Flowering trees can add lovely, seasonal bursts of color across your landscape. Whether you love pinks and reds or traditional, snowy white blooms, certain trees will be great additions to your landscape.
As always, it’s important to consider the climate before you choose your tree. Some areas of Colorado, such as Denver, are known for their history of droughts. The hardier the tree, the better. Luckily there are some hardy flowering trees that we can recommend.
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Russian Hawthorn
The Russian Hawthorn tree is one of the most highly recommended trees for the Colorado area because of how hardy it is. The tree is drought tolerant which makes it great for areas like Colorado, but the bonus is that it’s also gorgeous.
The tree changes to the traditional orange, red, and yellow colors in the fall, but in the spring the tree blooms beautiful white flowers paired with bright red berries that you can spot in the winter. Along with its ego-boosting beauty, hawthorns are also known for attracting birds.
They can grow to be 10 to 20 ft tall, stand up to –30-degree weather, and also survive elevations of up to 8000 feet. It’s a perfect plant if you’re worried about cold winter weather and lack of water.
European Mountain Ash
This tree is a bit on the larger side – growing from 30 to 35 feet tall and produces clusters of beautiful white flowers that turn into orange fruit. European Mountain Ash trees shift to traditional colors in the fall to accent the wonder of the season.
It’s a very hardy tree that shouldn’t have problems with drought, snow cover, temperatures down to -40 degrees, and high winds (all qualities this wonderful state has boasted). It’s great for attracting wildlife, as many bird species enjoy the berries
Kentucky Coffee Tree
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is a great choice to plant in the Colorado area. It’s hardy to drought and relatively pest-free, so it’s very low maintenance. Animal damage is less of a worry with the Kentucky Coffee Tree – even deer with their strong antlers struggle to leave a mark due to its harder bark.
The tree changes color quite a bit throughout the year. The tree produces yellow flowers in the spring which turn into brown pods (the pods used to be used by settlers as a coffee substitute, earning the tree’s name). The leaves of this tree are dark green in the summer and in fall they turn yellow.
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is another tree that requires minimal care. It’s disease resistant, tolerant to a variety of different soil types, and drought-resistant. The name comes from the dramatic fiery red color that the leaves display in the fall.
The tree produces purple-black fruit in the spring which are a fan favorite for birds. The flowers take the form of beautiful white blooms, sure to brighten up any landscape. If you are looking for a bird attracting, floral tree that’s easy to take care of, this tree is for you.
Prairie Fire Crabapple
Bursting with bright pink blooms the Prairie Fire Crabapple is suitable for high-altitude environments. Its leaves shift to green and gold in the autumn when they bear tiny red fruits, A must-have for anyone who wants to make a bold statement!
Ornamental Pear
A three-season beauty, ornamental pears bear white flowers in early spring and carry a dense, uniform crown through the summer months. Autumn foliage shades include bursts of orange, red and bronze. The average height for most varieties is approximately 35 feet, though width can range by variety from 8 feet to upwards of 25 feet. This versatile tree can find a home in just about any landscaping design, even in smaller yards.
Ornamental Plum
No fruits from this one, though you’ll be treated to blossoms ranging from light pink to white in the earliest days of spring. The foliage is purple, providing excellent visual contrast in a predominantly green landscape.
Need Help Maintaining Your Flowering Trees?
While flowering trees can thrive in Colorado’s unique climate, establishing and maintaining them is no small task. From selecting the right species for your soil and sunlight conditions to ensuring proper planting depth and consistent watering, the process requires expertise and attention to detail. Even the hardiest trees need care to flourish, especially during their critical first few years.
At Front Range Arborists, we specialize in helping homeowners like you navigate these challenges. Our team of certified arborists will assess your landscape, recommend the best flowering trees for your space, and provide expert maintenance services to ensure your trees thrive for decades. Ready to create a stunning, blooming backyard?
Contact Front Range Arborists today for a consultation—let’s bring your vision to life!