According to color psychology, pink is a color that inspires hope, calms emotions like anger and aggression, and fosters feelings that everything is going to be OK. Maybe this rings true for you, and your goal is to surround yourself with things that create this feeling of calm. Or maybe you just like the color pink and want to add a pop of it to your landscaping for fun. Whatever your goal may be, here are 15 beautiful trees with pink flowers that will help you accomplish it.
The color pink is associated with hope, playfulness, and innocence. It is also believed to have a psychologically calming, soothing effect on people.
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1. Robinson Crabapple Tree
A row of three crabapple trees in bloom.
If you live in USDA zones 4-8 and like the color pink, this is the tree for you. This particular cultivar (Malus ‘Robinson’) belongs to the Malus genus, joining the domesticated apple (Malus x domestica) and anywhere from 25 to more than 50 other species of crabapple trees. This tree is known for a slew of desirable traits: beautiful, showy pink flowers, an earlier and longer bloom season, visual appeal in all four seasons of the year, being far more disease-and pest-resistant than other crabapple species, and being one the easiest trees you will ever grow.
It stays contained to a convenient 15×15 feet in both height and lateral canopy spread, sometimes stretching up near 25-feet. The buds on this deciduous tree start as crimson red and open to reveal intensely reddish-pink blooms irresistible to bees, butterflies, and birds. There are other crabapple varieties with beautiful pink blooms too — ‘Profusion’ and ‘Prairifire’ are two more favorites — but they aren’t nearly as disease and pest-resistant as the ‘Robinson.’
This tree is cold-hardy down to -20 degrees, and is drought-tolerant in hotter climates.
2. Pink Trumpet Tree
Looking up from the ground through the canopy of a pink trumpet tree.
Pink trumpet trees (Handroanthus impetiginosus) belong to the Bignonia family, which includes other eye-catching showstoppers like jacarandas, catalpas, and some of the most sought-after climbing vines in horticulture. Pink trumpets fit right in with this group as they put on a dazzling, albeit brief, display of shades of pink so profuse the canopies appear leafless.
In the US, pink trumpets are most commonly found in southern California, with a smattering up north up to the Walnut Creek area. They also grow in parts of the southwest and Florida. Specimens grown from seed can take anywhere from three to 24 years to bloom. This deciduous tree is a slow-grower, eventually hitting 20-30′ in height with a 10-20′ canopy spread, and does best in zones 5-9 in locations that allow for a lot of root system growth.
3. Pink Velour Crape Myrtle Trees
A close-up of the reddish-pink blooms of a crape myrtle.
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit III’ is their botanical name, and they’re known for vivid pink blooms that display all summer long and into fall. When the first round of blooms die out, another round blooms right behind it. They are smaller trees, staying in the neighborhood of about 10-feet tall. In smaller gardens, they make a great statement piece; in larger gardens, they look beautiful planted in mass groupings both in-ground and in containers.
This species loves summer heat and sun and does its best work in the humid climates of zones 7-9. It prefers regular, well-drained soil but tolerates loamy, chalky, clay, and sandy soils. It also tolerates drought and seems to be resistant to disease. It’s a very easy-keeper, blooming consistently every year in almost all conditions, making it a favorite of novice gardeners and experts alike.
4. Cherry Blossom Tree
A Prunus ‘Accolade’ tree in bloom.
No pink-lover’s garden is complete without some variety of cherry blossom, also known as ornamental cherry, flowering cherry, or Japanese cherry. Botanically, it is classified in the Prunus genus, and there are actually seven different Prunus species that are considered “flowering cherry” trees:
- Prunus campanulata
- P. incisa
- P. jamasakura
- P. serrulata
- P. sargentii
- P. spachiana (or subhirtella)
- P. speciosa
Each of these species also has different cultivars, so there are a lot of options available from which to choose, all of which offer blooms ranging in color from the palest, almost-white pink, to very rich reddish-pinks.
Regardless of the variety, all of them like a lot of light (full to partial sun) with protection from the wind and well-drained soil. Once established, they’re very low-maintenance trees; they want their sunshine, regular watering, and a bit of fertilizer. And that’s about it.
