White flowers have a magical quality, transforming outdoor spaces into serene and enchanting retreats. In a world filled with vibrant colors, these luminous blossoms offer a refreshing palette cleanse, drawing the eye and soothing the soul.
If you’re ready to embrace the timeless allure of white in your garden, look no further. We’ve curated a list of 32 stunning white flowers that deserve a spot in every outdoor oasis.
1. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
As twilight descends, the enchanting moonflower unfurls its large, fragrant blooms. Ipomoea alba, a night-blooming vine, boasts 6-inch wide flowers that attract nocturnal pollinators like hawk moths.
These fast-growing climbers can reach up to 20 feet in a single season, making them perfect for covering trellises or arbors.
2. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
These hardy perennials were developed by renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank in the late 19th century. Shasta daisies are named after Mount Shasta in California, known for its snow-capped peak that resembles the flower’s white petals. (ref)
3. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Intoxicating fragrance wafts from the waxy white blooms of Gardenia jasminoides. In some Asian cultures, gardenias symbolize purity and refinement. These evergreen shrubs can be grown indoors as houseplants, allowing you to enjoy their scent year-round.
4. White Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
Nothing quite captures the essence of spring like a sea of crisp, white tulips. During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, tulips were so highly prized that they created the first economic bubble, known as “Tulip Mania.” (ref)
Today, white tulips like ‘Purissima’ and ‘Calgary’ continue to be cherished for their elegance and simplicity.
5. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
Despite their common name, calla lilies are not true lilies but rather members of the Araceae (Arum) family. In the language of flowers, white calla lilies symbolize magnificence and beauty.
6. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Imagine a carpet of fragrant, bell-shaped flowers blanketing your garden in spring. Convallaria majalis has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but it’s crucial to remember that all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
7. White Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Voluminous blooms and a sweet fragrance make white peonies a garden favorite. In Greek mythology, the peony is named after Paeon, a student of Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing.
Peonies are treasured in many cultures, with some Chinese cities holding annual peony festivals.
8. Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Months of beauty await those who plant white hydrangeas in their gardens. The oakleaf species, Hydrangea quercifolia, is native to the southeastern United States and is prized for its large, cone-shaped flower heads that can reach up to 12 inches in length.
In fall, the foliage turns a stunning burgundy color.
9. White Rose (Rosa spp.)
In the Victorian era, white roses symbolized innocence, purity, and secrecy. The ‘Winchester Cathedral’ rose, introduced in 1988, is a stunning white English rose with a subtle hint of pink.
10. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Tiny white flowers carpet the ground when you plant Lobularia maritima. This low-growing annual is remarkably heat and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens or as a filler between stepping stones.
The cultivar ‘Snow Princess’ is particularly floriferous.
11. White Clematis (Clematis spp.)
For a stunning vertical element, look no further than white clematis varieties. The Japanese clematis, Clematis terniflora, blooms in late summer to early fall, producing a profusion of small, star-shaped white flowers with a delightful fragrance.
This variety is less prone to clematis wilt than others.
12. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Early spring brings a blanket of white flowers resembling fresh snow, courtesy of Iberis sempervirens. This low-growing perennial is native to Europe and is often used in rock gardens or as an edging plant.
The cultivar ‘Purity’ has particularly large, pure white flowers.
13. White Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxgloves have long been associated with folklore and magic, with some believing that fairies used the flowers as gloves. In the language of flowers, white foxgloves symbolize purity and innocence.
14. White Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
This cultivar was an All-America Selections winner in 1936 and remains popular today. Cosmos flowers are edible and can add a delicate, slightly peppery flavor to salads.
15. White Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
According to legend, each part of the bleeding heart flower represents an aspect of a tragic love story. The white variety is less common than the pink and is prized for its unique appearance.
16. White Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
In the language of flowers, white lilacs symbolize purity and innocence. The cultivar ‘Madame Lemoine’ is a French hybrid from the late 19th century, known for its double white flowers.
