White flowers are among some of the most spell-binding flowers you can grow, as well as some of the most eye-catching, and the brightest blooms which will add life and color to any corner of your garden.
You might be looking to brighten up areas of your garden, or you are after something completely different.
All-white planting schemes are among the most captivating, but they’re also the hardest to maintain – with different flowers that set seed, you could be in for a lot of maintenance, but it would be worth it.
While some will close when night falls, those that stay open or even those flowers that bloom during the night add a special touch to your garden, a je ne sais quoi atmosphere that simply just isn’t there during the day.
These flowers seem to glow in the dark, adding both an excuse to step outside your door at night, and to see your flowers in an entirely different light than you had before.
While you can get flowers in a myriad of hues, white flowers are often among the brightest, and the most graceful, as the color only adds to the form of the flower.
Read on to discover just some of the huge range of flowers you can get in white.
Different Types of White Flowering Plants
Amaryllis
While you might know Amaryllis flowers as red or red and white, you can get them as wholly-white blooms.
If you’re unfamiliar with amaryllis, these plants grow from bulbs, producing huge, showy blooms, on a stem that can reach 3 feet tall indoors.
In order to produce these giants, they need a lot of water, and a hot, sunny place. They won’t tolerate any cold, however.
Anemone
Also known as the windflower, these beautiful flowers feature a sunny eye in the middle of the flower, with big petals.
While they come in many colors, white is among the most vivid, peeking out from under the shade.
They flower in early spring, and are usually found in woodland, so they need at least partial shade in order to thrive, and moist to wet soil in order to produce their beautiful blooms.
Alstroemeria
Also known as the Peruvian lilies, these perennials come in a rainbow of color, but white is by far the most graceful.
They need plenty of sun and well-draining soil, so the bulbs don’t rot, but otherwise they take care of themselves.
Begonia
Begonias (see also Begonia Care Guide) are by far some of the more versatile options on this list! They cannot tolerate hot and dry weather, so they need to be watered frequently in warmer climates, and you can get them in all forms – climbing, trailing, and as bedding plants.
Baby’s Breath
Also known as Gypsophila, these tiny clusters of white flowers are often used in bridal bouquets as well as floral arrangements to break up the bigger blooms included in the bouquet.
Bouvardia
While originally native to Central America, Bouvardia has become popular all over the world, due to its star-shaped blooms, and interesting flower buds. White bouvardias are renowned for their bright blooms.
Camellia
Camellias are one of the easiest white flowers (See also Camellia Flower Meaning) to grow. These evergreen shrubs are very hardy, and need dappled shade in order to thrive.
The flowers appear from January through until May, depending on your weather conditions, and add architectural interest as well as height and color into your garden.
Calla Lily
Also known as Zantedeschia (see also Flower Names Beginning With Z), the Calla Lily produces captivating and unusual cup-shaped blooms in any color, but white is on another level.
They’re popular as houseplants as well as in the garden, but they’ll need to be overwintered.
This plant can easily be confused with Calla palustris, or bog arum, which needs to be in shallow water in order to grow.
Carnation
While carnations (see also Carnation Flower Meaning) are usually pink or red, white is more unusual, and can be regarded as more beautiful for it.
Carnations need full sun (see also Carnation Grow Guide), and as much water as you can stand to give them without wondering if the plant will rot.
Clematis
Clematis plants are versatile climbers which produce blooms that are so diverse, you’d be forgiven for thinking that different varieties were different plant species.
They need constant support, where their roots will be in a cool, shady place, but the flowers in full sun.
Columbine
Also referred to by their scientific name, Aquilegia, or even Granny’s Bonnet, which references their unique shape, these plants attract many pollinators into your garden.
Depending on the variety, they’ll be happy enough in full sun or partial shade, so long as the soil drains well.
Chrysanthemum
One of the most beautiful white blooms you can get, chrysanthemums need full sun and well-draining soil in order to produce their huge flowers.
Corn Marigold
Corn marigolds or Glebionis segetum are usually found in yellow, but the white corn marigold is particularly striking. They need full sunlight in order to bloom, and the plants get as high as 31 inches tall.
Cosmos
Cosmos flowers do well in containers as well as in borders, but they need to be somewhere sheltered from the wind, in full sunlight in order to thrive (see also How To Grow Cosmos).
For a stunning display, plant a lot of them in proximity – they’ll help support each other as well as adding a sea of color into your garden.
Candytuft
Iberis, or candytuft, are perfect for rockeries, as bedding plants, and to fill out your borders.
They’re equally happy in light shade and full sun, though they are very poisonous, so keep them away from curious mouths, fingers, or paws.
