Top 10 White Blooming Trees to Plant in Your Backyard

Ava Wilson

By Ava Wilson

11 Oct. 2025

8 min read

White Flower Tree
AI Generated Image: Intriera

Table of Content

    White flowering trees can beautify any landscape with their pristine-looking white blooms. Once they mature, they provide adequate shade and also attract chirpy wildlife. The white blooms of the tree not only brighten the landscape but also indicate the onset of spring.

    If there is enough space in the backyard, then adding white flowering trees can be one of the primary choices of homeowners. This blog outlines various types of white flowering trees that one can consider planting.

    Top 10 Best White Flowering Trees

    Kousa Dogwood

    Kousa Dogwood
    Photo: @hfxpublicgardens

    These trees maintain a visual appeal throughout the year. Spring’s white blooms are replaced by red berries and burgundy leaves in the fall. Its unique vase-like shape and horizontal branching make it more attractive.

    Although they prefer part shade, they can also handle full sun in cooler climates. They can grow 15 to 25 feet tall and  15 feet wide. It is ideal to grow them in USDA Hardiness zones 5 to 8.

    Crape Myrtle

    Crape Myrtle
    Photo: @timsgardencentre

    This is known as “lilac of the south”, and thrives best in full sunlight.   It can also grow in partial shade, though with reduced blooming. It also attracts numerous birds, making it an excellent choice for spring.

    It prefers to grow in USDA Hardiness zones 7 to 10. It is best to expose it to full sun for 6 or more hours every day.

    Star Magnolia

    Star Magnolia
    Photo: @connonnurseries

    This white flower tree produces big and snowy blooms that also have a pleasant smell. Star Magnolias are available as both a multi-stemmed shrub and in tree form. They can grow plenty of flowers with narrow petals.

    They require full to partial sun and grow best in slightly acidic soil. These trees can grow as tall as 15 to 30 feet and  10 to 15 feet wide. It is better to grow them in USDA Hardiness zones 4 to 7.

    Crab Apple

    Crab Apple
    Photo: @rbgcanada

    These trees can produce pink, white, and yellow flowers. In spring, they grow a bunch of white flowers that can later turn into shiny red berries, which birds prefer to eat.

    If you have less space, these trees can be considered as they come in comparatively smaller sizes. They can grow anywhere between 8 to 20 feet tall, and spread 15 feet wide. They grow best in USDA Hardiness zones 3 to 7.

    Japanese Stewartia

    Japanese Stewartia
    Photo: @barnesarboretumsju

    This variety produces a cup-shaped flower, whose dotted centre is yellow in colour. They are known for their slow growth, which means it will take a while for them to grow as tall as 40 feet. They prefer full sun to partial shade, and thrive well in acidic and well-drained soil.

    They can grow 20 to 40 feet tall and spread 15 to 30 feet wide. It is best to grow them in USDA Hardiness zones 4 to 8.

    Carolina Silverbell

    Carolina Silverbell
    Photo: @grantpark.atlanta

    These small to medium-sized trees are native to the Southeast United States, and they produce small bell-shaped white flowers around April. In their native habitat, they can grow up to 60 feet tall. Otherwise, they typically grow to heights of 30 to 40 feet.

    They prefer full sun to partial shade, and grow best in medium moisture and well-drained soil. It is ideal to plant them in zones 4 to 8.

    Fringe Tree

    Fringe Tree
    Photo: @sustainableclaremont

    They bloom in late spring and are known for their airy white flowers that can add a soft or delicate touch to the garden. They often attract native pollinators due to their sweet smell.

    During the fall, female trees produce dark blue fruits that attract birds. On the other hand, male trees produce more visually attractive flowers.

    They grow well in full sun to partial shade, and prefer moist, well-drained soil. These trees can grow 12 to 20 feet tall and spread 12 to 15 feet wide. It is best to plant them in zones 4 to 9.

    Serviceberry

    Serviceberry
    Photo: @english_garden_grown

    These decorative trees are often underrated. They produce a cluster of white flowers during spring. The blooms are followed by blue-red berries that can also be used to make delicious jams. They can grow 15 to 25 feet tall and wide. It is ideal to plant them in zones 4 to 9.

    Franklinia Tree

    Franklinia Tree
    Photo: @seattlearboretum

    This particular variety is native to the southeastern United States. These white-flowering trees bloom in late summer and are often difficult to cultivate. They can grow 10 to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide.

    They prefer full sun to partial shade, and grow best in moist, acidic, well-drained, and rich soil. It is ideal to plant them in zones 5 to 8.

    Bougainvillea

    Bougainvillea
    Photo: @greenheaven.ig

    This is one of the easy to maintain white flowering trees. They often prefer hot weather and grow best under direct sunlight. They are not easily prone to any pest attacks. It is best to grow them in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

    A very interesting fact to know about these beautiful flowers is that they are named after the first Frenchman, Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who sailed around the world.

    Conclusion

    White flowering trees can be a wonderful addition to any landscape, giving it a vibrant spring look. They not only create beautiful displays but are also easy to grow and maintain. Planting these pollinator-friendly trees in suitable conditions allows them to thrive without damage.

    Table of Content

      Related Stories