Introduction
Imagine walking down your driveway in spring surrounded by blooming trees the color of freshly fallen snow. A breeze picks up, and suddenly white petals cascade to the ground around you as you walk. This could be your reality with a variety of trees, which we will describe below. It could be a crabapple, an iconic magnolia, or a charming pear tree. These elegant trees bring springtime tranquility to any landscape with their delicate blossoms and lush foliage. Join us as we explore the captivating features and care tips for these stunning flowering trees. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s something truly magical about watching them bloom and thrive.
Top Picks for White Blooming Trees
Below are some time-proven white blooming trees curated by our experienced nursery team that look stunning in the landscape.
Magnolia - The magnolia tree has been around for more than 100 million years! The fragrant and show stopping white flowers on the loebner variety of magnolia are a sight to see in early spring. This magnolia is fast-growing, reaching heights between 20-30 ft tall. It’s an incredibly hardy plant that can survive the harsh conditions of zone 4 through the hot summers of zone 9. (Check out this map to find your growing zone.) If you’re looking for a loebner magnolia, check out our Merrill Magnolia variety!
Crabapple - There are many varieties of crabapples that feature white flowers, but one of our favorites is the Spring Snow crabapple. It’s the only fruitless crabapple! Hardy from growing zones 4-8, it would make a great addition to your yard as a specimen tree, or when planted in small groups. In spring, this tree will showcase fragrant pure white flowers and shiny, glossy green foliage. The green leaves will turn a slight yellow in fall. It's a good uniform grower with good heat tolerance. Spring Snow grows up to 20-25' tall and up to 15-20' wide.
If you’re more interested in a white flowering crabapple with fruit, look no further than the bright, cherry red fruit of the Red Jewel® Crabapple, a popular choice for year-round interest!
Ornamental Callery Pear - White flowers grace the Callery Pear in early spring. We offer the stunning Cleveland Select variety, which is pyramidal-shaped and grows up to 25’ in height. Due to its shape, it requires little to no shaping or pruning. It’s hardy from zones 5-8. These trees are known for their colorful nature and multi-season interest. Their leaves turn a brilliant red and purple in the fall! We recommend planting as a stand-alone tree, street tree, or accent plant.
Catalpa - A wonderfully hardy, native tree! We offer the Northern Catalpa, which has large trumpet-shaped creamy white flowers and massive heart-shaped leaves. These deciduous trees flower in late June and then produce long seed pods. Catalpas grow quickly, and because they’re a native tree they’re tolerant of many tough conditions. They’re hardy from zones 4-8, and grow to reach heights of 40-60’ and up to 40’ wide. Plant as a specimen tree and watch it stand out in your landscape.
Lilac Tree - You may think of lilacs as being shrubs, but there are several tree varieties, like the Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac, that feature wonderfully fragrant white flowers between late May-early June. This lilac tree is sturdy with a compact habit, making it a perfect choice as a street tree. It can reach heights of up to 20’ and grows up to 15’ wide. It even flowers at a young age, so you don’t have to wait years for it to establish itself. The tree thrives in hardiness zones 3-7 and prefers to be planted in full sun and in a well-drained site.
Hydrangea Tree - The most petite tree on our list, the Limelight Hydrangea tree is another example of a shrub that has a tree form. Limelight is a bold yet elegant Hydrangea selection with a profusion of blooms. Lime green flowers emerge in July and age to white and continue to evolve to pink and burgundy colors by fall and remain on the plant. So while this tree only has white blooms for a short while, the sheer size of the blooms is impressive to behold. It is hardy in zones 3-8 and grows between 6-8’ h x 6-8’ w. Panicles grow on new wood, so prune back in early spring only. Moist, well-drained soils are best, but it is very adaptable. Limelight is also available in shrub form.
General Planting and Care Tips
Best Time to Plant
The best time to plant a tree depends on the tree type and your location. In general, trees should be planted in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler and rainfall is more abundant. There is also more natural moisture in the soil, which reduces the stress on newly planted trees. This promotes root establishment and healthy growth. Spring and fall are also the times when insects are less active, meaning there’s less of a risk for infestations.
