A garden filled with perennial plants with white flowers can transform your outdoor space into a serene and timeless retreat. Whether you're designing a peaceful garden sanctuary, a romantic cottage-style escape, or a classic garden full of elegant charm, white flowers offer a versatile and sophisticated touch. These plants provide a crisp contrast against vibrant green foliage, brightening up your landscape with their pure, soft hues.
What makes white flowering perennials especially appealing is their ability to thrive year after year, creating lasting beauty without the need for constant replanting. From shade-loving varieties perfect for woodland gardens to sun-loving blooms that thrive in bright, open spaces, white flowers come in many forms, offering endless design possibilities. In this post, we’ll explore 25 stunning perennial plants with white flowers, each one adding its own unique charm and character to your garden design.
Read About Perennial Plants With White Flowers27 Stunning Perennial Plants With White Flowers
Elegant White Perennials That Thrive in Full Sun
When designing a sunny garden bed, white perennials add brightness and sophistication that shines in direct light. These plants not only tolerate full sun — they flourish in it. Whether you're creating a pollinator paradise or a refined border, these six white-flowering sun lovers bring lasting beauty and structure.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
One of the most beloved white perennials, the Shasta Daisy offers bright, daisy-like blooms with yellow centers from early summer through fall. These cheerful, classic flowers are perfect for sunny borders and thrive in a variety of soils as long as they are well-drained.
- Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
- Height: 2–4 feet
- Great for: Cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cut flower arrangements
White Coneflower (Echinacea ‘White Swan’)
This elegant cousin of the purple coneflower features pure white petals surrounding a golden-brown cone. It's a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant option that’s attractive to bees and butterflies. Bonus: it also makes excellent cut flowers and dries beautifully.
- Bloom time: Mid to late summer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Wildlife gardens, prairie-style planting, modern minimalist beds
Iceberg Rose (Rosa ‘Iceberg’)
Although technically a shrub rose, ‘Iceberg’ behaves like a perennial in warmer zones. It produces clusters of snowy white blooms all season long and is renowned for its disease resistance and low maintenance. Ideal for adding a romantic touch to sunny beds or borders.
- Bloom time: Late spring to frost
- Height: 3–5 feet
- Great for: Formal borders, rose gardens, cottage designs
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘White Beauty’)
A true sun-lover, this flat-topped perennial features lace-like white flower clusters atop ferny foliage. Yarrow is tough and reliable, tolerating poor soil and dry conditions. Plus, it's deer-resistant and a magnet for pollinators.
- Bloom time: Early to late summer
- Height: 1–3 feet
- Great for: Drought-tolerant landscapes, wildflower meadows, rock gardens
Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’)
Gaura adds movement and grace to the garden with its airy sprays of white blooms that flutter like butterflies on tall stems. It blooms for months and thrives in heat, humidity, and full sun.
- Bloom time: Late spring through fall
- Height: 2–4 feet
- Great for: Naturalistic plantings, containers, borders
Peony (Paeonia ‘Festiva Maxima’)
A favorite in classic gardens, this heritage peony boasts lush, double white blooms with hints of crimson in the center. While it requires a year or two to establish, its spectacular spring show and longevity (decades!) make it worth the wait.
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Foundation plantings, cutting gardens, heritage-style landscapes
Gorgeous White Flowers for Shade or Woodland Gardens
Not all white flowers crave the sun—some truly thrive in shady, woodland, or partially shaded spaces. These white perennials brighten up dim corners and add a soft, ethereal glow beneath trees or along shaded paths. Whether you're designing a cool woodland garden or just need something for a tricky shady spot, these elegant options offer long-lasting beauty with minimal fuss.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
This dainty, fragrant woodland perennial produces tiny, bell-shaped white flowers in mid-spring. Its sweet perfume is unmistakable, and it forms dense groundcover in shady areas over time. Be mindful—it's beautiful but moderately invasive, so plant it where it can roam or in containers.
- Bloom time: Mid to late spring
- Height: 6–10 inches
- Great for: Naturalized woodland areas, shade borders, under trees
- Bonus: Fragrant and deer-resistant
White Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba Flower’)
This all-white version of the classic Bleeding Heart features delicate, heart-shaped flowers that dangle like tiny lanterns from arching stems. The elegant blooms appear in early spring and pair beautifully with ferns and hostas in a shady garden.
- Bloom time: Spring to early summer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Romantic gardens, shaded cottage borders, woodland edges
- Note: Dies back in midsummer—pair with summer bloomers for season-long interest
Astilbe ‘Deutschland’
Astilbe adds a feathery, textural element to shady beds with tall plumes of creamy white flowers. ‘Deutschland’ is one of the best white varieties, and it thrives in consistently moist, shady conditions. Its fern-like foliage stays attractive even when it's not in bloom.
