White flowers are commonly provided as a token of pureness, humility, recognition, virtue as well as express a truthful, clean as well as open heart. They are thus frequently used in wedding events and in the Immaculate Conception. There are thousands of white flower varieties and cultivars that bloom in the summer, fall and spring. In this article, find a highlight of some of the common white flower varieties.
Types Of White Flowers
1. Baby’s Breath
Baby’s breath (scientific names Gypsophila paniculata and Gypsophila elegans) is a small, white flower most commonly known for being a filler in cut flower arrangements, especially ones featuring roses. The flower is a member of the carnation family of herbaceous plants, Caryophyllaceae. While its blooms are only about a pencil eraser’s size, each baby’s breath plant can grow hundreds of blooms, making them a spectacular addition to a flower garden. Many gardeners like to plant baby’s breath around spring-blooming perennials, since the summer- and fall-blooming baby’s breath flowers will hide the perennials at the end of their blooming season.
2. White Hibiscus Flowers
The hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) is a large, diverse group of shrubs and small trees. Some can only survive winters in frost-free climates, while others survive cold winters but die to the ground in fall and regrow the following year. Hibiscus is grown primarily for its large, showy flowers. The flowers come in many colors, including white, and they make an excellent addition to the landscape. The trumpet-shaped blossoms only last a day or two, but they are quickly replaced by new blooms.
3. White Orchid Flowers
Orchid flowers (Orchidaceae spp.) come from an incredibly diverse family, and their thousands of species make them the planet’s largest group of blooming plants. Orchid flowers come in an infinite variety of shapes and many different sizes, from very large blossoms to tiny ones. They also bloom in dozens of colors, often combining one or more shades to produce bicolored varieties. White is one of several natural orchid colors. There many orchid species and hybrids bloom that range from, cream white to pale pink to deep rose to magenta.
4. White Carnation Flowers
Dianthus caryophyllus commonly known as the carnation or clove pink, is a herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean region. Carnations grow 1 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are glaucous grayish green to blue-green, slender, up to 15 cm long. The flowers are produced singly or up to five together in a cyme; they are around 3–5 cm diameter, and are sweetly scented.
The original natural flower color is bright pinkish-purple, but cultivars of other colors, including red, white, yellow, blue and green, along with some white with colored striped variations have been developed. The fragrant flowers generally bloom in the summer. The colorful blooms are a popular choice for gardens, borders and pots, and cut flowers brighten your home.
5. White Tulip Flowers
Tulips are plants in the Tulipa genus, which is part of the Liliaceae family of plants. They are usually grown as annuals in climates that are mild to warm year-round, but in climates with cold winters and hot summers, tulips can be grown as perennials.
The tulip’s leaf is cauline (born on a stem), strap-shaped, with a waxy coating, and the leaves are alternate (alternately arranged on the stem), diminishing in size the further up the stem. These fleshy blades are often bluish-green in color. The bulbs are truncated basally and elongated towards the apex. They are covered by a protective tunic (tunicate) which can be glabrous or hairy inside.
Tulips with their gracefully cupped petals and long, slender leaves are almost instantly recognizable. They are a favorite spring flower, equally attractive when grown in a pot, in the ground or grouped together in a vase.
6. White Calla Lily Flowers
Calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp.) grow up to 3 feet tall and spread to 2 feet wide, providing a large, low-maintenance plant for sunny areas. These herbaceous perennials produce bulbous rhizome roots. The showy white calla lily bloom, which is actually a modified leaf known as a spathe, sits at the top of a leafless stalk. The funnel-shaped, fragrant bloom usually grows up to 4 to 6 inches long but may grow as long as 10 inches. Inside the spathe, you can see the tiny, true flowers on the narrow spadix or flower spike. The dark green, arrowhead-shaped, 16-inch-long leaves grow from stalks at the base of the stem
7. Lawn Daisy Flowers
Also known as English daisy or European daisy, lawn daisy (Bellis perennis L.) produces tiny daisies in shades of rose, red, pink or white, all with bright yellow centers. The flowers, which appear in spring and summer, grow on 3- to 6-inch stems above bright green foliage. The plant, which grows wild in meadows and along roadsides, requires very little care. Lawn daisy is suitable for growing in hardiness zone 8.
8. Common Snowdrop
Delicate white snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) flower naturally for a short time in late winter and early spring, but you can enjoy them any time of year by forcing the bulbs to bloom indoors. The narrow leaves are the first parts of the snowdrop to appear, pushing out their hard tips in late winter. The snowy blossoms are not far behind, each topped with a dab of green. Neither the flower nor the foliage is breathtaking.
The white, nodding blossoms are small and unassuming, hanging like tiny lanterns on the 4-inch stems. But their simple grace can be delightful, especially because they appear while most plants are still snoozing. Snowdrops look best if you plant many of them together in areas where they are likely to naturalize.
