38+ Trees With White Flowers (With Pictures)

Last Updated on December 25, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford

There is nothing more classy, enigmatic, and delicate than seeing a burst of white flowers at any season. They brighten the yard naturally with their color and most of the time, they are beautiful indicators of the coming spring.

There are various trees that sport white flowers. As a matter of fact, most trees have one cultivar which bears white flowers.

If you are looking for these types of trees, this post rounds up the best landscape choices for you. They are categorized into different types and color combos if you want other alternatives. Hence, without much fuss, read on.

In this article

How do you identify a white flowering tree?

There is no generic way to identify if a tree would sport white flowers aside from previous knowledge of which variants and cultivars bloom one. With this knowledge, you can easily compare their characteristics depending on the size of the tree, its natural habitat, its form, its leaves, bark, and even fruits.

Types Of Trees With White Flowers

Trees with small white flowers

1. American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

This small tree also bears clusters of tiny, white flowers during spring. It is one of the most perfect landscape trees for rain gardens as its natural habitat would be wet soils.

It would require regular pruning though because it grows through suckers. During its blooming season, expect lemon scented, white flowers from this tree.

2. Bridal wreath spirea (Spirae aprunifolia)

This is one of the flashiest trees that produce masses of small, bright white flowers during summer. It follows a wispy growth habit.

It is unique because the blooms appear first before its foliage. It is mainly used as a hedge plant because this tree does not grow very tall. It is also a beautiful accent tree for summer gardens.

3. Carolina silverbell

As the name suggests, this flowering tree is native to the Southern regions of the US. It blooms small, white flowers starting early summer, sometimes simultaneously sprouting along its foliage.

Its native habitat would be the Appalachian woods where it grows to a maximum of 60ft. You would usually find this where rhododendrons and azaleas thrive.

4. Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa)

It is one of the largest trees of the Cornus species as it grows to a maximum of 80ft. It is native to Asian countries, specifically in China and Japan. It produces flat, creamy white clusters of small flowers throughout summer.

It is usually used as a lawn tree, but it could be messy because of its profuse blue-black berries sprouting during the last weeks of summer.

5. Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa)

This one is a tropical plant and a rare flowering tree during summer. It grows to just 20ft, producing flowers at 2-inches in size. Although small, the blooms are standouts because they are star shaped. After the blooms disappear, plum or cranberry-like fruits appear.

These are edible fruits that can be harvested for jams, jellies, and other produce. As accent plants, they are used as container plants for patios and decks. They are also very hardy plants that can tolerate diverse soil conditions.

Trees with big white flowers

6. Angel’s trumpet

This one can be grown as a shrub or full-blown tree as it ranges from 6-20ft. It grows on multiple stems and sports large flowers that grow to up to 12-inches.

The flowers are trumpet shaped, as the name implies, and they bloom from summer to fall. This tree is commonly used as a landscape plant in warmer climates. As shrubs, they are usually used as container plants for patios and decks.

7. Buttonbush

Growing to up to 20ft, this North America native produces standout, cushion-pin like, large, white flowers during mid to late summer. With its rounded and open flowers, it is a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators.

If you are looking for a flowering tree that would grow well along water features and in wet soils, this is one of the best landscape trees that you can choose for your rain garden.

8. Kobus magnolia (Magnolia kobus)

This small tree interestingly produces medium to large, fragrant, white flowers starting March. After the blooming season, the striking, glossy foliage will appear. It grows to up to 40ft, in a rounded, spreading form.

It also sports seed pods as soon as fall comes, and this makes it an attractive tree for birds and other wildlife. Although it grows tall, it is a small grower, so it is commonly used as a lawn tree or hedge plant.

Trees with white flowers in spring

9. Chinese fringe trees (Chionanthus retusus)

This is a medium sized tree, growing in multi-stems, featuring a dense, rounded crown. Its leaves are whimsical, with its elliptical, leathery, dark green leaves. As the name implies, it is native to China, Korea, and Japan.

It features pure, bright white, scented, small flowers with a fringe shape and in a profuse manner. It thrives in full sun and dappled light.

10. Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis)

If you want a full, spring, visual display, the Yoshino cherry which is again native to China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan would be a fine choice. They are medium sized, sporting an elliptical, serrated foliage that turns into bronze during fall.

During spring, it profusely blooms clusters of creamy white flowers. After that, black colored berries appear. It thrives in full sun to dappled light.

11. Crabapple

This is another medium sized tree that grows in tropical to temperate climates of North America, Europe, and Asia. During spring, it produces clusters of white flowers. After this, yellow, green, and red apple fruits appear.

