Perennial plants with white flowers are a great addition to any scenery, lending a graceful snowy energy to the garden.
Whether you are looking to create a white garden or create a sense of contrast with other plants, this article covers a few options with white blooms over different seasons – from azaleas to snowdrops – each fulfilling a unique purpose in your garden. See which one suits you best!
Contents
A Collection of White Flowering Perennial Plants
Perennial plants live longer compared to annuals and biennials. Many plants on this list are low-maintenance and will not add unnecessary work to your to-do list. These plants will provide you with white blankets of flowers just as the last frost disappears and the flowering season begins.
1. Azalea
Azaleas produce an abundance of bell-shaped flowers in all sizes – their blooms are an amazing sight to behold. Heirloom varieties of azalea can grow up to about 20 feet in height, while dwarf varieties stay under 3 feet tall.
There is a variety of choices not just in their height but also between cultivars that bloom at different times of the year. While most bloom mid-spring, some varieties blossom even earlier or later. Hence, you can incorporate them into your landscaping designs and themed flower gardens at different times of the year.
– Characteristics
Azaleas are loosely branched plants that have elliptical leaves. While most varieties of azaleas are deciduous, you can also find some evergreen varieties.
Azaleas are generally slow-growing perennials, taking up to 10 years to reach full size for some species. Despite their captivating beauty, azalea contains toxins that have varying degrees of effects on different animals and humans and can be fatal in some cases.
– Growth Requirements
Azaleas are sensitive plants and need a proper location to thrive for a long time. Most importantly, the soil should be loose, well-draining, and acidic in nature. They grow in shady areas that receive a few hours of sun during the morning. This keeps the flowers from withering from the heat, but in cold climates, they can also survive in full sun. You only need to water during dry spells as the rains are usually enough for their water needs.
2. Shasta Daisies
A shasta daisy in full bloom with its bright, snowy flowers and golden centers makes a statement like no other in the garden. These plants are named after the white snowy peaks of Mount Shasta in California. It is a hybrid species and is both low-maintenance and deer resistant.
There is plenty of variety when it comes to shasta daisies, as there are 69 unique cultivars of the plant. As a bonus, they are also excellent at attracting pollinators! The best time to plant them is during early spring or summer if you live in colder climates.
– Characteristics
These perennials are easily recognizable with their bright white flowers and bright golden centers. These plants also produce leathery and thick foliage that has a deep green color.
If they are present in warmer regions, these leaves are considered evergreen and remain there throughout the year. They also look lovely as cut flowers. However, they are toxic to pets such as cats and dogs, so be careful.
– Growth Requirements
Shasta daisies are hardy plants once they have been established and do not require a lot of care. They can adapt to many different environments and thrive easily. They thrive in full sun and adapt well to partial shade.
They are best planted in rich, fertile soil that retains moisture but drains well. Enriching your soil using organic matter such as compost will help them grow even more vibrant. You only need to water them during dry spells as they are drought-tolerant plants. There are a few Shasta Daisy companion plants to add to your garden too!
3. Blackhaw Viburnum
Blackhaw viburnum is another large shrub with multiple stems and deciduous nature. It does not grow in any defined or structured shape. Since Blackhaw is native to the US, it grows abundantly in the wilds of eastern and central US states, primarily in woodlands or along riverbanks.
It is an excellent option for any garden and can also be used as an indoor decoration. It grows well in many different climates and locations if you choose an ideal spot as its habitat. Blackhaw viburnum is a hardy shrub that does not suffer from many diseases or pests.
– Characteristics
Blackhaw viburnum grows in the form of a shrub, but it can also be trained to grow into a small tree. It has a reddish-brown trunk with glossy dark green leaves. The fruit it produces appears in the form of yellow berries, they ripen and mature into blue-black fruits.
Blackhaw also produces clusters of white, cream-colored flowers that grow before the fruits appear. The flowers then wither away in September to make way for the fruit.
– Growth Requirements
Blackhaw viburnum is one of the most low-maintenance plants. It can grow easily under full sun and in partial shade. Still, the blooms are most vibrant in plentiful sunlight, with some protection from the hot afternoon sun in hot climates.
The plant grows best in loamy soil and can tolerate sandy soil, provided it has good drainage. During the early stages of growth, water is regularly in moderate amounts. Once mature, it develops drought resistance, and you can relax the schedule a bit.
4. Snowdrops
Snowdrops have bell-shaped white perennial flowers that are among the first to bloom when spring starts. They are very easy to grow and maintain in both garden beds or containers and are not easily affected by diseases.
– Characteristics
Snowdrops get their name because they can bloom when the snow still blankets the landscape. They are small, frost-hardy plants with leafless stalks. The small white bell-shaped flowers at the ends of these stalks look like snowdrops. These white flowers are a great addition to any garden.