I personally prefer the richer, deeper pinks, so two of my favorites are the ‘Shosar’ (a cross between a P. incisa x P. campanulata hybrid and P. sargentii) for its two-tone pink, and ‘Pink Perfection’ (Prunus serrulata ‘Pink Perfection’) for its showy double-blooms. There are weeping varieties (Prunus pendula) that are just spectacular, but they are more susceptible to pest and disease issues. If you like a paler shade, Prunus ‘Accolade’ (a cross between Prunus sargentii and Prunus subhirtella) is a beautiful choice.
5. Magnolia ‘Atlas’
The beautiful, soft-pink bracts of Magnolia tree blooms. Magnolia blooms can range anywhere from creamy white to a deep burgundy-purple.
Magnolia is the genus name of well over 200 different species of flowering trees and shrubs, a great deal of which are hybrids, cultivars, or varieties (which are then crossed to create additional generations of hybrids and cultivars) originating from only a few naturally occurring parent plants. Their flowers are known for being massive and vibrant, and the colors range from creamy white to a dark purple-black.
One of the largest-ever blooms boasted by this 95-million-year-old genus is on a cultivar called ‘Atlas.’ It is a cross between Magnolia ‘Mark Jury’ and Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Lennei Alba’ and can stretch across to a whopping almost-14-inch diameter; the petals alone can reach 6″ across. And, happily, its outside color is a beautiful, consistent center-to-tip creamy pink.
The ‘Atlas’ magnolia prefers moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil, full sun for peak bloom color (but tolerates some shade), and blooms in mid- to late-spring.
6. Rainbow Shower Tree
The rainbow shower tree is a hybrid of pink shower tree and golden shower tree, and has showy orange and pink flowers that pay homage to both parent plants.
This tree is a hybrid, grown from the seeds produced by crossing the golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) and the pink shower tree (Cassia javanica). The cross was done for the first time in Hawaii in 1916 and the resulting progeny is now preferred over the naturally-occurring parent plants.
The pink shower tree could also hold a place (maybe this place?) on this list, but I chose the rainbow variety instead because it’s more visually interesting. There are a few different palettes of rainbow shower trees, and my eye is always drawn most to the magenta specimens. They mix with different depths of orange to create an effect that, especially from a short distance, results in an attractive fiery pink. As with most flowering trees, the more sunlight they get, the more vibrant their colors.
Because it is a hybrid, the tree is sterile and produces no seeds or pods. This makes it one of the more popular ornamental plants in the notoriously leguminous Fabaceae family. Wild trees can reach 50-feet tall and equally wide, but they respond well to selective pruning and training, and can be easily kept at a smaller size. It tolerates many different soil types, as long as it has good drainage, and is also a lovely, drought-tolerant addition to a xeriscape garden. It prefers arid, salt-free air, so coastal locations should be avoided.
If you have the room, plant several for a particularly striking effect.
7. Pink Flowering Dogwood Tree
The naturally-occurring Flowering Dogwood ‘Rubra’ variety offers a pink alternative to its white cousins. Many other cultivars exist in varying shades of pink.
The classic flowering dogwood tree is a US native and is beloved for its year-long beauty, including springs and summers boasting canopies smothered in white blooms. A naturally-occurring variety of this tree is the Cornus florida var. rubra, or pink flowering dogwood. Its blooms can range anywhere from a light, delicate pink to a deeper reddish-pink.
This fast-growing deciduous tree is considered medium-sized, reaching both height and canopy lengths of 20- to 25-feet. It does best in full-sun to partial-shade locations of zones 5-9, tolerating any soil that gets regular watering and is well-draining. Every spring, the tree turns into a massive cotton candy, with the canopy covered in a thick cloud of airy pink blooms. In hotter climates, it’ll want that partial shade.
Dogwoods have experienced a fair amount of crossbreeding and hybridization, so if the naturally-occurring ‘rubra’ doesn’t do it for you, there are many other options. The entire ‘Cherokee’ line of cultivars is popular, with ‘Cherokee Chief’, ‘Cherokee Brave’, ‘Cherokee Princess’, and ‘Cherokee Daybreak’ in wide cultivation. ‘Gulf Coast Pink’ is another popular cultivar in a pretty pink shade. The variegated ‘Stellar Pink’ is my favorite, with fall-time pink-tinged foliage.
8. Desert Willow Tree
A close-up of Desert Willow’s orchid-like bloom.
