Flowering Trees for a South Midwest Landscape

The USDA defines the areas based on the growing conditions. The USDA defines the South Midwest as Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, Zones 4b through 9b. Flowering trees bring an extra dimension to a garden rising above the other flowers or as a stand alone tree on a front lawn.

Alternate-leaf dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is also called pogoda dogwood. The tree grows to 35 feet tall, developing a flat-topped crown and a short trunk. The cream-white flowers bloom in May and June, growing in flat-topped clusters, becoming clusters of red-purple berries that provide food for the local wildlife. The green leaves turn a dull maroon in the fall. Alternate-leaf dogwood is hardy in all of Illinois. Plant in full or partial shade and a soil that is moist. The flowers will attract butterflies. Alternate-leaf dogwood is hardy in zones 3 to7

American Plum

American plum (Prunus americana Marsh) is also known as wild plum and is a member of the rose family. The tree grows up to 35 feet with a short trunk and a broad crown. The white flowers bloom in April and May, growing in flat-topped clusters. Green leaves appear after the flowers and turn to red or yellow in the fall. The fruit is edible and is a favorite treat of the local birds. Plant American plum in full sun, partial shade or full shade and a soil that is rich and moist. American plum is hardy in zones 3 to 8,

Wild Cherry

Wild cherry (Prunus serotina), also called rum cherry, is a member of the rose family. The tree grows to 100 feet tall with oval or lance-shaped leaves that measure from 2 to 6 inches long, ending in a sharp point and turning yellow or red in the fall. The small white flowers bloom in the spring at the same time as the leaves, growing in abundant clusters that grow from 4 to 6 inches long. The flowers give way to dark red, edible, bitter-tasting fruits in early summer. Plant wild cherry in full sun and a soil that is moist. Songbirds will make a meal out of the fruit.
Wild cherry is hardy in zones 4 to 9.

Sources:

University of Texas: Cornus Alternifolia
University of Texas: Prunus Americana Marsh.
Floridata: Prunus Serotina
South Midwest Area