- Bloom time: Early to midsummer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Moist shade gardens, stream edges, layered perennial beds
- Bonus: Attracts butterflies and is rabbit-resistant
Hellebore (Helleborus niger) – Christmas Rose
A true winter hero, Helleborus niger often blooms in late winter to early spring, sometimes pushing up through the snow. Its crisp white blossoms nod gracefully above evergreen foliage, making it a must-have for any shady garden with year-round interest.
- Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Great for: Winter gardens, year-round interest, underplanting for shrubs
- Bonus: Deer-resistant and low maintenance
Anemone (Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’)
This late-blooming beauty produces pure white flowers with golden centers on tall stems that seem to dance in the breeze. It's perfect for adding height and a burst of brightness to part-shade gardens just as summer starts to fade.
- Bloom time: Late summer to fall
- Height: 3–4 feet
- Great for: Woodland edges, mixed shade borders, moon gardens
- Bonus: Long blooming and excellent for cut flowers
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
This charming native groundcover features frothy white flower spikes in spring and heart-shaped foliage that often has burgundy veins or fall color. It thrives in rich, moist woodland soil and spreads gently to form a soft carpet under trees.
- Bloom time: Spring
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Great for: Woodland paths, shaded rock gardens, underplantings
- Bonus: Pollinator-friendly and non-invasive
These white perennials bring light, texture, and seasonal diversity to shaded spaces where color is often hard to achieve. They’re perfect companions to ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving foliage plants.
Compact White Perennials for Borders, Edges & Small Spaces
Just because you’re working with a small garden, patio, or narrow border doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty or elegance. These compact white perennials are perfect for tucking into tight spaces, lining walkways, or adding brightness to container gardens. Their low-growing habits, manageable spread, and long-lasting blooms make them some of the most versatile and practical plants in the white flower palette.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
A springtime favorite, candytuft forms a low-growing, evergreen mound that explodes with crisp white flowers in early to mid-spring. Its dense form makes it ideal for border edging, rock gardens, or even cascading over retaining walls. It also provides year-round interest thanks to its glossy, dark green foliage.
- Bloom time: Spring (with occasional reblooming)
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Great for: Edging beds, containers, and slopes
- Bonus: Drought-tolerant once established
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer)
This aptly named perennial produces a carpet of silver-gray foliage topped with tiny white star-like flowers in early summer. As a spreading groundcover, it’s perfect for filling in gaps between stones, edging sunny paths, or softening the front of garden borders. Its shimmering color palette adds brightness even when not in bloom.
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
- Height: 6–10 inches
- Great for: Rock gardens, dry slopes, sunny groundcover
- Bonus: Deer-resistant and low-maintenance
White Daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Gentle Shepherd’)
Though many daylilies are bold and bright, ‘Gentle Shepherd’ offers a softer touch with creamy white trumpet-shaped blooms. It’s slightly taller than some on this list but still compact enough for smaller borders. It’s also incredibly hardy and easy to grow, blooming reliably year after year.
- Bloom time: Mid to late summer
- Height: 18–24 inches
- Great for: Edging sunny beds, mixing into perennial borders
- Bonus: Drought- and heat-tolerant, long-lived
White Speedwell (Veronica spicata ‘Icicle’)
Veronica ‘Icicle’ adds vertical interest in a small footprint. Its spikes of bright white blooms attract pollinators and make a clean, modern statement in the front of borders or containers. This is a great choice for minimalist or structured garden designs.
- Bloom time: Early to mid-summer
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Great for: Small-space gardens, edging, pollinator-friendly borders
- Bonus: Compact, mildew-resistant, and long-blooming
White Campion (Silene latifolia)
With delicate, papery white blossoms that open mostly at night, White Campion is a whimsical and lightly fragrant addition to cottage-style or moon gardens. Though often seen in wildflower meadows, its modest size and airy shape make it great for informal edges and pollinator areas.
- Bloom time: Late spring to fall
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Great for: Wildflower-style borders, moon gardens, naturalistic plantings
- Bonus: Attracts nocturnal pollinators like moths
Show-Stopping Tall & Upright White Perennials for Structure
Every garden needs structure and vertical interest, and tall white perennials deliver just that—elegance, drama, and dimension. Whether anchoring the back of a border, flanking a garden gate, or creating rhythm throughout a long bed, these statuesque bloomers stand tall while softening the space with luminous, white flowers. They're especially effective when paired with lower-growing perennials or ornamental grasses.
Delphinium ‘Galahad’
A true tower of blooms, ‘Galahad’ is a stately delphinium variety known for its tall, spiky white flower columns. It’s a classic choice for cottage gardens and formal borders, often used to add vertical flair at the back of a bed. These perennials prefer cool summers and rich soil, and they may need staking due to their height.
