Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by April
Purple flowering trees can transform your garden with their stunning blooms and elegant presence. These beautiful additions come in various species including jacaranda, lavender tree, and wisteria, each offering unique characteristics and fragrances that can enhance your outdoor space.
When choosing a purple flowering tree for your property, you’ll need to consider several factors for successful growth. These include your local climate conditions, soil type, the tree’s mature size, and its resilience to environmental stressors like drought or frost. Taking time to match the right purple tree to your specific garden conditions will reward you with years of vibrant color and natural beauty.
Types of Purple Flowering Trees
Catawba Crape Myrtle
The Catawba Crape Myrtle reaches heights of approximately 15 feet, making it an excellent choice for medium-sized gardens. Its clusters of deep purple flowers create a spectacular display from spring through fall, providing extended seasonal interest.
This hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 7-9 and demands full sun exposure for optimal flowering. While adaptable to various soil conditions, it performs poorly in waterlogged or heavy clay environments.
Common Lilac
Common Lilac bushes can grow up to 10 feet tall, effectively functioning as small trees in landscape design. Their intensely fragrant purple flower clusters appear in spring, creating a sensory experience that’s difficult to match.
These plants are exceptionally hardy, thriving in zones 3-7 with full sun exposure. You’ll find them adaptable to most soil types, though they prefer well-drained conditions. Their appealing fragrance naturally attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making them valuable additions to pollinator gardens.
Dwarf Korean Lilac
The Dwarf Korean Lilac reaches a mature height of approximately 4-6 feet, making it perfect for smaller gardens or container planting. Its compact form produces clusters of deep purple spring blossoms that create significant visual impact despite the tree’s smaller stature.
Hardy in zones 3-7, this lilac variety thrives with full sun exposure. Its manageable size makes it an excellent choice for patio containers or gardens with limited space.
Black Diamond Lavender Lace Crape Myrtle
This unique crape myrtle stands out with its striking contrast between black foliage and delicate pastel purple flowers. The unusual color combination creates dramatic visual interest in any landscape.
Growing best in zones 6-10, this tree requires full sunlight and reaches 10-12 feet at maturity. It offers exceptional resistance to both drought and mildew, reducing maintenance requirements after establishment.
Royal Empress Tree
The Royal Empress stands as one of the tallest purple-flowering options, capable of reaching 50 feet in height. Its springtime blooms offer not only visual appeal but also a delightful fragrance reminiscent of jasmine and gardenia.
This fast-growing tree thrives in zones 7-11 with full to partial sun exposure. It demonstrates remarkable adaptability to soil conditions, even tolerating toxic soils that would kill other trees. Once established, it maintains good drought resistance.
Black Diamond Purely Purple Crape Myrtle
The Black Diamond Purely Purple Crape Myrtle reaches approximately 12 feet tall at maturity. Its rich purple blooms create a concentrated color display that stands out in mixed plantings.
Hardy in zones 6-10, this tree requires full sun exposure and well-drained soil conditions. After establishment, it demonstrates excellent drought tolerance, reducing watering requirements in most climates.
Lavender Rose of Sharon
The Lavender Rose of Sharon can reach heights of 10 feet, offering purple blooms interspersed with green foliage for a more balanced color presentation. This visual rhythm creates interest without overwhelming the landscape with solid color.
Thriving in zones 5-8 with full sun exposure, this tree adapts to various soil types but requires good drainage. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering, providing an easy visual cue for maintenance needs. Expect blooms from late summer through autumn.
Amethyst Falls Wisteria Tree
The Wisteria tree, though technically a trained vine, creates a tree-like form reaching up to 15 feet tall. Its hanging clusters of fragrant purple flowers appear in spring and summer, creating a dramatic, romantic effect.
This specimen performs well in zones 5-9 with full to partial sun exposure. While adaptable to many soil types, it avoids waterlogged or heavy clay conditions.
Bloomerang Lilac
The Bloomerang Lilac reaches approximately 7 feet in height, making it suitable for container growing near entryways. Unlike traditional lilacs, this variety flowers twice yearly, providing extended seasonal interest.
This hardy tree thrives in zones 3-7 with full sun exposure. Its compact size makes it particularly well-suited for porch or patio container planting where its repeated blooming can be closely enjoyed.
Muskogee Crape Myrtle
The Muskogee Crape Myrtle is one of the larger varieties, reaching impressive heights of up to 30 feet. It grows rapidly compared to other crape myrtles, providing quicker landscape impact.
Hardy in zones 6-9, this tree produces lovely lavender flowers for approximately six months each year. Once established, it exhibits strong drought tolerance and requires minimal watering in regions with regular rainfall.
