What Trees Flower in May?

May is already slipping into early summer. Before it leaves, see our list of trees that have been responsible for all the color and bloom this month.


Dogwoods dominate May. They belong to the familiar and diverse Cornus genus, whose early-to-late-spring blooms range from the bright yellow Cornelian cherries to the flamboyantly hot pinks to the understated and elegant cream and pale green of flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) and Kousa dogwoods (Cornus kousa). About 45 species strong, there is probably a dogwood for every palate and situation. The two last, well-known dogwoods have many cultivars, most of which are happy in USDA Zones 5-8, preferring neutral to acidic soil, and tolerating semi-shade very well.


The golden chain tree is often confused with the golden-rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), which blooms in June. Laburnum is the chain tree and its deliciously scented pea-like flowers resemble long yellow chains, or the blooms of a slender wisteria. Famously trained into arbors, the flowers drip luxuriously over people walking beneath, but you only need one to enjoy its scent and unmistakable blooms. Laburnum x wateri likes some protection from hot afternoon sun in warm climates, and is hardy from USDA Zones 6-8. This is also a good tree for a small garden.


Viburnums are shrubs, but Sargent cranberry bush (Viburnum sargentii) grows tall enough and wide enough to be treated as a particularly pretty tree. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade, and its flat-topped flower clusters turn into tart, edible red berries in the fall. This is a very hardy plant, from USDA Zones 3 - 7.


Asimina triloba (pawpaw) is an Eastern North American tree more familiar to the South, but hardy enough to grow in colder climates, where it is considered endangered or threatened in the wild. Its curious flowers are burgundy-brown and they stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw their upside-down cups in a Manhattan garden. These flowers produce the largest edible fruit of any North American plant. It is hardy from USDA Zones 6 - 9.


And since we are on the subject of unusual fruit, how about the medlar, Mespilus germanica? I saw my first medlar tree at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and was riveted by its beautiful white flower surrounded by long glossy leaves. An Iranian reader of my blog identified it as the medlar. The tree is native to Persia, and the hard fruits are edible -- with an applesauce flavor -- only after being bletted (softened) by frost. They persist on the tree long after leaves have dropped, like the persimmon. Medlars prefer full sun in a protected spot and are hardy down to USDA Zone 6.

To catch up on our series highlighting trees that bloom from snow to frost, read about the flowers of February, March and April.

And check out this video all about dogwoods!