If you’re looking for a smart investment to enhance the beauty of your landscape while offering shade and attracting pollinators and bird populations, white flowering trees are an excellent choice. These eye-catching trees can become a focal point in any garden with angelic blooms. As spring brings warmer days, the appearance of delicate clouds of flowers can truly transform your yard into a serene oasis. Whether you have small trees in compact spaces or larger areas to work with, planting these trees will fill your garden with magic and elegance.
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The Yoshino Cherry, Dogwood, and Magnolia are just a few examples of white flowering trees that can bring calm and beauty to your outdoor space. Imagine strolling through your yard with the soft fragrance of alluring bell-shaped flowers filling the air. Even the Eastern Redbud, though not white-flowered, adds contrast to create a personal haven where you can unwind and appreciate the masterpiece of nature. These trees, blooming at different times of the year, provide a continuous display of nature’s finest, making your garden a peaceful retreat for you and visiting wildlife.
25 Best White Flowering Trees to Enrich Your Garden
White Redbud
Scientific name: Cercis canadensis cultivars
Mature size: 10 to 12 feet tall, 8 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
Redbuds are known for their vibrant blooms in early spring, offering a range of colours from red and pink to the more delicate white types. These small trees charm any garden with heart-shaped leaves that bring beauty even after the flowering season ends. When you plant a redbud, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of colour and greenery as it leaves out for the rest of the season.
Yoshino Cherry
Scientific name: Prunus x yedoensis
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 8
The Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is a favourite for its stunning spring display of white to pale pink blossoms. This Japanese flowering cherry grows to a mature size of 20 to 30 feet and thrives in full sun with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Its graceful and spreading form adds a delicate touch to gardens and parks, making it a popular choice for anyone seeking beautiful flowers in their landscape.
Serviceberry
Scientific name: Amelanchier
Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun, six or more hours per day; partial sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
Often overlooked, the Serviceberry is a lesser-known ornamental tree named shadbush, juneberry, or saskatoon. In spring, it dazzles with white blooms, followed by blue-red berries that are delicious in jam and loved by birds. One standout variety, Autumn Brilliance, delivers stunning red-orange fall foliage, ensuring year-round appeal.
Smoke Tree
Scientific Name: Cotinus coggygria
Mature size: 10-15 Feet
Sun Exposure: Full sun, six to eight hours per day
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
For something unique, the Smoke Tree offers a distinctive look with its large panicles that give off a hazy appearance starting in June. It reaches its peak bloom, creating a blessed covering perfect for nesting habitat and attracting wildlife. The tree continues to stand out with its display, which can last into August.
Japanese Snowbell
Scientific name: Styrax japonicus
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 8
The Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus) is another exquisite option, showcasing pendulous, fragrant white flowers in late spring. This tree grows to a mature size of 20 to 30 feet and performs well in full sun and partial shade. Its dark green foliage and graceful form make it perfect for enhancing garden landscapes with a touch of elegance.
White Wisteria
Scientific name: Wisteria sinensis ‘Alba’
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
White Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis’ Alba’) is a deciduous climbing vine known for its cascading clusters of fragrant white flowers. Reaching a mature size of 20 to 30 feet, this stunning vine thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Its graceful vines make it ideal for pergolas, arbours, or trellises, creating a dramatic display with stunning blooms.
American Elder
Scientific name: Sambucus canadensis
Mature size: 5 to 12 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 3 to 9
This deciduous shrub can grow into a small tree and showcases clusters of creamy white flowers. With a compact mature size of 5 to 12 feet, it thrives in full sun to part shade and loves moist, well-drained soil. Besides being ornamental, it offers edible qualities like elderberries, making it perfect for gardens and naturalized areas.
Snowy Mespilus
Scientific name: Amelanchier lamarckii
Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall, 10 to 15 feet wide
Sun Exposure: full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
This deciduous tree boasts showy white flowers in the spring and offers vibrant fall foliage. It reaches a mature size of 15 to 25 feet and prefers full sun or part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Its multi-seasonal interest makes it a great addition to any landscape.
