There’s nothing like an intense white as a contrast to make any garden look better.
And when that white comes from trees – it’s impossible to dismiss.
That’s why you should learn about the varieties of the tree with white flowers out there.
Whether you want to take one home or enjoy their beauty to the max wherever you go – there’s a lot to learn!
Here, we’ll teach you everything about the best white-flowering trees out there.
Care to know? Then keep reading!
21 Varieties of Trees with White Flowers
1. American Fringe (Chionanthus virginicus)
A tree that can reach 20 feet high is enough to make any garden a lot better. The American Fringe is precisely that.
You will find eye-catching spear-shaped leaves that make light foliage. Each leaf grows to about 8 inches and matches well with the white flower clusters. They appear in the late spring and early summer, covering the entire tree when that happens.
This tree is also unique for its ability to withstand cold temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite that, it prefers at least 6 hours of sun exposure to thrive.
CURIOUS FACT: It loves humid places, working well as vegetation close to ponds and streams.
2. California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
Aren’t spiky flowers always worth taking a look at? That’s something we LOVED about the buckeye.
These white spiky clusters grow taller than the rest of the foliage, adding a gorgeous look. You’ll find spiky leaves alongside the flowers, typically light green, to increase the plant’s appeal.
Another excellent part is the ability to grow up to 30 feet. When it stays short, the California Buckeye doesn’t grow taller than 15 feet. It still requires lots of sunlight and moderate humidity.
This one blooms in early spring, and the blossoms don’t last more than a month or two. Either way, these flowers often have an intense essence that’s impossible to ignore.
BE AWARE: This tree is slightly poisonous, so it’s important to only grow in places with little to no access for children and pets.
3. Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)
You won’t find any Carolina Silverbell growing less than 25 feet. At their maximum capacity, they may reach a whopping 60 feet or more.
But the exciting part is their foliage. Light leaf density that drops in the fall comes pretty nicely with the white flowers in the spring. These flowers, by the way, are bell-shaped but tiny – making them look like leaves themselves.
This tree grows in temperate environments with nothing less than -10 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than 50 degrees.
WORTHWHILE FACT: The tree may start flowering in winter before leaves appear, adding a unique yet gorgeous look.
4.Cleveland Pear Tree (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’)
It may look like any other tree, at first sight; NTIL THE FLOWERS APPEAR!
These tiny white blossoms appear in the fall, just after winter ends. When this happens, the tree is often without foliage, giving the flowers a vital role in the tree’s appearance.
It is a big tree at 35 feet tall, spreading up to 17 feet or more. You will need to ensure temperatures over 0 degrees Fahrenheit and 8 hours of sun exposure for the tree to thrive,
BEST THING: It boasts an ornamental shape, an oval form that looks awesome as street lining or garden border.
5. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
It’s one of the smallest on the list but still large enough to reach up to 20 feet in some cases. Its flowers are as cute as they can be, reaching up to 6 inches long and covering pretty much the entire tree when they appear.
This tree also stands out for its ability to withstand temperatures under -20 degrees Fahrenheit and survive even with high humidity. You may find it an ideal choice for water gardens, for example.
Apart from that, you will find how the leaves turn yellowish in the fall and eventually drop.
AMAZING FACT: Before the blossoms drop in the summer, the tree produces dark fruits that many birds love. You get to attract flying animals as well as a color contrast when this happens.
6. Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Among the densest trees on the list and one of the most beautiful when it blooms, the Horse Chestnut makes any garden a lot more pleasant.
It starts with the ability to grow over 75 feet at full maturity. Alongside the ability to spread 65 feet and super-dense foliage – this tree makes for an excellent option.
Yet, it is the gorgeous flowers that stand out the most. Its spiky blossom shape adds to an already beautiful appearance, making an interesting contrast throughout the entire foliage.
You will need a lot of space, a moderately moist environment, and no less than 6 hours of sunlight for the tree to thrive.
BE CAREFUL: Most Horse Chestnuts are mild to moderately poisonous, so even the leaves can cause damage if eaten. Please keep it away from children and pets to avoid potential dangers.
7. Japanese Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
Many people love it because you can keep it at 10 feet or smaller with consistent pruning. But the tree can reach heights of up to 30 feet when left alone.
The attractive light green foliage with wide-spreading leaves and the spiky flowers make any place more appealing. People often use it as a street lining or lawn add-on, yet it works as you want, given its practicality.
Interestingly, it can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit and prefers full sun exposure.
HELPFUL FACT: Its spring blossoms are not only gorgeous for their spiky shape and creamy tone, they also boast a pleasant aroma.
8. Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)
Another consistently attractive option would be the snowbell. The name comes from the unique flower shape that looks like a bell. These are tiny flowers nonetheless, but they cover pretty much the entirety of the tree when they appear.
What sets this tree apart is the size, often staying under 15 feet as people like to prune the tree too much. But it can grow up to 30 feet in the right conditions, spreading just as much.