Dictamnus
While these plants are very striking, they’re also volatile. The plant produces oils which will readily burst into flames if temperatures are warm enough, and the daughter of Carl Linnaeus demonstrated this by setting the air above the plant on fire with a matchstick!
Delphinium Centurion
Delphiniums (see also Delphinium Varieties To Try) produce skyscraper-like flower spikes, especially when planted next to much smaller plants.
They will need a good staking to make sure the spikes have enough support to hold so many flowers upright.
As is with some taller flowers, planting the same type in close proximity can help protect them from the worst of the elements.
Daisy
Well, could you really leave these beautiful flowers out? They spread prolifically, and only require partial shade and freely-draining soil, and they’ll take care of themselves.
Daffodils
Daffodils pop up year after year at the first sign of spring, and many hybrids have been created, further enhancing the beauty these little flowers have to offer.
They need very little maintenance – the odd deadheading if you prefer, and the bulbs themselves need to be planted quite deep, otherwise they take care of themselves.
Dahlias
There are many types of dahlias (see also Types Of Dahlias And Care) you can grow – those with only a few petals, or those with many, and all are beautiful. White dahlias – in whatever shape you choose – are very beautiful, and the more sun you can provide them with, the better they will do.
Dendrobium Orchid
Like all orchids, they are very beautiful, and very prone to overwatering. The Dendrobium orchid (see also Dendrobium Orchid Care) needs at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light in order to produce their beautiful blooms.
Dogwood
Dogwood shrubs and trees produce flowers throughout spring, so long as they’re provided with freely-draining soil, avoiding any periods of drought (See also Dogwood Flower (Cornus florida) Meaning and Symbolism).
Easter Lily
Part of the true lily genus, Easter lilies usually flower during the summer, but it’s easy to get them to bloom in time for the Easter market, where they’re sold all over the world.
They can reach as high as 3 feet tall, and are fairly maintenance free.
Foxgloves
White foxgloves are among the most spellbinding of the digitalis genus. Their cascade of bell-shaped flowers attract a wealth of pollinators, and they are a favorite flower of the bees.
They also set seed prolifically, so don’t be surprised if, at the start of the new growing season, you start to see lots of tiny foxgloves dotted around the place!
Hellebores
Hellebores (see also Hellebore Uses) do well in partial or near complete shade, as they are woodland plants. While they come in all sorts of colors, as hellebores are easy to hybridize, white is among the most beautiful.
Hyacinth
Hyacinths are usually grown for their intense fragrance, as well as their clusters of blooms, available in pink, white, blue, and purple.
While they grow from bulbs, like amaryllis, they hate their bulbs being buried in soil, so they often need staking.
Hydrangea Arborescens Incrediball
One of the more tightly-clustered flowers, this particular hydrangea produces an impressive display. They add both height and color into any garden, and will do well in most positions.
Lotus
If you have a container pond, or you’re lucky enough to have a bigger pond, white lotus flowers (see also Lotus Flower: Different Types, How to Grow and Plant Care) are perfect for adding color to your garden, as well as providing shade and a safe place for pollinators to drink without the risk of drowning.
Lupin
Lupins come in a range of colors, even bicolors, but white is one of the most eye-catching. If you think the flowers look similar to those of peas – you’d be right, they’re related.
They also need very little care, apart from a good extra watering in hot weather, and if you deadhead the old blooms, they might produce another.
Magnolia
White magnolias are among some of the most beautiful flowering (see also Magnolia Flower Meaning and Symbolism) trees around. They’re also renowned for their lovely, heady fragrance. The flowers appear before the leaves, making for a stunning display.
Moonflowers
Also known as morning glory, these lovely night-flowering blooms need a watchful eye, as they’re vigorous vines which will make short work of taking over any space you put them in!
The trumpet-shaped flowers have a subtle fragrance, and attract plenty of night pollinators.
Hosta
Hostas (see also Hosta Growing Requirements) grow well both as houseplants and outdoor plants, prized for their foliage and their occasional white flowers, which spring up during the height of summer.
They spread quite quickly, but they’re vulnerable to slugs and snails, so you’ll need to create some defenses.
Jasmine
Jasmine are known for their beautifully fragrant flowers (see also Jasmine Flower Meaning and Symbolism), which are predominantly white, but they also come in yellow.
They need partial shade and sun in order to grow well, but once the conditions are right, you’ll be treated to spectacular scented blooms.
Petunia
Petunias are becoming increasingly popular, with more and more hybrids being created, but white petunias are among the most classic, and the most beautiful.
They are usually used as bedding plants, and do best in full sun.
Peony
While peonies come in a whole variety of colors, white are among the most striking.
If you’re thinking about growing peonies, it’s worthwhile to know that they often won’t flower until after the first year, as these beautiful blooms take a lot of energy to form.
