Whether you garden in a small city courtyard or a sweeping country border, white-flowering and white-foliage species bring light and cohesion to planting schemes. They work well as night-time focal points, cut flowers, and calm companions to bolder colors.
There are 34 white plants, ranging from Angel’s Trumpet to Yucca. For each entry, the data is organized as Scientific name,White part & season,Height (cm) — you’ll find this below.
What are the best uses for white plants in a mixed border?
White plants are great for balancing strong colors, brightening shady corners, and creating evening interest because many white flowers reflect moonlight. Place taller white-flowering species toward the back or use compact forms at the front, and mix different bloom seasons to extend impact.
How should I care for white plants to keep them looking their best?
Care depends on species, but general tips are: match plants to site light and soil, deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering, and prune or divide per the plant’s habit. Check the Scientific name and Height (cm) in the list below to plan spacing and maintenance.
White Plants
| Name | Scientific name | White part & season | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowdrop | Galanthus nivalis | flowers, late winter–early spring | 10 |
| Lily of the Valley | Convallaria majalis | flowers, spring | 15 |
| Gardenia | Gardenia jasminoides | flowers, late spring–summer | 120 |
| Mock Orange | Philadelphus coronarius | flowers, late spring–early summer | 200 |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | flowers, spring–summer | 1,000 |
| Star Magnolia | Magnolia stellata | flowers, early spring | 300 |
| Panicle Hydrangea | Hydrangea paniculata | flowers, summer–fall | 300 |
| Smooth Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens | flowers, summer | 120 |
| Common Jasmine | Jasminum officinale | flowers, summer–fall | 300 |
| Arabian Jasmine | Jasminum sambac | flowers, summer | 180 |
| Calla | Zantedeschia aethiopica | spathes (flower), spring–summer | 60 |
| Easter Lily | Lilium longiflorum | flowers, spring | 120 |
| Snowflake | Leucojum aestivum | flowers, spring | 40 |
| Star-of-Bethlehem | Ornithogalum umbellatum | flowers, spring | 25 |
| Shasta Daisy | Leucanthemum × superbum | flowers, summer | 60 |
| Oxeye Daisy | Leucanthemum vulgare | flowers, summer | 40 |
| Peace Lily | Spathiphyllum wallisii | spathes (flower), year-round indoors | 60 |
| Viburnum (Guelder) | Viburnum opulus | flowers, spring | 400 |
| Bridal Spirea | Spiraea × vanhouttei | flowers, spring | 150 |
| Elder | Sambucus nigra | flowers, late spring–early summer | 300 |
| Evergreen Clematis | Clematis armandii | flowers, spring | 300 |
| Stephanotis | Stephanotis floribunda | flowers, summer | 300 |
| Plumeria (White Frangipani) | Plumeria alba | flowers, summer | 400 |
| Dusty Miller | Jacobaea maritima | foliage, year-round silver | 30 |
| Lamb’s Ear | Stachys byzantina | foliage, year-round silver | 30 |
| Silver Mound Artemisia | Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ | foliage, year-round silver | 20 |
| Silver Dollar Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus cinerea | foliage, year-round silver | 800 |
| Russian Olive | Elaeagnus angustifolia | foliage & flowers, spring (silvery leaves; cream flowers) | 500 |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | bracts (flower-like), spring | 600 |
| Pieris | Pieris japonica | flowers, spring | 120 |
| Tuberose | Polianthes tuberosa | flowers, summer | 90 |
| Poet’s Daffodil | Narcissus poeticus | flowers, late spring | 35 |
| Angel’s Trumpet | Brugmansia suaveolens | flowers, summer–fall | 400 |
| Yucca | Yucca filamentosa | flowers, late spring–summer | 120 |
Images and Descriptions
Snowdrop
Small, nodding white bell flowers emerging in late winter in woodlands and lawns; easy naturalizer in cool climates. Notable for early spring interest and used in bulb drifts, borders, and under trees for seasonal color.
Lily of the Valley
Fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers on arching stems in spring; a woodland groundcover native to Europe and Asia. Ideal for shady borders, fragrant bouquets, and naturalized spots; spreads by creeping rhizomes for carpet-like cover.
Gardenia
Glossy evergreen shrub with highly fragrant, waxy white blooms in warm climates and containers. Native to Asia, prized for scent in gardens and interiors. Prefers acidic, well-drained soil and bright, indirect light for best flowering.
Mock Orange
Deciduous shrub with masses of fragrant, four-petaled white flowers resembling orange blossom. A classic garden favorite for informal hedges, summer fragrance and pollinator attraction; thrives in sun to part shade and well-drained soil.
Southern Magnolia
Large evergreen tree with huge, creamy-white, bowl-shaped flowers and glossy leaves native to the southeastern U.S. Valued as a focal or specimen tree for its dramatic blooms and year-round foliage in warm temperate gardens.
Star Magnolia
Small deciduous tree or large shrub with many narrow-petaled, fragrant white star-shaped flowers before leaf-out. Excellent for small gardens and spring focal points; prefers cool climates and neutral to slightly acidic soils.
Panicle Hydrangea
Deciduous shrub producing large, conical clusters of white flowers that often age to pink. Reliable, sun-tolerant hydrangea used for hedges, massing, and cutting. Native to Asia and valued for long-lasting blooms.
Smooth Hydrangea
Clumping shrub with globe-like white flower heads through summer; ‘Annabelle’ style blooms are heavy and showy. Good for mixed borders, shady sites, and fresh or dried arrangements; hardy and easy to grow.
