If you are looking to add a splash of regal color to your yard, you might be searching for purple trees Virginia. Several tree species contribute stunning purple blooms or foliage to Virginia’s spring and summer landscapes.
From the iconic Eastern Redbud to the fragrant Lilac, these trees offer more than just beauty. They provide shade, support local wildlife, and enhance property values. This guide will help you identify, choose, and care for the best purple-flowering and purple-leaved trees that thrive in Virginia’s climate.
Purple Trees Virginia
Virginia’s diverse climate, spanning USDA hardiness zones 5a through 8a, is perfect for many purple trees. Whether you’re in the cooler mountains or the warmer coastal plains, there’s a purple tree for your location. The key is selecting a species suited to your specific zone and soil conditions.
These trees generally fall into two categories: those with purple flowers and those with purple foliage. Some even offer both. Planting them correctly ensures they establish strong roots and provide years of vibrant color.
Top Purple Flowering Trees For Virginia Gardens
These trees are celebrated for their spectacular floral displays. Their blooms can range from soft lavender to deep violet, often appearing before the leaves in spring.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)
The Eastern Redbud is a native Virginia superstar. In early spring, its bare branches explode with clusters of tiny, pea-like purple-pink flowers. It’s a small to medium-sized tree, ideal for understory planting or as a focal point.
- Key Features: Heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall, flat seed pods that persist in winter.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun. Adapts to various soils but needs good drainage.
- Best Virginia Varieties: Look for ‘Forest Pansy’ for striking purple foliage that follows its pink flowers.
Jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia)
While not cold-hardy for much of Virginia, the Jacaranda can sometimes be grown in protected microclimates in zone 8a, like extreme southeastern Virginia. It is famous for its breathtaking, long-lasting canopy of lavender-blue flowers in late spring.
- Key Features: Fern-like, compound leaves and a broad, spreading canopy.
- Growing Conditions: Requires full sun and excellent drainage. It is not tolerant of frost, so planting in a sheltered urban spot or large container is best for most Virginians.
Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus Cerasifera)
This tree is a double threat, offering both purple foliage and pale pink to white flowers in early spring. The leaves maintain their deep purple color throughout the growing season, providing constant color.
- Key Features: Ornamental, small tree with a rounded habit. Produces small, inconspicuous fruit.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun. The purple color is most vibrant with ample sunlight. Tolerant of many soil types.
- Popular Cultivar: ‘Thundercloud’ is widely available and known for its consistent color.
Lilac Tree (Syringa Vulgaris)
While often grown as a shrub, lilacs can be pruned into a beautiful small tree form. Their fragrant, conical clusters of purple flowers are a hallmark of late spring. The scent is unmistakable and attracts butterflies.
- Key Features: Intense fragrance, heart-shaped leaves. Many cultivars offer different shades of purple.
- Growing Conditions: Must have full sun and alkaline, well-drained soil. Good air circulation helps prevent powdery mildew, a common issue in Virginia’s humidity.
- Recommended Purple Varieties: ‘Sensation’ (purple with white edges), ‘President Lincoln’ (lavender-blue).
Best Trees With Purple Foliage For Virginia
For season-long color that doesn’t fade after a brief bloom, consider trees with purple leaves. These provide a dramatic backdrop in any landscape.
Purple Beech (Fagus Sylvatica ‘Purpurea’)
The Purple Beech is a large, stately tree with smooth gray bark and deep purple, almost black, leaves. It’s a slow-growing specimen that makes a powerful statement in large landscapes.
- Key Features: Leaves turn a coppery color in fall. Holds its leaves very late into winter (a trait called marcescence).
- Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. Needs ample space to reach its mature size.
Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)
Many Japanese Maple cultivars feature exquisite purple or red foliage. They are perfect for smaller gardens, patios, or Asian-inspired landscapes. Their delicate, lacy leaves provide texture and color.
- Key Features: Graceful, layered form with stunning fall color. Available in dissected (lace-leaf) or palmate varieties.
- Growing Conditions: Prefers dappled afternoon shade, especially in hot Virginia summers. Needs protection from harsh winds and consistently moist, acidic soil.
- Purple Cultivars: ‘Bloodgood’ (reliable deep red-purple), ‘Emperor I’ (holds purple color well in sun).
Smoke Tree (Cotinus Coggygria)
The Smoke Tree is renowned for its unique, smoky-pink flower plumes in summer and its rich purple foliage. It can be grown as a large shrub or small, multi-trunked tree.
- Key Features: The wispy flower clusters look like puffs of smoke. Fall color can be brilliant shades of orange and red.
- Growing Conditions: Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Requires full sun for the best leaf color and flower production. Adapts to poor, rocky soils.
