The striking appearance of a tree covered in purple blooms is a memorable sign of spring. Several distinct species share this characteristic, each thriving in different climates and displaying unique botanical features. Identifying the particular tree depends largely on its location, the exact color of the flowers, and the tree’s overall structure and bloom timing. These purple-flowered trees range from tropical giants to smaller, hardy North American natives.
The Tropical Icon: Jacaranda
The tree most commonly associated with a blanket of purple is the Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia). Native to South America, it is celebrated globally in subtropical and tropical regions. It is known for its spectacular bloom period, which often occurs from late spring into early summer, transforming streets into a sea of lavender-blue. The trumpet-shaped flowers are about two inches long and appear in large terminal panicles up to 12 inches in length that cover the crown of the tree.
Jacaranda trees are large, typically reaching heights between 25 and 50 feet with a wide, spreading canopy. The light, delicate foliage is fern-like and bipinnately compound, giving the tree a fine texture when not in bloom. After the flowers fade, they produce distinctive, flat, woody seed capsules that may persist on the branches through winter. This tree is only winter hardy in USDA zones 9B through 11, confining it to warmer areas like Southern California, Florida, and parts of Texas.
The bloom time of the Jacaranda can vary significantly, generally peaking in May but appearing as early as April or as late as August. This tendency to bloom later in the season, often as temperatures rise, distinguishes it from earlier-blooming purple trees. The volume of fallen flowers creates a temporary purple carpet on the ground, adding to its visual impact.
North America’s Native Bloom: Eastern Redbud
For many in temperate North America, the purple spring tree is the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis). This smaller, often multi-trunked understory tree typically matures to a height of 20 to 30 feet. Its defining characteristic is its bloom time: it is one of the first trees to flower in early spring, often in March or April, well before its leaves have fully emerged.
The Redbud’s flowers are a distinct rose-purple or magenta color, a warmer, pinker hue than the lavender-blue of the Jacaranda. These small, pea-like blossoms, about a half-inch wide, appear directly on the older wood of the trunk and branches, a phenomenon known as cauliflory. The flowers provide an early nectar source for bees and hummingbirds.
Following the flowering period, the tree develops its signature foliage: large, simple, heart-shaped leaves that can reach five inches across. The fruit is a flat, reddish-brown, bean-like seedpod that matures in the summer and can remain on the tree into the winter. The Eastern Redbud is cold-tolerant, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9 across the eastern and central United States.
Other Spring Purple Candidates
Beyond the two main contenders, other trees and large shrubs can produce a purple spring spectacle. The Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), also known as the Princess Tree, is a fast-growing species featuring large clusters of fragrant, tubular, foxglove-like flowers. Its flowers are a pale violet-pink and appear in upright clusters up to 14 inches long in the spring before the massive, heart-shaped leaves develop.
The Empress Tree is identifiable by its rapid growth rate and very large leaves, which can be up to a foot in length and have a velvety texture. However, this species is considered invasive in many parts of the eastern United States due to its aggressive self-seeding. Another common purple spring bloomer is the Lilac (Syringa), which, though primarily a multi-stemmed shrub, can be trained into a small tree form.
Lilac blooms are recognizable by their intense, sweet fragrance and their cone-shaped clusters of small, four-petaled flowers. The Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a dense, multi-stemmed plant that can reach heights of 20 feet, but true Lilac trees like the Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata) are single-trunked and grow taller. Common purple varieties bloom in mid-to-late spring, and the characteristic scent is a strong indicator of a Lilac.
Identifying Your Tree Based on Geography and Climate
The most effective way to identify the purple tree is to use a simple diagnostic based on location and specific characteristics. If the tree is large, has fern-like foliage, and is blooming in a warm, frost-free climate like Southern California or Florida, it is likely a Jacaranda. Its lavender-blue color and tendency to bloom from late spring into summer are decisive factors in subtropical zones.
Conversely, if the tree is in a temperate region, such as the Eastern or Midwestern United States, and is blooming profusely in early spring before its leaves have fully emerged, it is an Eastern Redbud. The Redbud’s magenta-pink, pea-like flowers growing directly from the bark, followed by heart-shaped leaves, confirm this identification. If the tree has a strong, sweet scent and small, cone-shaped flower clusters, it points toward a Lilac.
If the tree is fast-growing, has large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves that appear after the bloom, and the flowers are a pale violet-pink in large, upright clusters, it suggests the Empress Tree. Using geographic location to narrow the possibilities, and then focusing on the flower shape, color, and bloom timing—early spring versus late spring or summer—will lead to the correct identification.