How to Purchase Flowering Trees

There are an abundance of flowering trees available at nurseries and home centers today, with flowers of nearly every color imaginable. Choosing and purchasing a flowering tree for your garden or landscape design depends on the space available and the desired look.

• Determine the USDA plant grow zone in the area in which the trees will be planted to ensure that the tree will thrive.


• Decide where the trees will be planted in the yard or garden. Consider the amount of sunlight that the area receives each day. Also think about the amount of shade that the trees will provide once it is planted.


• Choose between planting the trees in a large planter or in the ground.


• Decide how quickly the flowering trees should grow; do you want trees that will reach a tall height quickly, or would slow growing or even dwarf trees be more appropriate for the landscape?


• Consider the types of flowers the trees will produce. What fragrance is the flowers?


• Determine if the flowers will drop in their entirety, or if petals will fall from the trees, and which is more desirable for the garden.


• Think about whether you want to plant flowering trees that can produce fruits, such as cherry trees, apple trees or pear trees, all of which produce pretty blooms as well as fruits that can be consumed.


• Learn how much maintenance the tree requires, such as whether it needs to be sprayed for common pests.


• Select trees that appear healthy with green leaves and bark that appears to be unmarked or undamaged.