Japanese Stewartia
Scientific name: Stewartia pseudocamellia
Mature size: 15 to 40 feet tall and spreads 10 to 25 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 7
The Japanese Stewartia is a stunning choice for those living in southern areas. It features vibrant camellia-like blooms, a gorgeous fall colour, and colourful peeling bark. This medium-sized, multi-stemmed tree can grow between 15 to 40 feet high and spreads 10 to 25 feet wide, creating a canopy that protects against winter winds. The bloom occurs in summer, followed by yellow, red, and purple hues in the fall, making it a genuine shapely specimen for your garden.
Bridal Wreath Spirea
Scientific name: Spiraea prunifolia
Mature size: 6 to 9 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
The Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) is a deciduous shrub with arching branches adorned with clusters of white flowers. It typically grows to a mature size of 6 to 9 feet and flourishes in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil. Its graceful form and abundant blooms make it a classic choice for cottage gardens and informal landscapes.
Southern Magnolia
Scientific name: Magnolia grandiflora
Mature size: 60 to 80 feet tall, 30 to 50 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 7 to 9
The Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is an iconic evergreen tree known for its large, fragrant, glossy white flowers. It can grow to a mature size of 60 to 80 feet, providing year-round greenery and striking blossoms. It thrives in full sun or partial shade with rich, well-drained soil, making it a classic choice for beautiful gardens and estates.
Crape Myrtle
Scientific name: Lagerstroemia spp.
Mature size: typically 6 to 25 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 7 to 10
These deciduous and sometimes evergreen trees can grow from 6 to 25 feet tall. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, producing vibrant blooms in summer. The Natchez Crape Myrtle is popular for its pure white flowers and attractive bark. Its resistance to pests makes it an excellent choice for any garden or landscape.
White Bottlebrush
Scientific name: Callistemon citrinus
Mature size: 6 to 15 feet tall, 6 to 12 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 8 to 11
This evergreen shrub can also take the form of a small tree, reaching a mature size of 6 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide. In full sun and well-drained soil, it produces unique cylindrical spikes of white brush-like flowers. Known for its heat tolerance, it’s a perfect fit for Mediterranean and coastal landscapes.
Hawthorn
Scientific name: Crataegus spp.
Mature size: Usually 15 to 25 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness zones: Varies by species
The Hawthorn (Crataegus) is another fantastic choice for your garden. This deciduous tree features lovely spring blooms and small red or black fruits. It can grow to a mature size of 15 to 25 feet, thriving in full sun or partial shade. With its ornamental features, this tree is also wildlife-friendly, making it an excellent addition to your landscapes.
Mexican Plum
Scientific name: Prunus mexicana
Mature size: 15-25′ tall
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 5-9
If you’re looking for a native plum species, consider the Mexican Plum. Found in the southern states, this tree has a single trunk and produces fragrant white blooms on bare branches in spring. By autumn, it bears edible purple fruits. This tree is perfect for attracting wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds and pollinators like butterflies and tiger swallowtails.
Star Magnolia
Scientific name: Magnolia stellate
Mature size: 10 to 15 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
The Star Magnolia is a striking option, especially for smaller gardens. This deciduous tree, a relative of the southern magnolia, offers dramatic flower displays in early spring. It grows to about 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, making it ideal for compact spaces. Although it may be prone to damage from late spring frosts, planting it in a protected location can help ensure it thrives.
Kousa Dogwood
Scientific name: Cornus kousa
Mature Size: 15 to 25 feet tall, 15 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun, six or more hours per day; partial sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 8
Dogwood tree is known for its stunning white springtime blooms. Its unique vase-like shape and horizontal branching adds great curb appeal to any landscape. Dogwoods can thrive in part shade or full sun and are particularly suited for cooler climates. Their red berries and burgundy fall foliage add even more charm to your garden.
