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What are the MOST fragrant flowering trees for the Chicagoland area?

26 Jan, 2022 75
What are the MOST fragrant flowering trees for the Chicagoland area?

Flowering trees will add character and beauty to your home's landscape. You'll fall in love with their aromatic spring flowers! Some of these trees will keep interest well into fall and winter. These features will be something special that you can look forward to each season.

BONUS— Flowering trees are sure to up your home's property value!


Pro Tip → Be sure to plant the right tree in the right place. First, think about where you might want a flowering tree in your yard.

Placement Tips

In the Chicagoland area, when spring arrives with fragrant flowers, it's as if the landscape is waking up! The second the snow melts and the sun warms things up, take a step outside, get some fresh air, open your windows, start planning your landscaping and gardening for the year.

We all know the saying, "Stop and smell the roses." Fragrant flowering trees can pause time. Have you ever been on a spring walk, and a splendid scent stopped you in your tracks? Maybe it was a bursting crabapple tree anchoring your neighbor's driveway or a serviceberry tree front and center in a yard a few houses down?

stop and smell the roses

Think about that while you decide on the placement of your tree. Maybe this beauty will be the finishing touch to your front landscape? Will a fragrant flowering tree be an adornment to your front entrance, an accent in your landscape bed garden, or maybe the conversation piece near your back patio?


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Butterflies Cucumbertree Magnolia

What is not to love about a bright yellow flower? Butterflies Magnolia has a clean and fresh scent. Some even attribute the flowers to having a lemony aroma!

Butterflies Magnolia

Crabapple Trees

Crabapple trees take the stage in May. You won't be able to miss this dramatic flower show! Choose from a large selection of crabapple varieties. Please take into account their mature spread and height along with the placement.

Crabapple Trees

Japanese Lilac Trees

If only this picture were scratch and sniff— these panicles of flowers will invigorate your senses like none other with their exotic beauty and scent!

Japanese Tree Lilac

Pagoda Dogwood

This attractive tree is the bee's knees. It's beautiful during each season, and with the arrival of springtime, sweet-smelling flowers cover its horizontally spreading canopy.

Pagoda Dogwood

Linden Trees

According to SGN Trees, "American Linden (aka Basswood) flowers or honey from lindens are a natural remedy for colds, fever, high blood pressure, and anxiety..." They smell oh so incredibly sweet too!

Linden Trees

Canada Red Chokecherry

This unique cold-hardy tree transforms in spring! Its floral aroma could be, no wait should be bottled! I would describe it as a soft "jasmine" scent. BONUS! Its leaves change from green in spring to a dark puce with the arrival of summer.

Canada Red Chokecherry

Pink Flair® Cherry

Pink Flair® Cherry is BIG on impact for a compact in-height tree. Springtime brings clusters of sweet sensational, single pink blossoms.

Pink Flair Cherry

Perkins Pink Yellowwood

In late spring, magnificent large clusters of pastel pink flowers dangle from this tree's canopy. They're as eye-catching as they are fragrant! Its light floral scent might stop you in your tracks.

Perkins Pink Yellowwood

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry

It doesn't get more charming than a serviceberry tree! Spring brings a shower of dainty star-shaped white flowers. Their scent will fill the air with a subtle sweetness in early spring. This versatile tree works well as an anchor in landscape beds or for privacy & screening.

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry

Gear up for spring, plant the perfect flowering tree, and invigorate your senses!


Head to our Expert Advice articles for more tips on tree placement, selecting the right tree, and more!