Fall in love with our spring flowering trees
Is there anything more whimsical and romantic than spring blossom?
Trees are a wonderful source of inspiration that highlight the changing seasons, encourage wildlife to flourish as well as helping to purify our air. They are also fantastic plants when you want to create a more established feel or when you need privacy and screening.
From billowy, bridal like blossoms to showy shrubs, here are our top picks:
Amelanchier (Juneberry) – A great all-rounder, this deciduous shrub, multistem or small tree is celebrated for its ornamental value. In spring, it showcases profuse clusters of delicate white flowers, followed by small, edible purple-black berries in early summer. The foliage is characterized by elliptical leaves that are bonze tinged when young and then turn vibrant shades of orange and red in autumn. With a compact and upright habit, is favoured for providing visual interest throughout the seasons and attracting wildlife with its blossoms and fruits. Height 5-7m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Amelanchier lamarckii thrives in various soils but not chalky conditions.
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Ballerina’ – A small (ornamental) deciduous tree. Technically a hybrid so is often favoured by professional garden designers specifically because it has been “refined” for garden performance. It stands out from the common Amelanchier lamarckii because its flowers are larger and its fruit production is significantly heavier. Height and spread 4 – 8 metres.
Amelanchier lamarckii – Amelanchier lamarckii, commonly known as Juneberry, is a deciduous shrub, multistem or small tree celebrated for its ornamental value. In spring, it showcases profuse clusters of delicate white flowers, followed by small, edible purple-black berries in early summer. The foliage is characterized by elliptical leaves that are bonze tinged when young and then turn vibrant shades of orange and red in autumn. With a compact and upright habit, is favoured for providing visual interest throughout the seasons and attracting wildlife with its blossoms and fruits. Height 5-7m. Grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Amelanchier lamarckii thrives in various soils but not chalky conditions.
Crataegus (Hawthorn) – This is an undemanding tree, thriving in various environments including coastal, exposed, polluted, and damp locations. As an added bonus it is popular with wildlife. A great choice for planting projects which aim to extend floral displays well into the summer. Varieties in stock:
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ – RHS Award of Garden Merit. Often called the Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn or the Red May Tree, is one of the most popular ornamental hawthorns in the world. It is celebrated for its spectacular spring display and its extreme “toughness,” making it a go-to choice for challenging garden environments. The thorny branches provide excellent nesting sites for birds, and the flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Mature height of 5 – 8 metres.
Crataegus prunifolia ‘Splendens’ – This tree has glossy green leaves which appear in the spring accompanied by creamy white flowers in May, but it’s the autumn colour we look forward to with its’ show of bright red and orange foliage. Small and plentiful shiny red fruits appear towards the end of the summer and remain on the tree in autumn and well into winter, until they are eaten by wildlife. Crataegus x prunifolia originates in Eastern America, it is a hybrid between Crataegus crus-galli and macracantha and won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002. As with other Hawthorns, it’s a tough contender, performing well on all soil types, including very wet or dry conditions. It is a great choice for year-round interest and should be considered at the very top of the list for exposed or coastal gardens as it is one of the very few ornamental varieties that will tolerate both salt and wind exposure. Mature height of 5 – 7 metres.
Magnolia – much more exciting than the well-known paint of the same name, Magnolia trees have goblet shaped flowers and are admired by some as the icons of spring. From their ancient lineage to their breathtaking blooms, Magnolias hold a special place in gardens and landscapes around the world. Available in a range of shapes and sizes, Magnolias offer something special for everyone. If you’re looking to add a touch of magic to your garden, consider planting a Magnolia tree.
Malus ‘Rudolph’ – Our favourite of the red crab apples, Malus ‘Rudolph’ was developed in the 1950’s. This stunning small tree has a beautiful display of deep rose-pink flowers which appear in late spring. After the flowers, the foliage emerges a copper-red colour and turns bronze-green over summer. Autumn brings the small elongated red fruits and the foliage turns clear yellow.
Flowering Cherries – the quintessential spring blossom tree with an abundance of flower to herald springs arrival. Beyond their beauty, they are remarkably versatile, ranging from massive twenty metre giants to dwarf varieties that thrive in small patio pots. Unlike wild cherries, which prioritise fruit, these focus on the “Hanami” experience; the traditional Japanese custom of viewing flowers.
Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ (non-fruiting pear) – We love its gorgeous, upright, pyramidal shape and brilliant autumn foliage. One of the first trees to come into leaf in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in autumn, its ability to hold its leaves so long lends it to be an excellent choice for gardens where privacy is an issue.
Something a little bit different…
Why not try Malus trilobata (Lebanese wild apple) this small ornamental tree is valued for its elegant form and seasonal interest. Distinctive lobed leaves emerge green and turn bright red in autumn. In mid to late spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by small, green fruits flushed with red that attract birds. Reaching 3-7m in height, Malus trilobata thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun for best flowering and fruiting. Its tidy habit, resilience, and wildlife value make it an attractive choice for gardens.
Here are our favourite spring flowering large shrubs:
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) ‘Merlot’ – A small deciduous tree celebrated for its deep burgundy foliage and compact growth. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves emerge deep red purple before taking on green hues in the summer and then displaying shades of orange and red in the autumn, creating a striking contrast in gardens. In early spring, it blooms with clusters of rosy-pink flowers along bare branches, attracting pollinators. A valuable addition to the garden as a focal point.
Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ – The best flowering Cercis in our opinion. A compact and rounded deciduous tree that features a profusion of rosy-pink, pea-like flowers that blanket its branches in early spring, creating a breathtaking floral spectacle. The heart-shaped, glossy green leaves follow, adding a lush canopy. An ideal choice for a small garden. Height 2.5-4m.
Cornus kousa – The perfect feature tree for any garden. Varieties such as ‘Milky Way’ produce large, star shaped flowers in spring / summer followed by dazzling, rich autumnal colours until around mid November.
Exochorda x macrantha ‘The Bride’ (climber) – Also known as Pearlbush, Exochorda x macrantha is a popular deciduous shrub covered with showy white flowers in April and May. A small to medium sized bush with a weeping habit. Can be trained against a wall, pergolas, trellises or fences.
Viburnum davidii – An evergreen shrub prized for its impressive foliage and year-round appeal. Forming a dense, rounded shape its glossy, leathery leaves are deep green with prominent veins, creating a bold texture in the garden. In late spring, small white flowers bloom in flattened clusters, attracting pollinators.
Viburnum tinus (in variety) – An evergreen shrub known for its year-round beauty and fragrant blooms. It forms a dense, compact, rounded shape and has glossy, dark green leaves. In winter, clusters of dark pink buds provide visual interest, while in late spring, it produces fragrant clusters of small, white flowers that attract pollinators.
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to start the first step of your journey with us then get in touch to book our consultancy service.
For just £75*, our experienced horticulturalists will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice.
**£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.