4 minute read
Four Spectacular Spring-Blooming Trees
STORY AND MAGNOLIA PHOTO DIANE MCGANN
Don’t sleep on these ornamental spring stunners.
Early spring in the northern part of our country brings forth a burst of color and beauty as flowering trees begin to bloom. A welcome sight after a barren winter, the trees add life and fragrance to the landscape and serve as important sources of nectar for pollinators. Here are four of the best early spring flowering trees for our region.
1. Magnolia Magnolia stellata
In early spring, look for a mass of white in local gardens. This snowy cloud announces the bloom of ‘Royal Star’ magnolia and, to me, it symbolizes the beginning of the gardening season. Most magnolia cultivars hardy to the north are small trees or shrubs ranging from 10 to 25 feet tall. ‘Royal Star,’ the earliest bloomer, stands 10 feet tall in my yard and wafts a pleasing fragrance. Before it blooms outside, I bring in branches to force so that I can experience an even earlier spring.
For zone 3 gardeners, North Dakota State University has introduced a winter- hardy selection of Loebner magnolia that blooms reliably. Aptly named Spring Welcome®, the flower buds are pale pink and open to a bright white blossom. Other desirable zone 4 cultivars that bloom a bit later than ‘Royal Star’ are ‘Jane’, ‘Ann’, ‘Leonard Messel’ and ‘Merrill’.
2. Redbud Cercis canadensis
One of the earliest trees to flower, the eastern redbud is known for its vibrant, reddishpurple flowers that open before its heart-shaped leaves emerge. Redbud’s lengthy bloom time alone would justify purchasing; it typically holds onto its blossoms for nearly three weeks, twice as long as other spring bloomers. An added benefit is that the leaves often turn buttery yellow in the fall, contributing to the autumn display. Single-stem and multi-branched tree forms are available, both resulting in a horizontal-silhouetted crown that is unusual in the landscape. Eventually reaching about 25 feet in height and width, but with dwarf varieties available, this tree stands out.
MULTI-ZONE FRIENDLY
Thanks to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for bringing eastern redbuds to zone 4—they selected the hardiest varieties and developed the Minnesota Strain redbud. USDA Zone 3 gardeners are also able to enjoy this tree after the discovery of a hardy redbud called Northern Herald®
3. Plum Prunus domestica
Those lacy, white, flowering shrubs or small trees you see in natural areas in early spring are most likely American plum trees. They dot the landscape, introducing spring and offering a bounty of sweet and tart berries in late summer. In fall, the leaves explode in brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. If you would welcome a fruit tree to your yard, explore the multiple cultivated plum varieties available online and in local nurseries.
Most plum cultivars require a second tree to act as a pollinator; if you are lucky enough to have wild plum trees nearby, they will act as a nectar source for your tree. Fairly small in stature with most varieties growing 10 to 15 feet tall, plum trees need full sun to thrive. Consult extension.umn.edu and search “stone fruits” for more information.
4. Serviceberry Amelanchier spp.
Sometimes described as the perfect tree or shrub because of its four-season interest, serviceberries announce early spring with a froth of delicate white flowers and brightly-colored anthems. Colorful, edible fruit, silvery bark and brilliant autumn color complete the year-long display. There is a serviceberry to fit almost every setting and climate, with varieties available that are hardy from zones 2 to 8. Heights range from shoulder-high to 25 feet tall, and forms range from columnar to round. Fit one in a shady environment or opt for full sun if you’re looking for prolific fruit production. Several species of serviceberry are native to Minnesota; some of the most popular varieties include ‘Regent’, a drought tolerant shrub form that grows 6 to 8 feet tall, Standing Ovation™, an upright, pillar-shaped tree with striking fall color and ‘Autumn Brilliance’, 25-foot tall variety with a rounded form.
+ MORE BRIGHT OPTIONS
If none of these strike your fancy, consider dogwoods or an early flowering crabapple, such as Siberian crabapple (Malus baccata). If your gardening zone has now officially changed to a higher number, you can also look to species previously only available to your southern neighbors. Flowering cherry trees are hardy to zone 5 and may soon become a welcome addition in many gardens. Whatever you choose, your spring-blooming tree will brighten your spirits and help chase away winter.
