Christopher Lloyd, in his book COLOR FOR ADVENTUROUS GARDENERS says this about the colour white in the garden: "Cold, staring and assertive, it draws your eye but makes you wish it hadn't."

And Patrick Lima, in his book THE ART OF PERENNIAL GARDENING: CREATIVE WAYS WITH HARDY FLOWERS, also cautions that "white is not always the unifying colour you might imagine".

Heed the advice of the experts and exercise care in the use of white flowers, so you don't create effects you would prefer to avoid. Many of the partnership ideas below come from various gardening experts. Use them to assist in choosing appropriate companions.

* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

KALIMERIS

I can't find much information about this perennial so I welcome input from anyone who can tell me more about this plant with aster-like blooms. It was supposed to have white flowers but when my plant finally bloomed this year the colour was a lovely light lavender shade. And it didn't start to bloom until into the month of October.

Kalimeris mongolica 'Hortensis':  Double Japanese Aster

synonym:  Asteromoea mongolica
use as:  a filler in the garden
nice with:  nearly everything (long bloom time)

LAMIUM

A mat-forming semi-evergreen perennial for partial shade, Dead Nettle usually has variegated foliage and flowers in a variety of colours, including white.

Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'

for partnership ideas follow the link to Shade Perennials & Their Companions - 2

LEONTOPODIUM

Edelweiss is a spring-flowering perennial with silvery, woolly foliage and wonderful white flowers.

Leontopodium alpinum:  Edelweiss, woolly white flowers

where:  gravel gardens, well-drained rock garden

LIATRIS

If you have a sunny location and rich, well-drained soil Gayfeather will provide you with lush mid-summer bloom. In addition to the many forms with spikes of purple or purple-pink flowers, there are choices in white as seen below.

Liatris spicata:  white forms

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

LILIUM

The Lily is one of the most loved perennials for sunny sites. If the colour white is what you are looking for, make your choice from the forms outlined below. An unnamed lily cultivar forms the border around this page and is in the image at the top of the page.

Lilium candidum:  pure white Trumpet Madonna Lily

where to use:  "Moon" Gardens

with:  Gypsophila paniculata, Monarda didyma (red), Delphinium (blue)

with:  Rosemary, Lavandula

where:  patio planters, perennial borders
with:  dwarf Rhododendron

this lily is stark white, a colour that may be difficult to blend in with other white flowers
above:  echoing the white stripe in the centre of Ornamental Grass foliage

LIMONIUM

A clump-forming perennial, Statice blooms in late summer in a cloud of colour, usually purple shades, but is also available in white.

Limonium latifolium:  Sea Lavender, Statice

not a synonym for:  Goniolinum tataricum which is German Statice or Dumosa
where:  borders, seaside gardens
with:  Iris, Phlox, Echinacea purpurea, Lilium, Liriope spicata, Helenium, Platycodon, Achillea, Aster,
Gaura lindheimeri, Tanacetum vulgare
with:  Ornamental Grasses
behind:  Salvia argentia
beside:  Allium tuberosum
to lighten:  Phlox paniculata, Lilium, Echinacea purpurea, Helenium, Platycodon, Iris
in front of:  Sedum spectabile 'Stardust'
not beside:  small-flowered Michaelmas Daisies, Chrysanthemum parthenium (they dilute its effectiveness)

LINUM

Perennial Flax is an upright perennial with fine-textured foliage and open flowers on slender stems. They sway in the lightest breeze and spent flowers drop to the ground, only to be replaced by new blooms. Usually available in blue, there is also a white form.

Linum perenne 'White Diamond':  compact, white Flax

with:  Linum perenne 'Sapphire'

LIRIOPE

An excellent groundcover choice for late summer bloom, Lilyturf grows in sun or shade, under trees or along a path. Purple is the usual colour although white is available as well.

Liriope muscari 'Monroe White':  reseeds

where:  as groundcover in shade
with:  Liriope muscari 'Majestic'

LUNARIA

Honesty is a biennial which produces blooms, followed by coin-shaped seedheads, hence the other common name, Money Plant. The outer skin of these papery pods can be removed and the pods used in dried arrangments.

Lunaria annua:  Money Plant, Honesty

formerly:  Lunaria biennis
where:  shady sites
with:  Kerria japonica, Forsythia, Loddon Lilium, Tulipa (white or bright red), Galtonia candicans

LYCHNIS

If you find the scarlet flowers of many Campion forms difficult to place in the garden, there are several choices in white to make plant partnership choices somewhat easier. Correct pronunciation of this genus is LICK-niss.

Lychnis:  Campion, white forms

with:  Lavandula, Nepeta, Lilium (white or pale pink)

generally with:  pastel or white border schemes

this is a lovely change from the usual magenta-coloured form of this perennial

LYSIMACHIA

Available in several yellow forms, Loosestrife can also provide white in the garden with the form below.

Lysimachia clethroides: Gooseneck Loosestrife, 3', July-September

where:  in sun to part shade, perennial borders, woodlands, waterside
sideplant with:  spring bulbs, esp. Narcissus
with:  Monarda, Heliopsis
with:  Iris sibirica, Ligularia dentata or Ligularia stenocephala, Filipendula, Hosta, ferns
fall colour combination with:  Bergenia & Platycodon

MALVA

In well-drained soil, with full sun to light shade, the Mallow can be used to provide a valuable taller accent in the garden. Somewhat like a small hibiscus flower, the rose, pink or white blooms combine well with other mid-summer bloomers.

Malva moschata 'Alba':  white Musk Mallow, 24-36", July-Sept. bloom

with:  Phlox paniculata, Achillea, Liatris, Artemisia, Eryngium, Antique Roses, wildflowers
with:  Mums (now called Dendranthema)
behind:  Dianthus

MONARDA

Bee Balm, or Bergamot, prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Keep them well-watered and they will reward you with masses of bloom in a variety of colours including white.

Monarda didyma 'Snow Queen':  white

with:  Hemerocallis 'Cherry Cheeks' (a raspberry-pink)

MYRRHIS

Now that I have a somewhat shaded spot in which to garden, I can finally grow Sweet Cicely, a lovely and graceful perennial with aromatic, ferny foliage and white flowers in early summer. I can tell already it will become a favourite.

Myrrhis odorata

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

PAEONIA

The Peony is a staple in most gardens, in a variety of colour choices, including white. Always take the time to dead-head spent flowers and cut stems back to below the foliage that, for this little effort, will remain attractive for the rest of the gardening season. Nothing is sadder in a garden than to see such a lovely plant left to flop onto the ground after, or even during, its spring to early summer bloom.

Paeonia lactiflora:  white

this is the peony shown in the border around this page and in the image at the top of the page
white combination behind:  Geranium sanguineum 'Album'
with:  Thalictrum aquilegiafolium (a white form)
with:  Veronica teucrium 'Shirley Blue'

for an echo with:  Potentilla 'Gibson's Scarlet'

PHILADELPHUS

Mock Orange is an old-fashioned shrub with fragrant white flowers, single or double, in early summer.

Philadelphus coronarius:  Mock Orange, an old fashioned shrub for early summer bloom

underplant with:  Erythronium, Scilla, Chionodoxa

PHLOX

Mention the word Phlox and many different colour choices come to mind. But don't forget that there are white forms that may bring less impact to a garden scene but are lovely nonetheless in their simplicity. Phlox paniculata is particularly unappealing to deer.

Phlox carolina'Miss Lingard':  early-blooming June-July

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Edgers & Their Companions - 2

PHYSOSTEGIA

The white forms of Obedient Plant, or False Dragonhead, I have grown tend to be shorter than the more colourful types, and are therefore able to fill a completely different spot front to mid-border.

Physostegia virginiana:  Obedient Plant, white forms

combined with other whites:  Lilium 'Casa Blanca', Liatris 'Floristan White', Phlox paniculata 'Mt. Fujiyama'

with:  pink Echinacea purpurea, Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
with:  Boltonia asteroides (pink form), Phlox paniculata, Thalictrum (late-blooming species)
with:  Eupatorium, Solidago, Helianthus, Ornamental Grasses

PLATYCODON

The inflated buds of Balloon Flower cry out to the child in all of us to "pop" them to become their distinct shallow, bell-shaped flowers. Place this perennial in full sun to light shade and provide rich, well-drained soil to ensure best performance.

Platycodon grandiflorus:  white forms

in front of:  Anchusa

with:  Platycodon grandiflorus (deep blue) or Platycodon grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue'
with:  Liatris 'Kobold'

POLEMONIUM

Commonly called Jacob's Ladder or Greek Valerian, this genus has many forms totally content in a woodland setting. Cup-shaped flowers appear in clusters in late spring or early summer. Most commonly grown are the lavender-blue forms, but there are lovely ones available in other colours as well, including white in the form below.

Polemonium caeruleum 'Album':  White Jacob's Ladder, 18-24"x12"

where:  in masses under shrubs or airy flowering trees

POLYGONATUM

Solomon's Seal, whether the foliage is solid green or variegated, is a graceful perennial that provides white blooms on arching stems. Use this perennial to bring architectural structure to a shady area in your garden.

Polygonatum odoratum:  Solomon's Seal

seen in the image above in front of early-blooming Clematis 'Pamela Jackman'
for partnership ideas, follow the link to Shade Perennials & Their Companions - 3

PRUNELLA

Self-Heal produces a ground-covering mat of foliage, topped with short flower spikes, white in the cultivar named below, in sun or shade, in moist well-drained soil.

Prunella grandiflora 'Alba':  white Self-Heal, 12"

with:  ferns, Hosta, Astilbe, spring bulbs

PULSATILLA

The Pasque Flower is a spring-blooming perennial with fuzzy leaves and flowers that are followed by fluffy white seed heads. Dead-head faithfully and new flowers stems will appear from the base to extend the flowering period considerably.

Pulsatilla vulgaris:  Pasque Flower, all colours including white

formerly:  Anemone pulsatilla
where:  rock gardens. borders
with:  bulbs, Arabis, Aurinia saxatilis, Iberis sempervirens, Aquilegia
with:  Viola
with:  Narcissus 'Accent' (in a woodland setting)
over:  early Crocus
behind:  Primula spp.
in front of:  Anemone blanda

try this white cultivar with any of the combinations suggested above

SALVIA

The perennial Sage plant does not immediately bring the colour white to mind. But there are lovely white forms, including the one below, that can be used to bring a soothing tone to sites in full sun or light shade and well-drained soil.

Salvia nemorosa 'Schneehugel'

synonym:  Salvia nemorosa 'Snow Hill'
with:  Tanacetum coccineum (red or pink), blue Salvia, Lychnis (Red Campion)

SANGUINARIA

Bloodroot, whether in single or double form, is a wonderful early spring blooming perennial whose lovely white flowers precede the large, somewhat heart-shaped foliage.

Sanguinaria canadensis:  Bloodroot, Red Puccoon

where:  woodland gardens, groundcover under shrubs
soil preference:  acidic, humusy and damp
with:  Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit), wildflowers
with:  Galanthus nivalis, ferns, spring bulbs
with:  Uvularia grandiflora
combined with:  Hosta, Polemonium & Mertensia virginica
woodland combination with:  Iris cristata & Stylophorum diphyllum
with:  Phlox divaricata, Tiarella cordifolia or Tiarella wherryi
with:  Heuchera (purple-leaved forms), Disporum sessile 'Variegatum' (18" spring woodland bulb)

the double form above will be complemented by any of the early-blooming companions suggested for the single form
with:  Pulmonaria (blue, for a brilliant contrast)
with:  Pulmonaria (pink, for a more subtle contrast)

SANGUISORBA

Burnet, known for its white bottlebrush flower spikes, will thrive in sun and moist soil.

Sanguisorba canadensis:  Canadian Burnet

where:  rear border position
with:  Aconitum carmichaelii (A. fischeri), Phlox paniculata, Aster, Boltonia asteroides
with:  Sedum including 'Autumn Joy', Ornamental Grasses

SCABIOSA

Pincushion Flower, well known for its so-called "blue" forms is also available in white. This is not only excellent in the garden but provides good cut flowers as well.

Scabiosa caucasica 'Alba':  a white version of 'Fama'

with:  Scabiosa caucasica 'Fama' (blue)

in front of:  Hosta fortunei 'Picta'

SEDUM

In full sun and well-drained soil, Stonecrop will provide you with many interesting foliage choices and flower colours, with white being the one colour you least expect of this perennial. Try the form below for a different effect. I read recently that only the Border Varieties attract butterflies.

Sedum spectabile 'Stardust':  blue-green foliage, white flowers

for partnership ideas follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

SMILACINA

A woodland beauty, Solomon's Plume or False Solomon's Seal has fuzzy white flowers from 5-9" in length over graceful, arching stems arising from satiny pointed leaves. Use it in humus-rich soil in partial to full shade.

Smilacina racemosa:  Solomon's Plume

where:  with woodland plants or foliage plants, under trees and flowering shrubs
with:  Aquilegia, Hosta, ferns, Dicentra, Pulmonaria, Epimedium, wildflowers

THALICTRUM

Meadow Rue produces airy blooms over foliage much like that of the Columbine. Plant them in moist, rich soil in full sun to part shade for the best performance.

Thalictrum aquilegiafolium:  white forms

with:  dark red double Aquilegia backed by red-leaved Berberis & blue-flushed-pink foliage of Rosa glauca
all white combination with:  Paeonia (white) & Geranium (white)
with:  Paeonia (pink or crimson) & Campanula lactiflora (lavender)

with:  Geranium spp.

TIARELLA

The Foamflower is another perennial perfect for partial to full shade. Soil should be slightly acidic, as preferred by many woodland species. Enjoy the white spring-blooming flowers that appear on dark stems over interesting triangular leaves that remain interesting when the plant is out of bloom.

Tiarella

for partnership ideas, follow the link to Shade Perennials & Their Companions - 3

TRADESCANTIA

Spiderwort has early three-petalled flowers growing in clusters on top of jointed stems. These flowers close by early afternoon. When the plant starts to look tired after the initial bloom, cut the foliage back to force new leaves to appear.

Tradescantia x andersoniana:  white

with:  anything purple to "echo" the colour of the lovely purple stamens
with:  Iris (dark red forms)

with:  Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Zwanenburg Blue' or 'Red Cloud'

TRILLIUM

Woodlander par excellence, the Trillium with its generally white flowers puts on its early show, then returns to dormancy.

Trillium

for partnership ideas, follow the link to Shade Perennials & Their Companions - 3

TULIPA

Tulips come in a multitude of shapes and sizes including white. Helping them achieve a relatively dry dormancy period and providing ample water and food during spring growth will assure continued years of bloom.

Tulipa:  white forms

for partnership ideas, follow the link to Bulbs & Their Companions - 3

VERBASCUM

Mullein, a biennial, has showy foliage in a basal rosette and, in its second year, distinctive stalks smothered in flowers. Give them full sun and average well-drained soil for best results.

Verbascum chaixii 'Album':  White Mullein, 3', white with purple stamens

with:  Campanula lactiflora (light lavender)
behind:  Hemerocallis (early peach or melon forms, miniature-full size) & Lychnis chalcedonica (scarlet Maltese Cross)
with:  Centaurea macrocephala, Hemerocallis (rust red), Turk's Cap Lilium (yellow), fronted by Alchemilla mollis

with:  Centranthus ruber, Heuchera sanguinea

VERONICA

Speedwell was one of the first perennials I purchased when I began gardening many years ago. I still have divisions from that original purple-flowered plant today, and have since added the wonderful white-flowered form below.

Veronica longifolia 'Icicle':  a good white, 18-24"

this white form forms the border around this page and can be seen in the images at the top of the page and directly above
with rounded plants:  Coreopsis, Asclepias tuberosa, Achillea, Geranium spp
with:  Hemerocallis, Ornamental Grasses
with other Veronica forms:  Veronica spicata 'Red Fox' and/or 'Blue Peter' and/or 'Blue Charms' and/or 'Icicle'

VERONICASTRUM

Culver's Root, a native North American wildflower, is an elegant plant for the rear of a sunny border. Spreading into impressive clumps, it produces whorled leaves on its stems and flowers in wands stretching high above. Keep well watered to encourage their best performance.

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album':  Culver's Root, white form

for partnership ideas and a photograph follow the link to Butterfly Magnets & Their Companions - 2

VINCA

Myrtle, or Periwinkle, provides spring bloom on trailing, wiry stems that root as they spread. Provide part shade and your only problem will be to keep them within the limits you wish to set as their boundary.

Vinca minor 'Alba':  clear white Periwinkle

with:  Vinca minor (blue forms)

VIOLA

Spring flowers known to all who love to walk in the woods, Violas have two upper and three lower petals, joined in a short spur. They belong to either the stemmed or stemless type depending on their growth habits. Both types prefer moist, rich soil in light to full shade.

Viola cornuta 'Alba'

never with:  other Viola species

where:  edger along shady walk
with:  Viola cornuta 'Jersey Gem'

where:  beneath shrubs
with:  Narcissus 'February Gold' or Narcissus 'February Silver'
over:  Narcissus cyclamineus

YUCCA

Adam's Needle, sometimes also called Spanish Bayonet, produces huge clumps of swordlike foliage that can be used as a garden accent. Large clusters of bell-shaped white flowers appear on sturdy stalks arising from that foliage.

Yucca filamentosa:  Adam's Needle

where:  dry borders, rock gardens, seaside gardens, as accent or specimen plant
for foliage contrast with:  soft-leaved perennials
with:  Hemerocallis, Ornamental Grasses
with other drought-tolerant perennials:  Sedum, Lavandula, Thymus, Stachys byzantina, Verbena

TO RETURN TO THE FIRST PAGE OF WHITE PERENNIALS & THEIR COMPANIONS FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW.

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PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

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