The diversity of the Tampa Bay landscaping world is part of what makes it so unique. Instead of manicured lawns and seasonal flowers dominating the scene, you have a variety of trees, native plants, shrubs, and landscaping elements working together in harmony to produce a visual symphony.

Every plant, paver, and palm tree has a place, and finding the right combination for your Tampa Bay property is key to unlocking its full potential. Of the many possibilities, one of our favorites to incorporate into commercial and residential landscapes is small flowering trees. While they may not always steal the show, they play an integral role in creating a cohesive landscape.

With a huge selection of small flowering trees capable of thriving in Florida, being intentional with those that grace your property is important. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to the top options for the best small flowering trees for your Tampa Bay landscape. With the suggestions below, you can kickstart your dream landscape and take your Florida property to the next level.

The Best Small Flowering Trees for Your Tampa Bay Landscape

The lushness of Florida is a blessing and a curse. It lends itself to diverse landscapes and allows professional landscapers in Tampa Bay to flex their creative muscles. At the same time, it complicates decision-making processes when designing your landscape—there are just so many options!

To simplify things, consider the following flowering trees. All of the options we’ve included in our top small flowering trees in Florida are sure to flourish on your Tampa Bay property while bringing beauty and functionality to your landscape.

Top Small Flowering Trees to Include in Your Tampa Bay Landscape

Gardenia

Gorgeous, fragrant, and southern to the core, gardenia is a popular small flowering tree in Florida for all the right reasons. With foliage imbued with rich hues of dark green and flowers that contrast their backdrop with creamy white vibrancy, the visual appeal of these plants is apparent.

Aside from the clear advantage of being aesthetically pleasing, gardenia has another profound benefit—its hardiness in Florida’s humid climate. This plant thrives in humidity and sun, almost as if it was tailor-made for the Sunshine State. While you want to be careful about full sunlight (gardenias prefer to avoid intense afternoon beams) and practice regular irrigation, this small flowering tree is relatively low maintenance.

Golden Dewdrop

For a unique plant that can be used as a small flowering tree or incorporate into a hedge, many Tampa Bay landscapes turn to the golden dewdrop. With a weepy appearance thanks to its heavy clusters of berries, the tree has a tendency to pass as a shrub. Still, it is a showy little tree, with purple blossoms that often accompany its alluring berries.

A fringe benefit to this small flowering tree is its tendency to attract butterflies. If you want to create a magical outdoor oasis complete with local wildlife, the golden dewdrop should be on your list. Keep in mind, though, that this plant can be toxic to people and pets, so be aware of where they are located.

This plant respond well to trimming, so don’t be afraid to embrace hard pruning. They love full sunlight and proper irrigation, making them wonderful additions to Tampa Bay properties in search of visually interesting trees that both flower and produce berries.

Hibiscus

If you’re chasing tropical vibes, there’s a strong possibility a hibiscus is in your future. These flowering trees grow to approximately six feet tall (though some can reach 10 feet), meaning they certainly qualify as small. Don’t let their diminutive size fool you, though—their impact on a Tampa Bay landscape is massive.

With large, showy flowers that scream of paradise, the hibiscus is well-known for its place in tropical landscapes. The flowers, which are described as trumpet-shaped, come in a variety of colors, including orange, pink, red, yellow, and white. These eye-catching blooms are backdropped by rich green leaves, making them stand out even more.

Hibiscus attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and they tend to flourish in warm climates. They enjoy sunlight, can grow in sandy or wet soil, and require regular irrigation. Once established, they should be pruned annually to maintain their appearance and health.

Jatropha

Evergreen with a propensity to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, Jatropha is a wonderful small flowering tree to include on your Tampa Bay property. With a mature height of about 15 feet, this tree is perfectly suited as a multifunctional addition to any landscape. Its flowers bloom year-round and tend to be red, though they can be pink, giving Jatropha its other name—coral plant.

This small flowering tree is easy to care for and is low maintenance once established. It will thrive in full or partial sun and can be pruned into the shape that best fits your vision for your property. Its versatility, hardiness, and natural beauty make Jatropha a small tree you should seriously consider when planning your landscape.

Little Gem Magnolia

Quintessentially southern, the magnolia is well known for its waxy, dark green leaves and stunning white blossoms. Little Gem Magnolia maintains that allure and tradition, concentrates it, and delivers bundles of Southern charm in a smaller package. It tops out between 15 and 20 feet tall, making it far more versatile and manageable than its full-size counterpart.

With the ability to endure minor flooding and seasons of drought, the little gem magnolia is suitable for Tampa Bay’s unpredictable climate. When planted in full or partial sunlight, this small flowering tree performs its best. You can expect its showy blooms to light up your property in the spring and early summer.

Tibouchina

If grand flowers are for you, then you’ll want to take a look at tibouchina. This small tree boasts massive purple flowers that are sure to make people stop and stare. Complemented by fuzzy leaves that are edged in red, this colorful plant is far from shy. It is about as ornamental as a tree can be.

Despite its flair for the dramatic, tibouchina is not delicate. In fact, it blooms year-round and thrives in full sun. The only concerns are strong winds and frost, both of which should be accounted for when caring for this tree. If you water regularly and perform proper pruning, tibouchina will reward you with impressive flowers and year-round beauty in Tampa Bay.

Perfect Your Tampa Bay Landscape with Tiny Trees (and Landcrafters)

Home to a myriad of worthy plant additions to your property, Tampa Bay is ripe with possibilities. All you need is a little know-how and a 20-year veteran of the professional landscaping world to point you in the right direction. Landcrafters is happy to help you realize your landscaping goals; all you have to do is reach out to us to discuss your property.

In the meantime, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge and plenty of applicable resources on our blog. There, we share everything from gardening insights to specialized irrigation guides. If it applies to landscaping, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’re passionate about it and ready to offer a helping hand!