Introduction
Trees with white flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, providing a stunning visual contrast against the green foliage and adding a touch of elegance to the landscape. These trees come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and bloom times, offering something for every gardener’s taste and needs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 21 stunning trees with white flowers, their characteristics, and how to incorporate them into your garden design.
Why Plant a Tree with White Flowers?
White flowers have a calming effect, creating a sense of peace and serenity in the garden. They also blend seamlessly with other colors, making them a versatile choice that can complement a wide range of plant palettes. Additionally, white flowers reflect light, creating a natural glow in the garden, especially at night.
Spring-Blooming Trees with White Flowers
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
Serviceberry species are small trees native to North America that are among the earliest to bloom in spring. Their branches are covered in clouds of small white flowers, creating a spectacular show that is short-lived but unforgettable. The flowers are eventually replaced by berry-like fruits that are beloved by birds. Serviceberry trees also serve as a larval host plant for butterflies like viceroys. They grow best in partial shade to full sun and make a lovely addition to a woodland garden. Amelanchier spp., zones 4 to 8.
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
This late-blooming tree features white flowers and deep green leaves. Sweetbay magnolia is native to the eastern United States and typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall, although it can reach heights of up to 20 feet. It prefers moist soil and doesn’t like to dry out. The white, lemon-scented flowers bloom in late spring, but the leaves also provide long-season interest with their glossy tops and silvery undersides. Magnolia virginiana, zones 5 to 9.
Crab Apple ‘Spring Snow’ (Malus ‘Spring Snow’)
Crabapples are among the most beloved spring-flowering trees, and ‘Spring Snow’ is a standout with a heavy display of pure white, fragrant blossoms that attract bees. It’s a fruitless crabapple, which means no messy fruits to clean up in autumn. ‘Spring Snow’ is a disease-resistant choice for the garden and can grow up to 25 feet tall. Plant it in full sun in a site with fertile, well-draining soil. Malus ‘Spring Snow’, zones 3 to 7.
Summer and Autumn-Blooming Trees with White Flowers
Hydrangea ‘Grandiflora’ (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’)
This tree with white flowers is incredibly popular for its compact size, hardiness, reliability, and huge cone-shaped blooms. When the tree begins to flower in mid-summer, the blossoms are creamy white, but by autumn they develop a pretty tinge of rose-pink. ‘Hydrangea ‘Grandiflora’, also called peegee or panicle hydrangea, can grow up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet across. It prefers sun to partial shade and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, zones 3 to 8.
Ivory Silk Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
Ivory silk lilac is a hardy tree that begins to flower when the early bloomers have wrapped up for the season, typically in late June. The fluffy flower panicles are large, up to a foot long, and creamy white in color. They’re also fragrant and attractive to bees and other pollinators. Ivory Silk lilac can grow up to 20 feet tall at maturity. Syringa reticulata, zones 3 to 7.
Sourwood Tree (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Also called lily of the valley tree, sourwood is a tree with white flowers that bloom in late spring to mid-summer. The flowers are small, bell-shaped, and hang in clusters, resembling lily of the valley blooms. The tree also has glossy green leaves that turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. Sourwood can grow up to 60 feet tall and prefers well-drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. Oxydendrum arboreum, zones 5 to 9.
Other Trees with White Flowers
Acoma Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Acoma’)
This deciduous semi-dwarf tree grows low to the ground, about 8 to 10 feet tall, making it a perfect specimen tree that can thrive well in planters or small gardens. It does not require a lot of water to survive. This disease-resistant tree produces so many flowers that it weeps over. The Acoma Crape Myrtle requires a lot of sunlight and warmer climates to flourish. Growing zones five through 11 can provide those conditions. Any type of soil will support this tree. You get to enjoy 90 days of foliage when the creamy-white crinkled flowers begin to bloom in the summer. When autumn comes, the leaves turn many colors.
Bradford Flowering Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’)
The Bradford Flowering Pear is an ideal tree with white flowers for front and backyards. It grows to a height of 30 to 50 feet and a spread of 20 to 30 feet. The tree produces clusters of white flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. The foliage turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. This fast-growing tree prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.
White Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
The White Angel’s Trumpet gets its name from the flowers that it produces, which resemble the bell of a trumpet. The large white flowers bloom during the mid-summer to fall months and have a lovely smell! The trumpet-shaped shrubs do not tolerate cold temperatures, so they need a warmer climate or grow in containers indoors during colder seasons. They need full sunlight with some shade. If you have to take them inside, be sure to have ample room as they can grow up to 20 feet tall and as long as 12 inches. They prefer moist soil and thrive best in USDA growing zones nine through 11.
