10 Gorgeous Flowering Trees That Thrive in Virginia

Virginia is the nation’s birthplace, the home state of eight U.S. presidents, and is known for oysters, Brunswick stew, and the Appalachian Trail. But Virginia is also known for its beauty, specifically in nature and the outdoors. 

If you live in Virginia, you may wonder which flowering trees grow well in your state. Flowering trees are a great way to bring life and add depth to a garden. They make perfect backdrops for photos and make your yard look more appealing. 

Virginia’s climate makes growing some species of flowering trees difficult. Other flowering trees grow better in Virginia than in many other places. To take the guesswork out of your gardening, we’ve compiled a list of 10 gorgeous flowering trees that thrive in Virginia!

1. Eastern Redbud

Eastern redbuds are native to Virginia and other parts of the east coast of America. They live in various habitats from moist soil to dry, sandy regions. They do well in many types of soil, are easy to grow, and grow pretty fast. If you’re wanting the highest blossom production, you’ll want to plant this tree in full sun, though it adapts to partial shade as well. These trees are an excellent choice for your yard because they are easy to grow, native trees that live for 50 to 75 years on average. They stand at an average height of 30 feet once mature.

2. Cherry Blossom

There are a few types of cherry blossom trees that grow well in Virginia. Yoshino cherry blossoms, also called Prunus serrulata, are the most common type because they have soft, beautiful pink flowers. They bloom during the spring and do best in full sun. Cherry blossom trees are native to Japan but do well in Virginia since being introduced to the state in 1902. Cherry blossom trees grow to around 15 to 30 feet tall.

3. Sweetbay Magnolia

Sweetbay magnolia trees are related to southern magnolias, but they produce smaller blooms than their more popular relatives. They are native to the southeastern U.S. and grow well in full sun as well as partial shade. They grow to around 20 feet in Virginia and typically blossom during late spring.

4. Flowering Dogwood

The flowering dogwood is the state tree of Virginia and a great choice for your yard. They bloom in spring and live for up to 80 years. The flowering dogwood is a native tree to the eastern U.S. and is most commonly found in areas with moist soil. They grow best in partial shade, so try planting them underneath larger trees since they can grow up to 30 feet tall.

5. White Fringetree

The white fringetree is another native tree that thrives in Virginia. It grows to around 12 to 20 feet, so it is one of the smaller species on our list. White fringetrees grow well in full or partial sun, but they flower the best in full sun. 

6. Southern Magnolia

The southern magnolia is the larger, more showy relative of the sweetbay magnolia. It produces large, white flowers during late spring that are eight to ten inches wide. Keep in mind that southern magnolias take years to grow to their mature height of 30 to 40 feet tall. They are very slow-growing trees, but their gorgeous blooms make them worth the wait.

7. Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle trees are a great addition to any yard. They come in many different colors including pink, lilac, white, and yellow, and are very easy to grow. You’ll want to plant your crepe myrtle in full sun to ensure the most blooms. Crepe myrtles reach anywhere from 2 to 30 feet tall and bloom from June through late October

8. Sourwood

Sourwood trees are small to medium trees that average around 25 feet in height. They are slow-growing trees that live for around 70 years. Sourwood trees do best in full sun but will survive in partial shade with less flowering. They blossom during early summer for just a few weeks. They are not the easiest trees to grow, but their beautiful blossoms make growing sourwood trees worth the work.

9. Carolina Silverbell

Carolina silverbells are native to Virginia and produce small flowers that take the shape of silver bells. Their blossoming season is from March to May, with their flowers blooming for around a week. They can live for 100 years or longer and are moderate-growing trees. Carolina silverbells grow to an average height of 30 feet once mature. They require moist soil and are most sensitive to drought.

10. Shadbush

Despite the misleading name, the shadbush is actually a type of small tree. These trees produce white flowers in the early spring and grow best in wet soil. Shadbush trees are native to Virginia and reach 25 feet tall once they are mature.

Summary of 10 Gorgeous Flowering Trees That Thrive in Virginia

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