Flowering trees provide shade for your garden and add natural beauty to the landscape. Some of them can also survive in cold climates, including those found in Zone 5.
So, what are some flowering trees for Zone 5? Flowering trees for Zone 5 include: Apple Tree, Eastern Redbud, Elderberry, Flowering Dogwood, Goji Berry, Golden Rain Tree, Pawpaw, Seven Son Flower, Smoke Tree, and Star Magnolia. Some of these trees have attractive foliage and can grow quite tall!
Of course, some of these trees prefer full sun, while others tolerate partial or full shade.
In this article, we’ll talk about 10 flowering trees for Zone 5. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.
Let’s get started.
10 Flowering Trees For Zone 5
There are plenty of flowering trees for Zone 5, but here are 10 to start with:
- Apple Tree (Granny Smith)
- Eastern Redbud (Forest Pansy)
- Elderberry
- Flowering Dogwood
- Goji Berry
- Golden Rain Tree
- Pawpaw
- Seven Son Flower
- Smoke Tree
- Star Magnolia
Let’s begin with Apple Tree.
Apple Tree (Granny Smith)
Apple Tree (Malus domestica) is a deciduous tree that produces showy and fragrant white or pink flowers in spring or early summer.
Apple Tree needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Apple Tree needs full sun. It prefers acidic to neutral soil (pH of 5.8 to 7.0).
Apple Tree can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 12 to 16 feet, with a width of 10 to 14 feet.
You can propagate Apple Tree by layering, grafting, and budding (trees often do not grow true from seed).
You can learn more about Apple Trees from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Apple trees from Stark Brothers.
Eastern Redbud (Forest Pansy)
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a deciduous drought tolerant tree that produces tiny (less than 1 inch) showy pink flowers in late winter or spring.
Eastern Redbud needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Eastern Redbud prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.8).
Eastern Redbud can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet, with a width of 25 to 35 feet.
You can propagate Redbud by softwood cuttings or by seeds.
You can learn more about Eastern Redbud from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Eastern Redbud from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a deciduous tree that tolerates salt and produces showy fragrant tiny (less than 1 inch) mauve or pink flowers in late spring or early summer.
Elderberry needs moderate to wet moisture levels, making it suitable for bog gardening.
Elderberry prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Elderberry can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 12 feet, with a width of 3 to 6 feet.
You can propagate Elderberry by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Elderberry from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Elderberry from Nourse Farms.
Flowering Dogwood
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a deciduous tree that produces small (1 to 2 inch) inch pink or white flowers in spring.
Flowering Dogwood needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Flowering Dogwood prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.6 to 6.5).
Flowering Dogwood can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 20 to 35 feet, with a width of 25 to 35 feet.
You can propagate Flowering Dogwood by stem cuttings, tip cuttings, cane cuttings, or seeds.
You can learn more about Flowering Dogwood from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Flowering Dogwood from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Goji Berry
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) is a deciduous tree that produces showy tiny (less than 1 inch) lavender flowers in spring.
Goji Berry needs moderate moisture levels, but it is suitable for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Goji Berry prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.8).
Goji Berry can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 3 to 10 feet, with a width of 3 to 4 feet.
You can propagate Goji Berry by layering, stem cuttings, tip cuttings, or seeds (the plant is self-fertile).
You can learn more about Goji Berry from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Goji Berry from Growjoy.
Golden Rain Tree
Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a deciduous treethat produces showy fragrant yellow flowers in summer.
Golden Rain Tree needs moderate to dry moisture levels, and it is suitable for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Golden Rain Tree needs full sun. It tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 5.1 to 7.8).
Golden Rain Tree can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet, with a width of 35 feet.
You can propagate Golden Rain Tree by seed.
You can learn more about Golden Rain Tree from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Golden Rain Tree from Brighter Blooms.
Pawpaw
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous tree that produces small (1 to 2 inch) showy red, purple, or multicolor flowers in spring.
Pawpaw needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Pawpaw prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Pawpaw can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 15 to 35 feet, with a width of 15 to 30 feet.
You can propagate Pawpaw by root cuttings or seed.
You can also learn more about Pawpaw from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can also learn more about Pawpaw from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Pawpaw from Willis Orchards.
Seven Son Flower
Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a deciduous tree that produces showy fragrant white flowers (they are tiny – less than 1 inch) in late summer or fall.
Seven Son Flower needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Seven Son Flower prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It can tolerate a range of acidic to alkaline soil.
Seven Son Flower can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or -29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of up to 15 to 20 feet, with a width of 8 to 10 feet.
You can propagate Seven Son Flower by seeds.
You can learn more about Seven Son Flower from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Seven Son Flower from Monrovia.
Smoke Tree
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria) is a deciduous tree that produces showy pink flowers in summer.
Smoke Tree needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Smoke Tree needs full sun. It tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Smoke Tree can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet, with a width of 10 to 15 feet.
You can propagate Smoke Tree by seed (the plant is self-fertile).
You can learn more about Smoke Tree from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Smoke Tree from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Star Magnolia
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a deciduous tree that produces showy fragrant white flowers in summer.
Star Magnolia needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Star Magnolia prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3).
Star Magnolia can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet, with a width of 10 to 15 feet.
You can propagate Star Magnolia by seed.
You can learn more about Star Magnolia from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Star Magnolia from Sooner Plant Farm.
Conclusion
Now you know about 10 flowering trees for Zone 5 and how to take care of them. They might provide inspiration to help you to improve your landscape and provide more shade in your yard.
I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.
If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy!
~Jonathon