27 Flowering Trees For Virginia Gardens

Are you thinking of planting flowering trees in your Virginia home? Well, you’re in luck! There is no shortage of splendid trees that produce abundant blossoms in the Old Dominion. Read on to find out about 27 breathtaking flowering trees in Virginia!  

The State of Virginia is blessed with an incredibly versatile landscape that is physically divided into five distinct regions – Piedmont, the Coastal Plain (Tidewater), the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Plateau, and the Valley and the Ridge. The state has a wide range of scenic platforms, including islands, mountains, waterfalls, wind gaps, valleys, caves, cliffs, hills, and gorges. 

Also known as the Mother of Presidents, Virginia enjoys a humid, sub-tropical climate with pleasantly hot summers and relatively mild yet crisp winters. The state has moderate rainfall throughout the year. It is home to many commonly grown trees in the US, including White Oak, Loblolly Pine, Chestnut Oak, Tulip Poplar, Sweet Gum, And Red Maple. 

The woodlands, swamps, and mountains of Virginia are also home to a wide array of flowering trees, many of which can become the ideal trees for your home landscape as well. These trees include the umbrella-shaped, ever-gorgeous Flowering Cherry, the uber-popular Dogwood, the dense, evergreen, and attractive Magnolia, and the arresting Golden Rain Tree. 

The best part about growing flowering trees is that they provide abundant splendid blossoms that attract lots of visitors, including butterflies, bees, and birds, to your garden. They also provide exquisite fall colors and winter silhouettes. 

Let’s take a look at 27 flowering trees in Virginia that you can plant easily since they have adapted to the region’s climate and growing conditions!

1. Flowering Cherry

• Prunus serrulata
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 20-30 ft

Also known as Cherry Blossom and Sakura, Flowering Cherry is a Japanese, Chinese, and Korean native. It’s a small to medium-sized tree with an attractive, umbrella-shaped crown and upright branches. It produces profuse clusters of magnificent, non-fragrant, powdery pink and white flowers that grow in single, semi-double, and double forms. Flowering Cherry grows well in sunny locations and fertile, well-drained, moist soils. 

2. Dogwood

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

Dogwood is a popularly grown North American and northern Mexico native. It’s a low-branching tree with a round to pyramidal habitat with a flat top. It features deciduous, oval green foliage that turns reddish-purple in fall. Flowering Dogwoods produce compact, small, white flowers that blossom from pink bracts. This tree thrives in well-drained, organic soils and speckled shade. 

3. Magnolia

• Magnolia grandiflora
• Flowering in: Summer
• Height: 40 ft

Native to numerous parts of the US, Magnolia is a medium-sized tree with dense, evergreen, leathery foliage with dark green faces and rusty brown bases. Magnolias yield large, aromatic, cup-shaped blossoms that flower at the tip of their robust stems. They grow well in sunny or partially shaded locations and organically rich, well-drained, moderately watered soils. 

4. Redbud

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

Native to the US and Mexico, Redbuds are gorgeous, multi-trunked trees with deciduous, heart-shaped, dark green foliage, parallel-growing branches, and a rounded habitat. This tree also produces arresting clusters of small magenta buds that bloom into long-lasting, rosy-pink blossoms. It has bold canary yellow foliage in fall. Redbuds are low-maintenance trees that thrive in various levels of sun exposure and most soil varieties. 

5. Fringe Tree

• Chionanthus virginicus
• Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
• Height: 20 ft

An Eastern US native, Fringe Trees are small-sized with a rounded, spreading habitat and deciduous, wide, spear-like foliage that turns yellow in fall. They yield drooping clusters of creamy white, fringe-type blossoms that give way to bluish-black, olive-type fruits. Fringe Trees grow well in well-drained, fertile, moist soils and sunny or partially shaded locations.  

6. Carolina Silverbell

• Halesia carolina
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 30 to 40 ft

Carolina Silverbell is a southeastern United States native. They are medium-sized, understory trees with deciduous, ovate, finely toothed, dark yellowish-green foliage and a wide-spreading, rounded crown. Carolina Silverbell produces beautiful clusters of two to five bell-shaped, white, drooping flowers. These low-maintenance trees thrive in sunny locations or speckled shade and rich, well-drained, moist, acidic soils. 

7. Yuletide Camellias

• Camellia sasanqua
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 8-10 ft

Native to Japan, China, and other parts of Asia, Yuletide Camellias are upright, evergreen shrubs with cascading, arching branches, a compact habitat, and glossy, dark green foliage. These trees produce an abundance of single, perfectly-shaped, deep pink or bright red blooms with golden stamens. They grow well in speckled shade and well-drained, rich, moist, acidic soils.  

