34 White Flowering Trees in Spring

Are you searching for white flowering trees to plant in your garden? Well, you’re in luck! There is a wide array of blossoming trees that produce gorgeous spring-time flowers that will elevate the beauty of your home garden. Read on to find out about 34 white flowering trees in spring! 

Flowering trees are exceptionally pretty, ornamental trees that you can plant in your garden as large shrubs, small understory trees, tall standalone yard specimens, as part of a mixed hedge, or as breathtaking accent pieces. 

The best part about flowering trees is that they don’t just provide you with magnificent, vibrant, and fragrant blossoms, but they also have exquisite fall foliage. A lot of flowering trees also bear edible fruits that may attract many happening visitors, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, to your garden. 

If you’re looking for elegant, understated, yet utterly appealing blossoming trees and shrubs that bloom in spring, then look no further than these white flowering trees. Their white blossoms have an unequivocally charming appeal that sets them apart from other flowering trees. You can plant these trees as pretty, standalone specimens or pair them with trees that produce vibrant, dark-hued flowers for a beautiful contrast. 

Some of the most popular white flowering trees include the ever-glorious Magnolias, the prolific California Buckeye, the unique Chinese Fringe Tree, and the spectacular Catalpas. If you plant these trees in your garden, they will surely boost your home’s curbside appeal and leave your visitors gushing over their glorious beauty.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at 34 white flowering trees in spring!   

1. California Buckeye

  • aesculus californica
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 39 ft
California Buckeye
Dana L. Brown California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

California Buckeyes are large shrubs or medium-sized trees with a flat-topped, open crown. These western US natives grow in swamps and coastal areas. They feature deciduous, lustrous, palmate, alternate, shiny dark green foliage. California buckeye yields prolific, aromatic, creamy-white, and pink blooms. It grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, adequately moist soils. 

2. Chinese Fringe Tree

  • chionanthus retusus
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 25-30 ft
Chinese Fringe Tree
Puddin Tain Chinese Fringe Tree

Chinese Fringe Trees are medium-sized, multi-stemmed trees with a round, wide-spreading crown. These Chinese, Korean, and Japanese natives feature ovate to elliptic, lustrous, leathery, bright green foliage. They produce profuse, mildly scented, pure white flowers with fringe-shaped petals. Chinese Fringe Tree thrives in sunny or speckled locations and well-drained, slightly acidic, moist, fertile soils. 

3. Southern Magnolia 

  • magnolia grandiflora
  • Flowering in: Spring to early Summer
  • Max height: 37 ft
Magnolia grandiflora.
KENPEI Magnolia grandiflora.

Southern Magnolias are medium-sized, dense trees. This US native features evergreen, dark green, leathery foliage with rusty brown bottoms. Southern Magnolias yield large, fragrant, cup-shaped, creamy-white blossoms that flower at the tip of their sturdy stems. Magnolias grow well in sunny or speckled locations and organically rich, well-drained, moderately-watered soils. 

4. Apple Serviceberry

  • amelanchier x grandiflora
  • Flowering in: Early Spring
  • Max height: 15-30 ft
Amelanchier x grandiflora
peganum Amelanchier x grandiflora

Apple Serviceberry Trees is a small, multi-trunked Serviceberry hybrid grown as an understory tree or a large shrub. They feature oval or lanceolate, finely toothed, dark green leaves that turn orange-red to red in fall. This tree produces fleecy clusters of large, white flowers that give way to edible, red to purple-colored fruits. Apple Serviceberry thrives in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, moist loams.  

5. Japanese Snowbell 

  • styrax japonicus
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20-30 ft
Japanese Snowbell
Kurihaya Japanese Snowbell

Japanese Snowbells are medium-sized flowering trees with a rounded, compact habitat and horizontally-growing branches. They yield pendulous, drooping clusters of mildly aromatic, 5-petaled, waxy, bell-shaped, white flowers. This tree has deciduous, upward-growing, ovate-elliptic, glossy, and medium to deep green foliage. It grows well in sunny or partially shady places and well-drained, medium-moist, acidic, organically rich soils.