Its flowers have a lot more to offer, especially their waxy appearance and mild smell. They bloom in late spring and summer. Eventually, they drop when the fall arrives, also when the tree foliage turns yellow.
Enough sun, temperatures above 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and mild humidity are necessary for the tree to thrive.
UNIQUE FEATURE: This tree’s bark is not brownish like others but grayish. This tone adds up to a pleasant appearance.
9. Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)
It is not the largest of trees, often staying within 15 feet tall. You will find it a bit bushy, making it a perfect addition to any garden.
As for the flowers, you will find cup-shaped blossoms, boasting a gorgeous creamy-white with a yellow center. These flowers grow individually in small cocoons that eventually become cups up to 3 inches in diameter.
The tree is not a cold-weather plant, so it needs to stay at over 10 degrees Fahrenheit to survive. Frosts may cause severe damage.
INTERESTING FACT: The tree grows horizontal branches and tends to have multiple trunks at once, so you may expect it to be a good spreader.
10. Natchez Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia’ Natchez’)
You may also find it as the Lilac of South, as its blossoms are similar to that of a lilac. The light clusters with tiny white petals tend to cove the entire tree as it blooms.
It can grow to a whopping 20 feet tall and spread for the same amount. The foliage tends to be light and dark green. However, it turns orangey when the fall arrives.
In contrast with other trees on the list, this one blooms in late summer. Also, it prefers warm environments of at least 30 degrees Fahrenheit to survive.
WHAT TO KNOW: You can keep this tree as tiny as 4 feet tall if needed. A bit of trimming and pruning will be enough to stunt its growth.
11.Royal White Redbud (Cercis canadensis’ Royal White’)
Another tiny tree you can bring home is the Royal White Redbud, with its almost utterly white appearance when the flowers appear.
These flowers bloom in the early spring, as soon as the winter ends. They cover all the branches, dropping away when the summer is near. This gives space for the heart-shaped green leaves to appear.
While a tiny tree is at less than 15 feet in most cases, you may also find it super-tall, at over 25 feet in height. To make it so, you will need to ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight and a relatively humid environment. Plus, it can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
DON’T FORGET: This is a fast-growing tree that demands a lot of pruning to stay short. It may grow up to 3 feet a year in the right conditions.
12. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
Easily one of the most exciting trees on the list, the Serviceberry features many trunks and stems coming from the ground. Each one of these stems grows its branches and can reach whopping heights of over 30 feet. It is a good spreader, reaching 20 feet as the branches go far to the sides.
Apart from that, it boasts light foliage and an unmistakably attractive appearance. You can find it as a garden tree that resembles a vast bush.
As for the flowers, you will find the tiny but able to cover the entire tree as it blooms. Spring is when the blossoms appear, taking over the leafless branches and making a seemingly lifeless tree into a white wonder.
What you’ll love is how easy it is to grow, as it can withstand light moisture, partial or full sun, and doesn’t struggle with soil composition.
EXCITING FACTOR: The “berry” part of the name is not a coincidence. This tree also produces berries as the spring ends, giving space for the flowers to drop and the leaves to reappear.
Bonus Read: How to Clean a Garden Hose?
13. Spring Snow Crabapple (Malus ‘Spring Snow’)
You may also call it simply Crabapple, and the tree wouldn’t mind. It’s a gorgeous specimen. At 25 feet of height and capable of staying under 10 feet with consistent pruning, this is a top-notch addition to any garden.
Sure enough, the blooming season in the spring comes with even more attractive colors. The white clusters with tiny flowers appear all across the light green foliage, adding a super-enticing contrast.
It is a super-easy tree to grow as it can survive practically anywhere with 8 hours of sun exposure and temperatures no lower than 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
KNOW THIS: In contrast with other Crabapple varieties, this one produces no fruit. This one works like a charm if what you’re looking for is an entirely ornamental species.
14. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Even though the flowers don’t bloom as densely as in other trees, they’re among the most beautiful you will find.
Magnolia is a popular choice because the blossoms can be as large as 12 inches in diameter, catching anyone’s eyes when they appear. Plus, they stay for up to a month, adding a gorgeous white hue to an already magnificent tree.
You can find it growing up to 80 feet in some cases and spreading to over 50 feet. That’s enough to become the focal point of any garden or field.
Apart from that, it’s a warm-weather tree that doesn’t like anything below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn’t drop all its leaves when the winter arrives.
DON’T DISMISS: You may find cone-like fruits before the flowers drop, adding up to an even more attractive appearance.
15.Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
Don’t like large and dense trees? Go for the Washington Hawthorn.
While you can find it as large as 30 feet in both height and spread, it often stays under 15 feet when it is well-pruned.
Regardless of its size, it doesn’t lose any of its beauty. The vibrant green foliage and exciting branch growth make it an excellent addition to any garden. You will find its foliage light and dropping in the fall, leaving space for the flowers to appear as the spring starts to end.
These blossoms are tiny but tend to cover the entire tree as they appear. Alongside the red berries in the summer, this tree features an eye-catching look.
