Stunning trees with so much interest! Unique heart shaped leaves, vibrant pink blossoms & brilliant fall colours!
“Forest Pansy”: Award winning, striking foliage with purple/green shade. Scarlet new foliage, and a brilliant fall change into yellows and reds! Full sun for part shade and grows 20-25 feet tall and wide. Makes a beautiful landscape/shade tree. Stem and trunk flowering!!
”Ruby Falls”: Unique weeping habit and beautifully compact! Clusters of lavender-red, sweet, pea-like flowers in spring. Purple-green heart shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. 8 feet tall, 5 feet wide. Full sun/ part shade.
”Golden Heart”: Noted for its golden foliage (keeps colour well in full sun!). Flowers for up to 3 weeks in spring, new heart-shaped foliage emerges orange-red, maturing bright gold to charteuse as summer progresses. Matures to 20 feet tall.
A highly ornamental tree with rounded columnar form (a brilliant garden/ shade tree!). Features a STUNNING BARK that exfoliates in strips of gray, orange and reddish brown once the trunk attains a diameter of 2-3 inches. Beautiful glossy foliage turns a BRILLIANT red and orange in fall. Glamorous flowers (white camellia-like) open in random succession from June to August. Appreciates some protection from hot afternoon sun, tolerates full sun..
A small, pyramidal tree with dramatic spring blooms for small gardens or large containers! Long BLOOMING season of 3 MONTHS, sometimes longer when well watered. Flowers from a young age. Very healthy, disease resistant, glossy beautiful leaves! Fragrant flowers! Reaches 10–13 feet tall and 5 wide. Sun to part shade lover . Holding a gold medal for its outstanding qualities.
Magnificent and become oval-rounded with age. Grows to around 60 feet tall, 30 feet wide. Sun lover! Deer resistant. Tulip-shaped, yellowish-green, interesting flowers (3” across) appear in late spring to early summer. Follows by cone-like fruit that provides winter interest. Brilliant yellow fall colour! This is a favourite NESTING TREE for birds and also attracts hummingbirds.
Exceptionally large flowers (largest blooms of any dogwood!) from spring to early summer! Grows approximately 20’ tall and wide, fast growing, amazing fall colour! Grows well in full sun, but do appreciate some late afternoon filtered sun or shade. Requires well drained soil.
Heart-shaped leaves can add a lovely touch of romance and whimsy to any landscape. Deciduous trees with cordate, or heart-shaped, leaves come in many delightful varieties that are perfect for gardens large and small. With their distinctive foliage and often showy flowers or fruits, these trees provide year-round visual interest along with shelter and shade.
In this article, we will explore 10 of the most popular and easily-grown deciduous trees that have charming heart-shaped leaves. We’ll look at each tree’s appearance, growing needs, and landscape uses to help you pick the right ones for your yard.
Eastern Redbud
The eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a spring standout, erupting in a profusion of rosy pink blooms on bare branches in early spring before its heart-shaped leaves emerge. This small, multi-stemmed native tree matures at 20-30 feet tall and wide. The heart-shaped leaves are shiny and green in summer, turning yellow in fall.
Redbuds thrive in full sun to partial shade and adaptable to most soils Their relatively small size makes them ideal for use as specimen trees, in shrub borders or woodland gardens. Redbuds are also a larval host plant for the Henry’s elfin and olive hairstreak butterflies
American Linden
American linden (Tilia americana), also called American basswood is a large native tree growing up to 80 feet tall. It features heart-shaped leaves up to 6 inches long that turn golden yellow in fall. Clusters of small, fragrant yellowish flowers bloom in early summer.
American linden thrives in full sun and moist, fertile soil. It develops a dense, pyramidal to rounded crown and attracts pollinators with its flowers. Its large size makes it an excellent shade tree, while the fragrant flowers are used to make aromatic teas.
Southern Catalpa
Southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) is a small to medium-sized tree adorned with huge, heart-shaped leaves up to 12 inches long and showy white flowers in early summer. It matures at 30-50 feet tall and wide. Long, bean-like seed pods add winter interest after the large leaves fall.
Catalpas grow quickly in full sun to partial shade and are adaptable to most well-drained soils. Their tropical-looking foliage and ornate flowers make them an eye-catching specimen tree. However, their large leaves and seed pods can create considerable litter.
Dove Tree
Also called the handkerchief tree, the dove tree (Davidia involucrata) is prized for its uniquely beautiful flowers. Each flower cluster consists of showy white bracts surrounding the small flowers, resembling fluttering doves or handkerchiefs. Heart-shaped leaves emerge after flowering, turning brilliant shades of red and orange in fall.
