Planting a flowering tree in your neighbourhood or yard can quickly make your property more desirable and valuable. This is because the tree adds beauty and shade to the surroundings. Additionally, a flowering tree attracts birds and pollinators, making the area more nature-friendly and appealing.
Flowering trees are generally small, even when fully grown, so they can fit into compact areas, enhancing the beauty of your home. Typically, these trees need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to grow healthily and bloom flowers on time. Therefore, be sure to plant them in an area with plenty of sunlight and enough space for the roots to grow.
See also: Beautiful red flowers to grow in garden
There are several white flowering trees that can enhance the appearance of your home. Here are the top 8 white flower trees, along with their facts and requirements.
Indian Cork Tree
The Indian Cork Tree, also known as Neem Chameli or Akash Neem, is commonly found in South Asia, especially in India. This tree is famous for its sweet scent and white flowers that cover the entire tree during the blooming season. Typically, the blooming season occurs in late spring or early summer. The blossoms are pure white and form pyramidal clusters of small, tubular flowers. The captivating fragrance of these white flowers attracts a diverse range of pollinators, butterflies, and birds to its surroundings.
| Scientific Name | Millingtonia hortensis |
| Height | Up to 25 meters |
| Spread | 15-20 meters |
| Reaches maturity at | Approximately 5-10 years |
| Life span | About 50 years |
| Soil type | Well-drained, loamy soil |
| climate | Tropical and subtropical regions |
| Toxic | Non-toxic |
Parijat
The Parijat tree, also called Night-flowering Jasmine, is a special tree in South Asia, especially in India. It is known for its lovely white flowers that bloom at night, releasing a sweet smell. People also call it the Tree of Sorrow. In late summer and early autumn, the tree produces small, star-shaped, white flowers that unfold at night and fill the air with sweet and enchanting aroma. By morning, the fallen flowers create a graceful carpet on the ground that adds to the tree’s mystique and cultural importance.
| Scientific Name | Nyctanthes arbor-tristis |
| Height | Up to 10 meters |
| Spread | 5-7 meters |
| Reaches maturity at | Around 3-5 years |
| Life span | Approximately 20-25 years |
| Soil type | Well-drained, fertile soil |
| climate | Tropical and subtropical regions |
| Toxic | Toxic to mammals |
White Hibiscus
The White Hibiscus is a small tree native to Hawaii and is known for its attractive, pure white flowers. It produces flowers that are large, with a prominent, creamy white colour. They have a distinctive hibiscus shape with five overlapping petals and a central staminal column. The leaves of the White Hawaiian Hibiscus are dark green and glossy, providing an appealing backdrop to the white flowers. The tree produces flowers throughout the year, with peak blooming occurring in the warmer months.
| Scientific Name | Hibiscus arnottianus |
| Height | 15 to 20 feet |
| Spread | Variable, with a tree-like form |
| Reaches maturity at | Within a few years |
| Life span | Several years with proper care |
| Soil type | Well-draining, volcanic soils |
| climate | Suited to tropical or subtropical climates, not frost-tolerant |
| Toxic | Non-toxic |
Indian Beech Tree
The Indian Beech Tree, Also known as the Pongam Tree or Karanj, is a valuable and adaptable tree native to India and Southeast Asia. It holds great importance for its ecological, medicinal, and economic benefits. This medium-sized, evergreen tree has a lush, spreading crown with a rounded or vase-shaped canopy. The tree boasts compound leaves with many small, shiny, dark green leaflets, creating an appealing foliage display. This tree grows pea-like flowers that form in clusters and come in various colours like white, pink, or purple. After flowering, the tree produces seed pods containing oil-rich seeds.
