It goes without saying, white gardens are simply stunning. Crisp white flowers against the foliage is something that can be quite eye catching. You can make a very attractive display using plants with white flowers. White is clean, modern and simple. It’s everything a garden needs to be. I have compiled in this post, my favorite white flowering plants that are completely essential for creating that stunning white garden you have always dreamed of.
Gypsophila, sometimes known as baby’s breath
Absolutely stunning. Flowers are widely used in bridal bouquets. Featuring very small dainty flowers, Gypsophila is a must have for the classic white garden. Perennial varieties grow to about 1m high and becomes smothered in beautiful white blooms for long periods. The annual variety is small and great as a ground cover or filler in the border.
Gardenia, highly fragrant and silky blooms
Gardenia’s have to be one of my favorite all time plants. Most of all, it is highly fragrant. Gardenias will start to bloom from spring through to summer. Some varieties will bloom almost all year. They can be difficult to look after however. They are therefore they worth the extra effort required just to get the fantastically scented blooms.
Shasta daisy, an all-time cottage garden classic!
Everybody knows the Shasta daisy and it’s no surprise it’s made itself on to my list of essential plants for the white garden. Due to the fact these plants continuously flower from mid spring throughout summer. Heavy bloomer and also a perennial. What’s not to love about this all-time classic?
Iceberg right ahead! Iceberg rose that is
It isn’t surprising this one has made it to my list. I think every garden should have a rose plant in it somewhere. These look marvelous in the standard rose form. Plant standard iceberg roses in a line with a small hedge in front and under plant with dwarf white agapanthus for the perfect formal white garden.
White agapanthus
As mentioned above, dwarf white agapanthus go exceptionally well under planted with standard iceberg roses. Agapanthus is incredibly tough, hard to kill and a reliable bloomer too. Looks spectacular planted on mass too. Low maintenance and the newer varieties are not fertile, so they won’t become invasive like some of the older cultivars do.
White lavender
Perfect for that sunny location. Lavender thrives on heat and free draining soils. When you hear the word lavender you would most likely imagine the traditional purple flower, but this one is the white version. Lavenders are generally easy to look after, check out my guide to growing lavender plants for some information on how to grow them for yourself.
White Salvia covered in many blooms
Salvia are generally easy to care for, they are a reliable bloomer and have very attractive spear shaped flowers. Furthermore, they are also perennial too so you will have gorgeous white flowers year after year.
An old favorite, the hydrangea
Often referred to as old fashioned, hydrangeas have consequently made a comeback. They are featured in many modern garden designs and really do become the star of the show when they come into full flower. How can you not like hydrangea’s? Planted en masse I can guarantee these will provide a spectacular display. Dwarf cultivars are also available which are perfect for a pot on the patio.
Dhalia, the perfect cut flower
Dahlia is a much-loved plant across the planet. Flowers continuously throughout summer, perennial and perhaps the best part about this plant is that it makes a perfect cut flower. Remember to lift tubers in the autumn to avoid rotting in the winter months. Replant in the spring and they will soon grow once soil temperatures rise again.
Carpet of snow, it really does look like snow
In conclusion, my last noteworthy plant for the 10 essential plants for the white garden is Alyssum. Readily available and extremely easy to grow. This bedding plant really does live up to its name of carpet of snow. Plant on mass and it will therefore look like snow has fallen in the middle of summer. It will die off in the winter but often self-seeds. It’s the sort of plant that once you’ve had it, you will never get rid of it due to thousands of tiny seeds produced by the plant.
Here is a late addition to the white garden.
Phlox ‘David’
Tall garden phlox provides weeks of color in the late summer garden, and the heirloom varieties have wonderful old-fashioned floral fragrance. ‘David’ is one of the most popular varieties of pure white phlox: It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has large full panicles of fragrant flowers. This hardy heirloom, which is suitable for planting in zones 4 to 8, is also very resistant to powdery mildew, which can be a problem with tall phlox. Give it partial to full sun, well-drained soil, and space for air circulation.
Source: joshbraker.com