This small ornamental tree grows 20-40 feet tall and wide. It thrives in partial shade and moist, fertile soil. The dove tree works well as a specimen plant or for shade. Its gracefully drooping branches and floral bracts make it one of the most distinctive small landscape trees.
Katsura Tree
Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is an elegant deciduous tree that provides amazing fall color. Its heart-shaped leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring, mature to blue-green in summer, and turn vibrant shades of apricot, gold and red in autumn. As the leaves change, they also emit a delightful burnt sugar fragrance.
Reaching 40-60 feet tall and wide, the katsura tree thrives in partial shade and consistently moist soil. Its multi-season appeal, graceful shape and fall fragrance make it a wonderful specimen tree. It also works well in borders and as a shade tree.
Quaking Aspen
Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a cool weather-loving tree native to northern and western North America. It bears round, heart-shaped leaves on flexible petioles that tremble in the slightest breeze. Aspens bloom in spring with long catkins bearing tiny flowers. Their smooth white trunks and golden fall color provide year-round interest.
Aspens grow in clonal groves up to 50 feet tall and wide. They thrive in full sun and adaptable to varied sites and soils. Their quivering leaves, striking bark and dramatic fall color make aspens excellent specimen trees. They also work nicely in groups for borders and screening.
Japanese Tree Lilac
Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) is an ornamental small tree that blooms later than common lilacs, extending the season. Conical clusters of showy white flowers appear in early summer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. It has heart-shaped green leaves that turn golden in fall.
This multi-stemmed tree grows 15-25 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Japanese tree lilac makes a great specimen plant and its late blooms help extend the spring floral display. Pruning is needed to maintain its attractive tree shape.
Littleleaf Linden
Littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata) is a popular medium-sized landscape tree, developing a dense, pyramidal shape 50-70 feet high and 35-50 feet wide. It bears small, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. Clusters of fragrant yellow-white flowers bloom in early summer, giving way to attached winged nutlets.
Littleleaf linden is easily grown in average, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Its dense foliage provides ample shade, while its flowers produce a high-quality honey. It’s widely planted as a street and specimen shade tree, especially in urban areas where it tolerates pollution well.
Balsam Poplar
Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is a fast-growing, cold hardy tree native to northern North America. Reaching 60-80 feet tall, it has aromatic, heart-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in fall. The glossy green leaves have whitish undersides. It produces catkins bearing tiny flowers in early spring before leafout.
Balsam poplars thrive in full sun to partial shade and moist soils. They make excellent shade trees and grow well in cold climates. They also work nicely for screening and windbreaks. The only downside is the abundant cottony seeds produced in spring.
Italian Alder
Italian alder (Alnus cordata) is a handsome, fast-growing tree that tolerates both wet and drier soils. Oval, heart-shaped leaves are glossy green above and release a rustling sound when wind blows through them. Italian alder grows 40-50 feet tall and half as wide, with a pyramidal to columnar habit.
Italian alder thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its tidy shape, attractive foliage, adaptability and nitrogen-fixing capability make it ideal for street tree and landscape use. It also works well for screening, streamside planting and soil stabilization.
Conclusion
Deciduous trees with heart-shaped leaves come in diverse sizes, forms, foliage, flowers and textures to enhance any landscape. From small spring bloomers like redbud to large shade trees like littleleaf linden, these romantic trees provide four-season beauty along with wildlife habitat.
When choosing heart-leafed trees, make sure to select varieties suited to your growing zone and site conditions. Locate them where their form, flowers and other features can be appreciated. Then get ready to enjoy their grace and charm for many years to come.
Deciduous
Small little show stopper! Long lasting varied shades of pink flowers. Stunning pink to burgundy leave colour in fall! Prefers afternoon shade or filtered sun. Grows about 8’ in ten years and matures to 12-15’.
Multi-season appeal! Spring brings the emergence of soft, purple-red, heart shaped leaves that mature through the seasons with subtle colour changes to a crisp wine-red and then blue-green in summer. In autumn it makes a dramatic change to a bright golden yellow with hints of pinkish orange! Grows to 20’ tall and 15’ wide. Thoughtful pruning will encourages a MAGESTIC WINTER SILOUETTE!
An award winning, splendid specimen/shade tree! Pyramidal-oval habbit and noted for its striking flowers in late spring to early summer. Born in rounded clusters they boast a pair of large, creamy creamy-white floral bracts up to 12 inches long! A truly spectacular display! The blossoms give way to russet-red golf ball size fruit. The heart-shaped leaves (6 inches long) are a bright green and turns into a bright orange-red in fall. Exfoliating bark adds to winter interest! Grows 30-40 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide. Full sun to part shade.