6. Yoshino Cherry

  • prunus × yedoensis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 50 ft
Yoshino Cherry
Bernard Spragg. NZ Yoshino Cherry

Yoshino Cherry Trees are medium-sized flowering trees with a wide, broad-rounded, open habitat. This Japanese native produces clusters of fragrant pinkish-white to white blossoms that give way to tiny, bitter-tasting, black-colored cherries. This tree features elliptic to oval, serrate, dark green foliage that turns bronze and yellow in fall. It thrives in sunny or partially speckled locations and moist, well-drained soils. 

7. Coastal Silver Bells

  • halesia diptera var. magniflora
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20-30 ft
Halesia diptera var. magniflora .
Tom Potterfield Halesia diptera var. magniflora .

Native to the coastal areas in northern Florida and South Carolina, Coastal Silver Bells are small to medium-sized, rounded trees. They feature oval to obovate, unevenly toothed, dark green foliage that turns yellow in fall. Coastal Silver Bell yields attractive clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers with deeply lobed petals. This tree grows well in sunny or partially shady places and organically rich, well-drained, medium-moist, acidic soils. 

8. Crabapple

  • malus sylvestris
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 40 ft
Malus sylvestris
Hans Hillewaert Malus sylvestris

Crabapple Trees are medium-sized flowering trees native to the temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. They yield stunning clusters of white and pink blossoms that give way to clusters of fleshy green, yellow, and red tart apples. This versatile tree features deciduous, pointy-edged, oval green foliage that turns yellowish-orange and reddish-purple in fall. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas and well-drained, moist soils. 

9. Japanese Crepe Myrtle

  • lagerstroemia fauriei
  • Flowering in: Spring and Summer
  • Max height: 50 ft
Japanese Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia fauriei
Wendy Cutler Japanese Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei)

Japanese Crepe Myrtle Trees are multi-stemmed, fast-growing, and medium to tall-sized trees with tall, arching branches and a rounded crown. This Ryuku Island native features a striking cinnamon bark and oppositely growing, light green foliage. Japanese Crepe Myrtle yields large, prominent clusters of white flowers. This cold-hardy tree grows well in sunny locations and well-drained, moist soils. 

10. Callery Pear

  • pyrus calleryana
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 40 ft
Callery Pear Pyrus calleryana
Frank Richards Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Also known as Cleveland Pear Tree, Callery Pear is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant, ornamental tree with an upright, narrow, and naturally beautiful crown. This tree yields showy clusters of pure white blossoms that flower on upright branches. It features stunning fall foliage with plum, bright red, orange, and mellow golden yellow leaves. Callery Pear thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, organically rich, medium-moist, slightly alkaline loams. 

12. Southern Catalpa

  • catalpa bignonioides
  • Flowering in: Spring and Early Summer
  • Max height: 25-40 ft
31168488 catalpa bignonioides flowers
Yay Catalpa bignonioides flowers.

Southern Catalpas are medium-sized trees with a broad-rounded, irregular crown. They are US natives that feature exceptionally broad, heart-shaped, short-pointed, light green leaves that emit a pungent odor when bruised. This tree produces highly ornamental, fragrant, bell-shaped, white blossoms with yellow and purple inner markings. Southern Catalpa grows well in sunny or partially shaded areas and medium to wet, well-drained, fertile loams.

13. Chinese Catalpa

  • catalpa ovata
  • Flowering in: Spring and Early Summer
  • Max height: 25-40 ft
Catalpa ovata tree
Peter coxhead Catalpa ovata tree

Native to forested areas in western China, the Chinese Catalpa is a small to medium-sized tree with a wide-spreading crown. It typically features 3-5 lobed or entire, broad-ovate, tapering-edged, light green leaves that turn yellow in fall. This tree produces clusters of attractive, bell-shaped, orchid-like, yellowish-white blossoms with orange and purple inner spotting. Chinese Catalpa thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas and moist, fertile, well-drained loams.

