15 Stunning Purple Trees to Transform Your Garden
Looking to add a touch of uniqueness and beauty to your garden? Purple trees are an excellent choice for creating a striking landscape. These trees offer vibrant, eye-catching colors that can transform any outdoor space. From the elegant Jacaranda to the stunning Purple Leaf Plum, there are many varieties to choose from.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 gorgeous purple trees that will enhance your garden and provide you with tips on how to care for them. Get ready to be inspired by these beautiful and unique additions to your yard!
1. Jacaranda Tree
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The Jacaranda tree is renowned for its stunning lavender-blue flowers that create a breathtaking display when in full bloom. These delicate, trumpet-shaped blossoms cover the tree in spring and early summer, transforming landscapes into a sea of purple. The tree’s feathery, fern-like leaves add a soft, airy texture, making it a favorite in both urban and suburban settings.
Ideal growing conditions for the Jacaranda tree include full sun and well-draining soil. It thrives in warm climates, particularly in USDA zones 9 to 11. Regular watering during the growing season is essential, but it’s also drought-tolerant once established. Pruning should be done in winter to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. With proper care, the Jacaranda tree can reach heights of up to 50 feet, providing ample shade and visual appeal.
2. Purple Leaf Plum Tree
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The Purple Leaf Plum tree is admired for its deep, reddish-purple foliage that remains vibrant throughout the growing season. In early spring, the tree produces an abundance of delicate, pale pink to white flowers that contrast beautifully with its dark leaves, creating a stunning visual effect.
This tree is well-suited for temperate climates and thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Regular watering is important, especially during dry spells, to maintain its foliage color and overall health. The Purple Leaf Plum tree typically reaches a height of 15 to 25 feet, making it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized gardens. Pruning should be done after flowering to shape the tree and remove any dead or crossing branches.
3. Eastern Redbud
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The Eastern Redbud is a captivating tree known for its brilliant display of pinkish-purple flowers that bloom directly on its branches and trunk in early spring. These blossoms appear before the leaves, creating a striking floral display. As the flowers fade, heart-shaped leaves emerge, adding to the tree’s charm.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It grows well in a variety of soil types but needs good drainage. The Eastern Redbud is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning, which should be done after flowering to maintain its shape. Typically reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet, it is a great choice for adding spring color and year-round interest to gardens and landscapes.
4. Royal Purple Smoke Tree
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The Royal Purple Smoke Tree stands out with its rich, dark purple foliage and unique, smoky, plume-like flower clusters that appear in late spring to early summer. These “smoke” plumes are actually airy clusters of seed heads that give the tree its distinctive look. In autumn, the leaves turn a brilliant orange-red, providing a stunning fall display.
Ideal for USDA zones 4 to 8, this tree prefers full sun to achieve its best color and form. It adapts well to various soil types as long as they are well-draining. The Royal Purple Smoke Tree is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. Pruning in late winter helps to promote new growth and enhance its shape. This tree typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet, making it suitable for both focal points and mixed borders in gardens.
5. Chaste Tree (Vitex)
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The Chaste Tree, also known as Vitex, is cherished for its fragrant, lavender-blue flower spikes that bloom in mid to late summer. These long, showy blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, adding life and movement to your garden. The tree’s leaves are aromatic and lance-shaped, providing an additional sensory experience.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 6 to 9 and prefers full sun to light shade. It does well in well-draining soil and is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Regular watering during its first year helps establish a strong root system. Pruning should be done in late winter to early spring to encourage new growth and maintain a pleasing shape. The Chaste Tree typically reaches a height of 10 to 20 feet, making it an attractive choice for a variety of garden settings.
6. Purple Robe Locust
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The Purple Robe Locust is a striking tree known for its clusters of fragrant, pea-like, purple-pink flowers that bloom in late spring. These vibrant blooms are followed by feathery, dark green foliage, creating a lush and attractive appearance throughout the growing season. The tree’s bark also adds interest with its rugged, textured look.
Ideal for USDA zones 4 to 8, the Purple Robe Locust prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It is highly adaptable to various soil types and is both drought and pollution tolerant, making it suitable for urban environments. Regular watering during the establishment period is crucial, but the tree requires less water once mature. Pruning should be done in late winter to remove any suckers or dead branches. This tree can reach heights of 30 to 40 feet, providing excellent shade and visual appeal in larger landscapes.
7. Forest Pansy Redbud
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The Forest Pansy Redbud is celebrated for its stunning, heart-shaped, deep purple leaves that provide a vibrant splash of color in any garden. In early spring, before the leaves appear, the tree is adorned with clusters of small, rosy-pink flowers that bloom along the branches, creating a beautiful contrast.
This tree is well-suited for USDA zones 5 to 9 and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-draining soil and benefits from regular watering, especially during dry periods. Minimal pruning is required, but any necessary shaping should be done after flowering. The Forest Pansy Redbud typically reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet, making it a versatile choice for adding dramatic foliage and spring blooms to gardens and landscapes.