The leaves are also a treat during fall as they change green to reddish purple or yellow orange. The fruits of the crabapple cannot be eaten raw, but they can be used for tarts, jellies, jams, and other preserves.

12. Japanese crepe myrtle

Like the Yoshino cherry, you would love to have this medium sized tree in your spring garden because of its showy clusters of bright white flowers. These blooms are complemented by its cinnamon-colored bark, striking, glossy and deep green foliage, and majestic rounded, and dense crown.

It is also a growing favorite for specimen trees because while it grows best in tropical to temperate climates, it could well adjust in colder locations.

13. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)

It is also known as the Cleveland pear tree. It is known for being a fast growing, ornamental tree, producing clusters of small, bright white flowers on its upright branches.

Its leaves are equally stunning as they range from bright red to orange colors with tinges of golden yellow as it goes through fall. It is a low maintenance specimen tree that thrives in full sun and well-draining soils.

Fragrant trees with white flowers

14. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

This one is an A-lister when it comes to fragrant trees with white flowers. It grows as a medium size yet dense tree with a dark brown barn and glossy, leathery, deep green leaves. From spring to mid-summer, it sports large, white, cup-sized flowers with a sweet, vanilla-like scent that could envelop the whole surrounding.

Its white, fragrant flowers are also used in making leis in tropical states of the US like in Hawaii.

15. Purple leaf sandcherry (Prunus × cistena)

More than its sweet scented, small, white flowers during spring, this small tree is known for its showy purple foliage. Its flowers are particularly interesting too because they start out as pink and then gradually turn into bright white.

They grow at a height of 20ft and a spread of 10ft, making it a perfect ornamental or specimen tree for any garden. It also bears fruits that are a source of food for birds.

16. Tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans)

This small tree has an interesting blooming season because it blooms whenever the climate is not too hot or too cold. As a matter of fact, it blooms in the weeks between spring and fall, bearing clusters of tiny, white, and fragrant flowers.

They say that its scent is the combination of rose, jasmine, and gardenia. And during spring, it would have a signature sweet yet lemony smell. It grows to up to 12ft and is a good accent plant in pool sides and around the fence.

17. Night blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)

This woody shrub that can be cultivated into a small tree bears small, star shaped flowers, with the most fragrant smell. It gets its name from the fact that it’s white, vanilla, and lemony scented, white flowers only bloom at night.

It also has a striking leathery, deep green foliage and a manageable height of up to 13ft. They are grown in tropical climates, but they too need a bit of cold and damp air to grow well.

18. Japanese flowering apricot (Prunus mume)

This one blooms white to pink flowers during spring which creates a phantasm of charm in winter gardens. It grows at the same height as dogwoods or redbuds. It has a classic sweet smell that makes you remember good old childhood days. While beautiful, it could be quite rare to find and buy.

19. Camellia

Unknown to most, this woody shrub can be cultivated into a small to medium sized tree that can grow to up to 15ft. It features different bloom colors, but its white and pink flowers look the most delicate.

Camellias have the scent of spring: sweet, lemony and a bit musky, all at the same time. Since this tree practically blooms flowers almost year-round, planting one in your landscape means that you get to smell its sweet smell through all seasons.

Trees with purple and white flowers

20. Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

This one is such a beautiful landscape tree with stunning fern-like, feathery, foliage, purple blooms with yellow centers, and white streaks.

They are fast growers, reaching to a height of 30ft, offering enough shade for patios, courtyards, and decks. They are also very standout front yard specimen trees, adding instant curb appeal to any home.

21. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

It is also called Vitex, growing to up to 20ft. It is just delicately gorgeous, with clusters of lilac-colored flowers with white streaks at the top.

The leaves are gray green during spring, creating a visual display in courtyards. Because it blooms in profusion, it is the favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its multi, twisty stems also add to its stunning character.

22. Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

It is not just a profusion of purple and white but also of tender blue colors. It is one of the most beautiful spring trees that you should have in your yard. They may be small trees but expect to smell a grape juice scent all day during spring.

Most of all, this one is tolerant to arid environments and even in frost. Plus, with its compact size, it can fit in any space around the yard.

23. Royal Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

This one is a native of Eastern Asia, known to be a fast grower but with brittle wood. It is considered as an invasive tree in some US states like Pennsylvania. But its clusters of trumpet shaped, pale purple flowers, some are even so pale they look creamy white.

Aside from that, its blooms are very fragrant, and its leaves are heart shaped, large, and deep green in color.

