The Best Flowering Trees to Add to Your Indiana Lawn

Here in Indiana, both the winters and summers can be harsh. You need flowering trees that are as tough as Hoosiers so they can stay healthy and make your lawn look great for years to come. So what flowering trees fit the job description and would be a good option for your lawn?

1. The tulip poplar: A great place to start is with our state tree. The tulip poplar is a hardwood tree that grows quickly and has beautiful yellow flowers that bloom for much of spring and summer. While these are very attractive trees, be aware that they grow to over 70 feet, one of the largest trees in the eastern U.S. So, if you do not wish to host a tree of that size, there are other options below. 
2. Redbud: A fan favorite, the redbud produces bright pink and red flowers in the summer. They actually flower somewhat earlier than the other flowering trees, so you may see color in the late spring as well. They do not grow nearly as tall as the tulip poplar, but they are still a solid 20-feet tall once they achieve maturity. Honeybees, squirrels and birds are all attracted to the trees, each for their own reasons, so if you place redbuds strategically, you can enjoy watching wildlife. 
3. Flowering dogwood: The flowering dogwood is a similar height to the redbud, but they grow very wide, so be prepared for the tree to occupy a large area. Also like the redbud, they bloom in May, but the flowers are a very different hue. Flowers for the dogwood have a yellow center with large white petals surrounding it on four sides. The tree produces red berries that are enjoyed by a large variety of wildlife.
4. Sweetbay Magnolia: Magnolias are often associated with the South, but sweetbay magnolias can thrive in Indiana’s cooler temperatures too. They do not grow as tall here, only 30-feet tall rather than 50 feet, but their creamy white flowers still bloom and their slick green leaves do not turn and fall with other leaves. The sweet fragrance of these trees, some say similar to lemons, also makes them attractive. 
5. Crab apple tree: It may not immediately bring to mind “beauty” when you hear the word crab apple, but these trees actually grow gorgeous white flowers that can be enjoyed all summer. Like the others (other than tulip poplars), crab apple trees are relatively small. They also are low-maintenance and stand up to diseases well. The fruit can be a little messy when they fall, but this issue is only present for a brief time. 

Consult a local tree expert for more details and next steps

Each of the trees listed above can grow in the Bloomington, Indiana, area, but finding the right tree for your property is more complicated than that. Some of these trees do better in shade, others in sun; some do better in moist soil, others in dry soil; some resist diseases well, others will need a little more protection. For this kind of information, or to hire professional, local tree experts who can help you choose the right flowering trees for your yard, call Anthony’s at (812) 345-5694.

Want more info on trees and how to identify them? Check out our comprehensive tree identification guide.