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34 Long-Blooming Trees & Shrubs for Endless Color in Your Garden

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Written By Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

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Home » Flowering Trees » 34 Long-Blooming Trees & Shrubs for Endless Color in Your Garden

Are you here because you want bang for buck, a nice pretty tree, or shrub that flowers for extended periods of time?

Below are 34 beautiful long flowering trees and shrubs for you to look through and find the ones that best suit your yard.

The trees are at the top and the shrubs are further down the page.

Our Top Long-Blooming Trees

1. Crape Myrtle

Celebrated for its spectacular and lengthy blooming season, Crape Myrtle brightens landscapes with vibrant flowers ranging from pink to deep red.

This hardy shrub is a favorite in warmer climates, offering multi-season interest with its peeling bark and fall foliage.

It’s perfect for adding a splash of color to gardens from mid-summer to fall.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 6-9
  • Blooming Duration: Up to 4 months
  • Blooming Period: Summer to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 15-25 feet tall, 6-15 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia

2. Chaste Tree

With spikes of purple flowers that attract pollinators, the Chaste Tree is not only a visual delight but also a boon for biodiversity.

It thrives under full sun, quickly growing into a handsome, aromatic shrub or small tree that re-blooms when pruned.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 10-20 feet tall, 5-15 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus

3. Mimosa Tree

This tree is a treat for the senses with its feathery, fern-like foliage and fluffy pink blossoms that seem to float on air.

Mimosa trees create a lush, tropical feel in the garden and are particularly drought-resistant once established, making them ideal for warm, arid climates.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 6-9
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 months
  • Blooming Period: Early Summer to Late Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 20-25 feet tall, 20-25 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Albizia julibrissin

4. Desert Willow

Boasting a willow-like elegance but with the resilience of a true desert plant, the Desert Willow features stunning trumpet-shaped flowers and thrives in hot, dry conditions.

It’s a low-maintenance choice that’s perfect for xeriscapes or natural garden designs.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Chilopsis linearis

5. Powderpuff Tree

Named for its showy, puffball-like blooms, the Powderpuff Tree is a tropical stunner that can be grown as a shrub or small tree.

It’s a favorite in frost-free regions, where it can bloom almost all year round, providing constant beauty and attracting hummingbirds.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Blooming Duration: Year-round in tropical climates
  • Blooming Period: Fall to Spring in cooler areas
  • Average Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Calliandra haematocephala

6. Royal Poinciana

Often called the most beautiful tree in the world, Royal Poinciana dazzles with its fiery red blooms that cover the tree in a vibrant blanket of color.

Ideal for tropical settings, it spreads wide with a flat-topped canopy that provides lovely shade, making it a standout feature in any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 10-12
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 30-40 feet tall, 40-60 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Delonix regia

7. Hong Kong Orchid Tree

Adorned with delicate, orchid-like flowers, the Orchid Tree is a sight to behold when in full bloom.

Its twin-lobed leaves and striking flowers ranging from white to purple make it a favorite for warm climates, offering a quick growth rate and a graceful appearance.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Winter to Early Spring
  • Average Mature Size: 15-25 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Bauhinia x blakeana

8. Palo Verde

Celebrated for its green bark and bright yellow blooms, Palo Verde serves as a vital component of desert landscaping.

This tree thrives under the intense sun, requiring minimal water and providing a burst of color to arid environments.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 months
  • Blooming Period: Spring
  • Average Mature Size: 20-30 feet tall, 20-25 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Parkinsonia spp.

9. Kousa Dogwood

A resilient alternative to the more common flowering dogwoods, Kousa Dogwood offers a prolonged display of star-like blooms.

Beyond its spring flowers, the tree also produces edible berries and enjoys a beautiful change in leaf color come autumn, making it a four-season performer.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
  • Blooming Duration: Up to 2 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 15-30 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Cornus kousa

10. Southern Magnolia

Iconic for its large, fragrant white flowers, the Southern Magnolia is a symbol of the sultry South.

This evergreen beauty maintains its glossy, leathery leaves year-round, offering not just summer blooms but also a striking green presence in the winter landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 6-10
  • Blooming Duration: 6 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 60-80 feet tall, 30-50 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora

11. Tree of Gold

With its brilliant display of yellow blooms that light up the landscape, the Tree of Gold is a showstopper in any garden setting.

It flourishes in warm climates, offering a quick burst of color with its trumpet-shaped flowers that contrast beautifully against its silvery foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Late Winter to Early Spring
  • Average Mature Size: 20-25 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Tabebuia aurea

12. Indian Bean Tree

Characterized by its large, heart-shaped leaves and dramatic clusters of white flowers, the Indian Bean Tree provides a lush, tropical look.

