White Flowers: 40 Beautiful White Blooms for Every Garden

Why Grow White Flowers?

White flowers brighten shady corners, calm clashing colors and glow long after sunset.

This list covers 40 white blooms grouped by season and use, each with USDA zones, bloom time, sun and plant type. We checked zones against the NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. For more flowers in every color, see our guide to types of flowers.

White Flowers for Spring

Spring whites start with tough bulbs, then move into low perennials and peonies.

1. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Snowdrops are often the first flower of the year, with nodding green-tipped bells. Plant them in fall under deciduous trees to naturalize.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: late winter to early spring | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: bulb

2. Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)

Despite the name, summer snowflake flowers in spring. Its green-dotted bells cope with damp soil better than most bulbs.

Zones: 4 to 8 | Bloom: mid spring | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: bulb

3. ‘Thalia’ Daffodil (Narcissus ‘Thalia’)

‘Thalia’ carries two or three pure white, gently fragrant flowers per stem. Deer and voles leave daffodils alone, so it returns year after year.

Zones: 4 to 8 | Bloom: mid spring | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: bulb

4. White Tulip (Tulipa ‘White Triumphator’)

This lily-flowered tulip has slim, pointed petals on tall stems. For the strongest show, replant tulips each fall.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: mid to late spring | Sun: full sun | Type: bulb

5. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Candytuft forms a low evergreen mat smothered in bright white clusters. It suits rock gardens, wall edges and the front of a sunny border.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: spring | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

6. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘White Delight’)

Creeping phlox forms a dense carpet covered in white stars. Use it to spill over walls or cover sunny slopes.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: early to mid spring | Sun: full sun to light shade | Type: perennial

7. White Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus)

White ranunculus builds layer after layer of tissue-thin petals, perfect for bridal bouquets. Learn how to plant the claw-like corms in our ranunculus growing guide.

Zones: 8 to 10 (annual elsewhere) | Bloom: spring | Sun: full sun | Type: corm

8. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Festiva Maxima’)

This heirloom peony opens huge, fragrant white blooms flecked with crimson. Plants live for decades but need cold winters to flower.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: late spring to early summer | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

White Perennials and Bulbs for Summer

These summer whites handle heat and return each year.

9. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

The Shasta daisy is the classic white daisy, with gold centers and long stems for cutting. Deadhead it to keep the blooms coming.

Zones: 5 to 9 | Bloom: early to late summer | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

10. White Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’)

‘White Swan’ has drooping white petals around a coppery cone. It shrugs off drought, and goldfinches eat the seed heads in fall.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: summer | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

11. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’)

‘David’ produces large, fragrant white flower heads and strong resistance to powdery mildew. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit it all summer.

Zones: 4 to 8 | Bloom: midsummer to early fall | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: perennial

12. White Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)

Gaura sends up wiry stems of small flowers that look like hovering butterflies. A deep taproot makes it heat and drought tolerant.

Zones: 5 to 9 | Bloom: summer to fall | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

13. White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

White yarrow carries flat flower clusters over ferny leaves. It thrives in poor, dry soil, and the blooms dry well for crafts.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: summer | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

14. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)

Baby’s breath fills the border with a cloud of tiny flowers. It prefers sweet, well-drained soil and dislikes being moved.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: summer | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

15. ‘Casa Blanca’ Lily (Lilium Oriental hybrid)

‘Casa Blanca’ opens enormous white trumpets with a heavy evening scent. All true lilies are highly toxic to cats, so skip them if you have one.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: mid to late summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: bulb

16. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

This calla has sculpted white spathes and glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. It likes moist soil, and northern gardeners lift it before frost.

Zones: 8 to 10 | Bloom: late spring to summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: rhizome

White Annuals and Tender Bulbs

Annuals grow anywhere for one season, and many make excellent cut flowers.

17. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’)

‘Purity’ grows tall and airy with satin-white flowers over lacy leaves. It blooms until frost and often reseeds. Cosmos is also one of the flowers featured in our October birth flower guide.

Zones: all (annual) | Bloom: summer to frost | Sun: full sun | Type: annual

18. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant White’)

This zinnia makes large, double white flowers on stiff stems. The more you cut, the more it blooms.

Zones: all (annual) | Bloom: summer to frost | Sun: full sun | Type: annual

19. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet alyssum forms a honey-scented white carpet for edging and pots. It may pause in peak heat, then return as nights cool.

