7 Stunning Purple Trees In California (Photos & Care Tips)
California’s diverse landscapes are known not only for their iconic palm trees and sun-kissed beaches but also for a captivating secret: a plethora of stunning purple trees.
From the fragrant Jacaranda trees adorning streets with their lavender blossoms to the regal Purple Leaf Plum, we’ll unveil these arboreal wonders while providing essential care tips to help you cultivate their beauty in your garden.
In this article, we’ll take you on a visual journey through the 7 stunning purple trees in California showcasing their blooms and detailed descriptions.
So, let’s get started.
1. Jacaranda
- Scientific Name: Jacaranda mimosifolia
- Common Name(s): Jacaranda, Blue Jacaranda
- Mature Height: 25-50 feet (7.6-15 meters)
- Native Region: South America
- Flowers: Purple, trumpet-shaped flowers
- Fruit: Flat, brown seed pods
- Uses: Ornamental tree, shade tree, landscaping, street planting
Because of its brilliant purple flowers and elegant leaves, the Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia), commonly known as the Blue Jacaranda, is a favorite option for California landscapes. This tree has a spreading, umbrella-shaped crown and can reach a mature height of 25 to 50 feet (7.6 to 15 meters).
The Jacaranda tree’s leaves are complex and fern-like, giving it a delicate appearance. When the tree is young, the bark is smooth and grayish-brown, but it develops jagged fissures as it ages. This tree is notable for its profusion of purple, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer. These flowers grow in enormous clusters, making for a spectacular visual display.
The Jacaranda tree, which originated in South America, thrives in Mediterranean and subtropical temperatures. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for the California environment. It enjoys full sun and well-drained soil, but it can tolerate a wide range of soil types. To build a strong root system, the tree needs constant hydration during its early growth stages.
Aside from its aesthetic value, the Jacaranda tree performs several functions in landscaping. Its wide-spreading canopy provides ample shade, making it a popular choice for parks and gardens. The tree’s graceful shape and eye-catching blossoms make it an ideal specimen tree or focal point in any landscape design. Its wood is rarely utilized commercially, but the fallen blooms can be enjoyed as a natural carpet or used decoratively.
2. Eastern Redbud
- Scientific Name: Cercis canadensis
- Common Name(s): Eastern Redbud
- Mature Height: 20-30 feet (6-9 meters)
- Native Region: Eastern United States
- Flowers: Pink to magenta flowers in clusters in early spring
- Fruit: Flat, brown, non-edible pods
- Uses: Ornamental tree, attracts pollinators, provides shade
The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a tiny deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. At maturity, it grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters). The Eastern Redbud is well-known for its beautiful pink to magenta flowers that bloom in clusters in early spring and offer a dash of color to the landscape. The Eastern Redbud, unlike many other purple trees, does not yield edible fruits; instead, it produces flat, brown, non-edible pods.
When it comes to identifying the Eastern Redbud, look for heart-shaped leaves that emerge reddish-purple in the spring and mature to a bluer green. The tree’s bark is also smooth and gray-brown, becoming scaly with age. These characteristics, together with the Eastern Redbud’s vivid blossoms, make it a popular option for California settings.
The Eastern Redbud may grow in a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It enjoys full sun to light shade and requires moderate water. It is often planted in gardens, along sidewalks, and in parks in California because of its aesthetic appeal. The tree is known to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent addition to any garden aimed at supporting local wildlife.
The Eastern Redbud, in addition to its decorative value, provides shade, making it perfect for outdoor lounging areas or creating a cool spot in sunny landscapes. Its tiny stature makes it ideal for urban gardens or small yards where larger trees would be inconvenient.
3. Royal Empress
- Scientific Name: Paulownia tomentosa
- Common Name(s): Royal Empress, Princess Tree, Empress Tree
- Mature Height: 30-60 feet (9-18 meters)
- Native Region: China
- Flowers: Lavender to purple flowers, shaped like trumpet blooms, arranged in large clusters
- Fruit: No significant fruit production
- Uses: Fast-growing shade tree, timber tree, erosion control, ornamental tree
The Royal Empress, also known as Paulownia tomentosa, is a deciduous tree native to China that has spread to many other parts of the world, including California. It is a fast-growing tree with a large canopy that gives plenty of shade, reaching a mature height of 30-60 feet (9-18 meters). The leaves of the tree are enormous and heart-shaped, with a soft, almost fuzzy texture.
