14 White Flowering Trees to Plant in Your Landscape

American Elderberry

The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a large shrub, native to much of eastern North America. It prefers boggy, wet soil and is ideal for large rain gardens. It is a sprawling shrub that spreads by suckering, and it will require pruning to keep it in control.

Lemon-scented white flowers appear in clusters in June and July, which are very attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Because it tends to spread, American elderberry is best planted where clustering is desired. Berries are toxic to humans and animals (until cooked).

• Name: American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Mature Size: 10 ft. tall and wide
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

White Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp)

Angel's trumpet (Brugsmania candida, Brugmansia suaveolens, and other species) are a group of small- to medium-sized shrubs with multiple stems and large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers.

In cold climates, this tropical plant must be grown in containers and brought indoors for winter. It usually blooms from mid-summer to fall, with large, sweet-smelling flowers up to 12 inches long. Angel's trumpet can be used as an accent shrub in warm climates, or as a container plant for decks and patios north of zone 9. All parts of the angel's trumpet plant are toxic to humans and animals.

• Name: White angel's trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
• USDA Growing Zones: 9-11
• Mature Size: 6-20 ft. tall, depending on species
• Sun Exposure: Full sun (likes some afternoon shade in warmer regions)
• Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture soil 

Black Chokeberry

Native to eastern North America, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a smallish, suckering shrub that produces clusters of white, small-petaled flowers in May, followed by berries that ripen to black in fall. Leaves turn an attractive purple/red in fall.

It is most often used in group or mass plantings, where its suckering tendency is not a problem. This shrub has a good tolerance for wet conditions.

• Name: Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
• USDA Growing Zones: 3-8
• Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall and wide
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic conditions

Bridal Wreath Spirea

Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia) has a wispy growth habit, with branches that fill with masses of small, double white flowers in early spring just before the leaves sprout. It is ideal as a foundation plant or for border plantings.

Many varieties turn an attractive shade of yellow, orange, or gold in fall. This shrub is often used as borders, foundation plantings, or as a specimen shrub.

• Name: Bridal wreath spirea (Spiraea prunifolia)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
• Mature Size: 4-8 ft. tall and wide
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Buttonbush

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), native across much of North America, is a medium- to large-sized shrub with an open, rounded growth habit. It produces unusual pin-cushion flowers in June that are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators.

It has a good tolerance for moist and wet soils, making it a good choice for rain gardens and around water features. It is also popular for naturalizing in woodland garden settings. The leaves are toxic to humans.

• Name: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
• Mature Size: 5-12 ft. tall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, rich soil

Carolina Silverbell

Native to the Southeast U.S., the Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina) is a small- to medium-sized landscape tree that produces small bell-shaped white flowers in April, just before or simultaneously with the leaves sprouting. It typically grows to 30 to 40 feet tall, but heights of 60 feet are possible in its native habitat (Appalachian woods). 

Fall foliage is an attractive yellowish-green but drops early. Azaleas and rhododendrons grow well beneath a Carolina silverbell.

• Name: Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina)
• USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
• Mature Size: 30-40 ft. tall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil

Fringe Tree

The fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a shrub or small tree native to the Eastern U.S. It produces 4- to 6-inch-long clusters of creamy white flowers with fringe-like petals in May and June. The flowers give way to bluish-black fruits in mid-summer, which attract birds. The spear-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall.

The fringe tree prefers moist soils but it tolerates most soil types. This low-maintenance tree has a good tolerance for air pollution and urban environments. Fringe tree is often grown in small groups or as an individual specimen tree on the lawn.

• Name: Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Mature Size: 12-20 ft. tall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Giant Dogwood

Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa), as the name suggests, is one of the larger Cornus species, growing 35 to 40 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 40 feet. Native to Japan and China, it produces flattened clusters of creamy-white flowers in May and June, giving way to bluish-black fruit that ripens in late summer. The fall foliage is not notable. Giant dogwood is normally used as a lawn tree.

