Flowering Trees for Minnesota
After a long winter, Minnesotans find early-flowering trees to be a sure and welcome sign that the growing season has indeed begun. But any type of flowering tree--not just the early ones--can add visual interest and a pleasant fragrance to a yard. Flowering trees also add value to the property. Several options exist for those who want to plant a flowering tree in Minnesota.
Flowering Crabapples
A popular fragrant, flowering tree in Minnesota, the crabapple comes in several varieties. Crabapple trees often range in height from 15 to 20 feet and offer spectacular blossoms in white, pink or red. Choose a tree resistant to the all-too-common apple scab.
- After a long winter, Minnesotans find early-flowering trees to be a sure and welcome sign that the growing season has indeed begun.
- But any type of flowering tree--not just the early ones--can add visual interest and a pleasant fragrance to a yard.
Flowering Plums
The Princess Kay variety of plum produces white double blossoms in the spring. It also has red leaves in fall. The Newport plum, featuring purple leaves and purple fruit, has pretty pink flowers. Both of these Minnesota plum varieties reach about 20 feet in height.
Buckeye
Growing to a height of 35 feet, the buckeye tree produces clusters of yellow flowers followed by shiny nut-like fruits. Its brilliant maroon leaves in the fall offer yet another feast for the eyes.
Amur Maackia
The maackia flowers in late July and early August in Minnesota. It has small cream-colored flowers that resemble bottlebrush flowers.
- The Princess Kay variety of plum produces white double blossoms in the spring.
- The Newport plum, featuring purple leaves and purple fruit, has pretty pink flowers.
Redbud
The Minnesota strain of Redbud produces dark pink or purple flowers in early May. The native tree grows to about 12 feet high and is equally wide.
Magnolia
Hardy magnolias for Minnesota include the star magnolia, with its white star-like blossoms in late April or early May; the Leonard Messel, with lovely flamingo-pink blossoms containing white inner petals; and the Merrill, another white-flowered magnolia tree known for its vigorous growth.
Dogwood
Though bordering on a shrub, the dogwood tree deserves mention here. Dogwoods, which are native to the state, produce small white flowers in June followed by white berries that birds enjoy snacking on. Some varieties of dogwood have red bark, which looks especially pretty in winter against the snow.
Pear Tree
The Summercrisp pear produces white flowers in early May and produces sweet, crisp red-blushed pears that are 3 to 4 inches long. This is one of few hardy pear varieties that does well in the state.
- The Minnesota strain of Redbud produces dark pink or purple flowers in early May.
- The native tree grows to about 12 feet high and is equally wide.
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Writer Bio
Ann Wolters has been a writer, consultant and writing coach since 2008. Her work has appeared in "The Saint Paul Almanac" and in magazines such as "Inventing Tomorrow" and "Frontiers." She earned a Master of Arts in English as a second language from the University of Minnesota.
