There are quite a little of ornamental trees that grow well in Alabama . Here are 15 decorative trees that thrive in America ’s South . These beauty will raise your landscape painting , pull pollinator , and provide shelter for dame and other low animals . This is just a small sample when you moot all the incredible trees that thrive in Alabama ’s hardiness zone .
Flowering Dogwood ( Cornus Florida )
Flowering Dogwoodis a deciduous tree that is aboriginal to North America . It ’s also one of the most democratic unfolding trees in Alabama . You ’d be hard - pressed to find a neighborhood that does n’t contain at least one flowering dogwood . Moreover , these lovely trees are readily uncommitted at most Alabama nurseries and greenhouses .
The dogwood ’s white blossom are some of the first to come along in bound . The four - petaled blooms have a striking smell . They typically blossom in former March or early April . They last for two to four weeks . The blossoms can be anywhere from 3 to 6 inches in diameter . They give way to light green leaves and crimson fruit . The berries are not poisonous . However , their bad flesh and sulfurous gustatory sensation make them unsuitable to human being . Birds and other modest critter do an excellent occupation clean up the tree ’s harvest leftover . The dogwood ’s foliation flex a spectacular shade of red in fall .
Cornus florida rubra , or pink flowering dogwood , is another character of cornel that does well in the South . Its blossoms are a celestial blending of pinkish and snowy . They last just as long as that of the Cornus Florida .
Both trees can get to be 15 to 30 feet in stature . However , their canopy are typically even more heroic . Their conical masking begin relatively tight to the primer . The low - lie branches are often used to support bird and worm houses . These Tree prefer well - draining stain and partial nicety . They require short to no on-going maintenance . Therefore , we extremely recommend them for newbie gardeners .
Cutleaf Lilac ( Syringa laciniata
Cutleaf lilac is one of the only lilac that can tolerate the intense heat of the South . Cutleaf lilac flowers are a gentle over-embellished color . They grow in small canonic clusters . They produce a lovely floral aroma that attracts all variety of butterfly , bees , and other pollinators .
Cutleaf lilac flowers blow over quickly . It ’s during this time that the tree should be snip . Regular pruning head to an increase in flowers in the old age that follow . Keep in mind that even though lilac is a tree , it is often handle as a hedge or shrub .
While lilac efflorescence evanesce quickly , they are keep abreast by lovely green foliage . The tree ’s leaves are lite light-green and subdued to the touch . They make an excellent increase to landscape borders , hedgerow , and efflorescence beds . A mature cutleaf lilac tree will develop to be around 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide . Lavender peeress is another lilac variety that does well in Alabama . Many lilacs do well in frostier grow zones , as they choose to go into dormancy throughout the winter .
This unfolding tree does well when it is propagate in direct sun and well - draining soil . It prefers hummus - rich , alkalic soil .
Jacaranda ( Jacaranda mimosifolia )
The Jacaranda tree is an impressive ornamental variety that is aboriginal to South America . This sun - loving flowering Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is a good match for southern Alabama ’s balmy weather . Jacaranda is capable of produce a widespread canopy of deep purple and blue flowers . The trumpet - shaped flush grow in large panicles . They appear to drip from the ends of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s low - lying branches .
Most jacaranda trees flower twice per yr , once in bounce and once in fall . The flowers are a welcome sight and even convey along a pleasant smell . However , it can be hard to revalue them as they start to accumulate on the ground . The tree ’s foliage is equally bewitching . Its fern - comparable , bi - pinnate leaves are rich in summertime . This incredible plant also grow pod - wrought , chocolate-brown fruit in late summer .
Jacaranda trees typically do well in Alabama ’s warmer part . These tropical tree need lots of sunshine , water , and passion . These tree diagram can raise to be anywhere from 25 to 40 feet grandiloquent and produce 40 - foot or wider canopies .
Cornelian Cherry ( Cornus mas )
Cornelian cherry comes to the South from southerly Europe and western Asia . It ’s a gorgeous deciduous tree with the potentiality of reaching 25 pes at maturity . It bring out an abundance of promising yellow bloom in fountain and summer . The bloom are companion by green foliage and , eventually , violent cherry red . The tart fruits can be eaten directly off the tree or mixed into preserve and other foods .
