Ornamental trees (zone 5) are often grown for aesthetics. They are primarily grown to make gardens, lawns, parks, etc., more beautiful. Ornamental trees have flamboyant flowers, nice fragrances, interesting shapes, unusual (or colorful bark), create stunning colors during fall, or a combination of these features.
Most ornamental trees grow well in warmer climates. This leaves people in colder climates with a smaller variety of trees they could grow. However, some trees could still look great in your yard or garden in the winter. Read on to find which trees you can plant in your garden or lawn if you live in a zone 5 location.
Ornamental Trees Zone 5 include:
There are several types of ornamental plum and cherry trees that can be grown in zone 5. Some of the more popular varieties include:
Newport Plum
The Newport Plum (or Prunus cerasifera) displays its pink flowers as spring starts, which is followed by purple foliage till fall. It grows to be 15 ft. – 20 ft. (5m to 6m) tall.
Pink snow showers cherry
Pink snow showers cherry (or Prunus ‘Pisnshzam’) is a weeping tree that blooms pink in the spring and grows to be 20 ft. to 25 ft. (5m to 8m) tall.
Kwazan cherry
The Kwazan cherry (or Prunus serrulata) is a cherry variety that blooms pink in the spring and grows to be 15 ft. to 25 ft. (5m to 8m).
Snow fountain cherry
The snow fountain cherry (or Prunus ‘Snofozam’) is a weeping tree variety that blooms white flowers in the spring and grows to be 15 ft. high (5m).
Crabapples
Crabapples are quite popular flowering trees that can be grown in zone 5. Its newer varieties are more resistant to diseases that used to affect them and you could also get varieties that don’t produce messy fruits. Popular varieties that can be grown in zone 5 include:
The Camelot crabapple
Camelot crabapple (or Malus ‘camzam’) are dwarf trees that grow to be 8 ft. to 10ft. tall (2m to 3m). It produces lots of flowers that range from white to deep pink. Plus, it’s fruit.
Prairiefire crabapple
Prairiefire crabapple (or Malus ‘prairie fire’) produces deep purple-red blooms and grows 20 ft. high (6m). The tree produces red fruit.
Louisa crabapple
Louisa crabapple (or Malus ‘louisa’) belongs to the weeping variety and grows to a 15ft. height (5m). The tree produces golden fruits and pink blossoms.
Spring snow crabapple
Spring snow crabapple (or Malus ‘spring snow’) doesn’t bear any fruit. The tree grows 30ft. high (9m), and 15ft. wide (5m) and produces white flowers.
Ornamental pear trees
Ornamental pear trees are quite popular in zone 5. They are flowering trees and produce inedible pear fruits. People only love them for their excellent fall foliage and snow-white spring blooms. Common varieties include:
Autumn Blaze pear
Autumn blaze pear (or Pyrus calleryana ‘Autumn Blaze’). They grow to be 35 ft. tall (11m) and have a spread of 20 ft. (6m).
Chantilicleer pear
Chanticleer pear (or Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’) grows to be 25 ft. tall (11m) with a 15ft. spread (5m).
Redspire pear
Redspire pear (or Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’) grows to be 35ft. tall (11m) with a 20ft. spread (6m).
Korean Sun pear
The Korean Sun pear (or Pyrus fauriei) is physically small and grows to be 12ft. to 15 ft. tall (4m-5m).
Redbud varieties
Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud (or Cercis canadensis) is a common redbud variety that grows to a 30ft. height (9m).
Forest pansy redbud
Forest pansy redbud (or Cercis canadensis) is a unique redbud variety that produces purple foliage in the summer; however, its flowers aren’t showy. They grow to be 30ft. tall (9m) and 25ft. spread (8m).
Lavender twist redbud
This redbud (aka Cercis canadensis) is a weeping variety that grows to an 8ft. to 10ft. height (2m to 3m).
Flowering dogwood varieties
Flowering dogwood varieties tolerate part shade to full sun, which makes them quite versatile. In addition, they also have colorful fall foliage and spring flowers. Popular dogwood varieties include:
Pagoda dogwood
Pagoda dogwood (aka Cornus alternifolia) grows to be 20ft. tall (6m) and 25ft. wide (8m).
Golden Shadows Dogwood
Golden shadow dogwood (aka Cornus alternifolia) has yellow-green foliage and grows to a 10ft. high and wide (3m).
Kousa dogwood
Kousa dogwood (aka Cornus ‘kousa’) produces bright red fruit in the summer and grows to a 30ft. height (9m) and 20ft. spread (6m).
Related Article: When to Fertilize Dogwood Trees?
Some other popular varieties include:
- Autumn Brilliance serviceberry
- Chinese Fringe tree
- Dwarf Red buckeye
- Japanese Lilac tree
- Walker’s Weeping pea shrub
- PeeGee Hydrangea tree
- Russian Olive
- Showy mountain ash
- Saucer magnolia
- Thornless Cockspur hawthorn
Growing ornamental trees in zone 5
Ornamental trees grown in zone 5 do not require extra care than regular trees. However, you’ll have to water them regularly and deeply during the first growing season when they are first planted.
You could plant the trees in the garden, lawn, or in a pot (for transfer). You shouldn’t plant the trees too deeply. Instead, dig a hole that’s slightly shallow and three times wider than the root ball. You should also roughen the sides and bottom of the hole to make it easier for the roots to penetrate the wall.
Place the tree in the hole and check to ensure it’s leaning before you fill the hole with soil. Remember that the roots cannot stand on their own. Therefore, you’ll need to create a mound of soil in the hole and place the tree in the mound or hold it in place while you push in the soil. Tamp the soil gently (do not compress) and water the tree.
The roots establish by the second year and are strong and extensive enough to seek and absorb nutrients and water on their own. In case your region is affected by drought, then you should provide all lawn plants with extra water. Provide them enough fertilizer (that’s made with enough phosphorus). Phosphorus is good for flowering plants.
Ornamental Trees Zone 5: Conclusion
Now that you’ve got a list of trees you’ll plant in your geological location (zone 5), it’s time to get planting. Ensure that you follow the instructions if you want a healthy ornamental tree. Have fun planting!