Desert willows (Chilopsis linearis) are found throughout the desert southwest region of the US and northern Mexico. It isn’t a true willow, but fancies itself the willow of the arid southwest. It is a fast-growing tree and can reach a full 30-feet in about ten years. In nature, the trees are multi-trunked, but they can be pruned in their youth to one central leader. They are especially popular in Arizona ornamental landscaping because of their extreme drought and heat tolerance, coupled with brightly colored blooms in various shades of pink. Adding to their popularity is a contained root system and thornless limbs, a welcome and merciful change from many other flowering trees in Arizona.
From April to late summer, fragrant, orchid-like blooms adorn the canopies in small clusters and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Desert willows prefer full sun but can survive in some shade. They’re tolerant of just about any adverse condition and, once established, survive just fine off rainfall alone. That said, they’ll look much nicer if they get deep soakings in the summertime. Watering isn’t needed once fall hits because upcoming frosts will damage and kill new growth.
Single specimens are lovely garden additions, but these trees really shine in a grove-style planting.
9. Chitalpa Tree
Sterile chitalpa trees are a popular choice in parking lot finger islands, along streetscapes, and throughout retention areas because they do not drop seeds, pods, or fruit.
“20110906_ThorntonPk_× Chitalpa tashkentensis_Cutler_DSC06240” by wlcutler is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Chitalpa trees are another desert-southwest favorite, and are the hybrid progeny of the desert willow tree and the catalpa tree of the south. Specifically crossed to encapsulate the best features of its two parents, chitalpas are a successful presentation of big, colorful blooms in a truly drought- and heat-tolerant tree. Fast-growing like their desert willow parent, they can be maintained as a large shrub or allowed to grow into a small-to medium-sized tree about 25′ tall.
The blooms of a chitalpa tree are a pretty, blushy, pale pink with a slightly darker, deeper center. Even their vascular system contributes to their beauty, with purple veins running through the blooms. They stay in bloom all summer long and offer a welcome touch of lushness to otherwise dry and barren summer landscapes.
10. Pink Orchid Tree
Main: a large, mature orchid tree coming into bloom.
Inset: a close-up of the orchid tree bloom.
The pink (or variegated) orchid tree is a small-to medium-sized deciduous specimen with purpley-pink blooms. Native to India, they are widely cultivated in temperate tropical climates throughout the world due to their popularity as an ornamental. Happiest growing in zones 9-11, they achieve their best growing and flowering results when planted in full sun. Soil pH is best if somewhat acidic (5.6 to 6.5), and regular watering in well-draining soil is preferable.
Pink orchid trees (Bauhinia variegata) drop their leaves for a short time, leaving the blooms alone in the spotlight when they pop mid-spring. The flowers grow in small groups of two or three, and the petals show delicate veins that seem to disappear into a pool of darker, richer color at the bloom’s center. The bloom period for this tree is from early winter to late spring. It grows naturally as a multi-stemmed, oversize shrub, but with early staking and pruning it is easily trained into a lovely single-trunk specimen.
11. Pink Bougainvillea Tree
This Bougainvillea ‘Torch Glow’ has been trained to grow in tree-form; the braided trunk was also trained.
You’re likely familiar with this plant in it’s bush form. Even though it’s sweet spot is only in zones 9-11 in the US, it’s native to virtually every warm climate in the world, including the Americas, the Caribbean, parts of Europe, and more. It comes in a rainbow of colors, grows in different styles, and can fit almost any application. It makes a lovely small ornamental tree, and in this tree form it’s known as the “standard” bougainvillea.
Bougies are really vines, and like to climb up and over everything. But they have sturdy, woody trunks and if you start when they’re young, the vines can learn to be a tree instead. It’s a fairly easy, straightforward process that takes more time and patience than anything else. It takes about two to three years of careful stake growing, but after that time you have a 2-to-3-foot-bougainvillea tree well on its way.
Because most Bougies can be trained into a standard, your color options are wide open. Some types respond better to tree training than others; of those, some pink varieties are:
Barbara Karst — deep, hot pink
Torch Glow — dark reddish/hot pink
Variegated raspberry ice — bright hot pink
Double orange pink — two-color mix of light orange and true pink
Double imperial delight — two-tone ombre pale pink to bright hot pink
12. ‘Pink Pom Poms’ Redbud Tree
The flowers of the redbud tree bloom straight from the branch and, without leaves in the way, put on a memorable one-man show.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) trees are deciduous natives of the US, widely used in ornamental landscaping due to their spectacular blooms. A unique feature of redbud flowers is that they bloom directly on the branch, which creates a really interesting effect of the branches literally exploding into color.
