Spring flowering trees in South Florida are a true symphony of color, stealing the spotlight and becoming the season’s main performers. With warm weather year-round, South Florida offers ideal conditions for a wide variety of tropical and subtropical flowering trees. When spring rolls around here, the landscape doesn’t just wake up — it bursts into a vivid canvas of color, texture, and life. Thanks to our unique subtropical-to-tropical climate, many ornamental and flowering trees reach their prime just as the rest of the country is still shaking off winter.
What are the best flowering trees for spring?
During this season, it’s really hard to choose the best flowering trees — but we love to look back on some of our favorites, including Cassia fistula, Cassia bakeriana, and Cassia javanica. These trees are sure to transform your spring landscape into a true work of art.
The Cassia Trifecta
Tropical beauties that really capture the essence of spring in South Florida making a seasonal statement, while turning landscapes and streets into brilliant corridors of color. With graceful forms, vibrant blooms, and adaptability to our subtropical climate, the Cassia trifecta — Cassia fistula, Cassia bakeriana, and Cassia javanica — offers a dynamic range of hues and textures for any design.
Cassia bakeriana – Pink Shower Tree
Native to northern Thailand, Cassia bakeriana is considered a small tree, typically reaching around 30 feet in height. It features a wide-spreading crown with long, graceful branches that create a distinctive form when in bloom. Its somewhat open and airy canopy becomes especially breathtaking when adorned with profuse pink blossoms — a soft, romantic cascade of pale pink flowers with a gentle lavender blush. These blooms cover the tree like clouds, particularly stunning when contrasted with the tree’s delicate green foliage.
Blooming from mid to late spring, often just before or as the leaves start to come in, Pink Cassia is perfect for driveways, entryways, or intimate garden spaces. Its soft tones pair beautifully with bold tropical foliage. A Florida favorite, this charming tree attracts butterflies, bees, and garden lovers alike.
Cassia fistula – Golden Shower Tree
Imagine golden-yellow blooms cascading in long, dramatic clusters — like nature’s chandeliers. The flowers hang from bare branches before the new leaves appear, making the display even more striking. Cassia fistula, best known as the golden shower tree, is native to India and Sri Lanka, and it’s also the national flower of Thailand, where its yellow blossoms symbolize Thai royalty.
Cassia fistula is a medium-sized, fast-growing tree that typically reaches 20 to 40 feet tall, with an irregular, vase-shaped or oval crown that is moderately dense. In full bloom, the tree becomes a festive display of golden flower chains, making it a show-stopping specimen for large yards or city medians. It also works beautifully when planted in groups, creating a glowing yellow corridor.
Cassia javanica – Apple Blossom Tree
f you’re looking for a true statement piece in your spring landscape, Cassia javanica, better known as the Apple Blossom Tree, is hard to beat. Native to the Indonesian island of Java, this semi-deciduous beauty earns its nickname from its delicate, bi-colored flowers — soft shades of pale pink and white that closely resemble apple blossoms. The dreamy floral display is especially captivating in the morning light and blooms generously from late spring into summer.
Among the Cassia trio, the Apple Blossom Tree stands out for its impressive size and presence, growing up to 40–50 feet tall with a broad, spreading canopy. It’s a perfect choice for larger landscapes — think spacious gardens, public areas, or tropical estates where it can truly shine as a focal point. Not only does it bring charm and color, but its wide canopy also offers excellent shade, adding both beauty and dimension to any outdoor space.
Why are Cassias one of the best spring flowering trees to choose for your landscape?
There are several reasons why these trees are springtime favorites, starting with their fast-growing habit and their love for full sun and well-draining soils. They’re also considered drought-tolerant once established — making them ideal for Florida’s dry spring season.
Weather-wise, South Florida enjoys mild winters and an early, warm spring — a combination that encourages an early flush of flowers. Our USDA Hardiness Zones (10–11) support tropical and subtropical species like the Cassias, allowing them to flourish with minimal interruption. And with abundant sunshine and seasonal rains beginning in late spring, flowering trees get exactly what they need to grow strong and bloom profusely.
This natural rhythm brings an unmatched vitality to trees like Cassia fistula, whose golden blooms shine brilliantly under the sun, or Cassia javanica, which ignites the landscape with layers of pink and white like a watercolor come to life.
How to Make the Most of Spring Flowering Trees?
When planning your landscape, remember you can use spring flowering trees to frame entrances, patios, and walkways, create focal points, add drama, and define zones in large gardens. You can also line driveways or pool decks with color and shade for added visual impact.
And don’t forget — not all trees bloom at the same time, and that’s a great advantage! By pairing early-spring bloomers like Cassia bakeriana with summer stars like Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia), you can enjoy a seamless transition of color throughout the season.
Also, keep in mind that small flowering trees are not only space-savers — they soften hardscapes and help create a lush, layered look that adds depth and dimension to any landscape.
Contact us!
Spring is the perfect season to reimagine your landscape — and the right flowering trees can transform any space into a living work of art. Whether you’re designing for a private garden, a public space, or a residential project, planning ahead makes all the difference.
At TreeWorld Wholesale, we grow and supply a wide variety of tropical flowering trees — including all three of the stunning Cassias featured above. Grown locally in Homestead, Florida. Ready to brighten your spring landscape? Browse our flowering tree collection or contact us to schedule a visit to our tree nursery.
Discover more! Click to explore the article about Florida native trees!
