White perennials bring a sense of elegance, purity, and tranquility to any garden. Their bright blooms stand out beautifully against green foliage and complement any color scheme, making them a versatile choice for borders, flower beds, and moon gardens.
Whether you’re looking for delicate, airy flowers or bold, striking blooms, there are plenty of white perennials that return year after year with little maintenance. In this article, we explore 20 beautiful white perennials that will add a timeless and sophisticated touch to your garden, creating a serene and enchanting outdoor space.
White Coneflower
This perennial stands tall with its daisy-like appearance, featuring pure white petals surrounding a golden cone. The White Coneflower is ideal for adding vertical interest to your garden, reaching heights of up to three feet. It’s a resilient plant that thrives in sunny spots and can withstand some drought. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its nectar, offering a bonus of lively pollinator activity. Deadheading faded blooms encourages more flowers, ensuring a prolonged display through summer.
Snowdrop Anemone
Snowdrop Anemone delights with its crisp white blossoms and yellow centers. These charming flowers bloom in spring and can naturalize under trees, creating a carpet of color. Preferring partial shade and moist soil, they’re perfect for woodland gardens. The foliage remains attractive even after the blooms have faded, providing a soft green backdrop. Snowdrop Anemones require minimal maintenance and can slowly spread, adding to their appeal.
White Astilbe
White Astilbe offers feathery plumes that dance in the breeze, illuminating shaded garden areas with their soft white hues. These perennials prefer moist, well-drained soil and thrive alongside water features or in shaded borders. Their fern-like foliage provides texture and interest throughout the growing season. Astilbes are relatively pest-resistant, making them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking elegance and ease.
Candytuft
This perennial is known for its dense clusters of small, white flowers that cover the plant in a blanket of snow-like blooms. Candytuft is a versatile choice for edging or rock gardens, flourishing in well-drained soil and full sun. Once established, it requires little water, making it a drought-tolerant option. Its evergreen foliage remains attractive year-round, adding to the plant’s appeal. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
White Foxglove
The White Foxglove’s tall spires make a striking statement in any garden. Its tubular blooms, aligned along stately stems, offer a classic cottage garden look. Growing best in partial shade, these perennials prefer rich, well-drained soil. While they can self-seed, deadheading will prevent unwanted spread. The White Foxglove attracts hummingbirds and adds height and drama to your garden design, making it a favorite among gardeners.
Shasta Daisy
Renowned for their cheerful demeanor, Shasta Daisies feature bright white petals and sunny yellow centers. These classic perennials bloom from early summer to fall, providing a long-lasting display. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them easy to grow. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooms. The sturdy stems and clumps of green leaves add structure, while the flowers attract butterflies, adding life and movement.
Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is prized for its velvety, silvery foliage that adds a unique texture to garden beds. While its summer blooms are less conspicuous, the foliage remains a star attraction. This hardy perennial thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and is often used as ground cover. It’s drought-resistant and deer-resistant, appealing to those seeking low-maintenance options. The leaves’ soft texture invites touch, making it a favorite among children.
White Bleeding Heart
White Bleeding Heart captivates with its drooping, heart-shaped flowers adorning arching stems. This perennial thrives in shaded areas and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Flowers appear in late spring and add a touch of romance and nostalgia to the garden. The delicate blooms are complemented by attractive, fern-like foliage. While the flowers may fade in the heat of summer, the foliage persists, maintaining interest.
White Yarrow
White Yarrow is admired for its flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers, accompanied by fern-like foliage. This hardy perennial is drought-resistant once established and prefers full sun. It adds a wildflower charm to gardens and meadows. White Yarrow is also known for its medicinal properties, making it a functional addition. Regular trimming can help maintain a tidy appearance and encourage prolonged blooming.
White Salvia
White Salvia’s tall spikes of pristine white flowers bring a touch of elegance to sunny borders and herb gardens. This perennial is beloved for its long-lasting blooms and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, needing little more than occasional watering. For those looking to create a serene and inviting atmosphere, White Salvia is an excellent choice.
White Peony
The White Peony, with its large, fragrant blooms, is a garden showstopper. These perennials prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, offering abundant blooms in late spring. While the flowering period is short, their impact is lasting, providing stunning bouquets indoors. Peonies symbolically represent romance and prosperity. When planting, ensure good air circulation to prevent disease. Despite their delicate appearance, they are surprisingly robust.
White Balloon Flower
White Balloon Flowers are known for their whimsical balloon-like buds that open to star-shaped blooms. These hardy perennials thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Blooming in late summer, they add a playful touch to the garden. The plant’s sturdy stems require little staking, and its blossoms are excellent for cutting. Balloon Flowers are low-maintenance, making them a popular choice for busy gardeners.
White Columbine
White Columbine captivates with its intricate flowers and delicate spurs. These perennials thrive in partial shade, ideally in woodland settings or shaded borders, appreciating moist, well-drained soil. Blooming in late spring, they offer an elegant touch to garden spaces. The unique flower shape is a favorite among pollinators, including hummingbirds. Deadheading is recommended to encourage a longer blooming period and prevent unwanted self-seeding.
White Veronica
With its spiky, upright blooms, White Veronica adds vertical interest and texture. This perennial loves full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect fit for cottage gardens and perennial borders. The flowers attract bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity. Known for its long blooming season, Veronica requires minimal upkeep. Regular deadheading aids in prolonging its flowering period, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and lively.
White Daylily
White Daylilies, with their trumpet-shaped flowers, are a striking addition. These robust perennials thrive in full sun and adapt to various soil types, offering adaptability and beauty. Blooming from mid to late summer, they require minimal care and are excellent for filling large spaces. The flowers open for just a day, hence the name, but numerous buds ensure a long flowering period. They’re ideal for gardeners seeking color with ease.
White Iris
Distinctive with its ruffled petals, the White Iris stands out in any landscape. These elegant perennials prefer full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Blooming in late spring, they bring a touch of sophistication to gardens. Irises are often grown for their attractive foliage, which maintains structural interest when not in bloom. Dividing the rhizomes every few years enhances growth and bloom performance.
White Lily of the Valley
With its fragrant, bell-shaped blooms, White Lily of the Valley offers old-world charm. Perfect for shaded areas, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can spread to form a dense ground cover. While the flowers bloom in late spring, the plant’s lush green foliage provides a verdant carpet throughout the summer. Care should be taken as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
White Phlox
White Phlox offers clusters of fragrant flowers that brighten summer gardens. These perennials thrive in full sun and appreciate well-drained, fertilized soil. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, they add a colorful touch with minimal effort. Deadheading prolongs flowering, while good air circulation helps prevent mildew. Their sweet scent attracts butterflies, adding both beauty and motion to the landscape.
White Hibiscus
Known for their large, showy blooms, White Hibiscus are the stars of any garden. These perennials prefer full sun and rich, moist soil, often blooming well into fall. Their dramatic flowers attract hummingbirds and make excellent focal points. Hibiscus plants require regular watering and benefit from mulching to retain soil moisture. Pruning helps maintain shape and encourages prolific blooming.
White Campanula
White Campanula, with its bell-shaped blooms, offers a delicate touch to gardens. This charming perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Blooming from early summer, it can cascade over walls or fill in garden borders. Regular pruning maintains its shape and encourages repeat blooms. Campanula attracts pollinators, adding a lively dynamic to your garden.