Trees with purple flowers provide striking, eye-catching accents to any landscape.
If you live in Tennessee, you may be wondering if you can enjoy purple-flowered beauties in your yard or garden. Thankfully, you can! Several trees that display stunning purple flowers thrive across Tennessee’s 5b-8a plant hardiness zones.
Remember, it’s important to choose a tree that will be healthy and happy in your specific growing climate and zone.
4 Gorgeous Trees with Purple Flowers to Grow in Tennessee
1. Crape Myrtle (Lagerostroemia indica)
Enjoyed for its tidy growing habit and lovely blooms, the crape myrtle is an excellent small tree suitable to grow across Tennessee’s varied climates.
Since, according to the Coastal Carolina University Arboretum, you can plant these lovely trees close together (within about 6 feet), they can create a wonderful living barrier along a fence line.
Crape myrtles prefer 6 or more hours of full sun, but this hardy plant can also tolerate partial shade.
In late Spring, the crape myrtle produces a lovely array of upright growing flowers that range from pink to purple in color.
To complement the growing pattern of its flowers and branches, it’s best to keep the tree pruned into a soft “v” shape.
Other Common Names: Crepe myrtle, Lilac of the South
Growing Zones: 6-10
Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 feet tall, with an 6-15 foot spread
Flowering Season: Spring
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
2. Royal Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)
The royal purple smoke tree, as it’s suitably named, produces a stunning effect with its pillowy, wispy flowers that creates a smoke-like appearance.
Its leaves also turn a lovely deep red-purple in the fall months, providing touches of purple to your garden even after the flowers are gone.
These little trees can be kept small enough to line the front of a house without overwhelming the landscape. According to the University of Florida Extension, the royal purple smoke tree is incredibly hardy. Gardeners in TN can plant it in a wide range of soil conditions and climates.
Other Common Names: ‘Royal Purple’ smokebush, ‘Royal Purple’ wig-tree
Growing Zones: 5-9
Average Size at Maturity: 15 feet tall, with a 15 foot spread
Flowering Season: Late Spring through Summer
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
3. Galaxy Magnolia (M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ x M. sprengeri ‘Diva’)
Hardy throughout the state, the galaxy magnolia is a fantastic option for Tennesseans who want to enjoy trees with large, elegant flowers.
Flowering in late April to early June, the galaxy magnolia is a true Spring bloomer, providing a welcome sight of life after Winter dormancy. The large, beautiful cup-shaped flowers are rose-purple on the outside and white-cream on the inside.
Beginner gardeners may find this tree a bit finicky as it prefers well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic, and organically rich soil. As the Missouri Botanical Garden notes, the galaxy magnolia requires full sun and thrives when protected from strong winds.
Growing Zones: 5-9
Average Size at Maturity: 30-40 feet tall with a 22-25 foot spread
Flowering Season: Spring
Available at: Nature Hills
4. Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
A small, heat-loving tree hardy in zones 7-8, the chaste tree is most suitable for TN gardeners living in the warmer areas of the state.
From Spring through Summer, it produces upright bundles of small, gorgeous lilac-colored flowers. According to the North Carolina State University Extension, gardeners can train this lilac beauty to grow as a single-trunked tree.
Other Common Names: Lilac chaste tree, Chaste berry, Monk’s pepper tree
Growing Zones: 7-9
Average Size at Maturity: 20 feet tall with a 20 foot spread
Flowering Season: Late Spring through Late Summer
Available at: Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
Turning Tennessee Purple
With a wide range of suitable growing climates, these beautiful trees display stunning purple flowers for gardeners across TN.
Beginner TN gardeners might enjoy getting started with the hardy ‘Royal Purple’ smoke tree, while seasoned green thumbs can nurture the lovely and elegant galaxy magnolias.
Adhere to the soil, sun, and temperature requirements of your tree of choice and you’ll be rewarded with stunning purple blooms for years to come.
