Trees with pink blossoms

Trees with pink blossoms have captured the imagination since time immemorial. Van Gogh, for example, painted countless pink blossoming fruit trees on his famous canvases, and in Japan, the Hanami - the time when the cherry blossoms (Sakura) bud - has been traditionally celebrated for centuries.

Still today, trees with pink blossoms are very popular. Not only do they provide a fresh and colorful accent, they are also easy to combine with foliage plants, evergreens and especially with many perennial border plants. In addition to cherry blossoms, there are numerous other varieties with this beautiful bloom.

Magnolias which flower pink

Magnolias also stand out in color and fragrance. Many varieties of this often multi-stemmed tree bloom with white to soft pink tulip-like flowers that also have a wonderful scent. Hence the name tulip tree. A beloved species that does well in many soil types is, for example, Magnolia 'Heaven Scent', with its light lilac/pink flowers. Even at an early age this tree knows how to bloom abundantly. Magnolia 'Betty' has more purple flowers; the crown develops more capriciously and the flowers are more star-shaped. Magnolias do require some space because of their wide growth and should preferably be placed in a sheltered position so that the flowers are not immediately blown to pieces. Yet there are also possibilities for urban applications. For example, Magnolia 'Spectrum' has a more upright habit and, at 6 to 9 meters, grows significantly taller than the other species, which offers more planting options.

Prunus with pink blossoms

The fruit trees are known for their frequent pink blossoms. These can vary from white-pink to deep dark pink. The best known is the prunus, the cherry tree. This genus has hundreds of species and often they bloom profusely, especially if they are in a sheltered spot in the sun. They are beautiful to look at all year round, because most species have a beautiful trunk, somewhat whimsically shaped branches and wrap themselves in beautiful autumn colors. In addition, they are of great value to bees, bumblebees and butterflies.

Prunus serrula 'Kanzan' is one of the best known and most widely used Japanese ornamental cherries and blooms around late April, early May. The double pink flower clusters appear at the same time as the bronze-green leaves that later turn green. This cultivar is with 8 - 10 meters a somewhat taller Prunus and therefore requires some space. The tree is very strong, not very critical of soil conditions, fairly resistant to wind and can tolerate paving quite well. It is therefore very suitable to plant as a standard tree or in grafted form along wide streets. Or place a multi-trunk 'Kanzan' in planters or greenbelts as a solitary eye-catcher.

The light pink Prunus 'Accolade' flowers a little earlier in the year. This Japanese cherry grows to a height of around 6 to 8 metres. In early April the tree is covered with numerous semi-double hanging blossom clusters which appear just before the leaves unfurl. This makes it a true spectacle in a planter or small garden. It will even do beautifully on a roof garden. Like the 'Kanzan', this tree develops a somewhat broad, vase-shaped crown in which the branches can start to droop slightly. Do you need to keep the space around the tree free or are you looking for beautiful views? Then a Prunus ´Accolade' top grafted is also worth considering.

Prunus ×yedoensis shows more white in its blossom and has a more flattened crown. Its bark is also striking and quite smooth, and together this gives it a characteristic appearance. Even before the leaves emerge, the first pink flowers appear in April/May, which then turn massively to white. A light sweet almond scent hangs around the tree. Also the autumn color is beautiful. The leaves can get all kinds of yellow, orange and red tones. The tree is a reasonably fast grower, grows to a height of 6 to 10 meters and has some requirements for its location; it prefers not to be too wet and also does not feel at home in paving. Under the right conditions it can be placed near streets, squares, roof gardens and in medium-sized gardens.

Crab apples with pink blossoms

Among apples and ornamental apples there are also numerous pink flowering trees. These trees are often modest in size, so they are versatile in application. A low-growing crab apple, for example, is Malus floribunda, which has beautiful pink flower buds as a precursor to flowering. Malus 'Makamik' and Malus 'Professor Sprenger' reach a little higher and can therefore also be placed in public gardens.

Or take a look at Malus toringo 'Brouwers Beauty' which turns more white-pink, followed by orange-yellow ornamental apples. Malus 'Rudolph' can also provide a special accent, which flowers in May in a beautiful purplish pink. The foliage turns from dark brown to dark green, which provides a nice contrast. Unfortunately, the small ornamental apples often do not remain long, but the tree is very strong, healthy and extremely hardy.

Pink Nudeflowers

Another eye-catcher is the Cercis, or Judas tree. This tree blooms early in the year, even before the leaves have sprouted, and the bundles of pink flowers even manage to appear from the bare trunks and stems. Together with their whimsical, often broad silhouette, this makes for a true spectacle. Also the autumn color is usually beautiful. Most species do not grow too high - up to 9 to 10 meters - and they prefer to be sheltered on a calcareous sandy or loamy soil. Cercis canadensis, the dark-leaved Cercis canadenis 'Forest Pansy' and the drought-tolerant Cercis siliquastrum are all suitable species.

Other trees with pink flowers

Finally, the ×Chitalpa tashkentensis should not be missing from this list. This summer flowering tree is a little exotic in appearance due to its pink orchid-shaped flowers that appear between the narrowly incised bright green leaves. The tree is therefore very popular with bees and butterflies. If it stands nicely in the sun and the environmental conditions are optimal, such as full sun and a well-drained soil, it will develop beautifully. The tree reaches a modest size of 4 to 6 meters and is definitely a good candidate for garden designs in which tropical or Asian accents have the leading role.

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