Trees in the garden are a must and flowering trees are an added bonus. Some are subtle and others produce large colorful blooms. So not only can we admire the structure, bark and autumn colour but also look forward to bright and sometimes fragrant flowers.
We include our own native trees as well a a range or trees some with exotic flowers, from around the world. Trees chosen for the size, shape and color of the flower can be a real feature in and garden or courtyard.
Some trees are chosen for sheer flower size, such as the Brugmansia (pictured right) while others gain a place for the mass display of blossom during spring. Trees such as Davidia involucrata also known as the ‘Dove Tree’ or ‘Handkerchief Tree’ have unusual flowers, others are just stunning in shape and form.
Flowering trees are a popular addition to to gardens across Australia, however what will suit Melbourne, may not be so good in Sydney or Brisbane. Trees that have great displays of flowers in spring and summer are also useful as shade trees after flowering has ended.
Included are evergreen trees such a Magnolia Grandiflora species and deciduous trees such as Crab Apples, Cornus, and Prunus. Standard, dwarf and weeping trees are readily available for sale from online nurseries. We provide a guide to some of the best flowering trees available for Australian gardens. Remember to buy the right tree for the right climate.
We list some of the best flowering trees for the Australian garden.
Eucalyptus. Without doubt the Australian native gum trees such as Corymibia ficifolia make a stunning addition to any garden. Available in a range of colors and sizes, including dwarf forms these trees are increasingly popular due to the brilliant flowers and hardy nature of the trees themselves. Find Flowering Eucalypts
Magnolia. The deciduous magnolias have some of the most spectacular flowers of all trees, some are delicate and small, others are large and imposing. Again tree size varies from smaller growing species to large trees. Find Flowering Magnolia Trees
Acacia. Iconic Australian trees, flowering acacia trees come in a range of sizes suited to almost any garden. Find Acacia Trees for Sale
Weeping Cherry. One of the most popular of all trees for a formal garden setting. These long lived trees require little care and produce masses of flowers from mid spring onwards. Find Flowering Weeping Cherry Trees
Crepe Myrtle. (Lagerstroemia indica) Hardy, drought tolerant, colorful and coming in a range of colors and forms including new ‘dwarf forms’. Flowers last well on the tree and the tree itself has attractive bark. Find Flowering Crepe Myrtle
Flowering Crab Apple (Malus ). Perhaps underused in the Australian garden, these showy trees have masses of flowers in spring and make a great feature.Lots of showy flowers ( see below) in spring and fairly hardy as well. Depending on species and cultivars Malus can reach 10m given time.
Malus ioensis ‘Plena’
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Species) Dogwoods are a great feature tree, all except Cornus capitata are deciduous. Eddies White Wonder is well known for the large white flowers. Many different cultivars to choose from. Look for Cornus Alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood) and Cornus Florida Rubra Find Flowering Cornus species
Prunus. Yes the weeping cherry is a prunus, however flowering plum trees are also an excellent choice.
Illawarra Flame Tree.(Brachychiton acerifolius) A large tree with masses of red flowers this is probably one of the most spectacular Australian Native Trees of all
Find Illawarra Flame Tree
Jacaranda. These large growing exotic trees with masses of purple flowers do well in most frost free areas, they come into their own in warmer climates. Used widely as street trees in QLD. Find Jacaranda Trees
Lilac (Syringa) A hardy deciduous tree with fragrant flowers and masses of them, they are really a large shrub, however they could also be a ‘small tree’.
Find Lilac Trees
Dove Tree (Davidia involuctra)
Choosing Flowering Trees
All trees will flower, however many have insignificant flowers, ornamental flowering trees are those which put on a great displays, many with scented fragrant flowers, these trees are used as features in the garden and range in size from relatively small trees deciduous trees such as Cornus ‘Eddies White Wonder’ through to large evergreen trees such as Magnolia Grandiflora Exmouth.
Japanese Cherry trees are popular, especially weeping types, the Illawarra Flame Tree tree ‘Brachychiton acerifolius’ with its spectacular display of red flowers is a stand out in many Australian Towns. Pyrus calleryana or ‘Ornamental Pear Trees’ are widely used in landscaping and of course the colorful and hardy Crape Myrtle ‘Lagerstroemia indica’ an excellent flowering tree that is also relatively drought tolerant.
For a full list of species for sale visit our specialist and mail order nursery section.
Suitability for climate
What will grow in the cooler areas of the Southern States of Australia will not be suitable for Tropical far North Queensland. However even in a range of less than 200k climate and soil conditions vary greatly, so before choosing a flowering tree look at local conditions carefully.
Position in the Garden
Some trees prefer a cooler shaded position, other thrive on full sun, consider planting position before you purchase.
Final size.
Some flowering trees will reach 20 -30 m and may not be suitable for any but the largest of gardens, others ar smaller trees and are more versatile
Evergreen, or Deciduous ?
If you want the tree to act as a screen, then evergreen is best, in a larger garden a mixture of evergreen and deciduous flowering trees provides variety.