The Royal Empress features a stunning display of lavender to purple blooms that bloom in the spring, generally around April. These trumpet-shaped flowers are grouped in huge clusters and give a vivid blast of color to any scene. The tree, however, does not bear any significant fruits.
The Royal Empress is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and can withstand drought and poor soil conditions. It prefers full sun but may readily tolerate moderate shade. It flourishes in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 in California. Because of its rapid growth rate and vast root system, which helps stabilize hillsides and prevent soil erosion, the tree is frequently employed for erosion control.
The Royal Empress is valued as an attractive tree due to its lovely blossoms and rapid growth, in addition to its useful applications. It can be planted as a specimen tree or as part of a natural barrier or windbreak. The wood of the tree is light and durable, making it ideal for building furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments. However, because the tree is considered invasive in some areas, its planting and propagation should be properly controlled to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably.
4. Mountain Laurel
- Scientific Name: Calophyllum inophyllum
- Common Name(s): Mountain Laurel
- Mature Height: 20-40 feet (6-12 meters)
- Native Region: Native to California and other parts of North America
- Flowers: Pink or white flowers in clusters
- Fruit: Small, round, pink or red berries
- Uses: Ornamental tree in landscapes, used in traditional medicine for various ailments, provides shade and attracts pollinators
Mountain Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum), often known as California Laurel, is a lovely tree found in California and other regions of North America. It is well-known for its eye-catching pink or white flowers that grow in bunches and provide color and beauty to landscapes. The tree’s mature height ranges from 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters), making it a medium-sized tree suited for a variety of garden settings.
The Mountain Laurel has leathery-textured large, glossy green leaves. The tree’s bark is smooth and has a reddish-brown tint, which adds visual interest to its appearance. The tree produces small, round berries that are pink or crimson in hue, adding to the tree’s charm.
Because of its lovely flowers and leaves, the Mountain Laurel is frequently utilized as an ornamental tree in California settings. It provides shade and can be grown as a stand-alone tree or as a privacy screen. The blossoms of the tree also attract bees and other pollinators, making it useful in pollinator gardens.
Mountain Laurel has long been utilized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic benefits, in addition to its decorative value. The bark, leaves, and seeds of the tree are used to cure a variety of illnesses, including skin disorders, inflammation, and even pain relief. It is crucial to emphasize, however, that these applications should be carried out under the supervision of a skilled healthcare practitioner.
The Mountain Laurel prefers well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shady site for growth. It may grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy and clay soils. Once established, the tree is low-maintenance and requires very little pruning.
5. Purple Leaf Plum
- Scientific Name: Prunus cistena
- Common Name(s): Purple Leaf Plum
- Mature Height: 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 meters)
- Native Region: North America
- Flowers: Pink flowers in early spring
- Fruit: Small purple-black edible plums
- Uses: Ornamental tree, provides shade, attracts birds
The Purple Leaf Plum, Prunus cistena, is a tiny deciduous tree that is abundant in California settings. It grows to a mature height of 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.5 meters), making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or residential areas. This tree is native to North America and is famous for its beautiful purple foliage.
The Purple Leaf Plum is distinguished by its gorgeous deep purple leaves, which are its most distinctive feature. When planted with other green plants, these leaves make a dramatic contrast. The tree produces little clusters of pink blooms in early spring, bringing a splash of color to the landscape. These blooms not only look nice, but they also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Later in the season, the Purple Leaf Plum yields tasty little purple-black plums. Although plums are not widely consumed due to their acidic flavor, they can be used to make jams and jellies. Furthermore, the fruit attracts wildlife such as birds, making it a popular choice for establishing a wildlife-friendly landscape.