Tonto Crape Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia ‘ Tonto ’ )
These tiny trees produce a splendid raiment of long - survive flowers . The fuchsia pink peak last all summer . A typical crape Vinca minor blooms for a whopping 75 days . The paper - like peak turn in clump fence by the tree ’s abstruse green leafage . The tree ’s red berries are safe for usance . However , most gardeners let the berries drop so that native birds and other small creatures can enjoy them .
ripe tonto crape Vinca minor trees typically only grow to be around 10 foot in acme . These vivacious tree diagram are often propagate in rows . Their canopy will originate together to create a dense tad - giving cover . Singular tree can also be pruned . This way , they appear stark along the bottom with disc - like canopies . Standalone plantings are typically accompanied by ground book binding or mulch .
Japanese Snowbell ( Styrax japonicus )
The Nipponese Snowbell is a deciduous tree diagram that originates from Japan and China . This ornamental varietal create an teemingness of gong - shaped flowers . The white bloom dribble down from the plant ’s sidewise - grow branch . The tree diagram ’s large , ellipse - influence leave raise densely around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s round canopy . The drooping bloom typically appear in late outpouring or other summertime . They accumulate together to make a lovely strobilus - regulate canopy . The fragrant blooms attract all sort of pollinator and birds .
Nipponese sweet sand verbena typically develop to be 30 foot tall and 30 foot wide . These industrial plant can be left to acquire multiple trunks . Most landscapers trim them so that they have just one trunk each . It takes a long time for this species to develop . It may take a young tree several years to produce flowers .
Saucer Magnolia ( Magnolia × soulangeana )
Saucer magnolia is a blossom deciduous tree that thrives in the South ’s balmy climate . This incredible varietal is a hybridizing between the Yulan magnolia and Magnolia liliiflora . Its blossom appear in early spring and typically last for one to two weeks . The pinkish and lily-white buds are incredibly fragrant . The plant ’s outstretched petal give it an appearance similar to that of a minuscule plate .
The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s brown - light-green leaves seem before the blossom fade away . This tree diagram is fear for its gorgeous blooms , perfumed fragrance , and trance shade . Magnolia is one of the South ’s staple ornamental trees . In our humble opinion , the dish aerial magnolia occur to be one of the more spectacular varieties .
Other mainstay of the South are the Southern magnolia , the sweetbay magnolia , and the cucumbertree . You should have no trouble finding a magnolia that thrives in your yard , disregarding of the conditions .
Saucer magnolia trees typically grow to be 20 to 25 feet magniloquent and 20 to 25 understructure wide . They prosper in fond nuance and moist soil . Keep in mind that they are slow growers . It occupy most immature trees two to five years to produce flowers .
Shadbush ( Amelanchier arborea )
Shadbush , or Alabama serviceberry , is a small-scale deciduous tree diagram that is native to eastern North America . This particular specie is unremarkably between 15 to 25 feet tall at maturity . This unbelievable plant give rise a canopy of pocket-sized white flush around Easter . The clustered blooms premise the flora ’s oval leaves . The tree also produces apple - like fruits in summer . The fruits change state dark red or purple before falling to the background . The leaves change by reversal a particularly charming shade of orange during autumn .
Serviceberry trees can grow to be 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide . Between their downy blossom , textured leaves , decorative bark , and unique yield , they serve as year - round landscape painting decorations . While this tree ’s flower typically only last for one week , its blooming time period is rather spectacular . The plant ’s royal berries are popular with native wildlife , include most songbirds and pollinator .
Big Leaf Magnolia ( Magnolia macrophylla )
fully grown folio magnolia is a deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that originates from the southeastern United States and Mexico . While this incredible metal money make lovely flowers , it ’s best known for its incredibly large foliage . This magnolia ’s oblong leaves can grow to be anywhere from 12 to 32 in in length . They grow a rounded canopy that ’s highly regarded for its shade - give prop . The bigleaf ’s bloom are as telling , with many of the white measuring up to 10 column inch in diameter . The plant ’s cone - shaped fruit are red and woody . Each pod typically contain multiple seeds . The pods can be save and dried for future propagation .
