Everyones favorite time of the year is when the days begin to get longer, and the transition between the bleak winter landscape and the fantastic spring color show is beginning. During this time, spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips start to emerge from the frozen ground with grass-like sprouts, and tiny buds appear on trees and shrubs.
Spring is the time when we all breathe a sigh of relief that life is starting again in the landscape. If you are a keen observer, youll notice that vibrant pink buds are beginning to swell on the bare branches and will soon burst forth with spring blooms. Pink flowering trees are often seen as the harbingers of springs promise.
What are these delightful Pink ladies of the landscape? There are many pink flowering trees, and the show doesnt stop in the spring. There are many Pink flowering trees, and by using the different trees in your landscape, your landscape can continue to produce shades of pink throughout the growing season.
Weve tried to make it easier for you to choose the best pinks from our selection of flowering trees by breaking down our beautiful flowering tree collections by color. No matter what growing zone you garden in, were confident that you can find a tree that works in your hardiness zone. From early spring flowers to fall colors, these trees were chosen especially for you so that you can take advantage of all the beauty and value that these popular flowering trees add to your home.
Carnations are classic cottage garden flowers treasured for their ruffled, fragrant blooms in shades of white, pink, red and purple. But did you know there are also trees that produce flowers resembling colorful carnations? Let’s unravel the mysteries of these remarkable trees that bear blooms with an unexpected resemblance to carnations.
A Primer on Carnations
First, a quick primer on carnations to understand their distinctive features:
- Carnations belong to the genus Dianthus in the Caryophyllaceae family.
- There are over 300 species, including:
- Carnations – Large, double flowers prized for cut bouquets.
- Pinks – Frilly, single or semi-double blooms in clusters.
- Sweet Williams – Dense flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers.
- Carnations are herbaceous perennials or short-lived perennials with gray-green grassy leaves.
- The ruffled flowers bloom in spring and summer, with a spicy, clove-like scent.
Trees Mimicking Carnations
Now, onto the remarkable trees with blooms that resemble carnations. These trees produce flowers with the same frilly, layered petals as carnations, but on trees instead of low-growing perennials
Peony Trees
One of the most common trees with carnation-like blooms is the peony tree. There are two main types:
- Tree peonies – Small woody shrubs reaching 4-5 feet tall. Large flowers in white, pink, red or yellow.
- Chinese tree peonies – Small trees growing to 15 feet tall. Massive blooms up to 10 inches wide.
The big, lush flowers have multiple layers of tissue-paper petals that closely resemble carnations. Tree peonies bloom in late spring to early summer.
Southern Magnolia Trees
Southern magnolias also produce magnificent flowers with a strong resemblance to carnations. The large, creamy white blooms emerge as the leaves unfold in spring and early summer. The petals are thick and waxy with a lemony fragrance.
Southern magnolias are large trees, growing 60-80 feet tall. The magnolia flowers can reach dinner plate size, up to 12 inches across!
Crape Myrtle Trees
Many crape myrtle cultivars produce delightful flowers that look nearly identical to carnations. The ruffled, crepe-like blooms come in shades of white, pink, red and purple.
Crape myrtles are small trees, growing 15-25 feet tall. The summer-blooming flowers appear in panicles at the branch tips, creating a cloud of colorful flowers.
Catalpa Trees
Catalpa trees surprise with their carnation-shaped flowers in late spring. The showy white blooms have purple spots and streaks inside.
Catalpas are fast-growing trees reaching 30-40 feet tall. Their large leaves give them a tropical look. After the flowers fade, long seed pods develop.
Caring for Trees with Carnation Blooms
These marvelous trees with carnation-style flowers have similar care needs:
- Plant in full sun for the heaviest flower production.
- Provide moderately moist, well-draining soil.
- Prune to shape in late winter before spring growth begins.
- Watch for aphids, scale, and caterpillars on new growth.
Enjoying the Flowers
Part of the magic of these trees is their unexpected carnation-shaped blooms. The ruffled flowers seem otherworldly emerging from trees rather than a flower bed!
Add one of these small flowering trees to your landscape to enjoy gorgeous carnation-like blooms every spring and summer. You’ll delight in the way these flowers capture the beauty of carnations on regal, towering trees.
Pink Spring Flowering Trees
Flowering Cherry Trees draw thousands of visitors to the Washington DC area every year in the early spring for the annual cherry blossom festival. Cherry Trees are thought of as the first pink flowering tree in the spring. There is no better spring combination of colors than the cherry trees soft pastel pink and white flowers.
Redbud Trees follow right behind cherry trees during the spring flower show. Often when cherries begin blooming, you can notice the pink buds beginning to swell on the redbud branches. The branches are almost entirely covered with flowers on these native trees.
Redbuds offer three seasons of interest as the leaves of many redbud cultivars add to the summer color palette with shades of deep merlot red, oranges, and soft yellows. The show continues when the fall foliage develops warm shades of yellow and deep reds.
With their large flowers, Magnolias produce shades of pink ranging from pastel pinks to deep pink. When most people think of magnolias, they automatically picture the towering Southern Magnolia trees with their large deep green leaves and white flowers. People are starting to notice the deciduous varieties that bloom in a range of pink shades.
Magnolia Centennial Blushs pastel pink to the deep, almost rose pink of Magnolia Jane. These are the deciduous cousins of the southern magnolia and are well suited for growing in the north and are also one of the best fragrant flowering trees in the spring.
American Dogwood Trees flower later in the spring, often in late April through May. Cherokee Brave Dogwood grows to about 20 feet tall and is a fast-growing dogwood tree. The flower show gets larger as the tree ages. The beautiful dark pink flowers with white centers are a show-stopper when in full bloom.
Crabapple Trees flower in Apple and May and also produce a three-season show. The beauty of a crabapple tree is multi-faceted. In the spring, you get the gorgeous flowers that cover the tree. As the flowers fade, the small and colorful fruits form, adding color to the tree. The leaves put forth shades of yellow, orange, red, and even purple in the fall. Birds adore the small fruits, so you also benefit from sustaining nature with these beautiful trees.
Making Bonsai From Flowering Trees
FAQ
What tree has flowers like carnations?
Pixies Gardens (2 Gallon) Kwanzan Cherry Tree – Blooms in Clusters of Stunning Carnation-Like Blossoms That are Clear Pink Double Flowers.
What cherry tree looks like a carnation?
Kwanzan Cherry
Named after a Japanese mountain, it blooms about two weeks after the Yoshino, and its pink double blossoms almost resemble carnations.
What are the pink blossom trees called?
Pink Spring Flowering Trees
Redbud Trees follow right behind cherry trees during the spring flower show. Often when cherries begin blooming, you can notice the pink buds beginning to swell on the redbud branches. The branches are almost entirely covered with flowers on these native trees.
What flower looks like a carnation?
Double Marigolds (Tagetes) Double Marigolds are a cheerful and hardy flower known for their densely packed, ruffled petals that closely resemble the structure of carnations. These blooms form compact, rounded shapes that bring texture and fullness to garden beds and borders.