Zones: all (annual) | Bloom: spring to fall | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: annual

20. Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)

This towering nicotiana hangs clusters of long white tubes that release scent at dusk. All parts are poisonous if eaten.

Zones: 10 to 11 (annual elsewhere) | Bloom: summer to fall | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: annual

21. Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana ‘Helen Campbell’)

‘Helen Campbell’ holds large white heads with long, whisker-like stamens. It reseeds freely, so deadhead if you want fewer volunteers.

Zones: all (annual) | Bloom: summer to frost | Sun: full sun | Type: annual

22. White Dahlia (Dahlia hybrids)

White dahlias range from tight pompons to dinner-plate blooms. North of Zone 7, dig and store the tubers after frost.

Zones: 7 to 10 | Bloom: summer to frost | Sun: full sun | Type: tuber

White Flowers for Fall and Winter

Late whites keep the garden bright as summer color fades.

23. Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’)

‘Honorine Jobert’ lifts clean white saucers with yellow centers on wiry stems. It spreads slowly into handsome late-season colonies.

Zones: 4 to 8 | Bloom: late summer to fall | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: perennial

24. Montauk Daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum)

Montauk daisy forms a shrubby mound covered in white daisies in fall. It handles salt spray, making it a coastal favorite.

Zones: 5 to 9 | Bloom: late summer to fall | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

25. Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank’)

This native relative of asters bears thousands of small white daisies. ‘Snowbank’ stands upright without staking.

Zones: 3 to 10 | Bloom: late summer to fall | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

26. White Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)

White mums give crisp contrast to fall pumpkins and rust tones. See our garden mums guide to help them survive winter.

Zones: 5 to 9 | Bloom: fall | Sun: full sun | Type: perennial

27. Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger)

This hellebore opens white cups in the coldest months, sometimes through snow. Its evergreen leaves and toxic sap deter deer.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: winter to early spring | Sun: part to full shade | Type: perennial

28. White Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrids)

Varieties such as ‘Christmas Gift’ make huge white trumpets indoors in winter. Our amaryllis planting guide covers timing for holiday blooms.

Zones: 7 to 10 outdoors | Bloom: winter indoors, spring outside | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: bulb

White Shrubs and Climbers

Shrubs and vines add lasting height and structure.

29. ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’)

‘Annabelle’ carries round white heads up to a foot across. It blooms on new wood, so a hard spring prune never costs you flowers.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: early to late summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: shrub

30. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

Gardenia’s waxy white flowers have one of the richest scents in the garden. It needs acidic, evenly moist soil and warm summers.

Zones: 7b to 11 | Bloom: late spring to summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: shrub

31. Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)

Mock orange fills early summer with a sweet, citrus-like perfume. Prune right after flowering, since next year’s buds form on old wood.

Zones: 4 to 8 | Bloom: late spring to early summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: shrub

32. ‘Iceberg’ Rose (Rosa ‘Iceberg’)

‘Iceberg’ is a floribunda that blooms in flushes from early summer to fall. Climbing forms can cover an arch or fence.

Zones: 5 to 9 | Bloom: summer to fall | Sun: full sun | Type: shrub

33. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Star jasmine is an evergreen vine with pinwheel flowers and a strong sweet scent. Train it on a trellis or let it sprawl as a ground cover.

Zones: 8 to 10 | Bloom: spring to early summer | Sun: full sun to part shade | Type: vine

34. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

Moonflower unfurls large white flowers at dusk, each lasting one night. Soak the seeds overnight before sowing.

Zones: 10 to 12 (annual elsewhere) | Bloom: summer to frost | Sun: full sun | Type: vine

White Flowers for Shade

White shows up better than any other color in low light.

35. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Tiny, sweet-scented bells hang from arching stems in spring. It spreads quickly and every part is toxic, so plant it away from kids and pets.

Zones: 3 to 7 | Bloom: spring | Sun: part to full shade | Type: perennial

36. White Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Bridal Veil’)

‘Bridal Veil’ carries feathery white plumes over glossy, fern-like leaves. Keep the soil moist, since astilbe scorches in dry ground.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: early to midsummer | Sun: part shade | Type: perennial

37. White Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’)

Arching stems hold rows of white, heart-shaped flowers. It goes dormant by midsummer, so pair it with hostas or ferns.