9. White Japanese Anemone
Japanese anemones (anemone japonica)are also known as windflowers due to their tendency to blossom single flowers at the top of long, slender stalks that sway in the breeze, is a flowering perennial that produces blossoms from white to pink with yellow centers. This cultivar is not actually Japanese in origin but comes from the Hupeh region in China. They are a type of perennial flower that blossoms in fall and goes dormant with freezing temperatures.
These plants are popular in outdoor gardens thanks to their late bloom, which can brighten up an otherwise fading garden from late summer into autumn. This makes them a great transition plant for gardeners who wish to have color in their garden during every season.
10. White Rose
Many roses are cultivated for their beautiful flowers, which range in color from white through various tones of yellow and pink to dark crimson and maroon, and most have a delightful fragrance, which varies according to the variety and to climatic conditions.
Roses are easily recognized by their sprawling growth habit. They can grow from 5 to 15 feet in all directions. Rose flowers’ size ranges from tiny miniatures 1.25 cm (0.5 inch) in diameter to hybrid flowers measuring more than 17.5 cm (7 inches) across. Roses are notable for their cold hardiness and vigorous production of flower clusters. There are many thousands of hybrid tea roses that have been bred, with new introductions constantly replacing outdated varieties.
11. White Heliotrope
An old-fashioned favorite, heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) is a tropical evergreen that forms a round mound of foliage. It produces large clusters of intensely fragrant deep blue, purple or white flowers. White cultivars have a fragrance similar to warm vanilla, and the deep-colored species’ flowers smell like a fresh-baked cherry pie, giving it a common name of cherry pie plant. You need to plant heliotrope near outdoor seating or in containers on decks and patios where you can enjoy the fragrance.
The tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers bloom throughout summer and sometimes into fall. The leaves are hairy and crinkly with deep-set veins, and grow 1 to 3 inches long. The leaves and flowers turn to face the sun throughout the day. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, and the foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive people.
12. Cape Jasmine
A native of Asia, Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides), also called common gardenia, is prized mainly for its ability to perfume the entire yard. Gardenias are evergreens with lustrous, dark green foliage. The leaves range from 2 to 4 inches long and serve as a lush background to the large, white flowers the plant produces in spring and summer.
Gardenia’s highly fragrant, waxy blooms may be up to 4 inches in diameter. Flowers may be single or double, depending on the cultivar. Cape jasmine plants grow 2 to 6 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety. The dwarf cultivar “Prostrata,” a trailing form of Cape jasmine, grows only 6 inches to 3 feet tall and spreads up to 6 feet, while “Mystery” can grow more than 8 feet tall and wide. Cape jasmine may be used as a groundcover, espalier, hedge, specimen, bonsai or container plant.
13. White Bearded Iris
Bearded irises (Iris germanica) grow sword-like fans of tall green leaves and produce tall spikes of purple, red, yellow, white or pink blooms, sometimes combining several colors in the same flower. Flowers have three upright petals called standards and three drooping petals called standards.
Irises either bloom once yearly, usually in late spring or early summer, or they grow as repeat bloomers that may produce a second flush of blooms in late summer. The flower stalks usually produce multiple blooms along their length. The foliage may remain green through winter in mild climates, but it usually begins to die back in mid to late fall.
14. White Stephanotis
The stephanotis plant, also known as Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) or bridal boquet is a vine valued for its clusters of funnel-shaped, intensely fragrant white blossoms and attractive, leathery foliage. The twining woody climbing vine reaches 15 to 30 feet, twine around a fence or trellis. In the backyard garden, stephanotis vines add beauty and interest as an espalier against a trellis or wall or in containers and hanging baskets.
15. White Clematis
Clematis plants (Clematis spp.) grow as deciduous or evergreen climbers and herbaceous perennials. These vining plants produce star-shaped flowers in a variety of colors, including whites, pinks and purples. Flower shapes include stars or trumpets, and some produce clusters of tiny, delicate flowers.
White clematis overwinter in hardiness zones 3 through 11. White Clematis is often slow to grow in its first year as it establishes its roots, but by its third season becomes a vigorous vine. Creating optimum growing conditions for the plant can help speed up its development, but only to a point. White clematis flowers go well with any color of jasmine, creating a bright spot in the garden.
16. White Rhododendron
Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) produce lush foliage and flowers when properly planted and cared for. The growing habits of the shrub make it suitable in both formal and informal beds, as part of a hedge or growing on its own as a showpiece. It grows between 5 and 20 feet tall. The flowers come in nearly every color, including white, yellow, red and blue, but the flower shape and size vary greatly between different cultivars. They are very slow growers and take from three to four years to grow flowers.