24. Burgundy desert willow (Chilopsis linearis, ‘Burgundy’)

This one grows to a maximum of 30ft, blooming purple, burgundy, and white flowers. In the fall, their bell-shaped flowers turn into brown capsules which are loved by birds and other wildlife. They thrive in full sun and are very tolerant to drought. It is native to the US, particularly in Texas, New Mexico, and California.

Fruit tree with white flowers

25. Fuji apple tree (Malus domestica ‘Fuji’)

As you might have already guessed, this is the tree that produces Fuji apples in the spring. But before this fleshy goodness, clusters of white, fragrant blooms.

This tree grows in cooler temperatures and unfortunately, it is not drought tolerant although it loves the sun. Just imagine having an orchard full of these and you would not miss a glittering bloom season.

26. Hosui Asian pear tree

This is a small tree that grows to just 12ft. It is a fast-growing tree with beautiful, daisy like, small, white flowers that appear before the fruits appear in the summer.

The fruits appear in just a year of growing and when you taste it, expect a fusion between an apple and a pear. The best thing about this tree is that it is drought tolerant, and it is cold hardy.

27. Owari Satsuma Mandarin tree

Unlike most mandarin trees, this one produces seedless, juicy fruit with a longer shelf life than most mandarin fruits. Before the fruits appear, clusters of white, small, cosmos-like flowers appear. You would not miss these blooms just because they are stunning.

They also have a fresh, citrus scent that could fill the air with spring fragrance. It loves the sun, and it is totally a must have for anyone who is building an orchard.

28. Valencia orange tree

This is another must have fruit tree and not just for its full-size orange fruits. Like the others, it sports clusters of small, white, sweet smelling flowers before the fruits appear. It loves full sun and when pruned right can reach up to 13ft.

It is a good orchard and patio tree for anyone who wants to spruce up their landscape a bit. And you would not fall short of those sweet, juicy, and fleshy fruits so that is another plus from this fruit tree.

29. Persimmon tree

This deciduous tree is loved for its orange fruit that we all love. Before the fruits appear, white flowers with yellow crowns appear. Compared to other fruit trees, this one has a more subtle fragrance.

It is not just beautiful for its flowers and fruits but interestingly, it is also a good shade tree, growing to a height of 40ft and a 30ft spread. It loves the sun and thrives well in well-draining soils.

Trees with white cone-shaped flowers

30. Tree hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

When it comes to hardy summer trees, this is one to watch out for. It grows in zones 3-8 and it blooms white, cone-shaped flowers throughout spring and then turns into a reddish-brown tone starting fall.

We all know how flashy the blooms of hydrangeas are and how tolerant they are when it comes to diverse climates as long as they receive full sun and are planted in moist, well-draining soils.

31. Natchez crape myrtle tree (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Natchez’)

It is the cluster of flowers, not the flower themselves, that is cone shaped for this tree. It is identifiable for its profuse, showy, white blooms from summer until fall.

It is a fast-growing tree and is also called the lilac of the South. Its name comes from an old Native American tribe. It is often planted along driveways, walkways, or as screen trees.

32. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Like the tree hydrangea, this one also produces a cone shaped cluster with masses of tiny, white flowers that fade into a pinkish glow as the season progresses to fall. Its foliage is captivating too, with a dark green color, and leathery texture. It is loved by swarms of pollinators, and it is a low maintenance tree that grows to just 12ft.

33. Fountain butterfly bush (Buddleja alternifolia)

This one follows a drooping cone shaped cluster of pinkish white flowers. It grows in between 10-14ft and is usually used as a border plant, placed in locations with full sun. It is also drought tolerant and is hardy even in negative temperatures.

Bonsai trees with white flowers

34. Azalea bonsai (Rhododendron Indicum)

Azaleas are beautiful semi-evergreen flowers that come in a range of colors and different shades. White azalea bonsais are particularly classy looking, blooming in masses during summers.

It should be placed in partial sun and partial shade locations. During winters, it should be kept at 2-8C. Misting during summers would be very important. Wiring of branches should be done from October to December.

35. Bougainvillea bonsai

Not a lot would know this, but bonsai bougainvillea is native to Brazilian rainforests, growing to 10-meters at most. It has thorny leaves, drought, and frost tolerant, loves acidic soils and blooms masses of white flowers from June to September.

Since it is a fast grower even in bonsai form, it has to be wired and pruned regularly. Make sure that it is grown in locations within 12-17C only.

36. Fukien tea bonsai (Carmona retusa)

This one is a tropical evergreen which naturally reaches a height of 10-meters. It is a stunning bonsai tree with its gray bark and twigs, oval, deep green leaves, scented white flowers which bloom from spring to summer, and tiny red berries. This one should be kept indoors from April to September and at a temperature of 15-25C.

