11 White Flowering Trees That Will Add Instant Elegance to Your Garden

Chinese Snowball Viburnum

The oversized white blooms of a snowball viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum) are springtime showstoppers, says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.

"The flowers come out green, and when fully open, brighten to a giant white snowball," she says. "[They're] easily the size of a softball. The green buds begin to show in late winter, with flowers opening up well into early spring."

• Zone: 6 to 10
• Size: 15 to 20 feet tall x 15 to 20 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Dogwood

Like magnolia, dogwoods (Cornus) are some of the most beloved white-flowering trees. Unlike magnolias, their blossoms are “actually bracts—modified leaves that surround the tree’s tiny true flowers at their center,” says Jason Parker, district manager at Davey Tree Expert Co.

“Flowering dogwood showcases delicate white blossoms in early spring and has beautiful, red-purple fall foliage," he adds. "They attract birds in late summer and fall with their small red berries.” 

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 15 to 30 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. Intolerant of dry soils
  

Star Magnolia

Magnolias come in hundreds of varieties—each is stunning in its own way.

“We can’t talk about white flowering trees without mentioning magnolias,” says Sarah C. Low, assistant professor of urban forestry at Oregon State University. “They're known for their big, showy white flowers. Besides being showstoppers, the blooms have a delicate fragrance.”

One of Low’s favorites is the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), which is available as a multi-stemmed shrub or a tree-form cultivar (she recommends the Centennial and Chrysanthemumflora varieties).

“Star magnolia has abundant flowers, and its many narrow petals give the look of little white ribbons,” Low adds. 

• Zone: 4 to 7
• Size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full to partial sun; prefers slightly acidic soil
  

Sweetbay Magnolia

If you have a smaller garden, then the sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is a great choice.

“[These are] often multi-stemmed, with silvery smooth bark,” says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University. “The leaves have a silvery underside that can be appreciated in a light gust; the cream-white flowers add a nice element to the landscape."

• Zone: 5 to 10
• Size: 10 to 35 feet tall x 10 to 35 feet wide 
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil 

Japanese Stewartia

Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) produces cup-shaped flowers dotted with sunny yellow centers.

“The flower is noteworthy, but so is its exfoliating bark, which makes it an attractive tree all year,” says Low. “Generally considered a small tree, they do sometimes grow to be 40 feet tall—but their slow growth means you'll have to wait a while for that.”

• Zone: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 20 to 40 feet tall x 15 to 30 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, acidic, well-drained soil
  

Fringe Tree

The slim, draping petals of the American fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) inspired its descriptive name.

“Known for its airy white blooms, which appear in late spring, [it] adds a soft, romantic texture to the landscape,” says Parker. “It has a sweet fragrance and is a favorite of native pollinators. In fall, female trees produce dark blue fruits that attract birds. Male trees have showier blooms.”

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Size: 12 to 20 feet tall x 12 to 15 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soil

Serviceberry

Give your garden an early burst of blossoms with a serviceberry tree (Amelanchier).

“This small native tree is one of the first to bloom in early spring, with clusters of star-like white flowers,” says Parker. “Serviceberries offer year-round interest with edible summer berries, golden-orange fall foliage, and smooth gray bark in winter.”

Low also recommends the serviceberry. Its early-season blooms are great for impatient gardeners, it boasts flavorful juneberries, and it draws welcome birds. “ The edible berries are loved by cedar waxwings, a migrating songbird that can be found throughout North America,” she says.

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Size: 15 to 25 feet tall x 15 to 25 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Crab Apple

Crab apples (Malus sylvestris) are spring-blooming trees that add delicate ivory blossoms to your landscape.

“[They] put on a showy display of white (or pink) blossoms in spring, followed by small ornamental fruits that persist into winter and attract birds,” says Parker. “Many newer varieties are disease-resistant and have attractive foliage and branching forms.”

• Zone: 4 to 8 (varies slightly by cultivar)
• Size: 15 to 25 feet tall x 15 to 25 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Crepe Myrtle

For a neutral alternative to pink, red, or purple crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), consider opting for a white-flowering version instead.

Abdi and Roethling both recommend the Natchez cultivar. "[It's] the perfect small flowering tree for many reasons," says Roethling. "In winter, the smooth, cinnamon brown bark is intense over a blanket of snow. In June, July, and August, large panicles of white flowers are produced en masse. The flowers will attract honeybees by the dozens."

• Zone: 6 to 9
• Size: 25 feet tall x 25 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soils

Franklinia Tree

The Franklinia tree (Franklinia alatamaha) is native to the southeastern United States.

“This isn't the easiest tree to find or to grow, but it's worth the effort," says Low. "Unlike most white flowering trees, the blooms can be seen in late summer, and they may continue to bloom into September, depending on where you live,” she says. 

• Zone: 5 to 8
• Mature Size: 10 feet to 20 feet tall x 15 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, acidic, well-drained, rich soil

Dove Tree

The asymmetrical flowers of the dove tree (Davidia involucrata) aren’t flowers at all. They're white leaves “that flap in the wind, giving the look of angel wings,” says Low.

"[They] grow on either side of the much subtler, true flowers," she adds. "Dove trees are hard to find and hard to establish ... but if you can find one and give it a good spot to thrive, they will grow wings.”

• Zone: 6 to 7
• Mature Size: 20 to 60 feet tall x 20 to 40 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full to partial sun; moist, rich, well-drained soil