Planting Tips
- Choose the right tree: Select a tree suitable for your climate and the space where it will be planted. Consider factors such as soil type, sun exposure, and available space.
- Prepare the site: Dig a hole two to three times wider than the tree’s root ball. Remove any grass or weeds from the area around the hole.
- Plant the tree: Place the tree in the hole and make sure it’s level. Backfill the hole with soil and pack it down firmly. Water the tree thoroughly after planting.
- Mulch the tree: Add a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. Mulch stabilizes the ground moisture and the soil temperature.
- Care for the tree: Water the tree regularly, especially during the first seasons after planting. Prune the tree as needed to remove dead or damaged branches.
Care Tips
Water newly planted trees regularly, especially during the first seasons after planting. This helps to establish the roots. Once roots are established, watering should become less frequent. Below are a few watering best practices:
- Check the soil moisture weekly by sticking your finger a few inches into the soil at the base of the tree. If it feels damp, hold off on watering.
- Water at the base of the tree, never the foliage, to reduce the chances of leaf disease.
- Water your plants in the morning to allow them to absorb moisture before the heat of the day evaporates it. Early watering also helps prevent the growth of fungal diseases that thrive in damp conditions.
- Ensure that water reaches the root zone of the tree. A deep and thorough watering encourages plants to develop deep root systems, making them more resilient to drought conditions.
Mulching is another important part of tree maintenance. Below are some mulching best practices from our nursery experts.
- Weed before mulching. Adding mulch on top of weeds will only encourage the weed growth.
- Add a layer of mulch that's about 3" deep on top of soil and surrounding newly planted trees, but don’t pile mulch up around the trunks. This can cause severe damage or even kill plants. Leave a few inches for the tree or plant to breathe.
- Mulch naturally breaks down over time (unless you use a synthetic mulch), so we recommend renewing it every few years.
- We recommend using a double shredded hardwood mulch. Choose one with an organic mixture, so it also helps keep a protective level of moisture near the roots of plants.
How to Incorporate White Flowering Trees into Your Garden Design
Companion Plants for White Blooming Trees
There are many plants that would accentuate the beauty of any of the white blooming trees we mentioned above. A few of our favorites are listed below:
- Hostas: With their lush, green foliage and shade tolerance, hostas are perfect for underplanting white flowering trees. Their broad leaves provide a beautiful contrast to the delicate tree blossoms.
- Astilbes: These shade-loving perennials offer feathery, colorful blooms that can complement the white flowers of trees like magnolias and crabapples.
- Vinca Minor (Periwinkle): This excellent groundcover has glossy leaves and small, blue-purple flowers. It provides a lovely contrast to white blossoms and helps control weeds.
- Rhododendrons and Azaleas: These flowering shrubs thrive in partial shade and add vibrant color contrasts with their pink, red, and purple blooms.
- Ornamental Grasses: Many ornamental grasses offer a graceful, flowing texture that pairs well with the delicate blossoms of white blooming trees.
Landscape Design Tips
- Create Focal Points - Plant white flowering trees in strategic locations to serve as focal points in your landscape. The front yard, near entryways, or in the center of a lawn are ideal spots.
- Layer with Other Plants - Use shade-tolerant perennials and groundcovers under the canopy of the tree to create a lush, layered look. Hostas, ferns, and astilbes work well. For contrasting colors, plant deep green, blue, or purple to make the white flowers stand out.
- Seasonal Interest - If you want continuous blooms, plant a variety of trees that bloom at different times to ensure visual interest throughout the seasons. For example, crabapples bloom in spring, while catalpas and lilacs bloom later.
- Group Planting - Planting trees in groups can create a dramatic effect. Consider planting a small grove of white flowering trees for a woodland feel, or mix them with other flowering trees for a diverse and colorful display.
- Pathways and Borders - Line pathways or garden borders with blooming trees to create a picturesque and inviting walk. Crabapple trees, with their compact size, are perfect for lining driveways or garden paths.
Summary
Trees with white flowers are truly a marvel, transforming any landscape into a picturesque haven. By incorporating your favorite flowering trees into your garden, you can enjoy a stunning show of blooms for years to come.
If you’re not sure which of these trees would be best for your yard, reach out to us with any questions. With over 127 years in the business, we’re here to help!