White flowering perennials: 19 of the best for every garden
Updated: Jun 9, 2023
Want to make your garden look bigger, brighter and more open? Plant white perennial flowers.
The color white reflects light and might just be what you need to get a more open-looking space. If not, you still can't go wrong with planting these gorgeous white perennials in your containers, flower beds or borders.
To me, the color white is classic and timeless, and the perennials below are total team players — they complement any color scheme and make other colors pop. Try them next to purple or pink perennials.
Like all perennial flowers, these white ones come back year after year. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and blooming times, meaning you can have white flowers every day of the growing season.
White perennial flowers are also great at attracting pollinators such as beetles and bees, making them perfect for your garden and the planet!
If you’re looking for gorgeous white perennials to add to your garden, check out my list below and start growing your new favorites this spring!
1. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
A perennial flower with white petals and a yellow center. It is a popular garden flower and looks great in cut flower arrangements.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
2. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
A perennial flower that comes in a variety of colors, including pink, red, purple, and white. Known for its large clusters of blooms and sweet fragrance.
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
3. Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)
A perennial flower that comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red. It is known for its delicate, graceful appearance.
Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
4. Lupine (Lupinus)
One of my all-time favorites, known for its tall spikes of showy, pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, and white.
Lupinus (Lupinus spp.)
Height: 20-90 cm (8-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
5. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
A perennial flower with petals that are typically purple, but can also be pink, white, or yellow. It is known for its large, cone-shaped center that gives it its name.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
6. Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)
A perennial foliage plant that I grow for its large, broad leaves. It produces spikes of small, bell-shaped flowers in summer.
Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
7. Iris (Iris spp.)
A perennial flower that comes in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, yellow, white, and pink. It is known for its large, showy flowers and sword-like leaves.
Iris (Iris spp.)
Height: 20-90 cm (8-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
8. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
A perennial flower with large, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. Known for its sweet fragrance and is often used in cut flower arrangements.
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
9. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A perennial flower with clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in shades of white, pink, and yellow. It is known for its fern-like leaves and works wonders in naturalized gardens.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
10. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
A perennial flower with small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of white. It's known for its sweet fragrance. You'll often see it in cut flower arrangements. But be careful. This plant is dangerous to both people and pets.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
Height: 15-30 cm (6-12 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
11. Dicentra (Dicentra spectabilis)
A perennial plant with heart-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of pink or white flowers.
Dicentra (Dicentra spp.)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
12. Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
A perennial plant that blooms in late winter or early spring with large, white flowers. But do be careful as this plant is toxic — so don’t grow it if you have small children.
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
13. Astrantia (Astrantia major)
A perennial plant with clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white.
Astrantia (Astrantia major)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
14. Foxglove Digitalis spp.)
A perennial plant with spikes of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It is known for its tall spikes of flowers and is often used cottage gardens. Because of their height, I like to grow these in the back of my flower beds.
Foxgloves (Digitalis spp.)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade
15. Polemonium (Polemonium caeruleum)
A perennial plant with clusters of white flowers. You can also find it with blue or purple flowers.
Polemonium (Polemonium spp.)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
16. Jupiter's beard (Centranthus ruber)
A perennial plant with clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink and red.
Centranthus (Centranthus spp.)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
17. Persicaria (Persicaria amplexicaulis)
Gorgeous, isn't it?! This is a perennial plant with spikes of small flowers in shades of pink, red, and white.
Persicaria (Persicaria spp.)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
18. Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
A perennial plant with spikes of large, showy flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)
Height: 60-90 cm (24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
19. Lysimachia clethroides
Commonly known as Gooseneck Loosestrife, this isn’t necessarily a flower, but a perennial plant (a member of the Primulaceae family). It has spikes of white or yellow flowers and long, narrow leaves. Maybe you’ve seen it used as ground cover or even as an aquatic plant? I use it in my borders because of its low height and gorgeous tiny white flowers.
Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife)
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
These plants on my list are all known for being easy to grow and maintain and tolerate different soil and weather conditions. They’re also easy to propagate. But it is worth noting that these are my general suggestions and growing conditions vary greatly depending on where you live.
Check out the best yellow perennials, pink flowers, perennial blue flowers and purple perennial flowering plants, too — all the colors you need to make your garden just as unique as you are.
Got questions about whether or not these plants can survive in your garden? Contact your local plant nursery or local gardening expert for help. Or drop me a line and let’s figure it out together.
And if you don’t see your favorite white perennial flower on my list, leave a comment below.