They can grow up to six inches in height but take a few years to mature to their full beauty. So if you want to see the snowy blossoms in your gardens, you might have to wait for two to four years, but the show is worth the wait.
Note that snowdrops are toxic to humans and animals. Although it is a great defense mechanism against local wildlife, it also constitutes a safety hazard for children and pets, so take caution.
– Growth Requirements
Snowdrops can be planted in various soil types, including rocky and woodland gardens. They require plenty of sunlight to grow properly, which is rather easy since they grow when most other plants and trees are bare, so there is very little shade to go around.
Snowdrops grow best in well-draining, humus-rich soil and cannot survive in clay. Therefore, they are not particularly water-dependent, especially if you live in a cool region. But if your local climate is warm or tends to have hot spells, you must compensate with frequent watering.
5. Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea is a unique member of the bushy hydrangea family. It provides all the beauty with a unique twist: it is a climbing vine. It offers a great way to enhance the appearance of your walls, fences, and garden boundaries. This particular species is native to Asia and is undoubtedly top of the list of tall white perennials that bloom all summer long. However, it is best planted in late spring.
– Characteristics
Climbing hydrangea is a slow-growing plant (taking 3–5 years to mature), although its lush beauty is worth the wait. The vine reaches a considerable height of up to 40 feet tall when mature. This makes it an obvious choice as a beautiful centerpiece for any garden.
When summer arrives, lacy white flowers decorate its lush green foliage. Unlike several others, this plant is a true climber as it has holdfasts that allow it to climb surfaces without a supporting object like a fence. Unfortunately, it is toxic to most pets, so keep them from chewing on it.
– Growth Requirements
Climbing hydrangeas are typically grown on the sides of houses to cover up bland walls. Still, trellises, pergolas, and garden arbors are also great support structures for this plant. They grow best under full sun, although they can tolerate shade.
The vine grows best in rich, evenly moist, and well-draining garden soils. It is best to make up for deficit nutrients by adding compost before planting. For watering, the rule of thumb is to provide 1 inch of water per week.
6. Christmas Rose
Commonly known as the Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger), the plant is anything but black – except for its roots. Christmas rose blooms with large, occasionally pink-tinged snow-colored flowers from mid-winter (around Christmas time) to spring, similar to snowdrops. In colder regions, blooms occur in late winter or early spring.
– Characteristics
The hellebore is a low-growing perennial at just 9–12 inches tall. Its flower petals have an upward curve, forming a bowl-like shape around the golden-yellow centric stamens. The leaves are evergreen with a leathery feel and a pedate division.
All parts of the plant are moderately poisonous to mammals and, while not fatal, cause severe sickness upon consumption. This property makes it resistant to deer, but be sure to keep it out of the reach of pets and children.
– Growth Requirements
Keep it in partial to full shade during summer and somewhere with slightly more sun during the winter, but not a full-day exposure (the dappled shade of winter-naked trees is a great spot). It prefers neutral to alkaline, moist, yet well-draining soils rich in humus. Water them frequently with small amounts as they prefer moist soil, but not too much because that will cause root rot.
7. Japanese Thimbleweed
Japanese anemone, windflower, or thimbleweed all refer to the same species: Eriocapitella hupehensis. It is a herbaceous flowering plant and the only one on this list that blooms during fall. It is native to China and commonly cultivated in Japan, but remains suitable for the US Hardiness Zones 4–8.
– Characteristics
The height of the plant varies between cultivars from 1–4 feet. The relatively large height makes it an excellent choice for garden beds. You can grow different cultivars for added interest if you like their look! The flowers are white in most cultivars (e.g., ‘Whirlwind’ and ‘Honorine Jobert’).
The blooms are almost flat to the stem, with prominent center-growing pistils enveloped by stamens. It is tolerant to salt, resistant to most pests and animals, attracts pollinators, and is mildly toxic when ingested.
– Growth Requirements
When planted in moist and well-draining soil, the Japanese thimbleweed thrives in partial to full sun exposure. Augmenting the soil with organic matter like compost is also a good idea. The soil pH is not particularly important as the plant grows just fine in neutral, acidic, and alkaline soils, although acidic soil is preferred. Water it slowly and regularly to keep it only slightly moist and not bogged in water at all times.
Conclusion
Perennial plants with white flowers are the peak of natural beauty during the spring season, and perennials are that much more spectacular since they return the next year as well. These low-maintenance plants can easily adapt to many conditions and do not cause much hassle. Following are some important key points:
- Most of these plants produce white perennial flowers that bloom all summer long, except for Snowdrops and H. niger, which bloom during winter, and Japanese Thimbleweed, which blooms during fall.
- Some plants are hardier than others and can survive in rocky and sandy soils.
- If you want a tall climber, Climbing Hydrangeas are great. If you want ground cover, Shasta Daisies, Snowdrops, and Christmas Roses are sure to interest you. The rest are best suited for border gardens.
Which ones of these plants do you think will look best in your garden?
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