White perennials are a gardener’s dream come true. They add sophistication to any garden and they match just about any home style.
There are many different types to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your garden.
Whether you’re looking for something that will enjoy the full sun or something that loves chilling in the shade, there’s sure to be a white perennial that’s perfect for you.
Table of Contents
Full Sun
If your garden enjoys full sun, then you’ll be spoilt for choice with the range of white perennials that will thrive there.
Achillea
Achillea, also known as yarrow, is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.
The flowers are small and clustered at the ends of the stems, looking like little umbrellas.
They are usually white, but they can also be yellow, pink, or purple. The leaves are feather-like and grow in opposite pairs along the stem.
Achillea is native to Europe and Asia and prefers full sun and is drought tolerant, meaning you don’t need to water it very often.
Achillea can grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-draining, making this a great easy-to-care-for plant.
Candytuft
Candytuft is a herbaceous plant of the family Brassicaceae.
The candytuft flower cluster is an inflorescence which means it is composed of many small flowers on branched stems. The individual flowers have four white petals with a yellowish center.
Candytuft prefers well-drained soil and it is drought tolerant once established.
Water regularly during the first growing season to give the plant time to establish an extensive root system. After that, you will only need to water the plant once or twice a week.
Candytuft is an excellent candidate for rock gardens, edging, or as a groundcover.
It doesn’t grow very tall, only about a foot in height, but they grow quickly and spread out. You can also help more plants grow by propagating by seed, cuttings, or division.
Clematis
Clematis is an umbrella category for all kinds of plants including herbaceous groundcover plants and climbing vines.
The flowers have four or more petals. They are mostly borne singly or in clusters of two or three at the ends of stems.
Clematis vines require little care once they are established. They are generally very hardy plants that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
They should be fertilized in early spring with a balanced fertilizer and may need to be watered during periods of drought.
Echinacea
Echinacea, or coneflower, is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the daisy family.
The flowers are large, flat, and daisy-like.
Most echinacea plants have petals that are purplish-brown in the center and yellow at the tips, but there are strands of flowers that have white petals with dark centers.
Echinacea is drought tolerant and does not require much water once established. It will grow in almost any condition but prefers the cooler temperatures of USDA zones 3-7.
Liatris
Liatris plants are characterized by their tall, slender stems and long, spiked flowers.
The flowers are typically purple or lavender, but can also be white or pink. The plants grow to a height of 2-5 feet and produce numerous flower heads.
These plants are relatively easy to care for. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Water the plant frequently, especially on hot, dry days.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month. Liatris plants are fairly drought tolerant and can withstand periods of drought without damage.
Liatris plants are best suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. In colder climates, the plant should be grown in a container and brought indoors for the winter months.
Lilac
Lilacs are fast-growing shrubs that can reach a height of 15 feet.
They have an upright growth habit with many branches and can spread up to 12 feet. The leaves are dark green, oval-shaped, and about 4 inches long.
The flowers grow in clusters at the ends of the branches and are available in a wide range of colors including white, pink, purple, and lavender.
They grow best in rich, well-drained soil but are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions.
Lilacs should be fertilized in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. They require little pruning but can be pruned to shape after blooming.
Lilacs are relatively pest and disease free. However, they can be susceptible to powdery mildew, aphids, and scale.
Calla
Calla lilies are plants that can be found in many different climates.
It is known for its beautiful flowers that come in many colors. The plant itself is typically green, but the flowers can be white, pink, purple, or even yellow.
Calla lilies do best in moist soil and need to be watered regularly. It also needs to be fertilized every so often to keep it healthy.
Gardenia
Gardenias are actually plants from the coffee family.
They have flowers that are white and have a sweet fragrance. The flowers are about 2-3 inches in diameter and grow on a bush-like plant.
If you prune the plant regularly, you can make the plant look more like a tree.
Gardenias require moist, well-drained soil and prefer partial to full sun. They are relatively easy to grow indoors if given proper care. Gardenias need moderate watering, with the soil kept moist but not soggy.
They also require high humidity, so it is important to Mist gardenias regularly or set the pots on a pebble tray.
