Best Flowering Trees in Missouri to Add Color to Your Yard

A blooming Eastern redbud tree, near St Louis, MO.

Discover the best flowering trees in Missouri to add a pop of color to your landscape in spring. Learn which species to plant & which to avoid for best results.

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Flowering trees are a stunning addition to any Missouri yard, bringing vibrant color, boosting curb appeal, and supporting local wildlife. But did you know that climate change is causing some of these trees, like the flowering dogwood, to bloom weeks earlier than normal?

    This shift makes choosing the right flowering trees for your property even more important. Some species are better equipped to thrive in our changing climate, while others may struggle. Here are some incredible species you should consider adding to your landscape, and a few we recommend avoiding.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Native flowering trees like dogwood and redbud offer reliable spring color while supporting local wildlife and requiring minimal maintenance.
    • Proper tree selection and placement helps prevent ongoing problems, ensuring decades of beauty without damage to your property or excessive maintenance.
    • Avoiding problematic trees like Bradford pear in favor of recommended alternatives saves money, supports your local ecosystem, and prevents future maintenance headaches.
    A blooming dogwood tree in front of a wooded area, in Eastern Missouri.

    Flowering Dogwood

    Flowering Dogwood

    Few trees capture the natural beauty of a Missouri spring quite like our state tree, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). These understory trees produce large white or pink blooms in early spring before their leaves emerge, creating a stunning display against the bare branches of larger trees.

    Dogwoods typically grow 15 to 30 feet tall, making them perfect for planting beneath power lines or near patios where shade is needed. Their horizontal branching pattern creates visual interest all year, while the red berries they produce in fall attract cardinals, robins, and other colorful birds.

    Best spots for dogwoods in your yard include:

    • Along woodland edges
    • Under larger shade trees
    • As accent trees near patios
    • In groups to create mini groves
    • Along property borders for privacy
    • In view of your favorite window

    These trees prefer rich, well-drained soil and partial shade (especially in the afternoon). When properly placed and maintained, dogwoods can live 80 years or more.

    Two blooming redbud trees planting in a large yard near St Louis, MO.

    Eastern Redbud

    Eastern Redbud

    Looking to add a pop of color to your yard before most other trees start to leaf out in the spring? Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) burst into bloom in early spring, covering their branches with vibrant purple-pink flowers. These native trees put on a show for several weeks, followed by large, heart-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in fall.

    Redbuds grow well in both sun and partial shade, reaching 20 to 30 feet tall at maturity. Their adaptable nature means they thrive in most Missouri soils, from clay to loam. The flowers attract early-season pollinators like bees and butterflies, while the seed pods provide food for birds and small wildlife.

    What makes redbuds a smart choice:

    • Early spring blooms when color is scarce
    • Tolerates both sunny and shady spots
    • Adapts to different soil types
    • Low maintenance once established
    • Native species that support local wildlife
    • Beautiful fall color

    Many homeowners choose to plant redbuds and flowering dogwoods together for a vibrant contrast of colors each spring.

    The flowers of a flowering crabapple, at a home near St Charles, Missouri.

    Flowering Crabapple

    Flowering Crabapple

    For a true spring spectacle in your yard, flowering crabapples are hard to beat. These ornamental trees create masses of pink or white blooms that cover every branch. But their beauty extends beyond spring, with varieties offering summer shade, fall fruit, and interesting winter bark.

    Thanks to modern disease-resistant varieties, many of the issues older crabapples faced are a thing of the past. For smaller yards or spaces near windows and patios, compact varieties growing 8 to 10 feet tall are ideal. For larger spaces, consider varieties that reach 20 to 25 feet, offering beautiful shade on the west and south sides of your home.

    Many newer cultivars also produce tiny fruits that persist into winter, providing food for birds while avoiding the mess of larger ornamental fruits.

    Many local property owners love modern crabapple varieties thanks to:

    • Disease resistant foliage stays attractive all season
    • Wide range of sizes to fit any space
    • Spring flowers in white, pink, or deep rose
    • Attractive to pollinators and birds
    • Fall color and winter interest
    • Excellent focal point for front yards
    A blooming serviceberry tree in front of mature trees, next to a driveway in Eastern Missouri.

    Serviceberry

    Serviceberry

    The serviceberry (Amelanchier) is often overlooked for more popular trees like dogwoods and redbuds, but this species is every bit as beautiful, providing four seasons of interest for Eastern Missouri yards. These native trees burst into bloom with delicate white flowers in early spring, followed by edible berries that taste like blueberries, bright fall colors, and attractive silver bark that stands out in winter.