The naturally occurring Eastern redbud is already a showy specimen, with big blooms and bold colors. The ‘Pink Pom Poms’ hybrid is an improved version with full double blooms, even more vibrant color, and a longer bloom period. The blooms of this hybrid are the biggest and showiest of any other redbud.
This hybrid came about as a result of crossbreeding between the Cercis ‘Flame’ cultivar and Cercis ‘Oklahoma’ cultivar, and growing the seed that that crossing produced. It’s sterile like other hybrids, which means no unsightly seed pods, seeds, or fruit. ‘Pink Pom Pom’s’ are hardy to Zone 6 and possibly even further north.
13. ‘Bonanza’ Peach Tree
Every year, just before the fruit comes, the limbs of the dwarf peach tree ‘Bonanza’ are covered in a fragrant spray of pretty, dark-pink flowers.
“Bonanza peach.jpg” by Rsberzerker is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
If you want delicious, home-grown fruit, but only have limited space, this bushy little tree could solve that problem. No more than 6 feet tall and wide when planted in the garden, and just three or four feet tall when grown in a pot, the dwarf peach tree ‘Bonanza’ has a gorgeous spring showing of fragrant pink flowers followed by full-sized peaches that have a yellow skin with red blush. This variety is easy to eat out of hand, and it ripens from the middle of July, making it perfect for summer eating on the patio.
The ‘Bonanza’ peach needs full sun, and rich, well-drained soil in the garden (or ordinary potting soil, if planting it in a pot). Use a pot with drainage holes, and fertilize regularly for the best results. This tree is hardy all the way into zone 5, and it should be kept outdoors in winter because it needs temperatures below 45 degrees over the winter to develop properly.
Limited pruning and some basic pest control as needed should be the extent of the maintenance.
14. Pink Oleander Tree
Streetscapes can be a harsh environment for trees, but the hard-to-kill Oleander are well-equipped to survive the conditions.
You may see oleander on this list and immediately be put off to the idea of using them. They are certainly not beloved; in fact, there are many (at least in the southwest) who hate them. They’re way overused, toxic to animals, and impossible to remove once established and mature. But is it the oleander we hate, or just how unsightly they look when they’re neglected and left to overgrow?
Oleander, carefully selected for the right application and in the care of regularly recurring maintenance, can actually look quite nice. The foliage is a deep, dark forest green with long, skinny leaves; the bark is a light, silvery/tan and contrasts nicely with the leaves; and the blooms are generous, big, and seem to almost want to show you what they can do.
This little tree can tolerate the worst conditions and won’t only grow where nothing else will, it’ll add effortless color with its year-round blooms. Tree-training is an easy process. Simply cut away the branches at the base until one single leader trunk remains. Suckers will continue to sprout for several years, and will require cutting away.
15. Purple Leaf Plum Tree
Main: the dark and brooding foliage that the Purple Leaf Plum tree is so known for takes a backseat every spring when the pinky, cheerful blooms (inset) arrive and take over.
I fell in love with Purple Leaf Plum trees very early in my career after befriending a sick specimen that I nursed back to health. After that experience, I welcomed the opportunity to work with them and would do so extensively for almost 20 years.
These trees are well known for their dark, sort of elegantly melancholic color scheme of dark bark and dark blackish-purple foliage. Interestingly, as much as their coloring makes them stand out, they still seem to know when their job is to blend, and they do, complementing other plants and styles of design nicely.
So entrancing is their foliage, you almost forget about the flowers. Almost… until spring comes back around and the dark, red-wine-colored limbs push out a boatload of little flowers and cover themselves in light pink. These colorful, cheery flowers are in perfect contrast to the tree’s usual dark attire and adds a layer of curb appeal.
The other-worldly beauty of pink-flowered trees is a gift we often fail to stop and appreciate.
There’s something so striking and mesmerizing about a tree with a canopy doused in all shades of pink. Sometimes they look like they’re not even real—pure, precious beauties that were put here by accident, or as a gift. Or maybe they’re here as a reminder that breathtaking beauty can still be found in the world, and it’s here to inspire and fulfill us, if only we’d pay attention.
