Smoky Mountain Flowering Trees

Low Elevation

• Flowering trees that commonly grow at elevations from 850 to 2,500 feet include the mimosa (Albizia julibrissin). This deciduous tree blooms in summer with aromatic pink flowers that resemble pom-poms made from fine threads. Mimosa trees grow to 35 feet tall and attract hummingbirds with their deep-pink blossoms. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 to 9. The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) also grows at lower elevations. It blooms with panicles of white, purple and orange flowers and grows to 70 feet tall. Northern catalpas are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Middle Elevation

• At mid-range elevations from 2,500 to 4,500 feet, flowering trees include the yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea), a 45-foot-tall deciduous tree that blooms with aromatic, white, hanging panicles in summer. This native tree is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 and has brilliant yellow fall foliage. American lindens (Tilia americana) also grow at middle elevations. These 100-foot-tall natives bloom with fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies. American lindens are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8. Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) also grow at these elevations; commonly used as landscape trees, flowering dogwoods grow to 30 feet tall and produce white flower-like bracts in spring. They're hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.

High Elevation

• At elevations of 4,500 to 6,600 feet, flowering trees include the mountain maple (Acer spicatum). This native tree grows to 30 feet tall and blooms in early summer with spikes of tiny, yellow-green flowers. Mountain maples are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7. The fire or pin cherry (Prunus pennsylvanica) blooms in spring with panicles of white flowers, followed by edible fruits. This deciduous tree grows to 40 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7. The mountain ash (Sorbus americana) also grows at higher elevations. This native tree grows to 30 feet tall and blooms with clusters of white flowers. It's hardy in USDA zones 2 to 6.

Wide-Ranging

• The yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) grows across much of the Great Smoky Mountains region. This native tree produces 6-inch-long panicles of yellow spring flowers. It grows to 70 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. Wild or black cherries (Prunus serotina) also bloom in spring. These 80-foot-tall deciduous trees produce sweet-smelling white flowers, followed by red-black fruits. Wild cherries are hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8. The red or hairy chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) grows only to 10 feet tall. Its white and pink spring blossoms are followed by red berries that attract wildlife. Red chokeberries are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.