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7 Flowering Trees in Idaho (for Stunning Ornamental Blooms)

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Written By Thomas Pitto

Propagation Expert & Permaculture Enthusiast

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Home » Idaho » 7 Flowering Trees in Idaho (for Stunning Ornamental Blooms)

Flowering trees allow homeowners to tap into the wonder of the natural world, perhaps more so than other kinds of trees due to their ephemeral beauty.

Idaho is a mountainous state and presents challenges for home growers. However, the (relatively) nearby Pacific Ocean regulates the temperature keeping extreme fluctuations away from many areas.

Whilst the growing season is quite short in ID thanks to the mountainous terrain, there are plenty of flowering trees you can grow at home.

Just be sure to check the hardiness map of Idaho before to familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone.

7 Beautiful Flowering Trees That Grow Well in Idaho

1. Purple Robe Locust Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’)

purple robe locust
Image by Wendy Cutler via Flickr

The Purple Robe Locust is a fast-growing native flowering tree that’s easy to grow. They’re capable of growing 2-3 ft a year when established, are drought tolerant and can work well as shade trees.

In mid to late spring, long clusters of purple, scented flowers similar to wisteria appear in abundance, and can measure up to 8” long. Whats more, they are a hardwood so can withstand the strong winds of the high desert areas of ID.

The Purple Robe Locust are also leguminous trees so fix nitrogen in the soil, helping plants around them put on more vegetative growth.

Other Common Names: Purple Robe Black Locust

Growing Zones: 4-8

Average Size at Maturity: 30-40 ft tall and 20-30 ft wide

Flowering Season: Mid to late spring

Available at: Nature Hills

2. Ivory Silk Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’)

Ivory Silk Lilac Tree
Image via Nature Hills

The Ivory Silk Lilac Tree is a much taller version of what’s commonly thought of as lilacs. They still have the same fragrant blooms but instead of being small bushes, are small trees. Flowers appear on foot-long panicles in late June when other lilacs have finished flowering for the season. The flowers are soft, creamy white, and fragrant.

The foliage are dark green and large in size, providing decent shade after the flowers are gone.

The Ivory Silk Lilac Tree is deciduous, but when the leaves are shed in winter, you can appreciate the brownish-red bark which adds a splash of color and interest to the landscape. Capable of withstanding temperatures of -30 F, the Ivory Silk Lilac Tree is exceptionally hardy and requires little maintenance.

Other Common Names: Japanese Tree Lilac

Growing Zones: 3-7

Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide

Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

3. Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus ‘Kwanzan’)

kwanzan cherry tree
Image by Drew Avery via Flickr

The Kwanzan Cherry is the most dramatic of the flowering cherries, with pink and white double pendulous flowers. You get twice the amount of blooms and petals than other cherry trees, and the flowers are borne in clusters of 3-5. Whats more, the Kwanzan cherry is incredibly hardy, thriving in difficult conditions.

The Kwanzan cherry is one of the hardiest flowering cherries, managing temperatures down to -10 F. It’ll grow in almost any soil type and requires little upkeep or maintenance to look its best and shine every spring.

Other Common Names: Japanese Flowering Cherry

Growing Zones: 5-9

Average Size at Maturity: 30-40 ft tall and wide

Flowering Season: Spring

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

4. Thundercloud Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’)

Thundercloud Plum flower
Image by Peter Stevens via Flickr

The Thundercloud Plum is a delight throughout the seasons. It features an upright, spreading symmetrical branching structure and a broad spreading canopy. Spring sees the tree explode with a profusion of pink and white blossoms similar to a cherry tree.

The color of the flowers contrasts wonderfully with the silvery branches. Aside from the spectacular spring blooms, the Thundercloud Plum features purple foliage which retains its color until fall.

Whilst bred as an ornamental tree, the small fruit are edible and can be used to make jams or preserves or simply left for the birds to feast on.

If you’re looking to plant fruit trees, there are plenty of kinds of fruit trees you can plant in your ID yard. After the flowers, foliage and fruit have faded, the light textured bark adds winter interest.

Plant in well-draining, slightly acidic soil for best results.

Other Common Names: Cherry Plum, and Myrobalan Plum

Growing Zones: 4-9

Average Size at Maturity: 15-20 ft tall and wide

Flowering Season: Early spring

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

5. Sugar Tyme Crabapple (Malus ‘Sutyzam’)

Sugar Tyme Crabapple tree flowering
Image via Nature Hills

The Sugar Tyme Crabapple is a popular white flowering tree that offers resilience, beauty, and adaptability. Spring sees the branches loaded with pink buds which burst into life from the naked branches as spring comes.

The flowers of this variety of crabapple tree feature a sweet aroma and a striking yellow stamen in the middle. Flowers cover every branch and remain on the tree for an extended period, attracting pollinators with their abundant nectar.

Dark green leaves grace the tree in the summer, as the small fruit begins to grow, turning bright red in the fall as the leaves turn golden yellow, creating a marvelous color contrast.

Songbirds love to feast on the fruit as do other migratory birds. The Sugar Tyme Crabapple will tolerate a range of soil types provided they’re slightly acidic.

Other Common Names: Crab Apple ‘Sugar Tyme.’

Growing Zones: 4-7

Average Size at Maturity: 15-18 ft tall and 12-15 ft wide

Flowering Season: April – May

Available at: Nature Hills

6. Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)

Yoshino Cherry tree in blossom
Image by Bernard Spragg. NZ via Flickr

The Yoshino Cherry is often one of the first trees to flower in the springtime. The flowers are delicate and white and are held by the unique crisscrossing branching structure. It’s widely planted as an ornamental flowering tree in suitable areas and is low maintenance, as well as drought tolerant.

The Yoshino Cherry will adapt to a range of different soil types and is sure to stand out wherever it’s planted.

Other Common Names: Tokyo Cherry

Growing Zones: 5-8

Average Size at Maturity: 40-50 ft tall and 25-40 ft wide

Flowering Season: Early spring

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

7. Bradford Flowering Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford‘)

Bradford Pear Tree Flowering
Image by DM via Flickr

The Bradford Flowering Pear is a fast-growing, medium-sized flowering shade tree with plump clusters of white flowers in the spring and red/purple/yellow fall colors. It features a pyramidal shape when young, developing a broad canopy with age. It tolerates urban conditions well including both pollution and drought.

The Bradford Flowering Pear grows best in full sun and will tolerate most soil types.

Other Common Names: Callery Pear

Growing Zones: 5-9

Average Size at Maturity: 40-50 ft tall and 25-35 ft wide

Flowering Season: Spring

Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills

There’s Nothing Quite Like A Flower

Flowering trees add springtime interest and often herald the start of the growing season and the promise of warmer weather.

There’s nothing on this planet quite like a flower, and having your own perennial source of flowers at home is a great way to tune into the beauty and wonder of nature.

Homeowners in ID have plenty of flowering trees to choose from, whether situated at high altitudes or in the windy, high desert.

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Thomas Pitto

Propagation Expert & Permaculture Enthusiast

Thomas worked for a number of years as the head of plant propagation for a horticultural contractor taking care of many different species of ornamental trees & shrubs. He learned how to propagate certain endangered endemic species and has a love of permaculture, sustainability and conscious living. When Thomas isn't hiking in nature he can be found playing music, reading a book, or eating fruit under a tree.

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