
Prescott's Springtime Stars: 10 Trees That Dazzle
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By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

Spring arrived in Prescott, which means a symphony of color unfolds. After a long winter, there's nothing quite like the sight of a tree bursting into bloom. It promises warmer days, a celebration of life, and a visual feast for the soul. You might wonder, "Which trees will truly shine in my yard?" Fear not; I compiled a list of ten springtime superstars that dazzle with their blossoms and thrive in our unique high-altitude climate. Let's delve into the world of flowering wonders and discover how to bring springtime magic to your gardens.
Next week's garden column - A Gardener's Guide to Vibrant Hydrangeas

#1 Chaste Tree, Vitex, offers long-lasting spikes of violet, blue, or white flowers reminiscent of Lavender, just as early spring trees are waning. Like Lavender, the foliage is aromatic, adding to your landscape's sensory experience. This easy-to-grow beauty thrives in mountain gardens with minimal fuss while attracting pollinators.

#2 Crabapple (Malus) is a gem for any Prescott garden, offering a dazzling spring display of fragrant blossoms in pink, white, purple, and red that beckon pollinators to your yard. Beyond the blooms, its small, colorful fruits persist into fall, adding visual interest and feeding local birds. Hardy and adaptable, Crabapples thrive in our climate, providing years of beauty and ecological benefit. Select your variety carefully for the desired bloom and fruit characteristics, and you'll have a delightful tree that enhances your landscape through multiple seasons.
#3 Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis, is a true testament to the resilience and beauty of our Arizona landscapes. Don't let the name fool you; it's not a true willow, but its slender, graceful form and trumpet-shaped blossoms are welcome. Here in Prescott, it thrives, offering a long season of blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white, drawing in hummingbirds and bees like a desert oasis. It easily handles our dry, sunny conditions, requiring minimal water once established. Give it plenty of sun, and you'll have a low-maintenance, high-impact tree that adds a touch of desert charm to your yard. The Desert Willow's airy foliage and vibrant flowers bring a softness to our rugged terrain, a reminder of the delicate beauty that thrives in our unique environment.
#4 Flowering Pear, Pyrus calleryana, bursts onto the Prescott spring scene with a cloud of pure white blossoms, a truly breathtaking spectacle. This tree is more than just a pretty face; it's a hardy performer, adapting well to local climates and offering a faithful display of flowers. Plant it in full sun, and you'll be rewarded with a profusion of blooms that perfume the air with a sweet fragrance.
#5 Hotwings Maple, Acer tataricum, trades spring blooms for a spectacular display of intense red-winged seeds. This real eye-catcher adds a unique punch to the landscape. This rugged, adaptable maple thrives in our dry climate, offering good fall color and attracting birds. Plant it in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil for a low-maintenance tree that delivers a vibrant, late-season show.
#6 Purple Leaf Plum, Prunus cerasifera, is prized for its striking deep purple foliage, contrasting the surrounding greenery throughout the growing season. In addition to its vibrant leaves, the purple-leaf plum tree produces charming, fragrant pink blossoms in early spring, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies and enhancing your garden's biodiversity. Its moderate growth rate and adaptability to various soil types make it low-maintenance while offering aesthetic and ecological benefits.
View all the Flowering Trees for Local Landscapes – Pinterest Board
7 Redbud, Cercis, infuses your Prescott landscape with a vibrant splash of early spring color. Its stunning magenta or pink blossoms appear directly on the branches before the leaves emerge, creating a dramatic and eye-catching display. This hardy tree thrives in mountain climates, tolerates deficient mountain soils, and offers a moderate size that fits well in yards. Beyond its beauty, the Redbud attracts pollinators, contributing to a healthy and thriving garden ecosystem
#8 Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia soulangeana, - is a springtime showstopper for Prescott Gardens, bursting with large, goblet-shaped flowers in pinks, whites, and purples before the tree leaves emerge. This magnolia thrives locally and becomes a focal point in the garden. Adding elegance and a dramatic floral display to your spring landscape.
#9 Serviceberry, Amelanchier, offers multi-season interest and a delightful addition to any Prescott landscape. In spring, delicate white blossoms emerge, creating a soft, elegant display that attracts pollinators. In summer, this tree provides edible berries reminiscent of blueberries that are a treat for humans and birds. As autumn arrives, the foliage transforms into a vibrant show of reds and oranges, adding a fiery touch to the garden. Its moderate size makes it suitable for smaller yards, and its ability to provide flowers, fruit, and fall color makes it a truly versatile and rewarding plant.
#10 Weeping Cherry, Prunus, with its cascading branches draped in delicate pink blossoms, brings a touch of romantic elegance to any Prescott garden. This tree prefers a sunny location, rewarding you with a stunning floral display that's truly a sight to behold. Its graceful, weeping form adds a unique architectural element to the landscape, creating a focal point that's both beautiful and serene. While it requires some pruning to maintain its shape, the Weeping Cherry is well worth the effort, offering a tranquil and picturesque addition to your yard.
We Offer Free Garden Classes Each Saturday at 9:30 AM
3/29 Blooming Secrets of Spring Peony in the Gardens
4/5 Celebration of Spring’s Sweetest Lilac Fragrance
4/12 Guide to Abundant Herbs & Vegetables that Feed Families
Until next week, I'll be helping local gardeners plant prettier trees here at Watters Garden Center.