It’s a sturdy tree that not only offers shade but also brings aesthetic appeal with its long, bean-like seed pods that follow the flowering season.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Early to Mid-Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall, 20-40 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Catalpa bignonioides

13. Sourwood

Renowned for its fiery fall foliage and cascading clusters of fragrant, white summer flowers, Sourwood is a superb choice for year-round interest.

This tree is particularly striking in naturalistic settings, where its slender, drooping branches can be fully appreciated.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 4-6 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Mid to Late Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 25-30 feet tall, 20-25 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Oxydendrum arboreum

14. Jacaranda

Famed for creating breathtaking purple carpets of fallen blooms, the Jacaranda tree is a favorite in many urban landscapes.

Its fern-like foliage provides dappled shade, making it an excellent choice for parks and large gardens.

The vibrant purple flowers are truly a sight to behold each spring.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Blooming Duration: 2 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 25-40 feet tall, 15-30 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia

Meet Our Favorite Long-Blooming Shrubs

1. Potentilla

A hardy and reliable shrub, Potentilla offers a cheerful display with its bright, buttercup-like flowers.

It’s incredibly versatile, thriving in cold climates and resisting pests and diseases, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice for continuous summer color.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
  • Blooming Duration: 4-5 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring through Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Potentilla fruticosa

2. Butterfly Bush

A magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, the Butterfly Bush bursts into color with long, fragrant spikes.

It’s a fast grower that works well in mixed borders or as a standalone specimen, bringing life and color to the garden from summer into fall.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Summer into Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 6-12 feet tall, 4-15 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Buddleia davidii

3. Rose of Sharon

This late bloomer adds a tropical flair with its large, hibiscus-like flowers.

Rose of Sharon is perfect for creating a lasting impact with minimal effort, flourishing in many conditions and available in a variety of colors, from white to deep reds and purples.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Mid-Summer to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 8-12 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Hibiscus syriacus

4. Duranta

Known for its cascading clusters of vibrant blue flowers, Duranta is a stunning addition to any sunny landscape.

It can also produce attractive golden fruit, adding further interest. This shrub is ideal for creating eye-catching hedges or ornamental focal points.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
  • Blooming Duration: Several months
  • Blooming Period: Summer to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 2-15 feet tall (varies by cultivation), up to 8 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Duranta erecta

5. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas captivate with their large, showy blooms that can change color based on the soil’s acidity.

From deep blues to vibrant pinks, these plants are staples in both rustic and formal garden designs, providing lush foliage and dramatic floral displays throughout the summer.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
  • Blooming Duration: Several weeks to months
  • Blooming Period: Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 3-10 feet tall and wide (varies by species)
  • Botanical Name: Hydrangea spp.

6. Bluebeard

Known for its striking blue flowers and aromatic foliage, Bluebeard adds a splash of late-season color when many other plants are fading.

Compact and drought-resistant, it’s an excellent choice for borders or xeriscaping, attracting bees and butterflies into the garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Summer to Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Caryopteris x clandonensis

7. Escallonia

Escallonia is a robust, evergreen shrub that boasts glossy leaves and a profusion of small, bell-shaped flowers.

Ideal for hedges and coastal gardens, it withstands wind and sea spray, flowering profusely through summer and sometimes into fall.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 7-10
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 months
  • Blooming Period: Summer, sometimes extending into Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 3-10 feet tall, 3-10 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Escallonia spp.

8. Camellia

Camellia is celebrated for its beautiful, large flowers and glossy, dark green leaves.

Blooming from fall to spring, it offers a splash of color in cooler months, making it a favorite for adding elegance to the garden when little else is flowering.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 7-9
  • Blooming Duration: Varies by variety; generally several months
  • Blooming Period: Fall to Spring, depending on the variety
  • Average Mature Size: 6-12 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Camellia japonica

9. Weigela

With its charming trumpet-shaped flowers, Weigela makes a spectacular display in late spring, often reblooming with lighter flushes through the summer.

It’s particularly attractive in mixed borders, offering both visual appeal and a habitat for hummingbirds.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
  • Blooming Duration: Main bloom in late spring, sporadic re-blooms in summer
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring, with possible lighter re-bloom in Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide
  • Botanical Name: Weigela florida

10. Spiraea

Spiraea is a versatile, hardy shrub with dense, colorful flower clusters that bloom from late spring into early summer.