White Dogwood (Cornus florida)
The White Dogwood is a famous tree because of its origin. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had these kinds of trees in their yards. They tolerate all seasonal weather and multiple soil types that drain well and need partial full sunlight and shade to stay healthy. There are snowy white flowers on these trees that bloom in the spring, foliage that turns red-purple in the fall, and glossy red fruit that blossoms in winter for the birds and animals to eat. They also feed on other tree parts, including flowers, twigs, bark, and leaves. The White Dogwood can get up to 25 feet tall and thrive well in growing zones five through nine.
White Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Notwoodtwo’-White Chiffon’)
The White Rose of Sharon resembles a shrubbery but can grow as a short vase-shaped tree with multiple stems. It is only five to eight feet tall and four to six feet wide. Its flowers bloom from June to September. This tree is partial to full sunlight. In many states, it is invasive, meaning it can cause a threat to native plants and trees around it. The White Rose of Sharon is common in zones five through eight.
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
Because Kousa Dogwoods can thrive in cold climates and are strongly resistant to disease, these little trees have become quite popular. They typically don’t grow any higher than 30 feet, but they make a great impression with gorgeous white blossoms in May and June. During summer, you’ll see some stunning red fruit growing on them.
Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis)
Yoshino Cherry trees often feature participants in cherry blossom events. They are also commonly referred to as Japanese Flowering Cherry trees. This particular tree can serve as the focal point of your landscaping or as a great addition planted next to your patio. It grows 30 to 40 feet tall and wide, with gold and bronze foliage in the fall. Yoshino Cherries bloom in March and April and prefer full sun to part shade in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8.
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Southern Magnolia trees are evergreens that produce huge white flowers measuring 8-12 inches in diameter that contrast nicely against broad dark green leaves. The fragrance coming from these flowers is simply incredible. These flowers also have cone-shaped fruits growing from them in clusters 3-5 inches in length. Southern Magnolias can make a spectacular contribution to any landscape, growing 60 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide. They prefer full sun to partial shade and are evergreen in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9.
White Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Several varieties of White Eastern Redbud trees come in different forms, all with white flowers. They typically grow 20 to 30 feet tall and wide, with a rounded shape. The flowers appear before the leaves emerge in early spring, creating a stunning display. White Eastern Redbuds prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.
Choosing the Right Tree for Your Garden
When selecting a tree with white flowers, consider the following factors:
- Mature size: Make sure the tree will fit the space you have available, both above and below ground.
- Bloom time: Choose trees that bloom at different times to extend the flowering season in your garden.
- Cultural requirements: Match the tree’s needs for sun, soil, and moisture to your garden conditions.
- Hardiness: Select a tree that is hardy in your USDA hardiness zone.
Incorporating White Flowering Trees into Your Garden Design
White flowering trees can be used in various ways in the garden:
- As a focal point: Plant a large, showy tree like a Southern Magnolia or Yoshino Cherry as the centerpiece of a garden bed or lawn.
- In groupings: Plant several smaller trees like Serviceberry or Kousa Dogwood together for a stunning effect.
- As a screen: Use fast-growing trees like Bradford Pear or Crape Myrtle to create a living privacy screen or windbreak.
- In mixed borders: Incorporate white flowering trees into mixed borders along with shrubs, perennials, and bulbs for a layered look.
Caring for Your White Flowering Tree
Most white flowering trees require similar care:
- Plant in well-drained soil amended with compost or other organic matter.
- Water regularly, especially during the first year after planting, to establish a deep root system.
- Mulch around the base of the tree with 2-4 inches of wood chips or bark to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Conclusion
Trees with white flowers are a beautiful and versatile addition to any garden. Whether you choose a spring bloomer like Serviceberry or a summer/autumn bloomer like Hydrangea, these trees will add elegance, fragrance, and wildlife value to your landscape. With so many options to choose from, there’s a white flowering tree perfect for every garden.
FAQ
- What is the best time to plant a white flowering tree?
The best time to plant a white flowering tree is in early spring or fall when the weather is cool and the tree can establish its roots before facing extreme heat or cold. Avoid planting in the heat of summer. - How do I care for my white flowering tree in the first year after planting?
In the first year after planting, water your tree regularly, especially during dry spells. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk. Prune only to remove any dead or damaged branches. - What pests or diseases affect white flowering trees?
Common pests that can affect white flowering trees include aphids, scale insects, and borers. Diseases like leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and fire blight can also cause problems. Proper site selection, watering, and pruning can help prevent many issues. - Can I grow a white flowering tree in a container?
Yes, some smaller white flowering trees like Crape Myrtle and Dwarf Fringetree can be grown in containers. Choose a container at least 18 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes. Use a well-draining potting mix and water regularly. - How do I prune my white flowering tree?
Prune your white flowering tree in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Thin out the interior of the tree to allow for better air circulation. Avoid pruning in summer when the tree is actively growing.
