Flowering Trees of the NW
- Forest pansy redbud (Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy) is a round-shaped tree reaching 20 feet tall with purplish-bronze leaves and pinkish-rose, orchid-like blossoms in the spring. The leaves of this tree turn yellow in the fall. Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) grows naturally in a pyramid shape to 30 feet tall with large, 2 1/2-inch blossoms. The flowers are made up of yellow centers surrounded by white petals with ruffled edges. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum) grows to 25 feet in height in a pyramid shape with leathery green leaves. The flowers are small white bells hanging off the terminal branches of the trees, and the leaves turn purplish-red in the autumn.
- Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) reaches 30 feet tall with simple, 1- to 2-inch-long leaves and clusters of white flowers followed by glossy, black berries. Hawthorn berries attract wild birds to the landscape. Dove tree (Davidia involucrate) produces showy, white flowers that resemble hanging handkerchiefs in the spring. This pyramid-shaped tree has heart-shaped leaves. Silk trees (Albizia julibrissin) produce feathery, pink flowers in the summer with compound leaves made up of 20 to 30 pairs of leaflets. This deciduous tree reaches 30 feet tall and spreads equally as wide.
- Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) grows to 50 feet in height with clusters of small, white flowers in the early spring and oval-shaped leaves. Wild birds, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to this flowering tree. Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) produces green, shiny leaves and white blossoms with green centers appearing from April through June. This native tree reaches 50 feet tall and spreads equally as wide.
- California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) reaches 70 feet tall with 2- to 5-inch-long, lance-shaped leaves and small white flowers. In the fall, 1-inch-long purple fruit develop. The wood of this evergreen tree is used to carve spoons and bowls. Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) grows 100 feet in height with dark-green, oval leaves and small, pinkish-white flowers. The bell-shaped flowers appear in April and turn into bright-red berries during the summer on these evergreen trees.
