White Flowering Tree Identification

White flowers fit in any landscaping plan. The flowers bring out the brightness of the other colors and stand out against the backdrop of their own leaves. Identifying a tree with white flowers starts with the last part of the Latin name, which indicates the color of the flower if the tree has varieties with different colors. Other trees will only come in white. Pick one that is the right size and hardy in your area for years of pleasure.

Types

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis f. alba) is native to North America with branches growing low to the ground.‘Byers Wonderful White’ Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Byers Wonderful White’) is a choice for an urban landscape. Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonicus) has interesting orange-brown bark.

Features

Eastern redbud grows from 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. White flowers bloom in April. The seedlings of the white variety of redbud should not have a purple tint. The leaves are heart shaped and 3 to 5 inches across. The flowers give way to brown seed pods, 2 to 3 inches long. ‘Byers Wonderful White’ grows from 20 to 30 feet in height and 10 to 15 feet in width. Leaves are egg-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long and turn yellow in the fall. The flowers grow in clusters 6 to 12 inches long at the tips of the branches. Japanese Snowbell grows from 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide with white bell-shaped flowers growing in clusters in May and June. Oval to oblong leaves measure up to 2 inches long and turn red and yellow in the fall.

Environment

Eastern redbud is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. The tree likes full sun or partial shade and a moist, well-drained soil. ‘Byers Wonderful White’ is hardy in zones 7 to 9. The tree is drought tolerant and likes full sun. Japanese snowbell is hardy in zones 6 through 8A. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a moist soil.

Uses

Redbud is used as a specimen tree or a street tree and in native gardens. Byers Wonderful White’ goes in containers, near a deck or patio and works as a specimen tree. Japanese snowbell works as a container or raised garden plant, a specimen tree or as a shade tree for a deck or patio.

Problems

Tree hoppers, caterpillars, scale and leafhoppers damage the redbud and the tree is susceptible to verticillium wilt, leaf spots and canker. Alba is less hardy than other redbuds.‘Byers Wonderful White’ is bothered by aphids, powdery mildew and leaf spot. The ambrosia beetle is an enemy of the Japanese snowbell.