They do well both in pots and in the ground, and will produce showy flowers for years to come.
Primrose
Part of the Primula genus, these plants flower in very early spring, and are suitable for both containers, borders, and rockeries.
Ranunculus
White ranunculus flowers are among the most striking, especially with the petals, which have a papery-thin appearance. They don’t look real! They can provide a startling contrast against other flowers.
Rose
White roses (See also White Roses Meaning) are sometimes reserved for weddings or in remembrance of someone, as they represent loyalty, innocence, and enduring love.
Scabiosa
Scabious flowers are much more beautiful than the name would suggest! They’re often referred to as the pin cushion flower, and while they come in a wide variety of colors, white is among the most striking.
Silverbush
A compact evergreen, the silverbush is often used as ground cover, and it produces a plethora of blooms during spring and summer.
Snow Bunting
Part of the crocus family, snow bunting flowers need partial shade, and they’re very hardy to frosty temperatures.
Trumpet Flowers
Datura, or the trumpet flowers, belong to the nightshade family. They’re very beautiful, but highly poisonous, so consider carefully before you choose to plant them, and where they might go.
Tuberose
A night-blooming plant, the tuberose has a fantastic fragrance, and the plant itself will grow up to 3 feet tall.
Tulips
I’m sure you know that tulips come in a range of colors and shapes, but white is still among the most popular colors.
They do extremely well both in pots and in the ground, and the more tulips you grow, the more impressive the display will be.
Vinca
Also known as periwinkle, these petite flowers are no-less very beautiful than larger flowers, and prefer warmer temperatures.
Water Lily
Water lilies are also a great option for large ponds, or if you have a container pond, the dwarf varieties are also beautiful. Traditionally, white water lilies represent peace and rebirth.
Walking Iris
While they’re part of the Iris family, they’re in a sub-genus called Neomarica.
The interesting common name comes from the curious characteristic of when the plant has finished flowering, the stem will drop to the ground, and a new plant will form where it dropped.
Wisteria
White wisteria are among the most captivating, though all wisteria are lovely in their own right. They produce a cascade of flowers which are usually very fragrant, and will climb on pretty much anything.
They need full sun in order to thrive, and you’ll have to be diligent in pruning back the plant, so it doesn’t take over.
Wild Chervil
While beautiful, the wild chervil is invasive, and it has been banned in some areas, so you’ll need to check that you can grow this plant. It’s also often confused with the extremely dangerous hemlock, and fool’s parsley.
White Gloria
White Gloria flowers produce sprays of feathery blooms, and need a sunny position for at least most of the day in order to thrive.
Yucca Filamentosa
This succulent produces a tower of white flowers, but you need to provide it with the sandiest, freely-draining soil that you can.
Also, avoid planting the yucca (see also Yucca Plants: Different Types, How To Grow and Plant Care) where the thorns can get at you!
Yarrow
Achillea, or yarrow (see also Achillea Uses And Grow Guide), produces flat clusters of tiny flowers on top of very tall stems. They self-seed and spread easily, and look perfect against other, bigger blooms.
Frequently Asked Questions about White Flowers
What Do White Flowers Represent?
Across a range of cultures, white flowers are used to symbolize innocence, purity, remembrance, and enduring love.
They’re usually used in bridal bouquets, wedding decorations, and other important celebrations that involve milestones.
Do White Flowers Symbolize Death?
White flowers are often symbolic of remembrance, which means yes – they are connected with death and funerals, as well as life. In some cultures, white flowers are a taboo at happy occasions.
Are White Flowers Unlucky?
This depends on what you believe. I would say no, personally. Just because something has an association with death, doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing in itself, or it will somehow cause death to occur.
Death is an intrinsic part of life, it’s often how we measure how valuable things are – after all, they have to end sometime.
White flowers are often used to celebrate life, so the unlucky connotation shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Conclusion
White flowers are among some of the brightest shades plants can produce.
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to walk around a purely white garden – well, they’re on another level of dedication entirely, as transplanting and taking out other colored blooms can be extremely hard work, with the way in which some flowers produce seed!
White flowers brighten up any space, often adding height and architectural interest into any garden, whether you plant them in the ground, in containers, or even hanging baskets.
They also help off-set the more colorful flowers, helping both to stand out more than they would alone.
White flowers make for interesting planting combinations and flower arrangements, and the color itself can allow the gaze to ‘rest’, among a busy and vivid sea of color.
Among the most interesting, perhaps, are the white flowers that bloom at night. They add another level into your garden, a layer of color you probably rarely see, but certainly among the most spellbinding.
White flowers add a lot of elegance to any garden, and can make you feel calmer in your own version of paradise.
