Types of Ornamental Trees
If you want to add beauty and color to your yard, ornamental treats are a great way to enhance your landscaping. It’s important to choose trees that thrive in North Texas — these are a few of our favorites that look great and can withstand our local climate.
What is an Ornamental Tree?
An ornamental tree is a tree that generally will not grow larger than 25 feet. Most ornamental trees are understory trees, meaning they grow under the canopy of larger shade trees. They prefer some type of shade. They also tend to flower and have varying leaf and bark colors.
Crepe Myrtle
You’ve probably seen these trees’ pink, red, lavender, or white blooms every spring and summer. Crepe Myrtles are a staple in North Texas landscapes in part because their blooms are so long-lasting. Crepe Myrtles’ drought tolerance and ability to thrive in full sun allow them to survive and even bloom in the summer heat. Crepe Myrtles also take well to topiary trimming. Annual trimming keeps them at a desired height or appearance. For a low maintenance ornamental tree that will add color to your yard, Crepe Myrtles are a perfect choice.
Dogwood
Another ornamental tree with beautiful blooms is the Dogwood tree. Dogwoods have white or pink flowers that bloom every spring, and they also shine the rest of the year with quaint red berries in fall and unique “onion” flower buds in winter. Dogwoods prefer partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a good focal point in shaded areas of your garden.
Japanese Maple
For an ornamental tree that’s stunning in the fall, look no further than the Japanese Maple. Japanese Maples burst into vibrant reds and oranges every fall season, and their lace-like leaves are beautiful all year round. Japanese Maples thrive in well-drained soil and prefer partial shade, though some varieties can tolerate full sun. If you want to add beautiful fall color to your home, consider adding Japanese Maples to your landscape design.
Redbud
Redbud trees offer a unique type of bloom in early spring — they flower in beautiful purple and magenta colors. Redbuds have pretty heart-shaped leaves and a lush canopy. As an ornamental tree that’s native to North Texas, they are well-adapted to the climate and very versatile, making them easy to incorporate into your yard design. Wonderful choice!
Texas Mountain Laurel
The Texas Mountain Laurel is a hardy, evergreen tree that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your garden. This tree is famous for its fragrant purple flower clusters — they almost look like clusters of grapes — that bloom in early spring. Texas Mountain Laurels are drought-tolerant and thrive in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. This is our favorite ornamental tree!
Chaste Trees (Vitex)
Chaste trees, sometimes called Vitex based on their botanical name Vitex agnus-castus, are known for their clusters of beautiful blueish-purple flowers that bloom all summer long. These trees prefer warm temperatures and can tolerate most soil types. Chaste trees can spread 20 feet or more. This makes them ideal for filling space in sparse gardens, but they will require some pruning to maintain their ideal size and avoid becoming invasive. With the ability to withstand high humidity, these trees are great for adding some blooms to brutal Texas summers.
There are so many types of ornamental trees to choose from when planning your garden in North Texas. These are just some of the trees we love — contact us today to incorporate these or other trees into a landscape design that’s customized just for you.
