Small Flowering Ornamental Trees in Florida

Florida enjoys flowering trees year round.

Thanks to Florida's mild climate, homeowners can enjoy flowering trees year round. Flowering shrubs grow larger in Florida and can be trained as small trees, creating even more choices. The mild climate also enables aggressive plants to escape cultivation and crowd out native plants. Landscapers should avoid ornamental trees listed by the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants website maintained by the University of Florida Extension.

Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtle is a southern summer favorite.

The queen of the southern summer, the flowering crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is an enduring favorite in the Florida landscape. A variety of colors are available: white, purple, pink and even a new dark red variety. The multi-branched trunk is attractive with smooth bark mottled gray and brown. Crepe myrtles are often trimmed or "hat racked" in the fall, but this severe pruning isn't required. The tree's crown can be trimmed into a more natural vase shape. Crepe myrtles begin flowering in May and continue through the fall. Crepe myrtles should be placed in full sun for the best display of flowers.

Eastern Redbud

Eastern redbud makes a brilliant spring display.

The Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) creates a spectacular spring display of purple-pink flowers that cover its branches. The crown is irregular when the tree is young and matures to a vase shape. Eastern redbuds grow quickly to 20 or 30 feet tall but are short-lived, rarely reaching 30 years old. In the northern parts of Florida, they can be planted in full sun; they do better in partial shade in the southern parts of the state.

Bottlebrush

Bottlebrush blooms throughout most of the year in Florida.

The bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) and weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) are small flowering ornamentals that are popular in Florida landscapes. The bottlebrush has small lanceolate leaves of dark green. Red flowers, truly resembling a bottlebrush, are born at the ends of the branches. The weeping bottlebrush forms a graceful, umbrella-shaped canopy. The bark of the trunk is dark and deeply ridged. The tree flowers throughout spring and fall.

Camellia

Camellias provide winter blooms in Florida.

Camellias produce large, rose-like flowers throughout the fall and winter in Florida. Although camellias are usually considered a shrub, they reach heights of 25 feet and can be used as specimen tree or a shrub. They are widely cultivated; there are 2,300 varieties available in a wide range of colors and styles. Camellias thrive in northern Florida but require special care in the central and southern part of the state. Camellias prefer some shade and should be protected from cold winter winds.

Citrus

Fragrant citrus flowers bloom in winter.

Citrus trees thrive in Florida and are often used as flowering ornamentals in the home landscape. Citrus trees flower from winter to early spring, producing small white blooms set off by glossy green leaves. The flowers are wonderfully fragrant. Trees vary in size depending on the variety. Key lime trees can stay at just 5 feet tall while certain grapefruit varieties reach 30 feet tall. The fruit is also attractive throughout the fall and winter. The tree may have fruit and flowers at the same time, if fruit is not harvested.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Crepe Myrtle in Florida
• University of Florida Extension: Callistemon citrinus: Red Bottlebrush
• University of Florida Extension: Cercis canadensis: Eastern Redbud
• University of Florida Extension: Camellias in Florida
• Sunkist: Citrus 101

Resources

• University of Florida Extension: Ornamental Trees for South Florida
• University of Florida Extension: Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants