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Top 10 essential plants for the white garden.
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.
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’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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 it’s 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.
I hope you enjoyed my article about white gardens. What have you done in your garden? Have you got a white garden or are you thinking of creating one? Let me know in the comments below.
Absolutely love the white garden! Upon viewing the photo of the allysum, I had the early childhood memory of calling it the “cottage cheese plant”. Will be planting some soon.
I have never heard allysum being referred to as that before. How interesting, I really do like allysum. Some people refer to it as carpet of snow as when it’s filled out and in full flower it looks like snow.
Love it. Thank you so much. I have a blank canvas and due to two dogs are planning raised beds in a white/green theme. Just planted up two pots with Cosmos, Phlox and white Geraniums which have turned out really well so very excited to get my raised beds built so I can get planting. Love the Iceberg, Agapanthus and white lavender.
Sounds like a great idea, raised beds will certainly help to prevent the dogs from getting in there and having a good dig around! Maybe try standard iceberg roses under planted with white lavender or agapanthus?
Great article Josh! The term en masse comes from the French . We still spell it the French way!!
Thanks for your comment Stephanie
Planning a white garden right now. Your article certainly confirmed many of my design thoughts.
Including a rose called Ice Girl, Icberg, Hydrangeas and a white weeping cherry for some drama.
Thanks for your advice.
Hi David, Thanks for your comment, your design sounds interesting. Iceberg rose’s are one my favorites, also have a look at margeret meril, another stunning white rose.
Thanks love all the ideas. Really want to do a garden with hydrangeas box woods and hoatas and maybe a few others you suggested. What I’m struggling with is figuring out blooming times so that the garden looks good from spring into late summer. Any tips?
Yes it is a tough one figuring that out. what I’ve found to be helpful in the past is to visit the garden centres at the particular time of year. If you visit in spring and come across plants in bloom then you know that they are spring flowering. Regular visits throughout the year helps with planning the garden especially if you want to achieve all year round interest in the garden. Hydrangeas and hostas would flower roughly the same time as each other. Consider adding spring bulbs into the garden, white tulips/daffodils/crocus etc. That will give you some colour at the start of the season and then add more flowering shrubs/plants that are in season in the garden centre. It’s hard to make suggestion as I don’t know what climate you live in and obviously that also has an impact too.
Hi Josh, Just starting to plan my own small white garden only 30M x 20M and the garden is right on the north Norfolk coast, Garden is south facing and very hot and sunny but can have very gusty winds blowing through. Also would like to encourage wildlife…. any suggestions? i
Hi Josh
Great reading! I planted gypsophelia in 2 different pots in the garden and neither of them flowered? It’s my first time trying them and I’m not giving up but any handy tips?
Many Thanks
Judith