17. Garden Phlox
Brilliant color can be hard to come by in the late summer garden, making phlox (Phlox paniculata), with its blooms that can last into the beginning of autumn, a valuable plant. Blooming atop green foliage in solid hues and bi-colors, garden phlox blossoms appear in pinks, white, blues, purples, peaches and lavender. Phlox foliage is deep green, fine-textured and elliptical-shaped. Leaves may turn yellow during the heat of summer.
18. French Hydrangea
Also known as bigleaf hydrangea or florist’s hydrangea, French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub notable for its huge flower heads and preference for shade. French hydrangeas are divided into two categories: Hortensias, also called mopheads, which have round flower heads made up of male flowers, and Lacecaps, which have flattened flower heads of tiny female flowers surrounded by showier, larger male white flowers. French hydrangea flowers in late spring or early summer with long-lasting blooms that may last for five to nine weeks.
19. Persian Buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus, commonly called Persian buttercup, produces flowers with layers of delicate petals that have a crepe paper appearance. It comes in an array of colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and white.
20. White Scabiosa
Pincushion flowers (Scabiosa spp.) come in both annual and perennial form, and both make superior, long-lasting cut flowers. The flowers bloom in shades of blue, lavender, pink and white from midsummer until frost. The flowers are borne on inflorescences in the form of heads; each head contains many small florets, each floret cupped in a membranous, saucer-shaped bract.
21. Cleome
Cleome (Cleome spp.), sometimes called spider flower, produces delicate but large flowers atop tall stalks, resembling a firework in mid-burst. The annual flower grows well as a summer plant in all climates and thrives in sunny beds and moist soil. Cleome grows to 3 feet tall but the lower portion of the stems is often bare so it’s best suited when grown in the rear of the bed. Lower-growing plants camouflage the bare lower stems of the cleome. The plants don’t require regular pruning but a light trim can improve cleome’s appearance and encourage further flowering by preventing seed set.
22. Wisteria
Known for being hardy and long-living, Wisteria climbs very high, twining around supporting structures. The vines have dark green pinnate leaves of nine to 15 leaflets. The plant’s pea-like flowers grow in pendulous clusters and bloom in white and shades of pink, blue and purple. The plant’s seed is a flat green pod that appears after flowers bloom during the spring and summer. The plant grows well on trellises, pergolas and fences, and some species can reach heights of 60 feet.
23. White Lily
All lily flowers have three petals surrounded by three sepals, and they come in colors including orange, yellow, white, pink and purple. Flowers are hermaphroditic, with both male and female reproductive organs, for self-pollination. Six long stamens protrude from the center of the flower, holding the pollen-filled anthers out so they catch wind more easily. While the basic parts of the flower are the same across all lily varieties, flower shape varies with different species. The basic lily flower shapes are trumpet, star, bowl, funnel and re-curved, also called Turk’s cap. Flowers might face up, down or to the side. The inner portion of the flower is often spotted or a solid color different than the rest of the flower color. Not all lily species produce flowers.
24. White Gerbera Daisy
Also known as Transvaal daisy, Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), is a daisy-like bloomer that comes in a variety of jewel tones. The impressive flowers, which grow on top of single, tall stems, are complemented by mounds of slightly fuzzy leaves. The large, central disk of each flower contrasts with the radiating petals, creating what can be an eye-catching display in flowerbeds and borders.
At maturity, Gerbera daisy reaches heights of 8 to 24 inches, depending on the variety. The flower is native to South Africa and come in various sizes and colors, including pink, yellow, salmon, orange and white, with flower sizes anywhere from 2 to 5 inches (2 to 13 cm.) across. It takes new Gerbera daisies about 14 to 18 weeks after planting to produce their first blooms, and then they flower reliably through summer.
25. Okleaf Hydrangea
Okleaf Hydrangea is a hardy American native, growing wild in Southeastern states. It is characterized with conical flower clusters growing on branch tips. The flowers grow in an off-shade of white but slowly take on a purple hue. Oakleaf is a vigorous plant, thriving in hardiness zones 5 though 9, where it forms mounds between 3 and 12 feet tall.
The plant can grow up to 10 feet high and 8 feet wide. It produces pyramidal clusters of white flowers in early summer that mature to shades of pink in autumn. Mature stems peel back bark to reveal the rich brown inner bark, creating winter interest. The large deep-green leaves are deeply lobed like those of an oak tree and turn maroon in autumn.
26. White Magnolia
The common magnolia tree (Magnolia grandiflora), which is sometimes referred to as Southern magnolia, thrive well in hardiness zones 7 through 9. Magnolia bushes may be evergreen or deciduous, and they can flower either early in spring, before leaves appear, or later, when in full foliage. Although their leaves can vary a bit, most magnolias have extremely showy, fragrant flowers with prominent petals that form an elongated, tall cup before they open fully into a saucer-shaped bloom. Magnolia flowers can be white, pink or purple, depending on the cultivar, and vary from about 3 inches in width to more than 12 inches wide.
