Trees shade your garden and add beauty to the landscape in your yard. Some trees dazzle with regal purple flowers during the year.
So, what are some trees with purple flowers? Trees with purple flowers include: Arabian Lilac, Black Locust, Butterfly Bush, Glory Bush, Jacaranda, Kohuhu, Longleaf Pine, Redbud, Texas Mountain Laurel, and Vine Maple. Some of these trees have attractive foliage and can grow quite tall, while others remain compact for a patio.
Of course, some of these trees prefer full sun, while others tolerate partial or full shade.
In this article, we’ll talk about 10 trees with purple flowers. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.
Let’s begin.
10 Trees With Purple Flowers
There are plenty of trees with purple flowers, but here are 10 to start with:
- Arabian Lilac
- Black Locust
- Butterfly Bush
- Glory Bush
- Jacaranda
- Kohuhu
- Longleaf Pine
- Redbud
- Texas Mountain Laurel
- Vine Maple
Let’s begin with the Arabian Lilac.
Arabian Lilac
Arabian Lilac (Vitex trifolia) is an evergreen tree that produces showy, tiny (less than 1 inch) purple or lavender flowers (possibly year-round).
Arabian Lilac needs moderate moisture levels, and it can be used in xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Arabian Lilac prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.5 to 7.0).
Arabian Lilac can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8b (as cold as 15 degrees Fahrenheit or –9 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 12 to 14 feet, with a width of 10 to 15 feet.
You can propagate Arabian Lilac by semi-hardwood cuttings.
You can learn more about Arabian Lilac from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Arabian Lilac from Monrovia.
Black Locust
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a deciduous tree that produces showy, fragrant, small (1 to 2 inch) purple flowers in spring or early summer.
Black Locust needs moderate moisture levels, and it can be used in xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Black Locust needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Black Locust can tolerate extreme cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet, with a width of 20 to 30 feet.
You can propagate Black Locust by root cuttings or seeds.
You can learn more about Black Locust from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Black Locust from Northern Ridge Nursery.
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is a deciduous tree that produces showy purple flowers in summer or fall.
Butterfly Bush needs moderate moisture levels when growing, but not much water otherwise. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Butterfly Bush prefers full sun, but it tolerates partial shade. It prefers acidic to alkaline soil (pH of 5.5 to 8.5).
Butterfly Bush can tolerate extreme 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 feet (taller if not trimmed back), with a width of 5 feet.
You can propagate Butterfly Bush by stem cuttings or seeds (but it will not grow true from seed).
You can learn more about Butterfly Bush from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Butterfly Bush from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Glory Bush
Glory Bush (Tibouchina mutabilis) is an evergreen tree that produces showy purple flowers (possibly year-round).
Glory Bush needs moderate to dry moisture levels and tolerates drought, making it useful for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Glory Bush prefers full sun, but it tolerates partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 6.0 or less).
Glory Bush cannot tolerate cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or –1 degree Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of up to 5 feet, with a width of up to 10 feet.
You can propagate Glory Bush by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Glory Bush from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Glory Bush from Monrovia.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a deciduous tree that produces showy, fragrant small (1 to 2 inch) purple flowers in spring or summer.
Jacaranda needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Jacaranda needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic soil.
Jacaranda cannot tolerate cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9b (as cold as 25 degrees Fahrenheit or –4 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of up to 50 feet, with a width of up to 60 feet.
You can propagate Jacaranda by stem cuttings, grafting, or seeds.
You can learn more about Jacaranda from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Jacaranda from Monrovia.
Kohuhu
Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium) is an evergreen tree that produces showy, fragrant, tiny (less than 1 inch) purple flowers in spring.
Kohuhu needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Kohuhu prefers full sun, but it tolerates partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Kohuhu cannot tolerate cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9a (as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit or –7 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 12 to 20 feet, with a width of 6 to 8 feet.
You can propagate Kohuhu by semi-hardwood cuttings or seeds.
You can learn more about Kohuhu from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Kohuhu from Nature Hills.
Longleaf Pine
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) is an evergreen tree with needles that produces showy purple flowers in spring.
Longleaf Pine needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Longleaf Pine needs full sun. It prefers acidic soil.
Longleaf Pine can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8a (as cold as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or –12 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 60 to 80 feet.
You can propagate Longleaf Pine by seeds.
You can learn more about Longleaf Pine from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Longleaf Pine from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Redbud
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is an deciduous perennial tree that produces showy purple flowers in late winter or spring.
Image courtesy of user:
Agnes Monkelbaan via:
Wikimedia Commons:
https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Judasboom_
(Cercis_canadensis_
%27Forest_Pansy%27)._
15-04-2020._(actm.)_03.jpg
Redbud needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Redbud prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.8).
Redbud can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 6b (as cold as -5 degrees Fahrenheit or –21 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 15 feet, with a width of 15 feet.
You can propagate Redbud by softwood cuttings or by seeds.
You can learn more about Redbud from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Redbud from Wilson Bros Gardens.
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora or Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) is an evergreen tree that produces showy purple flowers in spring.
Image courtesy of user:
Kretyen via:
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Calia_secundiflora_flowers.jpg
Texas Mountain Laurel needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Texas Mountain Laurel needs full sun. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 8.4).
Texas Mountain Laurel can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 7a (as cold as 0 degrees Fahrenheit or –18 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet, with a width of 8 to 10 feet.
You can propagate Texas Mountain Laurel by softwood cuttings or by seeds.
You can learn more about Texas Mountain Laurel from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Texas Mountain Laurel from Monrovia.
Vine Maple
Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) is a deciduous tree that produces tiny (less than 1 inch) purple flowers in late winter or early spring.
Image courtesy of user:
Walter Siegmund via:
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Acer_circinatum_03516.JPG
Vine Maple needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Vine Maple prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.1 to 6.5).
Vine Maple can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 6a (as cold as -10 degrees Fahrenheit or -23 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 30 feet, with a width of 15 to 20 feet.
You can propagate Vine Maple by seeds.
You can learn more about Vine Maple from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Vine Maple from Wilson Bros Gardens
Conclusion
Now you know about 10 trees with purple flowers 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.
You might enjoy my article on trees with yellow flowers or my article on plants with big flowers as well.
If you have a shaded yard, you should check out my article on flowering trees for shade.
If you live in a colder climate, you might want to read my article on flowering trees for Zone 6.
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