For most of us, choosing a tree for the front or backyard is one of our biggest landscape investments, which is why selecting the right one is so important. Always start with ultimate size; how tall and wide do you want the tree to be at maturity? Far too often, people purchase trees on impulse for their beautiful foliage or flowers, without considering how large they ultimately grow. Then you should consider how close to buildings you are going to be planting, because some species like Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Birches or large Willows have aggressive root systems which can impact foundation drains or sidewalks negatively. After that it is simply a matter of personal taste, do you want beautiful flowers or stunning foliage? So, to help you with this big decision, we are going to review my top five foliage and flowering trees.

Eastern Redbud / Foliage (Cercis canadensis)

We start with a strong contender as Eastern Redbud has beautiful magenta-pink edible flowers (great fresh in salads) as well as many foliar options. The most popular is ‘Forest Pansy’ with its glossy burgundy-red new growth or for a smaller weeping tree try ‘Ruby Falls’ which grows 6-8’ tall. We also have the rare ‘Flame Thrower’ (gold leaves with red and orange highlights) and ‘Carolina Sweetheart’ (variegated white margins with prominent pink highlights) in stock this spring. Average height 20-25’. Hardy to USDA zone 5.  

Forest Pansy | 📸 MK Lascelle

Magnolia / Flowers (Magnolia spp.)

So many Magnolias, so little room is a common lament I hear from admirers and while the flowering season might be a little too fleeting for some, it is still a spectacular display. From the fragrant pale-yellow blossoms of ‘Elizabeth’ to the two-tone tulip blooms of ‘Alexandrina’ and ‘San Jose’ or even the rich burgundy-red blossoms of ‘Black Tulip’ there is a hue for everyone. For those of you looking to do a little showing-off, try ‘Felix’ with its massive hot pink flowers or for smaller yards, a pristine white or pale pink Star Magnolia (M. stellata) will fit right in. The lovely Southern Magnolia (M. grandiflora) is one of the few evergreen tree options with highly scented white summer blooms. Average height 10-35’ depending on cultivar. Hardy to USDA zone 5-7.

Elizabeth | 📸 MK Lascelle

Maidenhair Tree / Foliage (Ginkgo biloba)

A leftover from the age of dinosaurs, this living fossil is represented by a solitary species with unique fishtail-shaped leaves which shift to an enticing golden-yellow every autumn. Despite its singular genetics that are hundreds of cultivars to choose from including columnar forms (‘Princeton Sentry’), shorter varieties (Robbie’s Twist 6-8’ tall), bonsai-like dwarf cultivars (‘Witches Broom’, ‘Troll’) and standard upright trees, all of which are very disease resistant. The species grows up to 50’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 4. 

📸 MK Lascelle

Flowering Cherry / Flowers (Prunus serrulata)

The centres of attention for many blossom festivals and also a relatively common street tree. Most have an upright vase form, and your choice of color includes ‘Kwanzan’ (double pink), ‘Mt. Fuji’ (double white), ‘Royal Burgundy’ (purple-leaved sport of ‘Kwanzan’), ‘Akebono’ ( x yedoensis, soft pink single) or even the weeping ‘Snow Fountains’ (single white). All have aggressive root systems and should be planted away from sidewalks, driveways and foundation drains. Average height 25’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.  

Kwanzan | 📸 MK Lascelle

Persian Ironwood / Foliage (Parrotia persica)

A much underutilized species with great disease resistance, tiny purplish-red flowers before the leaves emerge, attractive exfoliating bark and spectacular autumn hues of burgundy, red, orange and yellow, often presented in layers. The variety ‘Ruby Vase’ has a more upright, narrow form making it ideal for smaller urban gardens. Grows 25’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5. 

📸 MK Lascelle

Japanese Snowbell / Flowers (Styrax japonicus)

You get both flowers and fragrance with this small tree, which often smothers itself in pendulous white (or in the case of ‘Rosea’, pale pink) flowers even at a young age. One variety in particular, ‘Evening Light’, is particularly worth searching for as its pristine white flowers are highlighted by the stunning purplish-black foliage and it matures at only about 15’ tall. Species grows to 20-25’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

Evening Light | 📸 MK Lascelle

Katsura / Foliage (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

One of my favourite foliage trees with smaller heart-shaped leaves that turn brilliant orange and gold in fall while emanating the distinct smell of caramel corn or burnt sugar at the same time. I get hungry every time I walk or cycle by one. Unfortunately, the species is rather large over time but dwarf forms such as ‘Heronswood Globe’ (15’ tall) are available, as are different color variations like ‘Claim Jumper’ with its golden foliage. Grows 50-60’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5. 

📸 MK Lascelle

Dogwood / Flowers (Cornus spp.)

I am going to recommend some very specific Dogwoods here, as the older Cornus florida varieties are faring very poorly in our prolonged wet springs. Instead choose a Cornus kousa cultivar such as ‘Satomi’ (pink), ‘Greensleeves’ (greenish white) or ‘Snow Tower’ (white). Also worth considering are the many hybrids including ‘Venus’ (massive white bracts) and ‘Stellar Pink’, as well as the variegated forms ‘Summer Gold’ and ‘Wolf Eyes’. These modest sized trees are ideal for urban landscapes. Grows 15-20’ tall depending on variety. Hardy to USDA zone 5.  

Satomi | 📸 MK Lascelle

Japanese Maple / Foliage (Acer palmatum)

This is probably my top-selling foliage tree, and we offer about 120 different varieties of one size or another. There is every colour of the rainbow here including orange (‘Orange Dream’, ‘Katsura’), pink (‘Shindeshojo’), bronze (‘Samurai’), burgundy (‘Purple Ghost’, ‘Shaina’), white (‘Ukigomo’), red (‘Rhode Island Red’) and calming greens (‘Waterfall’, ‘Shishigashira’). There is also a multitude of ultimate heights and growing forms (columnar, weeping, vase-shaped) available. Grows 6-25’ tall, depending on cultivar. Hardy to USDA zone 5. 

Orange Dream | 📸 MK Lascelle

Golden Chain Tree / Flowers (Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’)

This old-fashioned favourite has fallen out of favour of late, although it is one that I would plant in a large mixed border where it can be appreciated in bloom, rather than in the centre of the lawn, as it can be a little underwhelming after flowering. That said, few trees make such a bold statement in late spring with golden-yellow wisteria-like racemes garnering all the attention. For smaller landscapes choose the weeping form ‘Pendulum’. Species grows 15-25’ tall. Hardy to USDA zone 5. 

Vossii | 📸 MK Lascelle

This is just an abbreviated sampling of the many foliage and flowering trees we have in stock right now at Amsterdam Garden Centre, and March is the best time to shop as far as selection is concerned. 

Copyright 2026 MK Lascelle