Beyond the Dogwood:

Five Uncommon Flowering Trees

Written and photographed by Carole Ottesen

The dogwood (Cornus florida) is arguably the most widely-grown flowering tree in Washington area landscapes, and understandably so. Unfortunately, its popularity has cast a long shadow over other outstanding ornamentals, making them rare in the marketplace. Here are five flowering trees you won’t see everywhere. They deserve to be more widely planted. If you locate one, snap it up. If not, pester your local garden center to carry it.

Silky Camellia Stewartia malacodendron

The native silky camellia grows as tall‹12 feet‹as it does wide. In May, flower buds the size and shape of eggs appear to balance on the tree’s horizontal branches. Then, as the buds open wide, they reveal purple-black centers in striking contrast to the pure white petals. In fall, silky camellia’s foliage turns a banana yellow.

Site: Silky camellia grows best in rich, moist soil with some protection from wind and the afternoon sun.

TLC: Prune out crossing branches when the tree is young for a symmetrical, balanced shape.

Fringe Tree Chionanthus virginicus

Fringe tree is a great plant for a courtyard or dooryard planting because, when its mop of tousled white flowers blooms in May, the air is filled with sweet perfume. “It is a phenomenal plant that is underused and lends itself to a more natural landscape,” says David Yost, plant specialist at Merrifield Garden Center in Fairfax. He adds, “I had one at my former house trained to a single trunk,” something that gave it a more formal appearance. Growing only 10 feet tall, this small native tree can be allowed to produce multiple stems for a broader, more shrub-like habit.

Site: Fringe tree thrives in rich, moist soil in sun to part shade.

TLC: Prune young tree to a single trunk for a more tree-like appearance, or allow several trunks to grow into a large shrub.

Ashe Magnolia Magnolia ashei

The ashe magnolia resembles its zaftig relative, the bigleaf magnolia, but is smaller in all parts, making it a better choice for smaller properties. Scott Faust, nursery overseer at Garden World of Virginia Inc. in Fairfax, is high on native magnolias. “We carry a good selection of them in spring,” says Faust. Though it may reach only 20 feet tall, ashe magnolia’s leaves grow to 15 inches long and its flowers open to six inches across, lending this tree an exotic, tropical appearance.

Site: Ashe magnolia thrives in full to part sun in moist, well-drained soil.

TLC: Protect the young trunk from deer damage by encasing in a plastic sleeve.

Silverbell Halesia diptera magniflora

“Silverbell is a great tree I use a lot,” says Bob Hawkins of Hawkins Signature Landscapes. “It takes the place of some common things like dogwoods.” There are a number of native silverbell species, but this one produces the largest flowers in the greatest profusion on the smallest tree. In late April, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers dangle from the branches of a tree that reaches only about 20 feet tall.

Site: Silverbell flourishes in rich, moist soil in sun to part shade.

TLC: Stake the young tree so that the trunk will grow straight.

Forest Pansy Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’

Overlapping with the bloom of the dogwoods, redbuds’ purple flowered stems are a familiar sight along the roadsides of the Washington area. “Redbuds are great trees anyway, but Forest Pansy is absolutely wonderful. I personally recommend it a lot for its colorful foliage,” says Yost. The exceptional foliage emerges a deep pansy purple and the flowers are large and prolific.

Site: Forest Pansy redbud flowers best in a place with full sun, plentiful moisture, and good drainage.

TLC: Keeping the tree well-watered throughout the summer will yield several flushes of new, red-purple foliage.