Dazzling Large Shrubs with White Flowers to Brighten Your Landscape

Nothing conveys an air of sophisticated elegance quite like large shrubs graced with abundant white blooms Their snowy flowers stand out beautifully against the backdrop of green foliage Large white-flowering shrubs make excellent focal points and provide lovely contrast among brighter colors. Read on for some of my top picks for big, bold shrubs that put on an incredible display of white flowers.

Eye-Catching Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are naturally large shrubs that bloom prolifically in white. Popular varieties like

• Annabelle – Massive, spherical flower heads up to 12″ across that resemble giant snowballs. Grows 5-10 ft. tall Hardy in zones 3-9

• Limelight – Bright lime-green flowers mature to clean white. Grows 6-8 ft. tall. For zones 3-8.

• PeeGee – Large conical flowers on a shrub reaching 10 ft. tall. Hardy in zones 3-9.

• Oakleaf – Conical blooms and large, lobed foliage. Grows 6-8 ft. For zones 5-9.

Elegant Gardenias

These subtropical evergreen shrubs flower abundantly in summer with intoxicatingly fragrant white blooms. Popular varieties:

• August Beauty – Glossy leaves and 4″ flowers. Grows to 6 ft. For zones 8-11.

• Frost Proof – Survives down to zone 7 but flowers best in warmer zones. Grows to 4-6 ft.

• Mystery – Prolific blooms and fast growth to 6 ft. tall. Hardy to zone 9.

Snowy Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons are classic broadleaf evergreen shrubs that really put on a show in spring. Some white varieties to try:

• Nova Zembla – Abundant flowers in spring before large, dense foliage. Grows 6-10 ft. tall. Hardy in zones 4-8.

• Roseum Elegans – Early bloomer with a compact form, reaching 4-6 ft. For zones 5-8.

• Boule de Neige – Dwarf variety that grows slowly to just 4 ft. tall and wide. Ideal for small spaces.

Fragrant Viburnums

These spring-blooming shrubs are prized for flower power and fragrance. Popular white varieties include:

• Burkwood – Clusters of pink buds open to white, EXTREMELY fragrant flowers. Grows 8-10 ft. For zones 4-8.

• Carlecephalum – Spicy fragrance and lacecap blooms. Grows to 8 ft. Hardy in zones 5-8.

• Juddi – Scented white flowers on a large shrub reaching 10 ft. tall and wide. For zones 4-8.

Ornamental Trees with White Blooms

Some small ornamental trees give a big display of white flowers. Consider:

• Flowering dogwood – Showy spring blooms and red fall foliage. Grows 15-30 ft. tall. For zones 5-9.

• Fringe tree – Panicles of lightly fragrant white blooms. Grows 12-20 ft. high. Hardy in zones 4-9.

• Magnolia – Saucer-like white flowers up to 10″ across. Evergreen and deciduous types. Height varies by variety.

Classic White-Flowering Shrubs

Some old-fashioned favorites for showy white blooms include:

• Mock orange – Extremely fragrant white flowers in late spring. Grows 6-10 ft. tall. For zones 4-8.

• Spirea – Many bridal wreath varieties with cascading white blooms. Grows 4-8 ft. high.

• Lilac – Abundantly flowering shrubs up to 15 ft. tall. Choose white flowered varieties.