20 Ornamental Trees That Will Add Some Pizzazz to Your Yard

Got a boring yard? These trees will add color and visual interest.

A beautiful, brilliant green yard with a spread of healthy grass is sure to turn heads. However, to really inspire those double takes, consider planting ornamental trees to boost your landscaping and curb appeal. Depending on your climate, you may want to choose a tree with water and sunlight needs that match your location.

Also, consider the size and design of your yard: You want your new tree to complement the existing foliage and home’s architecture—not overtake it.

Related: 8 Flowering Bushes to Boost Curb Appeal

And most importantly, make sure that your tree choice is suited to your area. "Picking the right tree for your growing zone is crucial because it ensures that the tree will thrive in your specific climate conditions, including temperature ranges and seasonal variations," says Maureen Wright, plant expert at Fast Growing Trees. "Trees suited to your growing zone are more likely to establish healthy root systems, resist pests and diseases, and withstand extreme weather."

If you’re ready to get to planting, here are some great expert-picked choices for ornamental trees.

Royal Poinciana

This fast-growing, large, deciduous tree is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the tropics. Just make sure your yard has the space for it, as it requires ample space given its large spread. “The royal poinciana grows in full sun, with moderate moisture and in well-drained soil,” advises Stephen McFarlane, regional landscape manager for Sandals Resort International.

Frangipani

Used in Hawaii to make the lei, this beautiful tree is known for its intense fragrance. The pretty, reddish blooms are borne on branch tips from June to November and are fairly drought and salt toleran, McFarlane explains. This makes the tree perfect for coastal gardens, and it can be used as a specimen tree or part of a shrub border. Frangipani trees prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Eastern Redbud

Budding ornamental trees will be a showstopper for a spring garden. Wright recommends the Eastern Redbud which offers gorgeous color in the spring—thanks to its pink or purple flowers—and in the fall, when its heart-shaped leaves durn vibrant yellow. "I like to harvest the edible flowers and put them over vanilla ice cream," Wright says.

The redbud is a favorite of pollinators, and it's a moderate size tree, growing 20 to 30 feet tall.

Golden Trumpet Tree

Growing up to 40 feet, this deciduous, small to mid-sized tree produces an incredible mass of bright yellow flowers in spring when the leaves drop. “Sporadic flowering can occur throughout the year—so be on the lookout,” McFarlane says. “The golden trumpet needs full sun and is quite drought tolerant when established.”

Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac

If you're looking to add fragrance to your garden, the Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac would be right up your alley. Creamy white flowers with a rich fragrance appear in late spring and early summer. Wright says this tree is relatively low-maintenance, and tolerates a wide range of soil types, and in zones 4 to 7.

Related: 8 Flowering Bushes to Boost Curb Appeal

Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle

If you're looking for long-lasting color, the Colorama Scarlet Crape Myrtle would be a stunning addition. "Its lush red blooms appear from mid-summer to fall, adding a pop of color to the garden when many other plants have finished flowering," Wright says. Its tolerance to heat, drought, and poor soil makes it a low-maintenance and resilient choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and ease of care.

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Hong Kong Orchid Tree

A small tree growing up to 30 feet high and wide, this is an attractive plant with stunning rose-pink flowers resembling that of an orchid (though they aren't in the same family). “This variety is sterile, meaning it doesn’t drop seed pods like other orchid trees,” advises McFarlane. “The Hong Kong orchid tree grows in full sun to light shade and in well-drained soils.”

Jane Magnolia

The Jane Magnolia features tulip-shaped blooms in the early spring, and it's a petite tree that reaches only 10 to 15 feet high. "That makes it suitable for smaller gardens or as a focal point in a mixed border," Wright says. It thrives in zones 4 through 8, and in full or partial sunlight.

Milky Way Tree

A beautiful small tree related to the frangipani, the milky way tree can be rarer to find in nurseries. However, if you luck out and find one, you will be gifted with many tubular white fragrant flowers all year round. This tree forms interesting orange, double-horned seed pods when the blooms are spent and can grow to a height of 20 feet, McFarlane explains. “Milky Way Trees prefer partial shade in the hottest climates and well-drained soil,” he adds.

Flowering Plum Tree

Flowering plum trees, such as the Krauter Vesuvius, offer gorgeous pink blossoms and purple foliage—along with plums during the summer. The plum tree is hardy from zone 4 to zone 9.

Fringe Tree

This elegant tree offers fragrant white blooms in the spring, and is hardy in zones 5 through 9. The tree can be a central part of your garden, reaching up to 20 feet in height and up to 25 feet in width.

Japanese Maple

Japanese maples are revered for their stunning foliage, showcasing a vibrant array of colors throughout the year. “These trees offer a delicate, lace-like appearance and thrive in small yards due to their compact size,” Zahid Adnan, a gardener and founder of The Plant Bible, a plant how-to website, says. “Regular pruning helps maintain their shape and enhance their aesthetic appeal. Ensure well-drained soil and consistent moisture to keep them healthy.”

Dwarf Flowering Cherry

Showcasing beautiful pink or white blossoms, the dwarf flowering cherry provides a burst of color in spring and fall. “It’s petite size makes it ideal for small yards, and periodic pruning ensures a neat and manageable growth pattern” Adnan says. “Adequate sunlight and proper watering are essential for its well-being.”

Little Gem Magnolia

If you want the beauty of a magnolia tree in a compact space, the Little Gem variety may be your best bet, Wright says. "Their lush, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space," Wright says. Their large, fragrant white flowers appear in spring and sporadically throughout the summer.

Crabapple

Crabapples are remarkable for their charming spring blooms and decorative fruit, which persist into winter. “Compact cultivars are excellent for limited spaces, adding a touch of elegance,” Adnan says. “Regular pruning and pest management are essential for optimal growth, while well-drained soil and ample sunlight support healthy development.”

Hibiscus Tree

Hibiscus trees offer bold, long-lasting tropical blooms in a rainbow of colors from midsummer through October. The hibiscus trees can be grown in containers, making it easy to bring it in during the cold winter months, or in the ground if you're in zones 9 through 11. It's a petite tree, averign just eight feet in height.

Dogwood

Renowned for their splendid spring blooms, dogwoods feature showy bracts in shades of pink or white. “They are a superb choice for small yards due to their modest height and appealing branching structure,” Adnan says. “Prune selectively to maintain shape and encourage airflow. Moist, well-drained soil is essential for their vitality.”

Wisteria Tree

Wisteria may be known as a vine, but it can also be grown in a tree form, to add its beautiful, trailing violet-blue flowers to your landscape. It's a petite tree that only reaches up to 10 feet tall, and blooms from late spring until early summer. You'll need to add pruning to your to-do list for this tree to help it maintain its shape.

Mimosa Tree

If you're looking for a summer-blooming ornamental tree for your garden, mimosa trees are worth a look. They feature bright pink blooms that last all the way from June to October.

Serviceberry

Versatile ornamental trees offering delicate white blooms in spring and colorful foliage in the fall, Serviceberry’s compact size and multi-season interest make them an excellent fit for small yards. Adnan advises that regular pruning, along with adequate water and sunlight, is crucial for healthy growth and enhanced visual impact.

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