37. Common Jasmine orange bonsai (Murraya paniculata)

If you want a bonsai tree that can envelope your home with sweet and citrus scent, this one makes a fine choice. It blooms just a single, yet large flower in spring and a smooth trunk where essential oils are extracted.

It does not thrive in full sun, and it must be kept in a steady 10-20C year-round. This bonsai tree is heavily cultivated in Malaysia and Southern China.

38. Serissa bonsai tree (Serissa foetida)

This evergreen shrub is native to China, India, and the rest of southern Asia. It sports tiny, ovate, glossy, dark green leaves, multiple branches, and clusters of white flowers. Its gray trunk is a sight to behold, but it grows lighter in color as they age. They must be maintained in a temperature of 10-20C.

FAQs

Aside from this full list of white flowering trees, there is also other information that you should specifically know for you to have a more narrowed-down list of what flowering trees you must choose for your landscape. Hence, here are some FAQs about white flowering trees.

What tree has white flowers in May?

For those of you who are looking for some of the best spring flowers that sport white flowers, the following flowering trees are the ones that you should highly consider.

Fringe tree
Giant Dogwood
Hawthorn
Pear trees
Crabapples
Yoshino cherry
Serviceberry
California buckeye
Tree hydrangea
Magnolias
Coastal silver bells
Callery pear
Catalpa trees
Blackhaw Viburnum
Bridal Wreath Spirea
Greybeard tree
Tree lilac
Hackberry
American Mountain Ash
American Plum

What tree has white flowers in June?

On the other hand, if you are looking for white flowering trees that bloom during June or through the summer, the following should be your first choices when it comes to landscape plants.

Natchez crape myrtle
Japanese flowering cherry
Yellowwood
American smoketree
Japanese stewartia
Little leaf linden
Pekin lilac
Butterfly bush
Carolina allspice
Bottlebrush buckeye
Spirea
Bushclover
American elderberry
Chaste tree
Sourwood
Japanese snowbell
Franklinia
Spring snow crabapple
White rose of Sharon
Japanese pagoda tree
Raintree
Seven sons
Tulip tree
Rose tree
Amur Maackia
Summer Wine Ninebark
Purple leaf sandcherry
Kousa dogwood

Are there white flowering trees during winter?

Believe it or not, there are. If you are looking for the best white flowering trees for your winter garden, here are some prime choices for your landscape.

Japanese loquat
Japanese flowering apricot
White floss silk tree
Japanese magnolia
Snowdrift crabapple
Flowering quince
Camellia tree
Chickasaw plum

What white flowering trees bloom in the fall?

It is right to also feature flowering trees with white blooms during the fall. The expected thing here is that fall, and winter are dormant seasons, but you would be astounded to know that there are flowering trees that bloom white flowers which you can choose from.

Pacific dogwood
Fragrant tea olive
Seven son flower
Franklin tree
Autumn higan cherry
Winter King hawthorn
Carolina silverbells
Ornamental cherries
Virginia fringe tree
Star magnolia
Wolf eye dogwood
Crape myrtle
White angel crabapple
European pear

What tree has white flowers and red berries?

Red and white is always a beautiful color combination, and you would surely want that for your landscape tree. As such, here is a list of white flowering trees sporting red berries before or after their blooming season.

Strawberry madrone
Mountain cabbage tree
Chinese photinia
Cotoneaster
Tatarian honeysuckle
Red chokeberry
Peruvian pepper
Buffalo berry
Nanking cherry
American bittersweet
Winterberry
Firethorn
Possumhaw
American Cranberry

Which cherry blossom trees have the most beautiful white flowers?

You would find that some of the finest white flowers are found among cherry and berry cultivars. Since cherry blossoms are considered to be in season right now in parts of the world where they are native trees, here are the cherry blossom tree cultivars with the showiest, most beautiful flowers.

Arthur Turner
Pink Shell
Spire
Tai-Haku
Regina
Kojo-no-mai
Shirotae
Avalon Pride
Snow Goose
Snow Showers
Amanogawa
Fragrant Cloud
Chocolate Ice
Hessei
Mikinori
Oku-miyako
Takasago
Sargent’s Cherry
Fudan Zakura
Kiki Shidare Zakura

The rest are usually a combination of white and pink but if you are more drawn to pure white, these should be the cherry blossoms on your top list.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why a lot of people are drawn to white flowering trees specifically. We cannot deny how classy and delicate these flowers are, especially when they are blooming profusely through the seasons.

They offer a bright spot in any landscape, and they easily become the focal point of any garden with those glittering blooms. If you are on the lookout for the best trees with white flowers, you should definitely start with the ones featured in this list.