| Scientific Name | Pongamia pinnata, |
| Height | 15-25 metres |
| Spread | Wide spread |
| Reaches maturity at | 5-10 years |
| Life span | 85-100 years |
| Soil type | Can thrive in various soil types, but prefers well-drained soil |
| climate | Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates |
| Toxic | Leaves and seeds are toxic |
Devil’s Tree
The Devil’s Tree, scientifically known as Alstonia scholaris, is an evergreen tree that has gained a notorious reputation due to its connection with myths and legends. This tree can be found in various parts of Asia, including India. A distinct feature of the Devil’s Tree is its unique bark. The bark has a rough texture and irregular patterns with a greyish-brown colour. According to legend, the tree’s bark gives off a red glow at night, making it mysterious in nature
| Scientific Name | Alstonia scholaris |
| Height | 25 to 40 meters |
| Spread | Wide spread |
| Reaches maturity at | 8-10 years |
| Life span | 40-50 years |
| Soil type | red alluvial soil , black cotton soils |
| climate | dry tropical to sub-temperate |
| Toxic | Highly toxic |
Indian Coral Jasmine
The Indian Coral Jasmine is a delightful flowering shrub known for its beauty and sweet scent. Originating from India and Southeast Asia, it’s also called Tagar or Nandini. This evergreen shrub is compact and its glossy, dark green leaves are arranged oppositely, providing a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped flowers. The blossoms, pure white in color and often grouped in clusters, emit a delightful and intoxicating fragrance that fills the surrounding air. The Indian Coral Jasmine is a charming addition to gardens, valued for both its visual appeal and aromatic presence.
| Scientific Name | Tabernaemontana divaricata |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Spread | Similar to its height |
| Reaches maturity at | 3 to 5 years |
| Life span | Several decades |
| Soil type | Well-drained soil |
| climate | Tropical and subtropical climates |
| Toxic | Toxic |
Crab Apple (Malus)
Crab apple trees come in pink or white blooms, and after the abundant white springtime flowers, glossy red berries appear, much to the delight of birds. Certain types of these trees also display appealing yellow fall foliage. Although these trees are generally small, if space is limited, consider a more compact variety like ‘Lollipop,’ which reaches a maximum height of 8 to 10 feet.
| Scientific Name | Malus |
| Height | 8 to 20 feet tall |
| Spread | 15 feet |
| Reaches maturity at | Around 4 to 8 years |
| Life span | Approximately 20 to 30 years |
| Soil type | Well-drained, prefers loamy soil |
| climate | Thrives in temperate climates |
| Toxic | Toxic seeds |
Neem
The Neem tree is an evergreen that showcases a dense, rounded crown and a wide-spreading canopy. Its compound leaves have many small, dark green leaflets with serrated edges, creating an elegant foliage. A notable aspect of the Neem tree is its fruit. Small and oval-shaped, these fruits resemble olives, starting green and maturing to a yellow hue. Within the fruit is a seed housing a kernel rich in oil. These trees, both useful medicinally and visually appealing, are highly valued in India.
| Scientific Name | Azadirachta indica |
| Height | 15 to 20 meters |
| Spread | Wide-spreading canopy |
| Reaches maturity at | 5 years |
| Life span | Approximately 50 to 100 years |
| Soil type | Well-drained, sandy, loamy soil |
| climate | Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, prefers warm temperatures |
| Toxic | Toxic for aquatic organisms |
FAQs
What are the white flower trees in India?
Some of the white flower trees in India are:
● Indian Cork Tree (Millingtonia Hortensis)
● Neem (Azadirachta indica)
● Indian Beech Tree (Pongamia pinnata)
● Devil’s Tree (Alstonia scholaris)
What is the easiest white flower to grow?
One of the easiest white flowers to grow is Annabelle Hydrangea. Its midsummer blooms yield large, pure white clusters, making it an ideal choice for cutting.
What does a white flower represent?
A white flower typically represents purity, innocence, and elegance and has the ability to convey feelings of respect and humility or condolences for a loss.
Which white flower is the rarest?
The Polo is a minuscule parasitic flower native to China and Taiwan that has no assigned scientific name, and is said to bloom only once every 3,000 years.
Are white flowers considered lucky charms?
Yes, in some cultures, white flowers, like white carnations, are considered symbols of good fortune and are believed to bring luck and positive energy.
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