In terms of growth requirements, the Purple Leaf Plum enjoys well-drained soil and full sun but may take slight shade. Once grown, it is also highly drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for California’s Mediterranean environment. This tree is extremely adaptive and may thrive in a variety of soil conditions.
The Purple Leaf Plum is often used in landscaping as a decorative tree. Its lovely flowers and dramatic leaves make it a popular choice for bringing color and visual appeal to gardens, parks, and street plantings. Its tiny size makes it ideal for smaller places or as a focal point in the garden. Furthermore, the Purple Leaf Plum provides adequate shade, making it perfect for establishing covered dining areas or shielding other plants from direct sunshine.
6. Western Redbud
- Scientific Name: Cercis occidentalis
- Common Name(s): Western Redbud
- Mature Height: 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters)
- Native Region: Southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona)
- Flowers: Pink to purple flowers in clusters, blooming in early spring.
- Fruit: Flat, reddish-brown pods that develop in summer.
- Uses: Ornamental tree, attracts pollinators, provides food and shelter for wildlife, erosion control.
The Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is a tiny deciduous tree native to the southwestern United States, mainly California. Its brilliant pink to purple blooms that bloom in bunches in early spring make it a favorite option for California settings. The flowers create a beautiful display and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
This tree has a fairly rounded shape with spreading branches and grows to a mature height of 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters). The Western Redbud’s heart-shaped leaves range in color from dark green to blue-green, and the bark is grayish-brown with a unique ridged texture as it ages.
The Western Redbud thrives in California’s Mediterranean climate. It prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once grown and can withstand periodic dry spells. This tree is also well-known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which makes it useful for enhancing soil fertility.
Aside from its aesthetic value, the Western Redbud performs several critical ecological services. It feeds and shelters a variety of species, including birds and small mammals. Furthermore, its root system aids in erosion control, making it an excellent choice for stabilizing slopes and minimizing soil runoff.
The Western Redbud can be used as a focal point in landscaped settings or planted in groupings for a more dramatic appearance. Because of its tiny size, it is ideal for smaller yards or gardens. When planting, make sure to leave adequate room for the tree’s limbs to expand and for proper airflow.
7. Smoke Tree
- Scientific Name: Cotinus coggygria
- Common Name(s): Smoke Tree, Smokebush
- Mature Height: 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
- Native Region: Southern Europe, Central, and Western Asia
- Flowers: Pinkish purple, feathery plumes
- Fruit: Small, dry capsules
- Uses: Ornamental tree, drought-tolerant plant, landscaping, dried flower arrangements
The Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree endemic to Southern Europe, Central, and Western Asia. The Smoke Tree gets its name from the unusual appearance of its flower clusters, which resemble puffs of smoke or cloud-like plumes. The tree grows to a mature height of 10 to 15 feet, making it ideal for smaller landscapes or as a specimen plant.
The Smoke Tree is distinguished by its unusual leaves, which are oval-shaped with a wavy edge and turn a reddish-purple color in the fall. The tree’s bark is grayish-brown and slightly rough.
The Smoke Tree produces small, pinkish flowers in the summer that are gathered into enormous, feathery plumes, providing a smoke-like look. These flowers are followed by the formation of little, dry capsules containing the fruit of the tree.
The Smoke Tree is noted for its capacity to survive drought conditions, making it excellent for dry landscapes or locations with limited water availability. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is a tough tree that can grow in a variety of soil types, including sand, clay, and loam.
The Smoke Tree is popular in California landscaping due to its decorative value and distinct appearance. Its reddish-purple foliage adds visual flair, especially in the fall. During the summer, its delicate pink flowers and fluffy plumes produce a lovely spectacle. Because of the long-lasting quality of its flower clusters, the Smoke Tree is frequently used in dried flower arrangements.
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Common Purple Trees In California – Sources
The Regional Gardening team makes sure that the information in our articles is accurate by only using sources that are known to be trustworthy. Some of these sources are peer-reviewed journals from government agencies, well-known universities, and scientific research organizations.
- California Forests, University Of California
- California Native Plant Society
- Native Plants, California Department Of Fish & Wildlife
- California Natural Diversity Database
