The Best 15 Flowering Trees for Ohio Yards

There’s something special about flowering trees. They’re sure to not only increase your curb appeal but also boost your spirits! Are you ready to show your yard some love? If you live in Ohio and have been looking for the best tree to plant in your yard, this article is for you!

Take a look at this list of flowering trees that are best suited for the Ohio climate.

1. Dogwood Tree

This beautiful tree grows in an umbrella shape with tiered, slightly arched branches. Its pristine white flowers appear in late March or April to May. You will also find red berries and red-purple leaves during the fall season! Planting these trees in the springtime while the surrounding soil is moist is crucial. These trees thrive in partial shade, so pick your planting site wisely.

2. Weeping Cherry Tree

This cherry tree wants to soak up all the sun it can get! Also, wait until after the last frost in spring before you plant your tree. If you wait too long, the ground will be too hard to dig into. Ensure that the soil is draining well to avoid root rot. This tree is drought-tolerant and should make it through Ohio winters, but you should still wrap your tree in the winter while it’s young.

3. Redbud Tree

Redbud trees are commonly found across southern Ohio and enjoy full sun, though they can still grow in partial shade. Their beautiful flowers will begin to open in April before the foliage even appears. This vase-shaped tree can grow quite rapidly, given the right conditions. Be wary of trunk canker, a common disease affecting some redbud trees!

4. Ohio Buckeye Tree

Did you know that you can plant buckeye trees in the fall? It’s also best to plant them before the full heat of the summer! This native tree is well-adapted to the climate in Ohio and can grow up to 50 feet tall. There’s a reason why you see these trees by streams and rivers: they prefer moist soil. Remember that the nuts these trees produce are incredibly toxic for both people and animals!

5. American Basswood Tree

The American basswood, also known as the American linden, is a favorite of bees because of the delicious nectar that comes from its beautiful flowers. These trees can reach all the way to 80 feet tall if planted correctly. While it prefers moist soil, it’s adaptable and can thrive even in dry soil. They can also grow in both full sun and partial shade. The small, creamy flower opens early in the summer and has a wonderful fragrance!

6. Witch Hazel Tree

Witch hazel trees first appeared in 1736 and have been used to extract medicine from the bark of young stems and roots. Besides being useful for medicinal needs, the flowers are quite striking to behold. These small trees grow about 10-20 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide. Full sun or partial shade is beneficial. If you want a row of witch hazel trees, ensure they are separated by 10 to 12 feet since their full growth spread is near that width.

7. Ivory Silk Lilac Tree

Give your ivory silk lilac tree the best start by planting them in spring or early fall. It would be best if you chose spaces where its roots and branches have room to grow freely. This single-trunked small tree produces beautiful white flowers. It’s very appealing to pollinators and requires very little upkeep. Plan on some efforts in pruning to ensure growth and encourage blooming. These trees need full sun and can grow in even the worst soil conditions!

8. Allegheny Serviceberry Tree

The Allegheny serviceberry tree is a medium-sized tree that you can expect to grow to about 30 feet tall. This deciduous tree grows fast, which makes it a popular choice for many lawns. Plant your serviceberry during spring to early fall in moist, well-drained soils. You can plant them about 12 to 15 feet apart or group trees closer together to create a thicket! The droopy, white clusters of flowers pop up in spring and develop into beautiful little purple-black berries during the summer.

9. American Tulip Tree

Did you know that the tulip tree is actually a member of the magnolia family? You will find these tulip-shaped blooms from April to mid-June. The yellowish-green and orange-cupped flowers give off a delightful aroma. This means you can expect many birds and bees to visit your trees! Make sure you plant your tulip tree in full sun and in an area where it can spread out. These trees can reach massive heights!

10. Cleveland Select Pear Tree

The Cleveland Select, or Callery pear tree, is so appealing because it’s one of the last trees to lose its leaves in the fall. It’s very versatile, meaning it can grow in almost any condition. Once it reaches maturity, you can expect your tree to grow to about 40 feet in height. The pure white flowers produce a pleasant smell, unlike its family member, the Bradford pear tree, known for its foul odor. You won’t need to spend time pruning as this tree grows into a striking pyramidal shape on its own!

11. Cucumber Magnolia Tree

Though the cucumber magnolia tree doesn’t produce flowers as showy as other magnolia trees, the small, tulip-like springtime flowers are still quite beautiful. They tend to blend into the foliage because of their greenish, light yellow color. These are some of the most common magnolia trees found in Ohio. They easily reach 70 feet in height and 30 feet in width! Though it isn’t very drought-resistant, it will do well in residential settings instead of urban areas with city pollution.

12. Limelight Hydrangea Tree

Did you know that limelight trees hold onto flower heads well into spring as new growth emerges? Like other hydrangeas, it’s crucial to plant this tree in the fall or early spring so it has time to take root before the summer heat. They can bloom beginning in May all through fall and have interesting features well into early winter that are appealing as well. These are hardy trees, and their cuttings will be long-lasting!

13. Purple Prince Crabapple Tree

For best results, plant purple prince crabapple trees in the late spring but no later than early fall. It will require occasional maintenance and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold temperatures has passed. Wintertime is the best showing of this tree, as the purple leaves and maroon berries are beautiful against a more bleak landscape. During spring, you can expect gorgeous rose-red flowers. These crabapple trees grow up to 20 feet tall and can live up to 50 years!

14. Northern Catalpa Tree

The beautiful northern catalpa tree is generally used as an ornamental shade tree in Ohio yards. The wood is very resistant to rot and grows rapidly. It’s a highly adaptable tree and can even do well in dry soil or soil that is primarily clay. Several diseases are known to strike these trees, but they’re pretty minor and don’t pose a severe threat. You will immediately notice the main flowering structure consists of a vast truss of individual white flowers with small amounts of yellow, orange, and purple.

15. Ohio Pioneer Hawthorn Tree

This tree is for you if you want a highly adaptable hawthorn variety. This tree is totally covered in a blanket of clusters of white flowers in mid-spring. You will find that the fruits are showy red pomes from early to late fall. These berries will drop to the floor, creating a mess if you’re not careful with upkeep. When you plant this tree, remember that it needs full sunlight to thrive! While it grows slowly, you can expect it to live over 50 years if cared for properly.

Summary of 15 Flowering Trees for Ohio Yards

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