Springtime is synonymous with blooming trees and shrubs. An asset to your property, flowering trees not only make your space aesthetically appealing, they also conceal unpleasant views and offer privacy.
After the harsh winter months, looking at a backyard infused with color and vigor is certainly a feast to the eyes. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always last too long.
With a change in seasons, there’s also a dramatic shift seen in most trees. While roots are incredibly active during spring, giving way to photosynthesis and rapid growth, summer slows down the process. Many flowering trees spread out their leaves instead, and one can barely spot those pretty flowers.
Well, the good news is that this isn’t the case with all trees. There are certain trees that bloom throughout summer.
So why settle for those that only bloom during spring? Here are five trees that bloom all summer:
Crape Myrtle
Looking for a tree that exhibits a pop of color all summer? Crape myrtle is the perfect tree for you. This tough-growing tree comes in different sizes, ranging from shrubs to trees that grow between 5 and 25 feet tall.
Its name is derived from the fact that the flowers resemble crepe paper. Known for its colorful and long-lasting flowers, crape myrtle showcases a variety of brilliant colors, such as white, pink, red, and lavender. They appear in cone-shaped clusters at the tips of the branches. Not just that, this tree also has an attractive bark.
Crape myrtle grows well in heavy soils and requires ample sun (at least 6 to 8 hours per day). This tree doesn’t grow well in nutrient-rich, soggy soils. While it’s low on maintenance, it’s essential to water it regularly to ensure healthy growth.
Remember to prune these trees during winter, when they are dormant. If it’s a single-trunk tree, prune to reduce the side branches. In the case of multi-trunk trees, prune such that there is enough space between the individual trunks.
Don’t make the mistake of over-pruning, which will lead to reduced flowering, as most of its energy will then be spent in growing new branches.
Sweetbay Magnolia
The ideal tree for narrow corridors and urban areas with limited space, sweetbay magnolia is a wide-columnar tree. Depending on the climatic conditions, it grows 10 to 60 feet tall and 10 to 35 feet wide.
This tree is characterized by white flowers; green, lance-shaped leaves; and a lemon-like fragrance. The flowers bloom during spring and persist throughout summer, growing about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. It also produces clusters of a pinkish-red fruit, which attracts birds and butterflies.
Sweetbay magnolia needs acidic soil and 4 to 6 hours daily of direct sun for healthy growth. They grow well in swampy areas and need regular irrigation and organic mulch to prevent the soil from drying out.
Prune this tree after the bloom fades and stick to its natural, pyramid shape while doing so. One good thing about sweetbay magnolia is that is usually free from diseases.
Pacific Dogwood
Irrespective of the season, Pacific dogwood is one tree that looks beautiful throughout the year. This deciduous tree or small shrub grows up to 20 to 30 feet tall.
An ornamental tree, it’s known for its creamy-white flowers that consist of four petal-like bracts, which transform into bright red fruits during autumn. This tree has long, oval-shaped dark green leaves.
Pacific dogwood grows well in well-drained and deep soils which are high in nitrogen and organic matter. They love the summer humidity and shady locations. This tree hardly needs pruning because they are naturally attractive and are best left to take their own shape.
This tree is susceptible to a fungal disease, dogwood anthracnose. So monitor this tree regularly and get rid of dying branches and fallen leaves.
Merlot Redbud
A vase-shaped deciduous tree, Merlot redbud is known to be highly tolerant of heat and drought. Similar to sweetbay magnolia, this tree is perfect for small yards, as it grows up to 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
This ornamental tree is characterized by its showy, dark purple leaves and beautiful bright magenta and pink flowers. During summer, its leaves turn glossy and dark purple, resembling the color of Merlot wine.
It grows nice and dense in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil conditions that offer moisture consistently. The tree does not thrive if transplanted. So it’s best to grow it in a permanent location.
Maintaining this tree doesn’t require too much work. All you have to do is trim off its dead branches and ensure the soil is always moist, especially when the tree is in its initial growing stages.
Pink Dawn Chitalpa
Another deciduous tree that blooms all summer, pink dawn Chitalpa is a medium-sized tree that forms a dome-shaped canopy and grows up to 20 to 30 feet tall and wide.
As the name suggests, this tree showcases trumpet-shaped pink and white flowers that appear in clusters, along with long, bright green leaves, making it an attractive tree to have.
It is a single-trunk tree that grows well in dry conditions and requires occasional watering once established. Like other trees, it does require regular pruning during late winter or early spring for healthy growth and air circulation.
If you want to grow trees that bloom all summer, it’s important to maintain them, and the only way to do that is by regular pruning so that their shape is maintained and dead branches are removed. Remember—a tree that is not looked after will eventually lead to less flower growth.
Not sure how to prune your tree on your own? This is where Mr. Tree can come to your rescue. We are a professional tree care service and can guide you on how and when to prune your flowering trees. We also offer other residential services, such as trimming, shaping, and tree removal. So next time you need to get your tree pruned, contact us, and our experts will be happy to help!
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