    Growing 15 to 25 feet tall, serviceberries work well as understory trees or standalone specimens. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt easily to most soil conditions.

    Their multi stem growth habit creates natural screening, while their compact size makes them perfect for smaller properties or areas near structures.

    What makes serviceberry special? Here are just a few reasons:

    • Edible berries which you can use for pies and jams
    • Attracts songbirds and beneficial wildlife
    • Beautiful orange and red fall colors
    • Tolerates urban conditions well
    • Disease resistant and easy care
    • Works in both natural and formal landscapes
    A closeup of the star-shaped flowers on a blooming Star Magnolia, growing in St Louis County, MO.

    Star Magnolia

    Star Magnolia

    Although this tree is non-native, it’s a well-loved and easy-to-manage tree species here in Missouri. Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) creates an unforgettable spring display with large, fragrant white flowers that appear before the leaves. And the best part is that these are the first flowering trees to bloom here in Missouri.

    These compact trees reach only 15 to 20 feet tall, making them ideal for small spaces or as focal points near entryways and patios.

    Despite their delicate appearance, star magnolias are tough trees that handle Missouri weather well. They prefer full sun to light shade and rich, well-drained soil. While late frosts can damage early blooms, established trees bloom reliably year after year, creating a stunning show that signals spring has arrived.

    Where star magnolias shine:

    • Focal point near entrances
    • Specimen tree in small yards
    • Foundation plantings
    • Patio trees for shade and fragrance
    A flowering bradford pear growing amidst native vegetation in St Charles County, MO.

    The invasive Bradford pear | Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

    Flowering Trees to Avoid in Missouri Yards

    While there are a variety of native and non-native (but Missouri-friendly) flowering trees to consider adding to your yard, there are also a few common species you should avoid.

    The Bradford pear (or Callery pear) is one of the most problematic trees in our area. While they create a stunning white display in spring, these trees have weak branch structure that often leads to splitting and failure during storms.

    Even worse, they spread aggressively into natural areas, outcompeting native species. Their thorny offspring create dense thickets that are difficult and expensive to remove. No wonder this species will likely be illegal to buy and plant in Missouri, like it already is in other states.

    The Japanese tree lilac is another popular flowering tree. And although less problematic than the Bradford pear, it still displays aggressive invasive tendencies, and should be avoided.

    How to Choose the Right Flowering Tree

    While it’s easy to choose a tree based on its appearance or the color of its spring blooms, ensuring a tree thrives in its new location requires much more consideration. Each species has a set of ideal growing conditions, so it’s important to match your yard with the trees that are likely to thrive there.

    The most important factors to consider are:

    • Available sunlight throughout the day
    • Soil type and drainage patterns
    • Mature height and spread
    • Distance from structures and utilities
    • Maintenance requirements
    • Seasonal features beyond spring flowers
    • Wildlife you want to attract

    By choosing the right tree, and planting it in the right spot in your yard, you can ensure it lives a long and healthy life. Choose the wrong tree, and you’ll either have to deal with constant maintenance or will have to replace a failing tree in the future.

    FAQs About Flowering Trees in Missouri

    What’s the difference between native and non-native flowering trees?

    Native trees evolved in our local climate and support local wildlife. They typically require less maintenance and usually resist common pests and diseases better than non-native species.

    Many non-native species come from Europe and Asia, and can happily coexist in our yards. However, some non-natives can be aggressive and invasive, spreading rapidly and crowding out native species. These should be avoided.

    What flowering trees attract pollinators to my yard?

    Most spring flowering trees attract early season pollinators. Dogwoods, redbuds, and serviceberry are especially valuable for native bees and butterflies.

    How long does it typically take for flowering trees to reach maturity?

    Most flowering trees begin blooming within 3 to 5 years after planting. They reach their mature size in 15 to 20 years, depending on growing conditions and care.

    Which flowering trees are best for small yards?

    Smaller varieties of crabapple, star magnolia, and serviceberry work well in compact spaces. Consider trees that mature at 15 to 20 feet tall for urban lots.

    Bring Spring Color to Your Missouri Landscape with Mathias’ Expert Help!

    Choosing and planting the right flowering tree creates lasting beauty and value for your property. Make this the year you enhance your landscape with spring color that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

    Want to make room for new flowering trees in your yard? Mathias Precision Tree Service can safely remove unwanted trees, stumps, or damaged trees to create the perfect spot for your new plantings. Our Certified Arborists ensure safe, efficient removal while protecting your property. Call us at 314-322-7690 or request an estimate online to get started.