An enchanting small tree with fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers (late spring). Grows 10-12 feet tall and 5 wide. Leaves emerges dark purple to olive green. Sun to part shade.
White pretty flowers in early summer, deep red berries in fall, attractive bark and fall colour! Important source of nectar for pollinators and valuable food source for birds. Excellent tiered branching! Umbrella shaped growth habit. Grows approximately 20-30’ tall and wide, Adaptable to poor soils, dry soil, salt spray, heat and drought. Full sun lover. Requires well drained soil.
Maturing to 20’ – 30‘ tall and wide. Flowers March – May. Noteworthy flowers and fall colour.
Excellent tree for near large buildings, along streets, next to patios. Tolerates full sun, appreciates late afternoon filtered sun or shade.
Small tree (grows approximately 20’ tall and wide) with brilliant, fragrant, “ fringe” flowers. Spectacular!
All the makings for a brilliant specimen tree! Layered horizontal branches with alternate leaves on upper surface and silvery-green beneath! Large leaves (5-8” long) turns a brilliant red in fall. Small black fruit in late summer is enjoyed by birds. Grows approximately 35‘ – 40’ tall. Sun to part shade, requires well drained soil.
A brilliant distinctive and refined pyramidal form that makes for a fantastic architectural structure!
40’ tall x 25’ wide.
Deer and rabbit resistant .
Fragrant white flowers, showy pink calyces, exfoliating bark! An award winning shrub/tree loved by pollinators. Grows approximately 12-15’ tall x 8-10’ wide. Plant in full sun or part shade.
Fragrant, delicate looking flowers, on a narrow, weeping habit. Grows approximately 8-10’ tall, 4-5’ wide, creating a very elegant, glowing look. Bright and cheery lemon yellow in fall! Full sun to part shade. Flowers by hummingbirds. Container friendly tree.
DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN LEAVES | Educational Video for Kids
FAQ
What deciduous tree has heart-shaped leaves?
Discover More Information On Northern Catalpa – With its upright form and heart-shaped leaves, this tree brings elegance to any space.
What are the heart-shaped leaves called?
Hoya(Hoya spp.) – Hoya kerrii is commonly called Hoya heart, Valentine plant, or Sweetheart plant because of its heart-shape form.
What tree has a red heart shaped leaf?
Burgundy Hearts Redbud Trees are a unique Redbud Tree that features shimmering reddish-purple heart-shaped leaves that remain colorful throughout the growing season, even in the full sun. The pink-lavender flowers appear before the leaves in early spring.
What deciduous tree with heart shaped leaves and small fragrant yellow flowers?
Description: Syringa vulgaris ‘Primrose’ is a bushy deciduous tree with heart shaped leaves and small panicles of fragrant, single, pale primrose yellow blooms. These blooms, which are carried in large, rounded trusses, intensify as the plant matures, giving a more dramatic show of richer flowers each year.
What trees have heart-shaped leaves?
Trees with heart-shaped leaves can be beautiful additions to a garden landscape. Attractive trees like redbuds, lindens, and catalpas have leafy foliage shaped like hearts. These ornamental trees are aesthetically pleasing, bloom with fragrant flowers, and provide shade in gardens.
What is a heart shaped tree?
Trees with heart-shaped leaves, also called cordiform or cordate leaves, bring a different shape and texture to your yard. While many types of trees have palmate (hand-shaped) or lobed leaves, not as many have heart-shaped foliage. There’s a tree with heart-shaped leaves for every yard and climate, from the far north to the tropics.
Are heart shaped trees evergreen?
The heart-shaped leaves are evergreen in tropical climates. This classic flowering tree of spring is easy to identify. Its branches are studded with small, rosey-pink flowers before the first leaves appear. Once the leaves take over, the tree remains attractive, as this heart-shaped foliage maintains a dark green color throughout summer.
What do heart-shaped leaves look like?
The outstanding feature of these trees are their heart-shaped leaves. The leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring, mature to blue-green, and turn orange, gold, and red shades in the fall. An added bonus to their beauty is their sweet aromas.
What benefits do trees with heart-shaped leaves provide?
When you plant a tree, whether it has heart-shaped leaves or not, you provide local wildlife with additional housing and more food. So consider growing one of these trees with heart-shaped leaves in your backyard. You’ll dress up your landscape and support your local ecosystem all at the same time.
Should you plant a tree with heart-shaped leaves?
Planting a tree with heart-shaped leaves can be a great idea. It will dress up your landscape and support your local ecosystem by providing additional housing and more food for local wildlife.