9 best flowering trees that thrive in colder climates

Kati Nuuttila: “Kobus magnolia ‘Vanha Rouva’ rewards the gardener with enormous flowers”

Kinnala Nursery, Pälkäne, Finland

1. Henry’s lilac

Large, lilac-pink flowers gracefully droop on the Henry’s lilac variety ‘Julia’. This variety is exceptionally hardy, thriving even in northern Finland. You can maintain its crown by pruning old branches. Remove any excess shoots growing from the trunk.

‘Julia’ is a FinE (Finnish Elite) variety, so its hardiness has been tested in Finnish conditions. The strain originates from Närpiö in South Ostrobothnia. Syringa × henryi ‘Julia’ thrives best in nutrient-rich soil. It’s great as a stand-alone tree or planted in groups with other flowering trees and shrubs. At our nursery, we have planted a group of lilacs that bloom at slightly different times, and they complement each other beautifully. Lilacs come in various shapes and colors that you can combine in countless ways.

2. Hawthorn ‘Paul’s Scarlet’

The hawthorn ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a truly romantic small tree. It blooms with magenta double flowers, and the leaves have frilly edges. Pruning is straightforward: remove old branches, rootstock suckers, and root sprouts. The bloom lasts two to four weeks. The beautifully ornamental leaves ensure the tree remains stunning even after flowering.

Crataegus × media ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ requires a sheltered, sunny spot. You can use it as a stand-alone tree, in shrub plantings, or even as a focal point in perennial beds. You could plant geraniums, such as Geranium sanguineum and Geranium × cantabrigiense, underneath the tree, as they echo similar hues in their flowers and foliage. Alumroots (Heuchera), with their stunning leaves, also look lovely under the tree.

3. Kobus magnolia

The kobus magnolia ‘Vanha Rouva’ has thrived for decades in the garden of Mustila Manor, enduring all kinds of winters. People ask for it a lot, and it truly is charming! Under favorable conditions, the flowers can emerge as early as mid-May. Kobus magnolias are upright, slow-growing small trees.

This variety is one of the hardiest magnolias in Finland. ‘Vanha Rouva’ rewards the patient gardener with pure white, enormous, fragrant flowers that bloom before the leaves unfold. Magnolia kobus requires a sunny, warm, wind-sheltered spot with nutrient-rich soil. It pairs well with protective companions, such as large conifers or rhododendrons.

Jonna Karlsson: “The blossoms of the golden chain tree are a favorite of all bees and buzzing bugs”

Mustila Garden, Elimäki, Finland

1. Loebner magnolia

The Loebner magnolia ‘Leonard Messel’ is one of the hardiest pink magnolias. This old cross between the star and kobus magnolias prefers acidic, porous, and fresh soil. Its shallow root system benefits from mulch or ground-covering plants for protection.

Magnolias are the beauties of the garden! The deep pink buds of this variety open into fragrant, 10 cm flowers. When in bloom, it’s awash in shades of pink. The variety is perfect for a warm and sheltered spot in your garden. Magnolia × loebneri is trickier than kobus and star magnolias, but be brave and try it even in zones II–III. Ideally, plant it where large trees can give it protection. The buds of frost-sensitive magnolias like this one tend to open quickly during warm spring days.

2. Golden chain tree

The golden chain tree lives up to its name. Laburnum alpinum looks absolutely magnificent when covered in golden-yellow flower clusters. This long-lived tree only becomes more beautiful with age. The flowering period lasts two to three weeks, and the blossoms are loved by all pollinators. The leaves remain healthily green throughout the growing season and turn yellow in autumn. Since it belongs to the pea family, it can fix nitrogen through its root bacteria. This means the tree can get some of its nutrients by making them itself.

This lime-loving tree needs a sunny and warm location but isn’t fussy about soil type. However, water should never stand around its roots. You could plant perennials with white or blue flowers under the tree. Do remember that the entire tree is poisonous.

3. Sargent’s cherry

The pink flowers of the sargent’s cherry bring a touch of Japanese flair to your garden. It naturally develops a beautiful shape and will bring joy for years to come. It doesn’t become scraggly and stays neat and evenly rounded. Another lovely feature is its leaves, which emerge a glowing coppery-brown. Its autumn leaves are also a stunning red, and the reddish-brown trunk shines in winter.

Prunus sargentii grows into a fairly large tree that, when mature, is as wide as it is tall, so provide it with ample space. The planting site should ideally be moist. The sargent’s cherry tolerates even soil mixed with clay. However, it does benefit from lime. The crown may suffer in harsh winters, but the tree usually recovers well.

Matti Kulju: “If you need shelter for an open garden, the Amur chokecherry is an excellent choice”

Oulujoki Nursery, Muhos, Finland

1. Weeping crabapple

The weeping crabapple can be grafted onto trunks of various heights. It’s also sold grafted at the base, allowing you to decide how tall the tree will become. Of course, it requires a bit more work than a sapling that has already been grown tall. Malus 'Hyvingiensis' needs support and pruning when young.

In the north, there aren’t many hardy weeping trees available. Prune downward-growing branches and remove new shoots from the trunk. Especially for a young tree, it’s important to prune sufficiently to encourage a lush crown. Even though the apples are small and tart, you can make jam from them. The long-lived weeping crabapple doesn’t require much space and can also serve as a pollinator for the orchard apple. Rabbits can be a problem during snowy winters, so ensure the tree is adequately protected.

2. Purple crabapple

The purple crabapple ‘Royalty’ has done well in the Oulu region (Northern Finland). In my own garden, it has grown to five meters in 10 years without any winter damage. The Malus x Purpurea Group ‘Royalty’ doesn’t require much care, but you can prune it if needed. The branches grow quite wide and don’t branch much, so trimming to encourage bushiness can enhance its appearance.

I’d plant this tree in a prominent spot, as it boasts gorgeous carmine-red flowers and purplish-red leaves. I planted it against white buildings at my home to add color all summer long. Low-growing perennials, like the western bleeding heart, fit well under its low branches. The soil needs to be well-draining and the site preferably sheltered.

3. Amur chokecherry

If you need shelter for an open garden, such as a field plot, the Amur chokecherry is an excellent choice for a flowering tree. The tree requires moisture—a fresh planting site—and will struggle in dry locations. Prunus maackii provides quick wind protection and is beautiful year-round with its coppery-brown bark. This fast-growing tree doesn’t require special care or pruning and isn’t prone to pests.

Being a broad-growing tree, the Amur chokecherry needs plenty of space. Avoid planting it too close to the house, driveway, or in confined areas. Suitable companions include smaller shrubs about 1–1.5 meters tall, such as roses. Native species, like the Tornio valley rose (Rosa majalis ‘Tornedal’), thrive under the tree’s canopy.