14. Northern Catalpa

  • catalpa speciosa
  • Flowering in: Spring and Early Summer
  • Max height: 13-24 ft
35044172 northern catalpa flowers 1
Yay Northern catalpa flowers

Northern Catalpas are award-winning US natives with a narrow, twisting trunk, arching branches, and slightly oval habitat. They yield beautiful clusters of slightly aromatic, trumpet-shaped, white blossoms with purple speckles and yellow stripes. This tree features deciduous, giant, glossy, heart-shaped, light green leaves. It grows well in moist, well-drained, organically rich, acidic loams and clay soils and sunny and lightly shaded locations.

15. Two-Wing Silverbell/Snowdrop

  • halesia diptera
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20-30 ft
Halesia diptera
Wendy Cutler Halesia diptera

Native to northern Florida, Texas, and South Carolina, Two-Wing Silverbells are large, low-maintenance shrubs with a rounded habitat. They produce arresting clusters of two to seven, gleaming white, bell-shaped blossoms that give way to two-winged pale green fruits. This tree features finely toothed, oval, mod-green leaves that turn yellow in fall. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots and moist, well-drained, acidic, organically rich soils.

16. White Dogwood 

  • cornus florida
  • Flowering in: Spring and Autumn
  • Max height: 25 ft
Cornus florida.
H. Zell Cornus florida.

White Dogwoods are popularly grown, medium-sized, low-branching trees with a flat-topped, pyramidal to rounded crown. This northern Mexico and eastern North American native features deciduous, oval green foliage that turns reddish-purple in fall. This tree yields miniature, compact, white blossoms that flower from pink bracts. Dogwoods grow well in speckled shade and well-drained, organic soils.

17. Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum 

  • viburnum rufidulum
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 12-36 ft
Viburnum rufidulum
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz Viburnum rufidulum

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum is native to numerous parts of America. It’s a small to medium-sized, understory flowering tree. It features lustrous, flossy, ovate to elliptic, bright green foliage that turns mauve, dark purple, and pink in fall. This tree produces flattened or rounded clusters of white blossoms that give way to fleshy, bluish-black fruits. Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum thrives in sunny locations and moist, well-drained soils.

18. Hortulan Plum

  • prunus hortulana
  • Flowering in: Late Winter to Early Spring
  • Max height: 29 ft
Prunus hortulana
JumpStory Prunus hortulana

Native to the Midwest, Hortulan Plum is a medium-sized flowering tree that features deciduous, long, lobed foliage with sharply pointed, bladed edges. This tree yields wide, 5-petaled, white blossoms that erupt in clusters. The blooms give way to red and yellow-colored fruits. Hortulan Plum grows well in sunny or partially shaded spots and moist soils.

19. Royal Star Magnolias

  • magnolia stellata
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 15-20 ft
Star Magnolia.
Katja Schulz Star Magnolia (magnolia stellata)

Star Magnolias are pest-resistant, highly ornamental, flowering trees with glossy, oblong foliage. This Japanese native yields large, aromatic, star-shaped, white flowers that blossom on its bare branches. These distinctive flowers have pale-yellow centers and 25 to 30 elongated, ribbon-shaped petals. Star Magnolias thrive in sunny or partially shaded areas and well-drained soils.

20. Royal White Redbud

  • cercis canadensis f. alba
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 15-25 ft
Cercis canadensis Alba.
Famartin Cercis canadensis Alba.

Native to eastern and central North America, Royal White Redbuds are spectacular, low-maintenance, fast-growing flowering trees with a dense, rounded, vase-type shape. They produce clusters of large, pure white flowers. They have cordate, broadly ovate, alternate, papery textured, dull green to blue-green leaves that turn pale yellow in fall. These disease-resistant trees grow well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained soils.

21. Bridal Wreath Spirea 

  • spiraea prunifolia
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 8-10 ft
White fence with blooming bridal wreath spirea shrub
White fence with blooming “Bridal Wreath Spirea” shrub
Yay

Native to China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, Bridal Wreath Spireas are elegant, upright shrubs with a cascading growth. They yield dense sprays of small, striking white blossoms that bloom in clusters of three to six flowers. This tree features elliptic to ovate, finely toothed, shiny dark green foliage that turns red, orange, and yellow in fall. It thrives in sunny locations and medium-moist, well-drained soils.