• Name: Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
• Mature Size: 35-40 ft, tall, 20-40 ft. wide
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil

Kobus Magnolia

Kobus magnolia (Magnolia kobus) is a small tree (or large shrub) that produces its 4-inch cup-shaped white flowers in March, well before the leaves appear. This is a slow-growing plant that is pyramidal when young but grows gradually to a spreading, rounded form. 

Seed pods open in fall, and birds are attracted to the seeds as food. The fall foliage is unremarkable. Kobus magnolia is most often grown as a small specimen tree in the lawn, but because it grows slowly, plants are sometimes grouped in screen hedges on large properties.

If you love magnolia trees, try star magnolia with its bright white star-shaped flowers.

• Name: Kobus magnolia (Magnolia kobus)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
• Mature Size: 25-30 ft. tall 
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drain loam

Natal Plum

Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa), a warm-climate plant, is a rare flowering shrub that can provide flowers during most of the growing season. The main bloom season is summer, but flowers and fruit are continually produced. The 2-inch star-like flowers are followed by red plum-shaped fruit that tastes like cranberries and can be used in jellies and jams.

Dwarf varieties of natal plum are sometimes grown in large pots on decks and patios; larger varieties are used as screens or specimen plants in the landscape. They are favorite plants for seaside areas since natal plums tolerate wind and salty conditions. Note that Carissa macrocarpa is listed as invasive in some areas and it is also slightly toxic to humans. Check with your local extension agent before planting.

• Name: Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa)
• USDA Growing Zones: 9-10
• Mature Size: 2–8 ft., but some varieties can grow to 20-30 ft.
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade (prefers afternoon shade)
• Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; tolerates salty conditions

Orange Jasmine

Orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) is a warm-climate shrub with twisting branches that is also popular as a container plant in cooler climates. It has glossy evergreen leaves and produces fragrant white flowers about 1 inch across several times throughout the year. Small, attractive fruits follow the flowers.

In climates where it is hardy, orange jasmine is planted as a hedge or screen. Elsewhere, it is planted in large pots and brought indoors during the cold months. Orange jasmine tolerates pruning and can be easily shaped into hedges or trimmed to remain manageable pots.

• Name: Orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
• USDA Growing Zones: 10-12
• Mature Size: 8-12 ft. tall and wide
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained loam

Japanese Snowbell

Japanese snowbell tree (Styrax japonicus) is a little-known small, compact tree that blooms in May and June displaying clusters of fragrant, bell-shaped, white blossoms that last several weeks. The tree thrives in bright, direct sun and dwarf varieties can also be grown in containers.

Be careful that you don't overfertilize this tree or too much nitrogen will result in an overabundance of foliage without flowers.

• Name: Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
• Mature Size: 20-30 ft. tall
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, part shade
• Soil Needs: Humus rich, well-drained clay, sand, loam
  

Serviceberry

Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) provides fragrant, pendulous white blossoms in the spring that attract butterflies. The tree continues to offer juicy purple berries (also called Juneberries) in summer and turns a dramatic color in the autumn when the leaves turn from bluish-green to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

The tree does well in partial or full sun. But if you live in a very hot climate or have extremely cold winters, this may not be the right white-blooming tree. The berries may be messy, as well, but you will see an abundance of songbirds flocking to your yard for the treats.

• Name: Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
• USDA Growing Zones: 4-7
• Mature Size: 8-10 ft.
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

Hydrangeas

There are numerous types of white hydrangeas. The beloved hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) shrub that can be trained into a tree shape, comes in all sizes, from dwarf to quite large. Most hydrangea types thrive in fertile, well-draining soil that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Depending on the variety, white flowers appear in late spring with their lush blooms lasting into fall.

Try peegee hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) for late-summer white blooms, shooting star hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Hanabi') for star-shaped double-white flowers, or the ever-popular Annabelle (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') for its show of snowy white flowers. As long as your soil is more on the acidic side, all hydrangeas, white or other colors, will be happy. Note that all hydrangeas are toxic to animals.

• Name: Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
• Mature Size: 2-20 ft. tall, 2-6 ft. wide
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained