17+ white flowering evergreen shrubs

White flowering evergreen shrubs are a must in your garden. The white flowers bloom at just the right time each year, bringing some brightness to the warmer months. Take a look at this list of white spring blooming shrubs with white flowers, and add some to your garden this year. You will love seeing the showy flowers in your area.

1. Gardenia

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is a white flowering evergreen shrub that blooms from late spring to early summer. The white flowers are highly fragrant, and the glossy green foliage makes it a great addition to any garden. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.

Gardenias are available in many shapes and sizes. Here are some top varieties to consider:

• Dwarf Gardenia Radicans (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’): 1-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
• Everblooming Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Veitchii’): 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
• Gardenia August Beauty (Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’): 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
• Frost Proof Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Frostproof’): 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide

Smaller Gardenias grow best in Zones 7-9, while those over 3 feet tall typically do best in Zones 8-11.

2. Camellia

Camellia (Camellia spp.) is a flowering evergreen that is available in white (and also in pink). Camellias are known for their white blooms in the late spring and early summer. This shrub prefers partial to full sun and well-drained soil.

Here are some popular varieties of Camellia that have white flowers:

• Falling Star Camellia (Camellia sasanqua ‘Falling Star’)
• October Magic® White Shi-Shi™ Camellia (Camellia sasanqua ‘Green 02-004’)
• Snow On The Mountain Camellia (Camellia sasanqua ‘Mine-No-Yuki’)
• Autumn Rocket Camellia (Camellia ‘Autumn Rocket’)

Picky camellia cultivars grow best in Zones 8-9, but many can be grown in Zones 7-10 if you look for tolerant varieties.

3. Rhododendron & Azalea

The Rhododendron species, sometimes called Azalea, is a broadleaf evergreen available in white, pink, or purple flowers. The flowers bloom in the early spring or late spring. There are tons of varieties of this shrub, including:

• Cascade Azalea (Rhododendron x ‘Cascade’): Zones 5-8
• Girard’s Pleasant White Azalea (Azalea x ‘Girard’s Pleasant White’): Zones 5-8
• Autumn Lily® Encore® Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Roblex’): Zones 6-10
• Alaska Azalea (Rhododendron indica ‘Alaska’): Zones 9-11

These look excellent against any landscape, including woodland areas. They are acid-loving plants, so be sure to amend your soil before planting if it is neutral or slightly alkaline.

4. Waxflower

Waxflower (Chamelaucium spp.) is another white flowering evergreen shrub that blooms in the late spring and early summer. This plant has white flowers with yellow centers, and it grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It does not require much pruning and can be trained into a small tree if desired.

Waxflower is available in several varieties, including:

• Geraldton Waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum): 6-7 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide
• Albany Waxflower (Chamelaucium ciliatum): 4-5 feet tall and 6-7 feet wide
• Showy Waxflower (Chamelaucium megalopetalum): 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
• Curtis’ Waxflower (Chamelaucium curtisiae): 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide

Waxflower grows best in Zones 8-11 and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F.

5. Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a native broadleaf evergreen with thick stems and star-shaped flowers. The clusters are a soft blush pink-white color and bloom in late spring and early summer. This shrub prefers full to partial sun, and likes slightly acidic, moist soil.

The mountain laurel is a broadleaf evergreen plant that grows to be 12-20 ft. tall, though it can sometimes get taller and have a single trunk. It has many stems, is thicket-forming, and usually shrub-like or small multi-stemmed tree with short, crooked trunks, thick branches, and rounded forms (all very beautiful features). Plus, its pink flower clusters are quite showy!

This native shrub is found in state parks across Canada and the Eastern US. The plant has dark green leaves, which make for a beautiful, natural backdrop for the creamy blossoms.

6. Evergreen Rose

Evergreen Rose (Rosa sempervirens) is a white flowering evergreen shrub with white, rose-shaped flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Unlike most roses (which are deciduous, even if they do hang onto their leaves for quite a while), this species is evergreen. Evergreen Rose is generally hardy in Zones 6-9.

It can be grown as a shrub or as a climber. It grows to be an upright shrub reaching six feet tall and wide. As a climber, its canes can reach 15-20 feet long. This white flowering evergreen shrub prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil. It is an attractive addition to any garden!

7. Blue Prince Holly

Blue Prince Holly (Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Prince’) is a white flowering evergreen shrub that is native to the United States. It grows in an upright and columnar form, reaching 6-8 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide.

Blue Prince is commonly planted as a pollinator partner for the Blue Princess Holly bush, as it is required to produce those gorgeous red berries. The white flowers are small but plentiful, and the foliage is a dark blue-green color. This evergreen is low maintenance and deer-resistant, making it an ideal addition to any garden!

8. Pineapple guava

Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana) is an evergreen that blooms white flowers in late spring or early summer. This plant has white, fragrant flowers with yellow centers and dark green foliage. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate full sun but prefers partial shade. Pineapple guava grows best in zones 8-10, but some varieties are cold hardy to zone 7.

This plant is native to South America and does in fact, produce guava fruit. It grows up to 15 feet and loves temperate zones. The flowers on this plant truly steal the show from any other plants in your garden.

9. Golden Vicary Privet

Golden Vicary Privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) is a broadleaf evergreen that’s most commonly used for hedging. These dense evergreen shrubs make great hedges because they are easy to grow and provide brilliant year-round color. They also produce white spring blooms that attract butterflies.

These shrubs grow to a mature size of 8-10 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. They grow best in Zones 5-8.

The Golden Vicary Privet is a beautiful plant that gets its name from its golden leaves. This type of Privet has an oval or vase-like shape and upright stems covered in bright, golden leaves. The color of the leaves may change to light green if it’s not getting enough sunlight.

10. Wax Leaf Privet

Wax Leaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum) is a flowering evergreen shrub that blooms in late spring or early summer. It produces white, fragrant flowers and dark green foliage.

This particular Privet grows to a mature size of 8-10 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide. It does best in Zones 7-11, so it is a good choice for a variety of warm and coastal climates. This shrub has glossy, oval leaves that have a waxy texture.

Wax Leaf Privet is an excellent choice for hedging, and its white blooms provide a beautiful contrast to any landscape. Plus, the white flowers attract butterflies and birds alike!

11. Snow Flurry California Lilac

Snow Flurry California Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Snow Flurry’) is a white flowering evergreen shrub with white flowers in the late spring and early summer. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and it is drought-tolerant once established.

This rounded cultivar of California Lilac grows to 6-10 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. It grows best in zones 7-11 and is not as cold-hardy as the more common blue-purple flowering varieties.

The beautiful white flowers on this California Lilac are easy to take care of, and it can withstand periods of drought. The deep green foliage creates a stunning backdrop for the white blooms. Just make sure you give it enough space to grow!

12. Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia × candida)

Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia × candida) is a broadleaf evergreen flowering shrub or small tree with large white, yellow, or pink flowers. Most varieties get about 5-6 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide.

This plant is native to South America and prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy in zones 9b-11.

This shrub produces flowers that can reach up to 8 inches long! The yellow variety is the most common, while white-blossoming versions take a bit more searching. They have a sweet fragrance that will fill your garden in late spring or early summer with their beauty.

13. Prelude Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Prelude’)

Prelude Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Prelude’) is a white flowering evergreen shrub that blooms in the early spring. These shrubs grow to be about 9-12 feet tall and 10-14 feet wide at maturity.

These beautiful white flowering shrubs grow in full sun to partial shade. Their scent isn’t loved by everyone because it is very strong. They have evergreen foliage in the winter, with the leaves turning a lovely red color in some temperate climates.

14. Cassiope ‘Randle Cooke’

Cassiope ‘Randle Cooke’ is a tiny little spreading evergreen shrub. Usually under a foot tall, it has unique scale-like leaves that hug the stems. The flowers are bell-shaped white blooms.

This white flowering evergreen shrub is perfect for rock gardens and edging pathways. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It grows best in Zones 4-8, although it can sometimes survive in colder climates as long as the roots are well mulched during extreme temperatures.

The white flowers will appear in late spring and will attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to your garden. It’s a great choice for adding texture and white blooms to any outdoor space.

This white flowering evergreen shrub is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer resistant, making it an ideal addition to any garden!

15. Euonymus kiautschovicus

Euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus) is a lovely species with delicate white flowers. It is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

This white flowering evergreen shrub has upright stems with glossy green leaves and white flowers in the spring. The white blooms are followed by red-orange fruits that are attractive to birds.

It prefers full sun or partial shade. It’s hardy in zones 4-8 and can tolerate some drought. This white flowering evergreen shrub is low maintenance and deer resistant, making it a great addition to any garden!

16. White Daphne

White Daphne varieties (Daphne × transatlantica‘) are broadleaf plants that are evergreen in warmer climates. their shape is rounded, with gray-green leaves.

The white clusters of flowers have a golden yellow eye in the center. Like many of the flowers on this list, they turn from pink buds into white flowers. When fully grown, these shrubs are about 3 to 4 feet tall and have a long blooming season.

17. Pragense Viburnum

Pragense Viburnum (Viburnum ‘Pragense’) is a shrub that is evergreen in warmer climates. They are grown for their beautiful flowers (that bloom in May), colorful fruit, and striking foliage. Growing in Zones 5-8, these fast-growers reach 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide in just a few years.

It is mainly found in North Temperate regions but can also be seen in Southeast Asia and South America. This evergreen shrub has glossy, dark green leaves that are puckered. The beautiful foliage can withstand harsh Midwestern winters without any discoloration. In early spring, pink buds develop and open to lightly fragrant, creamy white flowers. This plant is perfect for use as a fast-growing hedge or screen. It also works great as an accent plant in your garden.

18. Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)

Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) This pretty shrub has early spring flowers and beautiful fall color. When they first open, the buds are pink, but once fully mature, you have clusters of white flowers. This is a very fragrant bush with white flowering blooms you are sure to love. They grow to be about 4 to 6 feet tall.

These white flowering evergreen shrubs make for a stunning backdrop in your garden or landscape. Each of these plants has its own unique qualities and can add a special touch to your outdoor space. Whether you are looking for white blooms, beautiful foliage, or just a hardy evergreen, there is sure to be a white flowering evergreen shrub that will fit your needs!

FAQs

References

• Colorado State University Extension, Evergreen Shrubs
• University of Missouri Extension, Selecting Landscape Plants: Broad-leaved Evergreens
• University of Minnesota Extension, Choosing evergreens for your landscapes
• PennState Extension, Evergreen Native Plants