Many varieties offer a secondary bloom period, and the shrub’s compact form makes it an excellent choice for foundations and pathways.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Blooming Duration: Main bloom in late spring, some varieties re-bloom
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer; some varieties re-bloom
  • Average Mature Size: 2-6 feet tall and wide, varies by species
  • Botanical Name: Spiraea spp.

11. Beautybush

Bursting with charm, Beautybush dazzles with its arching sprays of pink flowers, creating a waterfall-like effect.

This old-fashioned favorite is a resilient addition to any garden, growing vigorously and lighting up the landscape in late spring with minimal care.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Kolkwitzia amabilis

12. Ninebark

Ninebark features captivating foliage that ranges from green to deep burgundy, complemented by clusters of white to pink flowers.

This tough and adaptable shrub is perfect for naturalistic plantings and offers year-round interest with its peeling bark and persistent seed heads.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-7
  • Blooming Duration: 4-6 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 5-10 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Physocarpus opulifolius

13. Mexican Orange Blossom

Renowned for its star-shaped, fragrant white flowers, Mexican Orange Blossom fills the air with a delightful scent during its main bloom.

This evergreen shrub is easy to grow, providing a lush backdrop of bright green leaves and a repeat bloom in the fall.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 7-10
  • Blooming Duration: Main bloom in late spring, lighter bloom in fall
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring, possible lighter bloom in Fall
  • Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Choisya ternata

14. Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are the epitome of spring splendor, showcasing spectacular clusters of large, colorful flowers above thick, evergreen foliage.

These iconic shrubs are ideal for woodland gardens or dappled shade areas, thriving under the right conditions of well-drained, acidic soil.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8 (varies by species)
  • Blooming Duration: Several weeks
  • Blooming Period: Spring
  • Average Mature Size: Varies widely, typically 2-20 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp.

15. Azalea

Azaleas are the quintessential spring shrub, adorning landscapes with an explosion of colors from vivid pinks to deep purples.

They thrive in dappled shade and well-drained, acidic soil, offering a dazzling display that transforms any garden into a spectacular floral showcase.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
  • Blooming Duration: Several weeks
  • Blooming Period: Spring
  • Average Mature Size: Varies widely, typically 2-8 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp.

16. Rockrose

Rockrose brings a touch of the Mediterranean to gardens with its papery flowers that appear profusely in shades of white, pink, and purple.

This sun-loving shrub is drought-resistant, making it an ideal choice for xeriscaping or rocky, dry areas.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
  • Blooming Duration: 1-2 months
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 2-5 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Cistus spp.

17. Smoke Bush

Smoke Bush is celebrated not only for its wispy, smoke-like flower clusters but also for its stunning foliage that can vary from rich green to deep burgundy.

It adds a dramatic flair to any landscape, particularly striking when backlit by the sun.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Summer
  • Average Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Cotinus coggygria

18. Lilac

The sweet fragrance of Lilac blooms is a herald of spring, filling the air with a scent that’s both intoxicating and nostalgic.

Lilacs prefer cooler climates and bloom profusely in late spring, making them a beloved addition to gardens with their lush panicles of purple, white, or pink flowers.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-7
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Late Spring
  • Average Mature Size: 8-15 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris

19. Forsythia

One of the first plants to bloom in early spring, Forsythia bursts into brilliant yellow before the garden wakes up.

Its vibrant flowers cover the arching branches, creating a breathtaking display of gold that signals the end of winter.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
  • Blooming Duration: 2-3 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Early Spring
  • Average Mature Size: 2-10 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Forsythia spp.

20. Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is unique for its ability to bloom in late fall or winter, offering fragrant, spidery yellow flowers when most other plants are dormant.

This hardy shrub also provides colorful fall foliage, making it a valuable addition to the year-round garden.

  • USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
  • Blooming Duration: 3-4 weeks
  • Blooming Period: Late Fall to Winter
  • Average Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall and wide
  • Botanical Name: Hamamelis virginiana

Want More?

If you’re passionate about trees and shrubs that keep the blooms coming, you won’t want to miss our dazzling features on flowering trees.

Explore our colorful articles to find trees that bloom in brilliant shades of yellow, white, red, blue, orange, and pink—perfect for making your yard burst with color!

Plus, check out our articles on the most popular spring bloomers and the most breathtakingly beautiful flowering trees around.

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Sophia Martinez

Organic & Sustainable Gardening Enthusiast

Sophia has cultivated her gardening skills over the past decade, focusing on the care of both ornamental and fruit-bearing trees. Her deep understanding of sustainable gardening practices stems from a lifelong passion for nature and plant life. Beyond her professional life, Sophia spends her leisure time engaged with the natural world. She enjoys birdwatching and nature photography, capturing the intricate beauty of the ecosystems around her.

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