8. Dynamite Crape Myrtle

• Lagerstroemia indica
• Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
• Height: 10–15 ft

Native to temperate and tropical Asia, Dynamite Crape Myrtle is an exquisite upright shrub with crimson to dark green foliage that turns red and orange in fall. It produces an abundance of large clusters of crinkly, cherry-red flowers that grow at its branch tips. This drought-tolerant tree thrives in sunny locations and medium moist, well-drained soils. 

9. Pink Chimes Japanese Snowbell

• Styrax japonicus
• Flowering in: Late Spring and Early Summer
• Height: 25 ft

Pink Chimes Japanese Snowbells are medium-sized flowering trees with compact, rounded crowns, horizontal branches, and deciduous foliage. The leaves are upward-facing, elliptic-ovate, glossy, and medium to deep green. This tree produces flopping, pendulous clusters of slightly aromatic, 5-petaled, bell-shaped, waxy white blossoms. It grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, adequately moist, organically rich, acidic soils. 

10. Sourwood 

• Oxydendrum arboreum
• Flowering in: Summer
• Height: 25-30 ft

Also known as Sorrel Tree, Sourwood is a medium-sized, understory tree. This eastern US native features a deciduous, narrow, oblong crown of glossy, finely toothed, green foliage that turns crimson red in fall. Sourwood produces drooping, terminal, one-sided clusters of fragrant, waxy white flowers. It thrives in moist, organically rich, acidic, well-drained soils and sunny locations. 

11. Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry 

• Amelanchier grandiflora
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 15-25 ft

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is a small, multi-trunked, understory tree with deciduous, finely toothed, lanceolate-oval leaves that are bronze-green at first but mature into a dark green hue before finally turning orange-red and fiery red in fall. It produces large white flowers that give way to edible fruits. This Serviceberry hybrid grows well in sunny or speckled locations and adequately moist, well-drained, moist loams. 

12. Natchez Crape Myrtle

• Lagerstroemia x natchez
• Flowering in: Spring to Early Summer
• Height: 30 ft 

Developed in Washington, Natchez Crape Myrtle is a Crape Myrtle hybrid tree with deciduous, dark green foliage that turns red and orange in fall. This upright, spreading, multi-stemmed shrub produces terminal, large clusters of crepe-papery, white flowers that give way to round, seed capsules. This mildew-resistant shrub thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, adequately moist, fertile loams and clay soils. 

13. European Mountain-Ash

• Sorbus aucuparia
• Flowering in: Spring and Summer
• Height: 25-40 ft

Native to Europe and Asia, European Mountain-Ash is a small to medium-sized tree with an upright, narrow, oval to rounding crown and deciduous, odd-pinnate, flat medium green foliage. The serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves turn yellow to reddish-purple in fall. This tree produces small, 5-petaled, white flowers that give way to pendulous clusters of orange-red berry-like drupes. European Mountain-Ash grows well in sunny locations and acidic, well-drained, moist soils. 

14. Double-Flowered Mazzard Cherry

• Prunus avium plena
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 40 ft

Double-Flowered Mazzard Cherry is an award-winning, medium-sized tree with a canonical, open crown and bronze-tinged leaves that turn mid-green at maturity and then orange, red, and yellow in fall. This tree produces an abundance of pendulous clusters of brilliant, double-growing, white blooms. It thrives in well-drained, neutral-alkaline soils and sunny locations. 

15. Higan Cherry

• Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis
• Flowering in: Autumn and Spring
• Height: 30 ft 

Native to Japan, Higan Cherry is a medium-sized tree with a rounded, flattened crown, a forked trunk, and erect, twiggy branches. It features deciduous, alternate, ovate to oblong-ovate, doubly serrate, lustrous dark green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Higan Cherry produces profuse, deep pink buds that bloom into semi-double, 10-petaled, light pink flowers. It grows well in sunny or speckled locations and well-drained, fertile, moist loams. 

16. Kwanzan Cherry

• Prunus serrulata kanzan
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 30 ft

Kwanzan Cherry Trees are Japanese natives. They are medium-sized, ornamental trees with ascending, vase-shaped branches and a rounded, spreading crown. They produce pendulous clusters of deep pink, double flowers with 20 to 30 petals. This tree features ovate, serrate, dark green foliage that turns orange-bronze and yellow in fall. It thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, moderately fertile, moist soils. 

