped foliage that turns canary yellow in fall. They yield striking clusters of tiny magenta shoots that bloom into long-lasting, rosy-pink flowers. This tree thrives in various soil and sun conditions. 

5. Golden Rain Tree

  • Koelreuteria paniculata
  • Flowering in: Summer 
  • Height: 30-40 ft
Koelreuteria paniculata
H.Zell Koelreuteria paniculata

Native to China, Korea, and Japan, Golden Rain Trees are medium-sized flowering trees. They feature a rounded habitat, open branches, and deciduous, feathery, pinnate, purplish-pink leaves that turn apple-green in maturity. This tree has breathtaking golden-yellow foliage in fall. It yields long clusters of beautiful rich yellow blossoms. It grows well in well-drained soils and sunny locations. 

6. Hawthorn 

  • Crataegus spp.
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 20-30 ft
hawthorn flower
Yay Hawthorn flower

Hawthorns are native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. They are small to medium-sized trees that feature a deciduous, lobed, toothed, green foliage and an upright, spreading crown. This tree yields fragrant, pink or white, 5-petaled blossoms that resemble apple blossoms and give way to edible pomes that attract songbirds. Hawthorns are drought-resistant trees that thrive in various soil conditions and sunny locations. 

7. Red Horse Chestnut

  • Aesculus x carnea
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 35 ft
Aesculus x carnea or Red horse chestnut flower 1
Yay Aesculus x carnea or Red horse chestnut flower

Discovered in Europe, Red Horse Chestnut Trees are hybrid flowering trees. They feature compound, palmate, dark green foliage with doubly-toothed, oblong-obovate leaflets. They have a rounded or oval habitat profuse with upright terminal clusters of attractive pink to red flowers. This tree grows well in fertile, well-drained, medium-moist soils and sunny or partially shaded spots.

8. Idaho Flowering Locust

  • Robinia pseudoacacia
  • Flowering in: Late Spring 
  • Height: 30-50 ft
Robinia pseudoacacia
AnRo0002 Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Also known as Black Locust, Idaho Flowering Locust is an eastern and central US native. It’s a medium-sized, flowering tree with a broadly columnar single trunk and narrow-oblong crown. This tree yields pendulous clusters of scented, wisteria-like flowers. It also bears smooth, flat, purple-brown seed pods. It features compound, deciduous, pinnate, dark blue-green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Black Locust thrives in organically rich, well-drained, moist loams and sunny areas. 

9. Japanese Tree Lilac

  • Syringa reticulata ivory silk
  • Flowering in: Early Summer
  • Height: 15-25 ft 
28562804 view of japanese tree lilac or syringa reticulata full of flowers in the springtime popular zaimov park district oborishte
Yay Japanese tree lilac (syringa reticulata) full of flowers in the springtime.

Japanese Tree Lilac is an urban-tolerant, small-sized tree with an oval to rounded habitat. This award-winning, multi-trunked tree features dark green leaves that grow alongside abundant, massive, foot-long clusters of tiny, scented, gorgeous, creamy white flowers. Japanese Lilac Trees are hardy, low-maintenance trees that grow well in sunny locations and medium-moist, well-drained soils. 

10. Kwanzan Cherry

  • Prunus serrulata kanzan
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 30 ft
Prunus serrulata kanzan
Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’
Moonik

Kwanzan Cherry Trees are medium-sized ornamental trees with a spreading-rounded crown made of upright, vase-shaped branches. This Japanese native produces pendulous clusters of double, dense, deep pink blossoms with 20 to 30 flowers. It features dark green, serrate, ovate foliage that turns orange-bronze and yellow in fall. Kwanzan Cherry grows best in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soils and sunny areas. 

11. Northern Catalpa Tree

  • Catalpa speciosa
  • Flowering in: Spring to Early Summer
  • Height: 40-60 ft
35044172 northern catalpa flowers 1
Yay Northern catalpa flowers

Northern Catalpa Tree is an award-winning tree with a narrow, twisting trunk. This US native features a slightly oval crown, arching branches, and deciduous, giant, heart-shaped, glossy green leaves. It yields attractive clusters of slightly scented, trumpet-shaped, white flowers with yellow stripes and purple speckles. Northern Catalpa thrives in moist, organically rich, acidic, well-drained loams and clay soils and partially shaded spots. 

12. Purple Leaf Plum

  • Prunus cerasifera
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 25 ft
prunus cerasifera
JumpStory prunus cerasifera

Also known as Cherry Plum Trees, Purple Leaf Plum Trees are native to western Asia and the Caucasus. They have a dense, upright, and spreading crown that is adorned with ovate, serrate, showy purple leaves. The foliage emerges as ruby red and grows into a wonderful dark reddish-purple hue. These deciduous trees yield immensely fragrant, individually-growing, 5-petaled, white blossoms that give way to small, somewhat sweet, edible fruits. They grow well and bloom in sunny locations and medium-moist, well-drained soils. 

