Everywhere you look, spring is bursting into full color. The season feels especially alive thanks to a vibrant mix of blooms. Did you know that the progression of blooming among all plants is the same every year? How long they stay in bloom all depends upon the weather. Rain, wind, and sudden temperature shifts all leave their mark, making every spring different — a blend of anticipation, surprise, and fleeting beauty.
Now that trees are budding and flowering all around West Michigan, it pays to look UP for spring trees in bloom. The short show from blooming trees may not last as long as autumn’s slower decay. But this year, right NOW (early May) is the time to look up! And enjoy autumn in reverse.
Star Trees Shining Now
Redbud (Cercis canadensis):
This native tree emerges with stunning rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely in early spring before the foliage emerges. They grow in the woods and untended areas throughout Michigan, often peeking out of the woods along country roads. Redbuds are a true springtime favorite that feel like the official announcement of the season. This year they have been in the spotlight for several weeks and continue to shine.
Cherry Trees (Various Prunus species):
Whether it’s the classic ‘Yoshino’ with its pale pink clouds of blossoms or the elegantly weeping ‘snow fountain’, cherry trees are iconic springtime beauties. Right now, the ‘Kwanzan’ cherries with their pink double flowers are in full bloom, creating a magical canopy that tells us spring is finally here.
Crabapples (various Malus species):
From the refined beauty of ‘Donald Wyman’ with its snowy white blooms or the compact charm of ‘Firebird,’ crabapple trees light up the spring landscape with their distinctive presence. Crabapples not only welcome pollinators but also offer year-round interest, from their lush summer foliage to their striking autumn colors and persistent fruit.
Visit Our Gardens to Experience the Magic of Blooming Trees
Whether or not you are tree shopping, it’s the perfect time to visit our gardens to see the magic of our tree selection in bloom. Wander about, or sit for a spell and take it all in. Learn about the different varieties, and when you are ready to add a tree to your landscape, you will already know what you can expect to witness each spring.
Knapp Valley Gardens celebrates blooming trees each year with our annual spring tree sale. Receive 20 percent off the regular price of showy ornamentals including Japanese maples, flowering trees, and topiaries. All evergreens, like pine and spruce trees, are also 20 percent off. And receive a major break on shade trees as well: maples, river birch, linden, and more are 30 percent off. And, we even have selected trees marked 50 percent off!
Trees at Knapp Valley come in various sizes, from small, 5-7 gallon potted trees, to giants up to 20 feet tall! So come and wander the gardens, look around, and look up! Knapp Valley Gardens’ Spring Tree Sale runs through Saturday, May 24, 2025.
