For gardeners in colder climates, finding reliable color can be a challenge. Choosing the right flowering trees for zone 6 ensures your northern garden bursts with spring and summer beauty.
These hardy selections are perfect for northern gardens because they are bred to withstand winter lows down to -10°F. You can enjoy spectacular blooms without worrying about harsh frosts. Let’s look at some top performers that will bring years of joy.
Flowering Trees For Zone 6
This list focuses on trees proven to thrive in zone 6 conditions. They offer a mix of flower color, fall interest, and manageable size for most residential landscapes.
Exceptional Early Bloomers
These trees signal the end of winter with their early flowers. They are a vital source of pollen for emerging bees.
* Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata): This small tree is covered in fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers in early spring, often before its leaves appear. It’s slow-growing and perfect for tight spaces. Choose a sheltered spot to protect its early buds from late frost.
* Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): A native favorite, its bare branches in early spring become smothered in tiny, bright pink-purple flowers. It has lovely heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. The ‘Forest Pansy’ cultivar offers stunning purple foliage.
* Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas): Not a true cherry, this small tree produces clusters of tiny, cheerful yellow flowers in very early spring. It’s followed by edible red fruit and exfoliating bark that adds winter interest. It’s incredibly tough and adaptable.
Mid-Season Showstoppers
After the risk of frost has passed, these trees take center stage. Their foliage is usually fully formed, providing a lush backdrop for the blooms.
* Flowering Crabapple (Malus spp.): A classic choice, offering a massive variety of sizes, flower colors (white, pink, red), and even fruit that persists into winter for birds. Look for disease-resistant varieties like ‘Prairifire’ or ‘Sugar Tyme’ to avoid common issues.
* Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Also known as Juneberry, this native tree is a true four-season star. It has delicate white spring flowers, sweet summer berries loved by birds, brilliant fall color, and smooth gray bark. The ‘Autumn Brilliance’ cultivar is particularly reliable.
* Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata): Unlike its shrubby cousins, this forms a small to medium tree. In early summer, it’s covered large, creamy-white panicles of flowers that smell mild and sweet. Its cherry-like bark is attractive year-round.
Late Season and Summer Bloomers
Extend your garden’s display with trees that flower as summer progresses. They fill the gap between spring bulbs and fall color.
* Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum): An outstanding native tree that deserves to be planted more. In mid-summer, it produces long, graceful chains of fragrant white flowers that look like Lily-of-the-Valley. Its fall color is a breathtaking, brilliant crimson.
* Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata): This tough tree brings a unique show in mid-to-late summer with foot-long clusters of bright yellow flowers. They are followed by interesting, papery, lantern-like seed pods. It’s very heat and drought tolerant once established.
* Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia): A magnificent small tree for the discerning gardener. It produces camellia-like white flowers in July, has exceptional orange-red fall foliage, and features stunning exfoliating bark in patches of gray, orange, and brown.
Key Planting and Care Steps
Planting correctly is the most important step for your tree’s long-term health. Follow this simple guide for success.
1. Selecting the Right Tree
Always check the mature height and spread. Make sure the tree will fit your space when it’s fully grown, considering power lines and building foundations. Consider its sunlight needs—most flowering trees require full sun (at least 6 hours) for best bloom.
2. Planting Your Tree
The best times to plant are early spring or early fall. Here’s how to do it:
1. Dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper.
2. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the root flare (where the trunk widens) is slightly above the soil line.
3. Backfill with the native soil you removed, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets.
4. Water deeply to settle the soil. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.
3. Ongoing Maintenance
Water your new tree regularly for the first two years, especially during dry periods. A deep weekly watering is better than frequent sprinkles. Most flowering trees need little pruning; only remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter. A light application of compost in spring is usually sufficient fertilizer.
Design Tips for Your Garden
Think about how your tree will look year-round. Place early bloomers where you can see them from a window. Use smaller trees, like Star Magnolia or Serviceberry, as stunning focal points in a front yard or mixed border. Pair trees with spring bulbs and perennials that enjoy similar conditions for a layered effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fastest growing flowering trees for zone 6?
The Sargent Crabapple and Redbud are relatively fast-growing, adding a couple feet per year when young. The Goldenrain Tree also establishes itself quickly in warm summers.
Can I grow a crape myrtle in zone 6?
Some newer, hardy crape myrtle varieties, like the ‘Natchez’ or ‘Sioux’, can survive in sheltered zone 6 locations. They may die back to the ground in harsh winters but often regrow from the roots as a shrub. For guaranteed tree form, stick with the more reliably hardy choices listed above.
What is the best small flowering tree for a zone 6 yard?
Serviceberry and Star Magnolia are excellent compact choices. The Japanese Tree Lilac also stays neat and provides a lovely, clean form for smaller landscapes.
When should I fertilize my flowering trees?
The best time is early spring, just as new growth begins. Avoid fertilizing in late summer, as this can encourage tender new growth that may not harden off before winter. Often, mature trees in decent soil need little to no extra fertilizer.
Choosing the right flowering trees for zone 6 is about matching the plant to your specific site and conditions. By selecting from these hardy, proven performers, you’ll build a beautiful, resilient garden that welcomes each season with color and interest. Your effort in planting them correctly will be rewarded with decades of beauty and shade.