Common Jasmine
A vigorous climbing vine with fragrant white tubular flowers through warm months. Popular on trellises and arbors for scent and twining habit; thrives in full sun to part shade and Mediterranean climates.
Arabian Jasmine
A compact evergreen shrub or vine with intensely fragrant, glossy white flowers used in perfumery and leis. Suited to containers or warm gardens, it prefers bright light and slightly sheltered, humid conditions.
Calla
Elegant white spathes with yellow spadices on upright stems; popular in pondsides, borders and cut arrangements. A rhizomatous perennial native to southern Africa that tolerates moist soils and bright, indirect light.
Easter Lily
Iconic trumpet-shaped, pure white flowers with strong fragrance; widely grown as a spring-blooming bulb and for cut flowers. Prefers well-drained soil and sunny positions; commonly used in ceremonial or seasonal displays.
Snowflake
Bulbous perennial with nodding, white bell flowers often spotted with green; blooms in spring in damp meadows and borders. Naturalizes well and is valued for late-spring interest and cottage garden plantings.
Star-of-Bethlehem
Low-growing bulb with clusters of white star-shaped flowers and a green midrib beneath each petal. Common in lawns and borders, it naturalizes easily in temperate climates and offers bright spring displays.
Shasta Daisy
Classic garden daisy with large white petals and yellow centers on upright stems. A long-blooming perennial good for borders, cut flowers and cottage gardens; bred for reliability and repeat flowering in summer.
Oxeye Daisy
Wildflower-like perennial with nodding white petals and yellow centers that naturalize in meadows and roadside plantings. Hardy and low-maintenance, often used for informal, pollinator-friendly plantings and meadow gardens.
Peace Lily
Popular houseplant with glossy green leaves and white spathes that appear intermittently indoors. Tolerant of low light, prized for air-cleaning qualities and ease of care; also used in shaded outdoor containers in warm climates.
Viburnum (Guelder)
Deciduous shrub with large flat clusters of white flowers in spring followed by red berries. Native to temperate regions, useful for hedging, wildlife habitat and mixed shrub borders due to its multi-season interest.
Bridal Spirea
Arching deciduous shrub producing masses of small white flowers along stems in spring, creating a bridal-wreath effect. Low-maintenance and ideal for informal hedges, slopes and mixed borders in temperate gardens.
Elder
Multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with large flat clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers. Found in hedgerows and wet sites, flowers are used for syrups and cordials; attracts pollinators and supports wildlife.
Evergreen Clematis
An evergreen climber with fragrant, saucer-shaped white blossoms in early spring. Excellent on walls and pergolas, it combines glossy foliage with fragrant blooms and tolerates mild winters in sheltered sites.
Stephanotis
Twining tropical vine producing highly fragrant, waxy white tubular flowers used in bridal bouquets and containers. Prefers bright light, warm temperatures and consistent moisture; prized for its scent and floral form.
Plumeria (White Frangipani)
Small tropical tree with clusters of white, fragrant five-petaled flowers used in leis and perfumes. Prefers full sun, good drainage and warm climates; grown in pots in cooler regions for summer displays.
Dusty Miller
Compact perennial with soft, silver-gray lobed leaves that brighten borders and containers. Valued for contrast against green plants and for drought tolerance; commonly used in edging and seasonal displays.
Lamb’s Ear
Low, fuzzy silver-green leaves forming soft mats in sunny borders and rock gardens. Loved for tactile appeal and drought tolerance; commonly used as groundcover, in children’s gardens and pet-friendly plantings.
Silver Mound Artemisia
Mounding perennial with fine-textured, silvery foliage providing light-reflecting contrast in borders and rock gardens. Very drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, excellent for edging and mass plantings in sunny sites.
Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
Small to medium evergreen tree with round, silvery-blue juvenile leaves and aromatic foliage. Used as a specimen or for foliage in floral arrangements; drought-tolerant once established and suited to warm temperate climates.
Russian Olive
Small tree with narrow, silvery leaves and fragrant, creamy-white tubular flowers in spring. Hardy and drought-resistant, used for windbreaks, reclaimed sites and wildlife cover; tolerates poor soils.
Flowering Dogwood
Small native tree with showy white bracts in spring that resemble large petals, followed by red fruit in autumn. A classic specimen or understory tree valued for multi-season interest and spring floral display.
Pieris
Evergreen shrub with drooping clusters of small, urn-shaped white flowers in spring and attractive new foliage. Great for mixed shrub borders, shade gardens and foundation plantings; prefers acidic, well-drained soils.
Tuberose
Fragrant spikes of tubular, waxy white flowers prized for perfumery and cut arrangements. A summer-blooming bulb/tuber from Mexico that prefers full sun, warmth and rich, well-drained soil in containers or beds.
Poet’s Daffodil
Old-fashioned daffodil with pure white petals and a small yellow cup edged in red; intensely fragrant. Suited to naturalized drifts, borders and cottage gardens where spring scent and elegance are desired.
Angel’s Trumpet
Small tree or large shrub with large, pendulous white trumpet flowers that are highly fragrant in evening. Striking as a specimen or container plant in warm climates; flowers appear over an extended season.
Yucca
Clumping evergreen with sword-like leaves and tall spikes of nodding white bell flowers. Excellent for xeriscaping, dramatic architectural interest and wildlife gardens; thrives in well-drained soils and full sun.