8. Purple Orchid Tree (Bauhinia Purpurea)
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The Purple Orchid Tree, known scientifically as Bauhinia Purpurea, is renowned for its large, striking purple flowers that resemble orchids. These vibrant blooms appear in fall and winter, adding a splash of color when many other trees are dormant. The tree’s leaves are uniquely shaped like butterfly wings, adding to its visual appeal.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It grows best in well-draining soil and requires regular watering during its growing season. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant. Pruning should be done after the flowering period to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. The Purple Orchid Tree typically reaches heights of 20 to 35 feet, making it an excellent choice for adding exotic beauty to tropical and subtropical gardens.
9. Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)
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Lagerstroemia, commonly known as Crape Myrtle, is celebrated for its long-lasting, vibrant purple blooms that appear in summer and extend into early fall. The tree’s smooth, mottled bark and dark green foliage add year-round interest, with leaves turning shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn.
Crape Myrtle thrives in USDA zones 6 to 9 and prefers full sun to achieve the best flowering. It adapts well to various soil types, provided they are well-draining, and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Regular watering during the first few years is essential for healthy growth. Pruning should be done in late winter to promote new growth and enhance flowering. This tree can range in size from 15 to 25 feet, depending on the variety, making it suitable for both small and large gardens.
10. Purple Japanese Maple
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The Purple Japanese Maple is admired for its deeply lobed, purple-red leaves that provide stunning color throughout the growing season. In the fall, the foliage turns a brilliant scarlet, adding a dramatic touch to any landscape. The tree’s graceful, cascading branches create an elegant silhouette.
This tree is ideal for USDA zones 5 to 8 and prefers partial shade to protect its delicate leaves from scorching. It thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil and requires regular watering to maintain its vibrant color and health. Minimal pruning is needed, but any shaping should be done in late winter to early spring. The Purple Japanese Maple typically reaches heights of 10 to 15 feet, making it an excellent focal point or accent tree for gardens and landscapes.
11. Royal Empress Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa)
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The Royal Empress Tree, or Paulownia Tomentosa, is known for its rapid growth and large, heart-shaped leaves. In spring, it produces clusters of fragrant, lavender-colored flowers that resemble foxglove, adding a spectacular display to any garden. The tree’s broad canopy provides excellent shade, making it a popular choice for large landscapes.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 5 to 9 and prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including poor soils, but requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. Pruning should be done in late winter to remove dead or weak branches and encourage robust growth. The Royal Empress Tree can reach impressive heights of up to 50 feet, making it an ideal choice for quickly establishing shade and visual interest.
12. Desert Willow (Chilopsis Linearis)
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The Desert Willow, known botanically as Chilopsis Linearis, is valued for its drought tolerance and long-lasting, trumpet-shaped, purple flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall. Its narrow, willow-like leaves give it a delicate, airy appearance, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to xeriscaped gardens.
This tree is ideal for USDA zones 7 to 9 and thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering. Pruning should be performed in late winter to shape the tree and promote new growth. The Desert Willow typically reaches a height of 15 to 25 feet, making it an excellent choice for adding color and interest to dry, arid landscapes.
13. Princess Flower (Tibouchina Urvilleana)
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The Princess Flower, or Tibouchina Urvilleana, is celebrated for its large, velvety, royal purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer and fall. The tree’s lush, dark green foliage and spreading habit make it a stunning focal point in any garden. Its vibrant blooms attract pollinators, adding life to the landscape.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It grows best in well-draining, acidic soil and requires regular watering to maintain its lush appearance. Pruning should be done after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain its shape. The Princess Flower typically reaches heights of 6 to 10 feet, making it suitable for small to medium-sized gardens and container planting.
14. Purple Wisteria Tree
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The Purple Wisteria Tree is known for its cascading clusters of fragrant, violet-blue flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. These pendulous blooms create a stunning, waterfall-like effect that can cover the tree’s canopy. The tree’s twisted, woody trunk and branches add architectural interest even when not in bloom.
Ideal for USDA zones 5 to 9, the Purple Wisteria Tree prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It requires regular watering, especially during the growing season, to ensure vigorous flowering. Pruning is essential to control its growth and encourage flowering, typically done after the flowering period. The Purple Wisteria Tree can reach heights of 10 to 25 feet, making it a striking addition to any garden or landscape.
15. Purple Flowering Magnolia (Magnolia Liliflora)
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The Purple Flowering Magnolia, also known as Magnolia Liliflora, is admired for its large, tulip-shaped, purple flowers that bloom in early spring. These stunning blooms appear before the leaves, creating a spectacular floral display. The tree’s glossy, dark green leaves provide an attractive backdrop for the flowers.
This tree thrives in USDA zones 5 to 9 and prefers full sun to partial shade. It grows best in well-draining, slightly acidic soil and requires regular watering, particularly during dry spells. Minimal pruning is needed, but any shaping should be done after flowering. The Purple Flowering Magnolia typically reaches heights of 8 to 12 feet, making it an excellent choice for small gardens and as a focal point in larger landscapes.