22. Blackhaw viburnum

  • viburnum prunifolium
  • Flowering in: Late Spring and Fall
  • Max height: 12-15 ft
Blackhaw viburnum prunifolium
Katja Schulz Blackhaw (viburnum prunifolium) flowers.

A US native, Blackhaw Viburnum is an upright, multi-stemmed shrub with an irregular habitat and fall-topped clusters of non-fragrant white flowers. It bears blue-black, berry-like, edible fruits. Blackhaw Viburnum features finely toothed, ovate, glossy dark green foliage that turns purple and red in fall. This drought-tolerant tree grows well in sunny or partially shaded areas and well-drained soils.

23. Shadblow Serviceberry

  • amelanchier canadensis 
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 10-25 ft
Amelanchier canadensis
Leonora (Ellie) Enking Amelanchier canadensis

A stunning US native, Shadblow Serviceberry is a small-sized, slow-growing, multi-stemmed tree. It produces gorgeous, 5-petaled, mildly fragrant white flowers that blossom in drooping clusters. It features elliptic, finely toothed, and medium to dark green foliage that turns orange-red, red, and yellow in fall. Shadblow Serviceberry thrives in sunny to partially shaded locations and well-drained, moist soils.

24. Arrowwood viburnum

  • viburnum dentatum
  • Flowering in: Late Spring and Fall
  • Max height: 10 ft
Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum
Frank Richards Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

An Eastern North American native, Arrowwood Viburnum is a multi-stemmed, upright tree with a rounded crown. It features deciduous, ovate, toothed, glossy dark green foliage that turns yellow, red, and orange in fall. Arrowwood Viburnum yields flat-topped clusters of non-fragrant white blossoms that give way to blue-black, berry-like fruits. It grows well in partially shaded and sunny locations and medium-moist, well-drained soils.

25. White Angel’s Trumpet 

  • brugmansia candida
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20 ft
Brugmansia x candida.
Forest and Kim Starr Brugmansia x candida.

White Angel’s Trumpet is a tropical shrubor small-sized tree. It produces huge, intensely fragrant, pendulous, trumpet-shaped, white or creamy, light yellow blossoms that can have light pink tips. This hybrid tree features oblong to obovate, alternately arranged, green leaves. White Angel’s Trumpet thrives in sunny locations and organically rich, well-drained, medium-moist soils.

26. Grancy Greybeard Tree

  • chionanthus virginicus
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 25-30 ft
A white fringetree Chionanthus virginicus
Cephas A white fringetree / grancy greybeard (Chionanthus virginicus)

Grancy Greybeard Tree is a Missouri native shrub or small tree with a spreading, rounded crown. It features wide, deciduous, spear-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. It produces drooping, terminal, airy clusters of slightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers with fringe-like petals. The blooms give way to clusters of olive-like, bluish-black fruits. This tree grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and well-drained, fertile, moist soils.

27. Downy Hawthorn/Red Hawthorn

  • crataegus mollis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20-35 ft
Crataegus mollis flowers.
Nadiatalent Crataegus mollis flowers.

Originally known as White Thorn, Downy Hawthorn is a medium-sized, deer-resistant tree with a tall trunk, rounded crown, and spreading horizontally-growing branches. It features alternate, deciduous, large, oval, serrated, yellowish-green leaves. It also produces small, flat-headed clusters of pungent, 5-petaled, white flowers. This tree thrives in sunny locations and fertile, well-drained, moist soils.

29. Pee Gee Hydrangea 

  • hydrangea paniculata grandiflora
  • Flowering in: Spring, Summer and Early Autumn
  • Max height: 25 ft
Hydrangea paniculata Grandiflora
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’

Pee Gee Hydrangeas are Japanese and Chinese natives. They are vigorously-growing, upright shrubs or small trees that feature deciduous, upright, serrate, and oval to ovate dark green leaves. This tree produces sharply-pointed, conical panicles of creamy white blossoms that turn pink with age. It grows well in sunny and partially shaded locations and medium-moist, organically rich, well-drained soils.