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Fringe Tree
Scientific name: Chionanthus virginicus
Mature size: 12 to 20 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 3 to 9
This deciduous tree grows to a mature size of 12 to 20 feet and features delicate fringe-like clusters of white flowers. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist soil. Its unique blossoms make it an enchanting addition to any garden or landscape.
Seven-Son Flower
Scientific name: Heptacodium miconioides
Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall, 8 to 10 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
USDA Hardiness zones: zones 5-9
This multi-stemmed tree has glossy foliage and produces fragrant, nectar-rich blooms in late summer. The petal-like calyces add a clean and attractive look to your garden, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Its exfoliating bark and ability to showcase rosy blooms in winter make it a true standout.
White Cedar
Scientific name: Thuja occidentalis
Mature size: 30 to 65 feet tall, 8 to 15 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 2 to 7
The White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is an evergreen conifer that grows columnar to a mature size of 30 to 65 feet. Its aromatic foliage thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. This tree’s year-round greenery makes it an adaptable choice for hedges, screens, or even windbreaks.
Higan Cherry
Scientific name: Prunus subhirtella
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 5 to 8
This deciduous tree displays semi-double flowers in early spring and has a mature size of 20 to 30 feet. It thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. With an extended bloom period and attractive fall foliage, it’s perfect for gardens and urban landscapes.
Crabapple
Scientific name: Malus species
Mature size: 10 to 25 feet tall and wide
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
The Crabapple tree is also a classic choice. Known for its 5-petaled blossoms in mid-spring, the white-flowered varieties offer delightful fragrance. These trees typically feature pink buds and have a vase-shaped appearance with rounded crowns. While some cultivars require maintenance, many disease-resistant varieties can thrive, providing yellow or red fruits that attract birds.
Silverbell Tree
Scientific name: Halesia spp.
Mature size: Typically 20 to 40 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Hardiness zones: Varies by species
This deciduous tree grows to a mature size of 20 to 40 feet and produces bell-shaped white flowers. It flourishes in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Its graceful appearance makes for a beautiful ornamental planting in any landscape.
Catalpa
Scientific name: Catalpa speciosa
Mature size: 40 to 70 feet tall, 20 to 40 feet wide
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
This deciduous tree can reach a mature size of 40 to 70 feet, making it perfect for large landscapes or urban areas. With its large heart-shaped leaves and unique blooms featuring white flowers with purple and yellow markings, the Catalpa creates a broad canopy with lovely shade. It thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it a versatile option for many gardens.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Scientific name: Clematis terniflora
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
This deciduous vine is perfect for adding charm to fences, walls, or trellises. Small white flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall can grow to a mature size of 20 to 30 feet. This vine thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers well-drained soil. Its vigorous growth and late-season blooms make it an ideal choice for extending the flowering season in your garden.
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Tips for Selecting a White Flowering Tree for Your Yard
When selecting suitable flowering trees for your yard, it’s important to consider their mature size and how they’ll fit into your overall plan. A Southern Magnolia is perfect for grand landscapes if you have a large space. At the same time, compact selections work best in smaller areas. Think about the design elements—from the blooms to the interesting bark and even the colourful fruits or fall foliage that can enhance your garden all year. Flowering trees attract wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, making native selections an excellent choice to keep your yard naturally vibrant and featured year-round.
Final observations
Incorporating white flowering trees into your yard is a beautiful way to create a serene, picturesque landscape that provides shade, attracts wildlife, and blooms at various times throughout the year. From the delicate Yoshino Cherry to the robust Southern Magnolia, these trees transform outdoor spaces with elegance and natural charm. With so many stunning options, there’s a perfect white flowering tree for every garden style and size.
FAQs
What is a small white flower that blooms in early spring?
The snowdrop is a small white flower that blooms in early spring (Galanthus nivalis).
Which trees bloom earliest in spring?
Trees that bloom earliest in spring include red maple, willow, and cherry trees.
What trees are white?
Trees known for their white flowers include dogwood, magnolia, and crabapple trees.
What tree in Minnesota has white flowers in spring?
In Minnesota, the white flowering dogwood and crabapple trees commonly have white flowers in spring.