17. White Iris (Iris spp.)
Ruffled blooms atop sword-like foliage characterize the elegant white iris. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger between heaven and earth.
The tall bearded iris ‘Immortality’ is a reliable rebloomer, producing flowers in both spring and fall.
18. White Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Dappled shade comes alive with the trumpet-shaped flowers of white azaleas. The ‘Delaware Valley White’ cultivar is known for its large, pure white flowers and excellent cold hardiness.
In Japan, azaleas are associated with the coming of spring and are celebrated during the annual Hanami festival.
19. White Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
As summer wanes, white dahlias like ‘Fleurel’ take center stage. The pompon dahlia ‘Gremlin White’ produces masses of small, spherical blooms that resemble pom-poms.
Dahlias were first cultivated by the Aztecs, who used the tubers as a food source and the flowers for ceremonial purposes.
20. White Camellia (Camellia japonica)
When winter’s chill sets in, white camellias bring beauty to the garden. The cultivar ‘Nobilissima’ has been grown since the 14th century and features large, semi-double white flowers with golden stamens.
In Japan, camellias are symbols of love and devotion.
21. White Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Sturdy stems support the long-lasting blooms of white zinnias like ‘Polar Bear’. Zinnias are native to Mexico and were named after the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn.
22. White Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Feathery plumes rise above fern-like foliage when you plant white astilbe varieties like ‘Bridal Veil’. Astilbes are native to Asia and North America and are prized for their ability to thrive in shaded, moist areas.
23. White Hellebore (Helleborus niger)
Known as the Christmas rose, Helleborus niger defies winter with its white, bowl-shaped flowers. In medieval times, hellebores were believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits.
The cultivar ‘Potter’s Wheel’ has particularly large, pure white flowers.
24. White Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Tall garden phlox, like the white variety ‘David’, fills summer air with sweet fragrance. Phlox is native to North America and was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, who grew it at his Monticello estate.
The cultivar ‘Bright Eyes’ features white flowers with a soft pink center.
25. White Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Antirrhinum majus in white adds a playful vertical element to beds and containers. The cultivar ‘Snowflake’ produces pure white flowers on sturdy stems. In the language of flowers, snapdragons symbolize graciousness and strength.
26. White Anemone (Anemone × hybrida)
As autumn approaches, Japanese anemones like ‘Honorine Jobert’ take the spotlight. According to Greek mythology, anemones sprang from the tears of Aphrodite as she mourned the death of her lover, Adonis.
27. White Daphne (Daphne odora)
In Greek mythology, Daphne was a nymph who was turned into a laurel tree to escape the advances of Apollo. The cultivar ‘Aureomarginata’ features white flowers and variegated foliage.
28. White Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’)
Drought-tolerant and butterfly-friendly, Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ offers daisy-like blooms from summer to fall. Native Americans used echinacea for medicinal purposes, including treating colds and flu.
The cultivar ‘PowWow White’ is particularly compact and floriferous.
29. White Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)
Nicotiana alata in white produces trumpet-shaped blooms on 3 to 5-foot tall plants. The cultivar ‘Grandiflora’ has particularly large, pure white flowers that are especially fragrant at night.
30. White Liatris (Liatris spicata ‘Alba’)
Native to North America, white blazing star (Liatris spicata ‘Alba’) sends up tall spikes of feathery flowers in midsummer. Liatris is also known as gayfeather and was used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes.
The cultivar ‘Floristan White’ is particularly robust and long-blooming.
31. White Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
Fringed, fragrant blooms characterize white dianthus varieties like ‘Itsaul White’. In the language of flowers, white dianthus symbolizes pure love and innocence. The cultivar ‘Memories’ produces double white flowers with a subtle clove scent.
32. White Allium (Allium spp.)
In late spring to early summer, Allium ‘Mount Everest’ creates a spectacle with its large, globe-shaped flower heads. Alliums are members of the onion family and are deer and rabbit resistant.
The giant allium, Allium giganteum, can reach heights of up to 5 feet and produces softball-sized flower heads.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.