Related: 15 Best fruit trees for Utah

13. Common Smoke Tree

  • Cotinus coggygria
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 10-15 ft

Common Smoke Trees are central Chinese and southern European natives. These deciduous trees or shrubs have an upright, loose-spread crown. They yield small, yellowish blossoms that grow on distinctive stalks with smoky pink or purplish-pink fine hair, which gives the appearance of smoke. These trees feature bluish-green, ovate leaves that turn purplish-red, orange, and yellow in fall. They tend to thrive in sunny locations and moist, well-drained, somewhat infertile soils. 

14. Fringe Tree

  • Chionanthus virginicus
  • Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
  • Height: 20 ft
A white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus
Cephas A white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)

Fringe Trees are eastern US natives. They are small-sized flowering trees with a spreading, rounded crown and deciduous, spear-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. This tree yields drooping clusters of fringe-shaped, creamy white flowers that are followed by bluish-black, olive-type fruits. Fringe Trees are known to grow well in sunny or speckled spots and well-drained, fertile, moist soils.  

15. Yellowwood

  • Cladrastis kentukea
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 30-50 ft
Yellowwood. Cladrastis kentukea
karen_hine Yellowwood. (Cladrastis kentukea)

Yellowwood is an American native flowering tree with a wide, rounded crown that features upward-spreading branches and deciduous, yellow-green, pinnate leaves that turn vivid yellow in fall. These trees yield massive, pendulous clusters of intensely scented white blooms that grow in tumbling canopies. Yellowwood Trees thrive in fertile, well-drained soils and sunny areas. 

16. Kentucky Coffeetree

  • Gymnocladus dioicus
  • Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
  • Height: 60-75 ft
Kentucky Coffee Tree Gymnocladus dioicus.
Leonora (Ellie) Enking Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus).

Kentucky Coffeetree is a tall tree with an upright crown of spreading branches decorated with spike-shaped clusters of greenish-white blossoms. This Northeastern and Central American native features compound, bluish-green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Kentucky Coffeetree is a drought-tolerant flowering tree that grows well deep, well-drained, moist clay and sandy soils and sunny areas. 

17. Cornelian Cherry

  • Cornus mas
  • Flowering in: Early Spring
  • Height: 25 ft
Cornus mas Cornelian cherry
Plant Image Library Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry)

Cornelian Cherry Trees are small-sized, deciduous trees with dark green, ovate to elliptic, dense foliage. This western Asian and central and southern European native yields small, yellow blossoms that grow on its stout stalks. These flowers are enclosed in petal-shaped, yellowish bracts. Cornelian Cherry thrives in well-drained, organically rich, moist soils and sunny or speckled spots. 

18. Flowering Crabapple

  • Malus sutyzam sugar tyme
  • Flowering in: Mid Spring to Late Spring
  • Height: 20-40 ft
A Flowering Crabapple Tree
Apple Cat A Flowering Crabapple Tree

Flowering Crabapple is an Asian, North American, and European native. It’s an upright, medium-sized tree that features an oval crown decorated with deciduous, dark green, ovate, slender, and indented leaves. Flowering Crabapple yields pale pink buds that bloom into scented blossoms. This drought-tolerant tree grows well in medium-moist, acidic, well-drained loams and sunny areas.  

19. Utah Serviceberry

  • Amelanchier utahensis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 10-25 ft
Utah Serviceberry
Tony Frates Utah Serviceberry (amelanchier utahensis)

Utah Serviceberry Trees are multi-branched, medium-sized perennials with grayish-green foliage and ashy-gray bark. These trees yield racemes of pink and white flowers that are followed by small, black or dark purple-colored berries that attract birds. This widespread shrub thrives in well-drained, rocky, dry soils, clay loams, and sandy loams and partially shaded areas. 

20. Desert Willow

  • Chilopsis linearis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Height: 15-25 ft
desert willow chilopsis linearis tree
calpoly.edu Desert Willow (chilopsis linearis) tree

Desert Willow Trees are rapidly-growing, medium-sized flowering trees. These Northern US natives feature a twisted trunk with slender twigs and deciduous green leaves. Dessert Willow Trees yield exotic, 5-petaled, dark pink and purple flowers with white and yellow strikes through their centers. These drought-tolerant trees grow well in sunny areas and well-drained soils. 

21. Douglas Hawthorn

  • Crataegus douglasii
  • Flowering in: Spring to Early Summer
  • Height: 24 ft
Crataegus douglasii.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz Crataegus douglasii.

Also known as Black Hawthorn, Douglas Hawthorn is an American native flowering tree that can also grow as a bushy, thicket-forming shrub. It yields flat-topped, dense clusters of white, 5-petaled, scented blossoms with cup-shaped bottoms. The flowers give way to abundant red fruits. Douglas Hawthorn has a rounded crown of spreading branches clad with sharp thorns and shiny, green, mildly lobed, ovate, saw-toothed leaves. This tree thrives in wet soils and sunny or partially shaded areas.