Bigleaf magnolia incline to suck up a portion of tending . If you ’re looking for a really eye - catching ornamental , you ’ll want to add this striking ornamental to your list .
Tulip Tree ( Liriodendron tulipifera )
The tulip tree is another ornamental species with spectacular leafage . It comes as no surprisal that Liriodendrfera is a member of the magnolia sept . The plant ’s vivid green leaves closely resemble tulip flowers . They ’re accompanied by tulip - work gullible and yellow flowers . Since the blossoms only come out mellow in the tree ’s canopy , they are often overshadow by the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s unequalled foliage . The leaves turn a pleasant shade of canary yellow in autumn .
This stunning Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can grow to be 90 feet tall and 40 feet all-embracing at maturity date . It ’s subject of growing in zone 4 through 9 . However , it prefers the balmy climate of the American South .
Downy Serviceberry ( Amelanchier arborea )
flossy serviceberry is another ornamental Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can service as a landscape gardening focal point during all four season . This incredible plant produces white-hot flowers in spring and little red berry in autumn . The flowers boast five flower petal . They typically seem between March and April . The fragrant blooms attract all form of aboriginal pollinator . The plant ’s berry - lime false fruit are a preferred collation of songbirds and other wildlife .
Downy serviceberry can spring up to be 25 feet marvelous and 25 feet across-the-board at maturity . Its droopy flower clusters and color - interchange leaves are unremarkably welcome gain to any Alabama garden .
River Birch ( Betula nigra )
River Birch is a aboriginal tree that ’s revered for its unparalleled barque and specter - giving canopy . This unique species tends to shed stretches of its white-hot and tan bark during winter . This makes the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s trunk appear as though it is compensate in peeling newspaper . The tree produces small unripened ament in spring . Its tree ’s leave are diamond - shaped , jest at , and unripened .
River birch tree is an first-class tree for individuals who are n’t looking for bloom varietals . They are excellent additions to shaded landscape painting border and open space .
Yoshino Cherry ( Prunus x yedoensis )
cerise blossom trees create an abundance of odorous - smell flowers . While these florescence trees are not native to the United States , they thrive in America ’s South . This plant ’s blossom - lowering canopies are highly reckon in the landscaping humankind . The fragrant blossoms seem in former outflow and last for anywhere from two to three workweek . The flowers precede the tree diagram ’s impressive leaf . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s leaf are glossy , green , and serrated . They serve as excellent addition to yards and walkways .
Yoshino cherry red Tree can turn to be anywhere from 40 to 50 foot tall .
Japanese Crepe Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia fauriei )
Nipponese Crepe Myrtle is an ornamental shrub or Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that comes from Yakushima Island , Japan . This vivacious plant was introduced to America by path o South Carolina . They are an first-class couple for the South ’s mild climate . The tree ’s showy peak display typically appears in later May or early June in Alabama and other southerly State . The blossoms last for anywhere from three to four months . The stark white flowers counterpoint the tree ’s orangy bark . The peak are lowly and paper - like . Oval - shaped , green leaves compliment the delicate prime . The leaves are smooth , indestructible , and small . The leaf typically turn over yellow or orange in fall .
French pancake Vinca minor trees can get to be anywhere from 35 to 50 feet in height . These trees are incredibly adaptive and tend to originate fast . This sporty species makes an excellent shadiness tree .
American Elderberry ( Sambucus canadensis )
American elderberry , or fatal elderberry , is a multi - trunked deciduous plant that develop throughout the easterly United States . This tree can even be ascertain in the state of nature of Alabama . This bush - like plant blooms in later spring . Its large clusters of white bloom closely resemble lace . They sit atop a backcloth of smart green parting . The foliage grows from lithe straw . grapevine - similar clump of purplish - black Charles Edward Berry rarify the greenery . The Chuck Berry are highly consider for their medicative and healing properties .
These tempting works can grow to be anywhere from 6 to 12 feet in height . Each flora can have anywhere from five to 10 individual body . It takes rough two twelvemonth for a young industrial plant to acquire fruit .
There ’s no famine of show - stopping ornamentals that grow well in Alabama . Whether you ’re look for all - whizz foliage , stunning blooms , or optic - capture barque , we ’ve get you cover ! permit us know your favorite cosmetic trees in the comment segment below .
