Trees with purple blooms are popular additions to landscapes, offering colors from deep violet to soft lavender hues. Identifying the specific species or selecting the right one for planting depends largely on the climate and the tree’s distinctive natural characteristics. The purple coloration in tree flowers often comes from anthocyanin pigments, giving rise to diverse shades across various species that thrive in different environmental conditions.
Common Purple Bloomers of Temperate Regions
Trees that produce purple flowers in temperate zones, generally USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, are characterized by their tolerance for distinct cold seasons. One of the earliest and most widespread purple bloomers is the Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis, a small- to medium-sized tree that typically reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet. Its showy, pink-to-magenta flowers emerge directly on bare branches in early spring, a phenomenon known as cauliflory.
The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is often grown as a shrub but can be trained into a small tree, potentially reaching 20 to 23 feet. Lilacs are prized for their highly fragrant, dense panicles of purple or lavender blossoms that appear in late spring. The Royal Empress Tree, Paulownia tomentosa, is a fast-growing deciduous species that can reach 50 feet. It features large clusters of fragrant, lavender-colored, bell-shaped blooms that appear early in the spring, though its quick growth has led to it being considered invasive in many regions.
Vibrant Purple Trees of Warmer Climates
The most celebrated purple-flowering tree in warmer regions, particularly USDA Zones 9 through 11, is the Jacaranda, Jacaranda mimosifolia. This semi-evergreen to deciduous tree is famous for its widespread display of trumpet-shaped, lavender-blue flowers in late spring to early summer. Mature Jacaranda trees can grow between 25 and 50 feet tall. They are known for dropping their spent blooms, which create a dense “purple carpet” on the ground below.
Another popular choice for warmer climates is the Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which includes many cultivars with purple and lavender blooms. This small tree or large shrub flowers on new wood, extending its color display throughout the summer and into the early fall. Depending on the cultivar, Crape Myrtles can range from dwarf shrubs to small trees reaching up to 30 feet tall. The purple varieties offer color when many other flowering trees are past their peak.
Key Factors for Identification and Selection
To accurately identify a purple-blooming tree or select one for a landscape, three characteristics offer immediate clues: mature size, bloom timing, and leaf structure. Observing the tree’s ultimate height helps narrow the possibilities, as a 50-foot shade tree like the Empress tree is distinct from a 15-foot small tree like the Redbud. The timing of the floral display is equally telling, separating the early spring bloomers from the summer bloomers that flower on new growth.
The structure and persistence of the leaves provide a third factor for identification, especially when the tree is not in bloom. For example, the Jacaranda is identified by its fine, fern-like, bi-pinnately compound leaves, while the Eastern Redbud has simple, heart-shaped foliage. Knowing if the tree is deciduous (losing leaves in winter) or semi-evergreen helps determine its suitability for a specific growing environment.