Works Well – Fertilize every two weeks with an acidic fertilizer during the growing season and prune after flowering to shape the plant. Gardenias are susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and thrips.
Partial Shade
Many plants thrive in partial shade.
Just enough light to produce good growth and blooms, but not so much that the plant becomes stressed.
The amount of sun a partial shade plant needs depends on the plant. The plants on this list should only get 4 – 6 hours of indirect sunlight a day.
Azalea
Azaleas are a genus of flowering shrubs in the heath family, Ericaceae.
The Azalea species have many different flower colors including white, pink, purple, and red. Most azaleas are deciduous, but some are evergreen.
Azaleas need acidic soil to grow best, and they prefer partial shade. They should be watered fairly regularly, but if you aren’t using well-draining soil too much water can kill them.
It is important to not let the roots stand in water. Azaleas should be fertilized every few weeks during the growing season.
Hellebore
Hellebore is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennials that grow in woodland, on rocky slopes, or near streams.
The flowers are produced in early spring, often before the leaves appear, and have 5 sepals and 5 petals which may be white, greenish-white, pink, purple, or yellow.
Hellebores are relatively easy to grow and make an excellent ground cover for shady areas.
They prefer moist, well-drained soil and dappled shade, but will tolerate dry conditions once established.
Hellebores are not heavy feeders but benefit from being fertilized in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are mainly shrubs that grow to be 3 to 10 feet tall, but some reach up to almost 100 feet tall by climbing up trees.
Most have large heads of composite flowers, ranging from white to pink to blue, and even purple.
Hydrangea flowers are borne in clusters composed of two kinds of flowers, small fertile flowers in the center or middle of the cluster, and large showy sterile flowers with a ring of large petals around them.
These showy sterile flowers are what give the hydrangea its common name of “bigleaf hydrangea”.
Hydrangeas are very dramatic and will start drooping when they haven’t been watered. They should be watered as regularly as every day, or even twice a day during hot weather.
They like moist, but well-drained soil. A 2-inch layer of organic mulch will help to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
Hydrangeas are generally not heavy feeders, but a light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring will give them a boost.
Shasta Daisies
The Shasta daisy is a perennial plant that produces large, white flowers.
The plant grows to be about two feet tall and has long green leaves. The flowers have a yellow center and are about four inches in diameter.
Shasta daisies need to be planted in an area that receives partial shade and well-drained soil. These hardy flowers are drought tolerant and won’t need to be fertilized.
The best climate for growing Shasta daisies is in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
When Planting – Space the plants about 18 inches apart. They will bloom from summer to fall.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is a deciduous shrub that is native to Europe and Asia.
It grows to be about 3-6 feet tall and has fragrant, cream-colored flowers that bloom in the summer.
The leaves are long and narrow, and the plant prefers moist soil and full sun.
To care for meadowsweet, water it regularly and fertilize it once a month. It is best to grow these plants in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
Full Shade
If your backyard is a shady oasis, here’s a list of plants that will thrive.
All of these plants like full shade, so any direct sun will burn the leaves and root systems.
Lily-of-the-Valley
The lily-of-the-valley is a flowering plant that blooms in early to mid-spring.
The flowers look like bells that grow on the underside of stems, causing the stem to bend. The plant is low-growing, with dark green, heart-shaped leaves.
To care for a lily-of-the-valley plant, water it regularly and fertilize it monthly. It prefers cooler climates and shady conditions.
Snowdrop Anemone
The snowdrop anemone is a perennial plant that produces white, bell-shaped flowers.
They look similar to lily-of-the-valley, but these “bells” look more like flowers. The plant typically blooms in early spring and can reach up to 18 inches in height.
Because of their delicate aesthetic, these flowers are used in floral arrangements fairly often.
Snowdrop anemones prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
They are relatively low-maintenance plants and do not require much fertilizer. Snowdrop anemones are hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Final Thoughts
Whether your backyard has full sun, partial shade, or full shade there are white perennials that will bloom all summer long!
By choosing the right plant for your specific conditions you can have a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that will provide years of enjoyment.