TO CONSIDER: It is a cold-hardy variety that can withstand surprisingly low temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
16. White Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens)
The name gives away the shape of its flower – a trumpet-like blossom that hangs from the branches. While it is often a white flower, you may also find it orange, purple, and even reddish tones.
Also, it is not the largest of trees. Many people consider it a bush, given it doesn’t often go over 20 feet tall and can grow as compact as 6 feet in some cases. Yet, it will easily get tall as long as it receives consistent sun exposure and temperatures stay over 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
As for the flowers, they appear in the spring and go away as the summer ends. This comes with lusher foliage that starts to change color as the fall goes away. In contrast with other trees, this one doesn’t lose many of its leaves.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The flowers are not only uniquely shaped, but they also boast an intense aroma that’s easy to feel from several feet away.
17. White Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Another compact tree with a shrubby shape, the White Dogwood matches well with most gardens, works as street lining, and may also fit in garden hedges if needed.
The plant itself can grow to over 30 feet but may also stay under 15 feet with pruning. You will need temperatures over 10 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it thriving. Yet, it also demands a bit of humidity and full or partial sun exposure.
As for the flowers, they’re medium-sized, at about 4 inches each. They grow from every branch, covering almost the entire tree as they appear in the spring. Blossoms stay up until early summer.
WHAT TO CONSIDER: The leaves get a reddish tone when the fall arrives before they drop. Some flowers may stick until then, adding a surprisingly attractive look.
18. White Hawthorn (Crataegus punctata)
Often considered a hedge tree that can grow dense and spread wide, the White Hawthorn won’t be a bad choice for any garden.
The blossoms are outstanding, not because they grow large and frondous, but because they are tiny, grow in spiky clusters, and can easily cover the entire tree. They grow pretty much in every branch from the multi-branched growth it offers.
These flowers are often white but may also have reddish or pinkish tones that add to the already gorgeous tree.
You can find at up to 25 feet tall but often stays within 15 feet. Either way, it prefers temperatures over 0 degrees Fahrenheit and light humidity to thrive.
AMAZING FACT: The flowers may also come with the surprise of tiny berry-like fruits. These fruits are often red, so the tree ends up looking even more attractive.
19. White Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus’ Notwoodtwo’-White Chiffon)
The typical Rose of Sharon doesn’t grow more than 8 feet as a shrub. This one grows a bit longer, reaching up to 12 feet in some cases. For that, you can consider it a shrubby tree.
Sure enough, the foliage is not what sets it apart. It is the ability to show stunning rose-like flowers in the summer and fall that makes it worth taking home. These flowers can grow up to 6 inches in diameter and feature gorgeous white with a yellow center – eye-catching like no other.
It would help if you had full sun exposure and moderate humidity for it to grow well. Temperatures should stay over 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
BEWARE: It is not the most prominent tree but a very invasive one at that. Be careful where you place it as it can spread across your garden quickly, taking over the place within a few years.
20. White Snow Weeping Cherry (Prunus x ‘Snofozam’ White)
Compact trees are always worth a try because they don’t cover much space and because the flowers are often at a close distance to enjoy to the max.
The White Snow Weeping Cherry offers that kind of experience. You can find the tree with a shrubby shape, growing to around 15 feet but often staying within 10 feet. It can spread to about the same amount.
However tall it gets, the flowers are amazingly gorgeous. For one, the tree grows weeping branches that cascade beautifully. And second, the flowers appear in the spring to cover these weeping branches like no other tree does. The visuals are unbeatable.
The tree requires temperatures over 10 degrees Fahrenheit and moderate humidity to live well. It may also lose its flowers before the fall arrives when the leaves turn orange to read.
ALSO VITAL: The tree grows well close to pergolas and other structures. It tends to match well and add a unique contrast to any environment.
21. Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x yedoensis)
Few trees are as eye-catching as the Cherry, but none can match the Yoshino variety. Also known as the Japanese Cherry Tree, this gorgeous specimen can grow to over 40 feet and spread for the same distance, offering a carnival of white tones when it blooms.
Often blossoming as the winter ends, this tree delivers a tree-wide white cover. As the tree gets to the spring when the flowers appear, its leaves are still off the branches, giving space for the flowers to shine.
Unlike other trees, this one has a short trunk but tons of horizontal-growing branches. That makes a dome-like shape that’s impossible to dismiss. Alongside the intense white of the flowers, it captivates any spectator.
DON’T OVERLOOK: You can grow it pretty much anywhere, as long as there’s enough space given how tall and wide it can get.
Conclusion
You can make any garden look amazing with the right tree with white flowers. It is undoubtedly the easiest color to match with other plants. And more importantly, always an attractive choice when spring arrives.
With the different options above and a better understanding of what they offer, you shouldn’t have any problem getting the right white-flowering tree home.
Just remember to consider:
- Size of the tree
- Humidity and sunlight needs
- Favorite temperatures to grow
If your location fits the tree’s description, there’s nothing to wait for. Get that tree home and enjoy its white beauty!
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