Purple Trees Virginia

If you’re looking for a spectacular spring show, few sights compare to purple trees Virginia landscapes can offer. The vibrant springtime blooms across the state create unforgettable scenes, painting neighborhoods and parks in stunning hues. This guide will help you identify, grow, and care for the most common purple-flowering trees that thrive here.

You’ll learn which varieties are best for your garden size and how to ensure they return year after year with even more beautiful color. Let’s look at the top choices for Virginia gardeners.

Several tree species are known for their purple flowers in Virginia. The color can range from soft lavender to deep, royal purple. The timing of their bloom is also slightly different, which means you can plan for a longer season of color.

Top Purple-Flowering Trees for Virginia Gardens

These trees are well-suited to Virginia’s climate, which spans USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. They can handle the humid summers and variable winters.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): This native tree is a true star. In early spring, before its heart-shaped leaves appear, it covers its branches in clusters of small, pinkish-purple flowers. It’s a moderate-sized tree, perfect for smaller yards.
Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera): This tree offers a double feature. It has beautiful light pink to white flowers in early spring and its foliage emerges a striking deep purple, keeping color in your garden long after the blooms fade.
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): While not common in most of Virginia due to cold sensitivity, it can sometimes survive in the warmer microclimates of zone 8a. Its breathtaking lavender-blue flower clusters are a sight to behold in late spring.
Purple Robe Locust (Robinia ‘Purple Robe’): This tough tree is known for its long, hanging clusters of fragrant, deep purple flowers in late spring. It’s very drought-tolerant once established and grows quickly.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia): Technically a large shrub, it can be trained as a small tree. Its intricate, cup-shaped flowers in late spring range from white to rose-purple with unique banded patterns.

Planting Your Purple Flowering Tree

Getting your tree off to a good start is crucial. The best times to plant in Virginia are early fall or early spring. This allows the roots to establish without the stress of peak summer heat.

Choose the Right Spot: Most purple-flowering trees need full sun to produce the best bloom. That means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Check the mature size of the tree to ensure it won’t interfere with power lines or structures.
Dig the Hole: Make the hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but no deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Planting to deep is a common mistake that can suffocate roots.
Prepare the Tree: Gently remove the tree from its container. If the roots are circling tightly, loosen them slightly with your fingers.
Place and Backfill: Set the tree in the hole. Backfill with the native soil you removed, gently tamping it down to remove large air pockets. Avoid amending the soil too much, as this can discourage roots from expanding into the native ground.
Water and Mulch: Water deeply immediately after planting. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

Consistent care, especially in the first few years, ensures a healthy, blooming tree. Your main tasks will be watering, occasional feeding, and prudent pruning.

Watering: Water your new tree deeply once a week during its first growing season, unless rainfall is ample. Established trees are more drought-tolerant but will benefit from watering during extended dry spells.
Fertilizing: In early spring, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer around the drip line of the tree. Don’t over-fertilize, as to much nitrogen can promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning: The goal is to maintain shape and remove dead or diseased wood. The best time to prune spring-flowering trees is right after they finish blooming. Pruning in late winter will remove the flower buds that formed the previous year.

Common Pests and Problems

Even with good care, trees can face issues. Early identification is key to managing these problems.

Eastern Redbud: Can be susceptible to canker diseases and verticillium wilt. Look for dying branches or sudden wilting. Keeping the tree healthy is the best defense.

Purple Leaf Plum: This tree can be affected by black knot fungus, which causes dark, swollen growths on branches. Prune out infected branches well below the knot and disinfect your tools between cuts.

General Pests: Aphids, scale, and Japanese beetles may visit. Often, a strong spray of water from a hose can dislodge aphids. For scale or beetles, you may need to use horticultural oil or consult a local nursery for the best treatment option.

Designing With Purple Blooms

Think about how your tree’s color will work with other plants in your garden. Purple flowers pair beautifully with complementary colors like yellow and orange, or with analogous colors like pink and blue.

Plant yellow daffodils or forsythia beneath an early-blooming redbud for a classic spring contrast.
Underplant a Purple Leaf Plum with silver-foliaged plants like lamb’s ear or blue fescue grass to make its dark leaves pop.
Use white-flowering companions, like phlox or azaleas, to create a softer, more elegant palette that highlights the purple tones.

Why Isn’t My Tree Blooming?

This is a frequent question from gardeners. If your tree is healthy but not flowering, consider these factors:

Age: Young trees often need a few years to mature before they start blooming reliably. Patience is required.
Sunlight: Is the tree getting enough sun? Too much shade is a leading cause of poor flowering.
Pruning Time: Did you prune at the wrong time of year? Remember, pruning in late summer or fall often removes next spring’s flower buds.
Excess Nitrogen: Are you using a high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer nearby? This can push leafy growth instead of flowers.
Weather: A late frost can damage or kill tender flower buds. This is often out of your control, but the tree should recover and bloom the following year.

FAQ: Purple Flowering Trees in Virginia

What is the most common purple tree in Virginia?
The Eastern Redbud is arguably the most common and reliable native purple-flowering tree seen across Virginia. It’s adapted to the local conditions and provides essential early-season nectar for pollinators.

When do purple trees bloom in Virginia?
Bloom time varies. Redbuds and Purple Leaf Plums typically bloom in early to mid-April. Later in spring, you might see the Purple Robe Locust and Mountain Laurel flowering. Jacaranda, if present, blooms in late spring to early summer.

Are there any fast-growing purple trees?
Yes, the Purple Robe Locust is known for its rapid growth rate. The Eastern Redbud also has a moderately fast growth pace when its young and given good conditions.

Can I grow a Jacaranda tree in Virginia?
It’s challenging. Jacarandas are only cold-hardy to about 20°F. They might survive in the warmest, most protected parts of southeastern Virginia (zone 8a), but they are not a guaranteed success and could be damaged in a colder-than-average winter.

How do I care for a purple leaf plum tree?
Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil. Water it regularly during dry periods, especially when young. Prune it in late spring after flowering to maintain its shape and remove any suckers growing from the base. Watch for signs of fungal disease.

Adding a purple-flowering tree to your Virginia landscape is a wonderful way to celebrate spring. By choosing the right tree for your space, planting it correctly, and providing basic care, you can enjoy its vibrant springtime blooms across many seasons. The burst of color against the spring sky is a reward that makes the effort truly worthwhile.