- Bloom time: Early to mid-summer
- Height: 4–6 feet
- Great for: Formal gardens, vertical accents, cutting gardens
- Bonus: Attracts bees and butterflies
White Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’)
‘David’ is a garden standout not just for its pure white, fragrant flowers, but also for its strong resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue with tall phlox. It blooms for weeks during summer, offering height and fullness in the middle or back of a mixed perennial bed.
- Bloom time: Midsummer to early fall
- Height: 3–4 feet
- Great for: Cottage gardens, scented borders, mixed beds
- Bonus: Pollinator magnet and perfect for cut arrangements
Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’)
This unique native perennial combines upright white flower spikes with contrasting dark burgundy foliage. It adds vertical structure while also contributing interesting color and texture when not in bloom. ‘Husker Red’ is adaptable and tough, thriving in a range of soils and conditions.
- Bloom time: Early to mid-summer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Native gardens, mixed perennial borders, low-water landscapes
- Bonus: Attracts pollinators and looks great even after blooming
White Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea ‘Alba Flower’)
Striking and ethereal, white foxglove sends up tall, spire-like stems lined with tubular white flowers that bees adore. Though technically a biennial or short-lived perennial, it self-seeds readily, creating a long-lasting presence in the garden. Its architectural form brings instant romance to shady and sunny borders alike.
- Bloom time: Late spring to mid-summer
- Height: 3–5 feet
- Great for: Cottage-style plantings, woodland edges, moon gardens
- Note: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested—handle with care
Unique & Underused White Perennials to Make Your Garden Stand Out
While many gardeners opt for the tried-and-true white blooms, there are plenty of hidden gems that don’t get as much attention but offer something truly special. These unique white perennials stand out for their unusual shapes, rare charm, and ability to bring a fresh look to traditional white gardens. Adding any of these plants to your landscape will ensure that your garden is anything but ordinary.
Balloon Flower (Platycodon ‘Astra White’)
The Balloon Flower is known for its balloon-like buds that slowly unfurl into star-shaped white flowers. It's a long-blooming, low-maintenance perennial that blooms in early summer and continues to offer interest throughout the season. When the buds open, they reveal soft, delicate petals that look almost like paper.
- Bloom time: Early to late summer
- Height: 18–24 inches
- Great for: Cottage gardens, rock gardens, edging
- Bonus: Adds whimsy and surprise with its unique bud formation before flowers open
Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
This underused white perennial is perfect for gardeners looking to add a bit of drama to their garden with its distinctive, curving flower spikes. The blooms are arranged in elegant cascades that give the plant its “gooseneck” look. It’s an excellent border plant or backdrop perennial that adds movement and interest.
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
- Height: 2–3 feet
- Great for: Borders, rain gardens, and along water features
- Bonus: Deer-resistant and can tolerate moist soils
Columbine (Aquilegia ‘Alba Flower’)
Columbine is a charming perennial that often gets overshadowed by its brightly colored cousins. However, the white variety, ‘Alba’, stands out with its delicate, nodding blooms that resemble little butterfly-like flowers. This plant adds texture and movement with its unique shape and graceful stance, making it a perfect addition to shaded or woodland gardens.
- Bloom time: Spring to early summer
- Height: 18–24 inches
- Great for: Woodland gardens, shaded borders, or mixed perennial beds
- Bonus: It’s self-seeding, so it’ll come back year after year, spreading its beauty naturally
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Perhaps one of the earliest spring bloomers, the Snowdrop is often overlooked in favor of more showy flowers. However, this delicate, nodding white flower is a garden treasure and a true symbol of the changing seasons. Planted in drifts, Snowdrops create an enchanting early spring display, often peeking through the snow or last remnants of frost.
- Bloom time: Late winter to early spring
- Height: 6–8 inches
- Great for: Woodland gardens, early spring garden interest, under trees or shrubs
- Bonus: One of the first perennials to bloom, providing a much-needed pick-me-up after winter
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff is a beautiful groundcover with tiny white star-like flowers that appear in the spring. It’s a shade-loving perennial that also has a delightful fragrance when its leaves are crushed, making it perfect for woodland gardens. It forms dense mats that help suppress weeds, making it both decorative and practical.
- Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
- Height: 6–8 inches
- Great for: Groundcover, woodland gardens, underplanting for shrubs
- Bonus: Fragrant foliage and low-maintenance once established
Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Barrenwort, also known as “fairy wings”, produces delicate, white, spurless flowers on wiry stems, often creating a magical look when planted under trees or shrubs. It’s a fantastic perennial for dry, shady spots where few other plants will thrive. The heart-shaped leaves provide interest even after the blooms fade, especially when they change color in the fall.
- Bloom time: Early to mid-spring
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Great for: Dry shade, woodland gardens, groundcover
- Bonus: Tolerates poor soil conditions and is drought-resistant once established
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