Perennial ground covers with white flowers are low-growing plants that spread to form dense, carpet-like layers, offering a clean, elegant look to gardens. Their white blooms, ranging from crisp snow-white to creamy hues, create a serene aesthetic, typically flowering in spring or summer. These perennials return yearly, making them ideal for low-maintenance landscapes, where they suppress weeds, stabilize soil, or fill spaces between taller plants with delicate beauty.
These ground covers adapt to a range of conditions, thriving in full sun to full shade, depending on the variety, and tolerating various soil types, from well-drained to moist. Some are drought-tolerant, perfect for dry or rocky areas, while others prefer consistently moist environments, suiting shady or woodland gardens. Their versatility allows them to enhance diverse settings, such as rock gardens, borders, pathways, or under trees.
The white flowers of these perennials often attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems. Blooms may appear as clusters, spikes, or delicate single flowers, adding texture against green or silvery foliage. Many varieties feature evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves, providing year-round coverage and interest, making them valuable for both ornamental and functional landscaping.
Care is generally minimal once established. Regular watering during the first season promotes strong root systems, but many become self-sufficient afterward, requiring little maintenance. Pruning or trimming after flowering maintains a tidy appearance and encourages denser growth. Some varieties may spread vigorously, so monitoring their growth prevents them from overtaking other plants.
Incorporating these ground covers into landscapes adds a timeless, sophisticated charm. They soften hardscapes like walkways, cascade over walls, or create cohesive backdrops in mixed beds. By selecting varieties suited to local climate and soil conditions, gardeners can achieve a lush, white-flowered carpet that enhances outdoor spaces with minimal effort year after year.
Ground Covers With White Flowers
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
- Description: Evergreen perennial (6-12 inches) with clusters of pure white flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, borders, edging.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- Description: Spreading perennial (6-8 inches) with star-shaped white flowers in spring and aromatic foliage.
- Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Woodland gardens, shady areas, under trees.
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
- Description: Mat-forming (4-6 inches) with masses of small white flowers in early summer and silvery foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, sandy soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, dry slopes.
Creeping Phlox ‘White Delight’ (Phlox subulata)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with white, star-shaped flowers in spring. Evergreen foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, borders, slopes.
White Veronica (Veronica gentianoides)
- Description: Mat-forming (6-8 inches) with spikes of pale white flowers in late spring.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, edging.
Creeping Thyme ‘Albus’ (Thymus serpyllum)
- Description: Aromatic ground cover (2-4 inches) with tiny white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Pathways, rock gardens, lawn substitute.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
- Description: Spreading perennial (4-6 inches) with small, white flower heads in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil.
- Uses: Lawn alternative, pollinator gardens, naturalized areas.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Description: Spreading (6-8 inches) with fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full to partial shade, moist, rich soil. Can be invasive.
- Uses: Shady borders, woodland gardens.
White Mazus (Mazus reptans ‘Albus’)
- Description: Fast-spreading (2-4 inches) with small white flowers in spring to summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Between pavers, moist areas, ground cover for small spaces.
White Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica)
- Description: Evergreen (4-6 inches) with clusters of white flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, edging.
Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone sylvestris)
- Description: Spreading (6-12 inches) with delicate white flowers in spring to early summer.
- Conditions: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Woodland gardens, shady borders.
White Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Alba’)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with white flower spikes in spring and glossy foliage.
- Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady areas, under trees, borders.
White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘Alba’)
- Description: Spreading (6-12 inches) with clusters of tiny white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, pollinator gardens.
Creeping Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila repens)
- Description: Trailing (4-6 inches) with airy white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, alkaline soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, cascading over edges.
White Stonecrop (Sedum album)
- Description: Succulent ground cover (3-6 inches) with white flower clusters in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, poor soil. Highly drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, green roofs, dry areas.
White Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum ‘Album’)
- Description: Spreading (6-8 inches) with white flowers and silver-green foliage in spring.
- Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady borders, woodland gardens, under shrubs.
White Creeping Speedwell (Veronica repens ‘Alba’)
- Description: Mat-forming (2-4 inches) with tiny white flowers in spring and glossy green foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, edging, lawn substitute.
Creeping Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
- Description: Clumping perennial (6-12 inches) with frothy white flower spikes in spring and heart-shaped leaves.
- Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Woodland gardens, shady borders, under trees.
White Periwinkle (Vinca minor ‘Alba’)
- Description: Evergreen ground cover (4-6 inches) with white, star-shaped flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Partial to full shade, well-drained soil. Can be invasive.
- Uses: Shady slopes, under shrubs, ground cover for large areas.
White Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides ‘Alba’)
- Description: Trailing (4-6 inches) with clusters of small white flowers in late spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, poor soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, cascading over edges.
White Creeping Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana ‘Alba’)
- Description: Spreading (6-8 inches) with star-shaped white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover for slopes.
White Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea ‘Alba’)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with white flowers in spring and evergreen foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, alkaline soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, edging.
Creeping Saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera ‘Alba’)
- Description: Rosette-forming (4-8 inches) with delicate white flowers in late spring and round leaves.
- Conditions: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady rock gardens, ground cover for small areas.
White Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera ‘Snowflake’)
- Description: Spreading (4-6 inches) with white, star-shaped flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Woodland gardens, shady borders, under trees.
White Moss Phlox (Phlox diffusa ‘Alba’)
- Description: Compact (3-6 inches) with needle-like leaves and white flowers in early summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, sandy soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, alpine areas, dry slopes.
White Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with clusters of tiny white flowers from spring to fall.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, containers, edging.
White Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Albiflorus’)
- Description: Aromatic ground cover (2-4 inches) with small white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Pathways, rock gardens, between pavers.
White Avens (Geum flore-pleno ‘Album’)
- Description: Spreading (6-8 inches) with double white flowers in early summer and lobed foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens.
White Creeping Campanula (Campanula carpatica ‘Alba’)
- Description: Low-growing (6-8 inches) with bell-shaped white flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, borders, ground cover for small areas.
White Creeping Sedum (Sedum hispanicum ‘Alba’)
- Description: Succulent ground cover (2-4 inches) with white flower clusters in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, poor soil. Highly drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, green roofs, dry areas.
White Creeping Potentilla (Potentilla alba)
- Description: Mat-forming (4-6 inches) with white, five-petaled flowers in spring to summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, slopes, edging.
White Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Alba’)
- Description: Clumping (6-12 inches) with airy white flower sprays in spring and heart-shaped leaves.
- Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady borders, woodland gardens, under trees.
General Care Tips
- Watering: Water regularly during establishment; many are drought-tolerant once settled, but some prefer moist soil.
- Pruning: Trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
- Invasiveness: Monitor aggressive spreaders to prevent overtaking other plants.
- Soil: Most prefer well-drained soil; some tolerate poor or moist conditions.
- Sunlight: Many thrive in full sun, but several excel in partial to full shade.
- Check USDA hardiness zones (most are hardy in zones 4-8, some to zone 9).
- Many attract pollinators, enhancing garden ecosystems.
- Pair with yellow or purple ground covers for striking contrast in garden designs.