17. Sargent Cherry

• Prunus sargentii
• Flowering in: Spring, Summer, and Autumn
• Height: 50 ft

Also known as North Japanese Hill Cherry, Sargent Cherry is a Japanese and Korean native. It’s a medium to tall-sized, ornamental tree with a dense, broad, rounded habitat. It produces abundant clusters of pink flowers. It features a shiny, reddish-brown bark and elliptic to oblong, glossy dark green foliage with serrate margins. Sargent Cherry grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, adequately moist soils. 

18. Yoshino Cherry

• Prunus x yedoensis
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 25 to 50 ft

Native to Japan, Yoshino Cherry is a medium-sized flowering tree with a wide-spreading, broad-rounded, open habitat. It features elliptic to oval, serrate, dark green leaves that turn bronze and yellow in fall. Yoshino Cherry Trees produce clusters of pinkish-white or fragrant white blossoms. They give way to bitter, small, black-colored cherries. This tree thrives in sunny or partially speckled locations and well-drained, moist soils. 

19. Sweet Bay Magnolia

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

Sweet Bay Magnolia is a southeastern United States native. It’s a multi-stemmed shrub with a spreading, rounded habitat. It produces lightly scented, cup-shaped, waxy, creamy white blossoms and sleek green leaves with silvery undersides. Sweet Bay Magnolias grow well in organically rich, well-drained, moist, acidic soils and sunny locations or part shade. 

20. Callery Pear

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

Native to China and Vietnam, Callery Pear is a fast-growing, ornamental tree with an upright, narrow, and naturally attractive crown. It produces attractive clusters of pure white flowers that bloom on upright branches. It has simple, alternate, ovate, dark green leaves that turn bright red, orange, plum, and mellow golden yellow in fall. This drought-tolerant tree thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, organically rich, adequately moist, somewhat alkaline loams.

21. Cornelian Cherry

• Cornus mas
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 15-25 ft

Cornelian Cherry is a central and southern European and western Asian native. It’s a small-sized tree with deciduous, dense, ovate to elliptic, dark green foliage. Cornelian Cherry produces small yellow flowers that grow on its short stalks. The blossoms are enclosed in yellowish, petal-shaped bracts. This tree grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, organically rich, moist soils. 

22. Flowering Peach

• Prunus persica
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 25 ft

Native to China, Flowering Peach is a medium-sized, fast-growing, ornamental tree with an upright, columnar habitat. It features deciduous, narrow, dark green foliage that turns yellow in fall. Flowering Peach Trees produce gorgeous clusters of fragrant, double-growing, pink flowers that blossom from distinctive rosy buds. It thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, adequately moist soils. 

23. Golden Rain Tree

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

Native to Japan, Korea, and China, Golden Rain Tree is a medium-sized tree with a rounded habitat and open branches. It features deciduous, pinnate, feathery, purplish-pink foliage that turns bright apple-green in maturity and then golden-yellow in fall. Golden Rain Tree produces long clusters of attractive rich yellow flowers. It grows well in sunny locations and well-drained soils. 

24. Hawthorn 

• Crataegus spp.
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 20-30 ft

Native to temperate regions of North America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia, Hawthorns are small to medium-sized trees with an upright, spreading crown. These trees produce fragrant, 5-petaled, pink or white flowers that resemble apple blossoms. They have deciduous, toothed, and often lobed, green leaves. The flowers give way to edible pomes that attract songbirds. These drought-resistant trees thrive in sunny locations and any type of well-drained soil. 

25. Saucer Magnolia

• Magnolia x soulangiana
• Flowering in: Early Spring
• Height: 30 ft

Saucer Magnolias are versatile, small to medium-sized trees with deciduous, leathery, dark green foliage that turns golden-bronze in fall. These trees produce dark-purple buds that bloom into large, stunning, fragrant, goblet-shaped pink and white flowers. Saucer Magnolias are hardy trees that grow well in sunny locations and well-drained, evenly moist soils. 

26. Serviceberry 

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

Serviceberry Trees are native to the northeastern United States. A small-sized tree that can be grown as a shrub, Serviceberry features deciduous, oval green foliage that turns yellow, red, and orange in fall. This tree produces abundant flopping clusters of slightly aromatic, 5-petaled, white blossoms that give way to small, round, delightful dark purple and black-colored berries. Serviceberry Trees thrive in sunny locations and moist, well-drained, acidic soils. 

27. Star Magnolia

• Magnolia Stellata
• Flowering in: Spring
• Height: 15-25 ft

Star Magnolia is a Japanese native with oblong, deciduous, glossy foliage. These trees produce large, arresting, star-like, aromatic, white flowers that blossom on its bare branches. Star Magnolia flowers have 25 to 30 narrow, thin, ribbon-shaped petals and prominent pale yellow centers. These pest-resistant trees grow well in sunny or partly specked locations and well-drained soils.