Which Flowering Trees Bloom the Longest?

Blooming trees add a visual appeal to the landscape like none other. Although most trees bloom for one to two months each year, there are some species that bloom much longer, flowering as long as June through November's frosts. In addition to being known as the trees that bloom the longest, these varieties are drought resistant, disease resistant and thrive in full sunlight.

Redbud Tree

The redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) has both blooms and leaves that enhance its visual appeal. When grown in full sun, the redbud tree's blossoms begin to form in early March starting as purple-lavender buds, and remain on the tree through May finishing their season as pink-lavender flowers. As the flowers fall, they are replaced by heart shaped green foliage that turns red and yellow in the fall, adding another colorful season to the tree.

The redbud tree's blossoms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees and birds. Growing to a final height of 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide, the redbud thrives in full sun to partial shade and does best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. The redbud is adaptable to most soil types, but prefers a moist, well-draining, rich soil.

Crape Myrtle

The crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is the longest blooming tree in existence. Its flowers remain in bloom between 60 and 120 days. The crape myrtle is a native plant of Australia and Asia, and prefers well draining soil. The flowers on the crape myrtle form into large showy clusters of red, pink or white, depending upon the variety.

The crape myrtle is so drought resistant that it is commonly planted along the sides of highways as a decorative tree. Crape myrtle thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9 and grow very vigorously in full sun reaching a maximum height of 30 feet and a width of 15 feet.

Dogwood

The dogwood tree (Cornus florida) thrives in Zone 5, and grows to roughly 30 feet tall with a width of 20 feet. The dogwood produces clusters of showy white and pink flowers from mid May until August, which produce berries through the fall. This tree's final visual show ends with its leaves turning a deep violet color in late fall and early winter before falling from the tree. The dogwood prefers rich, well draining soil and thrives in full sun.