30. Kousa Dogwood

  • cornus kousa
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 15-25 ft
Kousa dogwood tree cornus kousa
Jungle Rebel Kousa dogwood tree (cornus kousa)

Native to East Asia, Kousa Dogwoods are small, multi-stemmed flowering trees with a rounded, vase-shaped habitat. They feature deciduous, pointed, oval dark green foliage that turns reddish-purple in fall. This tree produces greenish-yellow flowers encircled by four slender, pointy, petal-like, white bracts. It thrives in sunny and partially shaded areas and acidic to neutral, well-drained, medium-moist, organically rich soils.

31. Carolina Silverbell

  • halesia carolina
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 30 to 40 ft
Halesia carolina.
Meneerke Bloem Halesia carolina.

Carolina Silverbells are low-maintenance, medium-sized, understory trees native to the southeastern US. They feature a wide-spreading, rounded crown and ovate, finely toothed, dark yellowish-green foliage. This tree produces clusters of two to five drooping, bell-shaped white flowers. It grows well in sunny or partially shaded spots and rich, well-drained, moist, acidic soils.

32. Saucer Magnolia

  • magnolia x soulangiana
  • Flowering in: Early Spring
  • Max height: 30 ft
Magnolia × soulangeana
Piotr Kuczynski Magnolia × soulangeana

Originally bred in France, Saucer Magnolias are stunning, deer-resistant, versatile, and small to medium-sized trees. They feature leathery, smooth, dark green foliage that turns bronze-gold in fall. This tree yields dark-purple buds that grow into large, aromatic, goblet-shaped, white, and pink blossoms. Saucer Magnolia thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, evenly moist soils.

33. American Plum

  • prunus americana
  • Flowering in: Late Spring to Early Autumn
  • Max height: 35 ft
Prunus Americana
Frank Richards Prunus Americana

American Plums are thicket-forming trees with multiple arching branches and a short trunk. This tree features stunning fall foliage with a gorgeous contrast of electric red and pale yellow leaves. It produces flat-topped clusters of large, scented white flowers that grow along its curving branches. America Plum grows well in sunny locations and well-drained soils.

34. American Mountain Ash

  • sorbus americana
  • Flowering in: Early Spring
  • Max height: 10-30 ft
Sorbus americana
Anna reg Sorbus americana

American Mountain Ash is a low-maintenance, slow-growing tree with an oval habitat. It features spear-shaped or oblong foliage that turns yellow, reddish-purple, and orange in fall. This tree yields slightly fragrant white blossoms that give way to large clusters of tiny, orange-red, or red-colored, berry-like fruits. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded locations and wet, acidic, well-drained clay soils and loams.

35. Tree Lilac

  • syringa reticulata
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 20-30 ft
28562804 view of japanese tree lilac or syringa reticulata full of flowers in the springtime popular zaimov park district oborishte
Yay Japanese tree lilac (syringa reticulata) full of flowers in the springtime.

Native to eastern Asia, Tree Lilac is a small-sized flowering tree with an oval-rounded habitat and a beautiful reddish-brown bark. It can also be grown as a large shrub. Tree Lilac features ovate, sharp-edged, dark green leaves. It yields large, upright clusters of aromatic, creamy-white blossoms. This tree grows well in sunny or partially shaded locations and slightly acidic, well-drained, moist soils.

36. Common Hackberry

  • celtis occidentalis
  • Flowering in: Spring
  • Max height: 50-75 Feet
Common Hackberry celtis occidentalis
Chhe Common Hackberry (celtis occidentalis)

Native to North America, the Common Hackberry is a medium to tall-sized flowering tree with a rounded, spreading crown and upright, arching branches. It features oblong-ovate to ovate, rough-textured, dull green leaves that turn bright, cherry-yellow in fall. Hackberry produces inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that blossom independently or in small clusters of two to three blooms. It thrives in sunny locations and well-drained, organically rich, moist soils.