Zones: 3 to 9 | Bloom: spring | Sun: part to full shade | Type: perennial

38. Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

This native ground cover sends up frothy white spikes over maple-like leaves. It thrives in rich, moist woodland soil.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: spring | Sun: part to full shade | Type: perennial

39. White Columbine (Aquilegia x hybrida)

White columbines have spurred, nodding flowers that hummingbirds love. Our columbine growing guide explains how to keep them reseeding.

Zones: 3 to 8 | Bloom: late spring | Sun: part shade | Type: perennial

40. White Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Impatiens is the go-to annual for deep shade, flowering nonstop until frost. Choose downy mildew resistant series.

Zones: all (annual) | Bloom: spring to frost | Sun: part to full shade | Type: annual

Top 10 White Flowers Compared

Flower	USDA zones	Bloom time	Sun	Type	Best for
Snowdrop	3 to 9	Late winter	Sun to part shade	Bulb	Naturalizing under trees
‘Thalia’ daffodil	4 to 8	Mid spring	Sun to part shade	Bulb	Deer-resistant spring color
Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’	3 to 8	Late spring	Full sun	Perennial	Fragrant cut flowers
Shasta daisy	5 to 9	Summer	Full sun	Perennial	Borders and cutting
‘Casa Blanca’ lily	3 to 9	Mid to late summer	Sun to part shade	Bulb	Evening fragrance
Cosmos ‘Purity’	All (annual)	Summer to frost	Full sun	Annual	Fast, easy color from seed
Japanese anemone	4 to 8	Late summer to fall	Sun to part shade	Perennial	Late-season borders
‘Annabelle’ hydrangea	3 to 9	Summer	Sun to part shade	Shrub	Big blooms in cold zones
Moonflower	10 to 12 (annual elsewhere)	Summer to frost	Full sun	Vine	Moon gardens and arbors
White astilbe	3 to 9	Early summer	Part shade	Perennial	Moist shade

How to Design a White or Moon Garden

A moon garden is a planting of white flowers and silver leaves made to be enjoyed at dusk. Pale petals reflect the last light and moonlight, while darker colors fade from view. Plan the bed around where you sit in the evening, because a moon garden only works if you can see and smell it at night.

University of Illinois Extension suggests first mapping where moonlight actually falls and noting anything that casts shadows. Then build the planting in layers:

• Structure: evergreens and white shrubs such as ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea hold the shape in winter.
• Silver foliage: lamb’s ear and artemisia reflect light when nothing blooms.
• Night fragrance: plant moonflower, flowering tobacco and ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies near seating.
• Height: grow moonflower or star jasmine on a trellis at eye level.
• Succession: chain snowdrops into peonies, Shasta daisies, cosmos and anemones.
• Soft light: low solar path lights and pale gravel help blooms glow.

An all-white bed can look flat by day, so mix spikes, daisies, globes and clouds. Touches of cream or blush, such as cream celosia plumes, keep it from looking stark.

White petals show every blemish, so water at the base and deadhead often to keep blooms looking crisp.

White Flowers FAQs

What is the easiest white flower to grow?

Cosmos ‘Purity’ is one of the easiest white flowers to grow. Sow it directly in sunny ground after frost and it blooms with little care. Sweet alyssum and white zinnias are just as forgiving.

Which white flowers bloom all summer?

Annuals such as cosmos, zinnias, cleome, sweet alyssum and impatiens bloom from early summer until frost. Among perennials, ‘Iceberg’ rose, gaura and ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea give the longest show.

What white flowers grow well in shade?

Astilbe, foamflower, white bleeding heart, lily of the valley, Christmas rose and impatiens all flower well in shade. White stands out in low light, so these plants brighten dark corners.

Which white flowers are fragrant at night?

Moonflower, flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris), ‘Casa Blanca’ lily, garden phlox and star jasmine are among the best night-scented white flowers. Plant them near a patio or open window.

What white perennials come back every year?

Shasta daisy, peony, white coneflower, garden phlox, Japanese anemone, astilbe and hellebores all return each year when planted in the right zone. Snowdrops and ‘Thalia’ daffodils also return and spread.

Are any white flowers toxic to pets?

Yes, several are. Lily of the valley is toxic to people and pets, and true lilies such as ‘Casa Blanca’ are highly toxic to cats. Daffodils, hellebores and flowering tobacco are also poisonous, so call your vet if a pet chews one.