- Top Purple Choice: ‘Royal Purple’ has deep wine-colored leaves and contrasting pink smoke plumes.
How To Plant And Care For Purple Trees In Virginia
Proper planting and maintenance are crucial for your tree’s health and color vibrancy. Following these steps will give your tree the best start.
Choosing The Right Location
Sunlight is the most critical factor for purple trees. For the deepest flower and foliage color, most require full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Consider the tree’s mature size to avoid future conflicts with power lines or buildings.
Step-By-Step Planting Guide
- Test Your Soil: Many purple trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH. A simple soil test from your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office can guide you.
- Dig The Hole: Make it two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper. The top of the root flare should be slightly above ground level.
- Amend The Soil: Mix the native soil with a small amount of compost to improve drainage and nutrients. Avoid over-amending, which can discourage roots from expanding.
- Position The Tree: Place the tree in the hole, ensuring it’s straight. Backfill with the soil mixture, gently tamping to remove air pockets.
- Water And Mulch: Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch (like pine bark) around the base, keeping it away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Ongoing Maintenance And Pruning
Consistent watering during the first two years is essential for establishment. After that, most trees are moderately drought-tolerant. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release formula.
Prune for shape and health during the dormant season (late fall to winter). For spring bloomers like Redbud and Lilac, prune immediately after flowering to avoid cutting off next year’s buds. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
Common Pests And Diseases In Virginia
Being proactive about plant health can prevent most major issues. Virginia’s humidity can promote certain fungal diseases.
- Powdery Mildew: A white, powdery fungus that affects Lilacs and some maples. Ensure good air circulation and consider resistant varieties.
- Cankers and Dieback: Stress from drought or injury can make Redbuds susceptible. Keep trees well-watered and avoid wounding the bark.
- Japanese Beetles: These pests skeletonize the leaves of many trees, including Purple Leaf Plum. Hand-pick them in the early morning or use appropriate traps placed away from your trees.
- Aphids: Small sap-sucking insects that can distort new growth. A strong spray of water from a hose often dislodges them effectively.
Design Ideas For Incorporating Purple Trees
Purple trees are versatile in landscape design. Use them to create focal points, add depth, or complement other plants.
As A Focal Point
A single, specimen Purple Beech or ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud planted in the center of a lawn draws the eye and creates a majestic anchor for your garden.
In Mixed Borders
Pair purple trees with plants that highlight their color. Silver foliage plants like Russian Sage or yellow-flowered perennials like Coreopsis create stunning contrasts. The combinations are nearly endless.
For Seasonal Interest
Plan for succession of color. Plant an early-blooming Redbud near a later-blooming Smoke Tree. Underplant with spring bulbs and summer perennials for a garden that changes beautifully throughout the year.
Where To Buy Purple Trees In Virginia
Supporting local nurseries ensures you get trees acclimated to the region. They can also offer specific advice for your area.
- Local Nurseries and Garden Centers: Visit establishments like Meadows Farms Nurseries or local, family-owned operations. Their stock is often well-suited to the immediate climate.
- Native Plant Sales: Look for sales hosted by the Virginia Native Plant Society or botanical gardens like Lewis Ginter. This is a great way to find native species like the Eastern Redbud.
- Arboretums and Public Gardens: Visit places like the Norfolk Botanical Garden or the State Arboretum of Virginia to see mature examples of purple trees before you buy. This helps you visualize their size and form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fastest growing purple trees for Virginia?
The Eastern Redbud and the Purple Leaf Plum are considered relatively fast-growing for small trees. They can establish quickly and provide a noticeable impact within a few growing seasons.
When is the best time to plant purple trees in Virginia?
The ideal times are early fall (after summer heat breaks) or early spring (before bud break). Fall planting allows roots to establish in cool, moist soil without the pressure of supporting top growth, giving them a head start for spring.
Why is my purple leaf tree turning green?
This is often due to insufficient sunlight. Most purple-leaf cultivars need full sun to produce the anthocyanin pigments responsible for their color. If planted in too much shade, they will revert to greener foliage. Nutrient deficiencies can also sometimes play a role.
Are purple flowering trees good for pollinators?
Yes, many are excellent. The Eastern Redbud is a vital early-spring nectar source for bees. Lilac flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Choosing a purple tree often means supporting your local ecosystem.
Can I grow a Jacaranda tree in Northern Virginia?
It is very unlikely to succeed. Jacarandas are tropical trees hardy only to zone 9 or 10. Northern Virginia’s winters (zones 6b-7a) are far too cold, and the tree would not survive. It’s better to choose a cold-hardy alternative like a ‘Royal Purple’ Smoke Tree for a similar color effect.