There is nothing like letting it be the garden itself (or patio 😉) that tells you what season of the year you are in. For that, the idea of having trees with large flowers is undoubtedly very interesting, because their cheerful colors, as well as the life they attract, are more than enough reasons to realize that spring has begun.
Luckily there are several trees that produce flowers of considerable size; that yes, its rusticity will depend a lot on the climate that is in its place of origin as well as on the evolution they have had. Although you don’t have to worry: in our selection you will find species for both cold and warm climates.
3 large flowering trees for cold climates
If you live in an area where there are frosts and snowfalls every winter, you will need to find species that are able to withstand those conditions, such as these:
Aesculus hippocastanus
Image – Flickr / Cyril Nelson
It is known as horse chestnut or false chestnut, is a deciduous tree that grows to a height of 20 to 30 meters. Its trunk is straight, and its crown is made up of large leaves, up to 30cm wide, made up of 5-7 leaflets. During spring, 3-4cm white flowers sprout grouped in pyramidal panicles up to 30cm high.. Resists up to -18ºC.
To consider
It is a tree that grows best in semi-shade, especially if the summers are very hot (with temperatures of 30ºC or more). It grows well in slightly acidic soils, with a pH of 5-6; not so in limestone, where it is common to present problems such as chlorosis due to the lack of some mineral.
catalpa bignonioides
Known as catalpa or american catalpa, is a deciduous tree native to the southern United States that reaches a height of 9 to 12 meters. Its crown is rounded, with a diameter of 5 to 8 meters, and is composed of large heart-shaped leaves. In early summer it produces white flowers of about 3-4cm in diameter grouped in terminal inflorescences 25 to 30cm high. It resists frosts down to -18ºC.
To consider
It grows in full sun, in siliceous soils with good drainage. It requires frequent watering, especially in summer.
magnolia grandiflora
Known as magnolia tree, is an evergreen tree native to the United States that reaches a height of 15 to 20 meters. Its trunk is straight, and forms a crown densely populated by alternate and simple leaves that are renewed every two years during the spring. The flowers also sprout in this season, they are white, fragrant, and very large: between 15 and 30 centimeters in diameter.. It resists frosts down to -18ºC.
To consider
It is a plant that does not like sunny exposures too much. It grows best in semi-shade. Likewise, both the soil and the irrigation water must have a low pH, between 4 and 6, since it is afraid of lime. It does not withstand drought.
3 large flowering trees for hot, tropical climates
If you live in an area where the climate is mild all year round, and where frosts do not occur or where frosts are very, very weak (-1ºC, -2ºC) and punctual, we recommend these trees:
Bombax ceiba
It is known by the names of common ceiba or red cotton tree, and it is a deciduous tree native to India that reaches a height of 30 to 40 meters. Its leaves are webbed, with a size of 30 to 50cm in diameter. In spring they produce red flowers up to 6cm wide. It resists weak and occasional frosts of up to -2ºC.
To consider
It is a tree that grows in full sun, with moderate watering throughout the year. It needs fertile soils, with very good drainage.
Delonix direction
Known as flamboyán, tabachín or malinche, is a deciduous, semi-deciduous or evergreen tree (it will depend on the benevolence of the climate and the risks that it is given) native to the dry deciduous forest of Madagascar that reaches a height of up to 12 meters. Its crown is parasolate, composed of pinnate leaves 30 to 50 cm long. In spring it produces flowers up to 8cm in lengthred, or orange if it is the variety Delonix regia var. Flavid. It does not resist frost.
To consider
It is a plant that requires sunny exposures and moderate watering. It should not be pruned, as it will, over time, acquire its parasolized shape that it likes so much.
Handroanthus chrysanthus
Image – Flickr / Kai Yan, Joseph Wong
It is known by the common names Araguaney, Guayacan, Yellow Guayacan or Tajibo, among others, and by its previous scientific name Tabebuia chrysantha. It usually grows to 5 meters, but can reach 8m. Its trunk tends to lean a little, and it has a more or less rounded crown composed of deciduous leaves formed by 5 leaflets. In spring it produces large yellow campanulate flowers grouped in inflorescences 5 to 25cm long.. It does not resist frost; the minimum annual temperature must be above 5ºC.
To consider
It grows in full sun, in soils rich in organic matter and well drained. It cannot stand drought, but overwatering also hurts it.
What do you think of these trees with large flowers? Do you know others?