27. Orange Jasmine
This lovely plant is a compact evergreen shrub with oval, shiny, deep green leaves that can get up to 2 3/4 inches long, extending from interesting, gnarled branches. At maturity, which can take three to four years, it can grown to 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, creating a large, round shrub. New plants are best planted in spring.
Clusters of small, fragrant flowers bloom in spring, followed by bright reddish-orange berries in summer. The flowers are very fragrant and smell like orange blossoms, and flowering will occur year-round. The red fruit is 1/2 to 1 inch long and is prized by birds.
28. Lily of the valley
The herbaceous perennial known as lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) produces fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers that hang off gracefully bending stems. The small, spring flowers combined with lily of the valley’s verdant green, sword-shaped leaves make the plant a living contrast of textures and colors.
Lily of the valley grows 6 to 12 inches tall and but generally spreads aggressively in cool, moist climates. The plant thrives in coastal regions but grows poorly in hot, inland areas. The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies. Unlike many spring-blooming bulb plants, however, lily of the valley is deer-resistant.
29. White Anemone
Anemones (Anemone spp.), commonly called windflowers, are a diverse group of flowers that are divided into two groups: spring-bloomers and fall-bloomers. Spring-bloomers range in height from 6 to 18 inches and most produce pure white flowers, although there are a few purple and pink types in the mix. Fall-bloomers are much taller, measuring in at up to 5 feet tall. The flowers are 3 inches or more in diameter and bloom in shades of pink or white.
30. Angle Trumpet flowers
The angel trumpet flower (Brugmansia) is a tropical, tree-like plant that features large, pendulous flowers. Gardeners treasure the plants for their showy blooms, although the flowers sometimes have a strange scent. Although angel trumpet flowers are warm-climate plants, they are striking in containers and can be brought indoors before the cold weather of autumn arrives.
The optimum size for angel trumpet plants is around 4-6 feet. The dangling, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in shades of peach, yellow, white and red, and can reach lengths of 20 inches, depending on the cultivar.
31. Tender Wax Begonia
Tender wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens cultorum group) feature deep-green, waxy leaves and a multitude of small, red, white or pink flowers. Popular for container growing, the plants are available in single- or double-flowered varieties and feature several distinct flower forms, like rose and camellia. Smaller-flowered tuberous begonias with a pendulous habit are often planted in hanging baskets. Wax begonias are normally planted in the spring from bedding flats or potted plants started in a greenhouse environment.
32. White Primrose
Primrose is a low-growing plant with flowers that open in the evening. People plant it as an accent plant in the garden, and its oil has medicinal uses. Primrose has a sprawling growth pattern, green leaves and small- to medium-sized flowers. The flowers bloom during late spring and summer. The plant often stays low to the ground, reaching heights of between 6 and 24 inches tall. The plant foliage dies back during cold weather, making it less attractive during fall and winter than during summer.
33. Wild Yarrow
The familiar wild yarrow is a wildflower that crops up in open meadows and sometimes in yards and gardens. Although technically a flowering weed, it is not considered a dangerously invasive one. The plant bears a flat surface of small white or yellow clusters of flowers, as well as feathery leaves. Wild yarrow grows more than 3 feet tall, and flowers from spring to late summer.
34. Hellebore
Hellebores are typically woodland edge plants. They thrive in rich, moisture-retentive soil but struggle in boggy and wet conditions. Most will tolerate full sun to almost full shade. They lend themselves to naturalistic schemes and informal plantings, and are perfect partners for early-flowering bulbs, pulmonarias and evergreen ferns. The colors of their sepals are multifarious, from the softest woodpigeon grey to pale apricot or damson, and from leaf green to the deepest black or pure white. They can be striped or spotted, picotee or plain, double or anemone-centred or simply single. Almost all of them have evolved methods of successful procreation.
35. Tuberose
Commonly called tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa is a perennial species of plant grown for its fragrant, creamy white flowers. Grown from underground root structures called bulbs, tuberoses can be planted in fall or spring in climates where they are hardy. With proper care, they will produce 3- to 4-foot-tall show-stopping flower spikes the first year. Tuberoses will always produce tall stems adorned with multiple waxy white blooms in late summer and early fall.
36. White Chrysanthemum
These chrysanthemums look very much like daisies, thanks to their white petals and yellow centers. The main difference is that the centers are a little larger than they are in daisies, and their petals are spaced equally all around them. When they grow, chrysanthemums have a bushy-like quality, and they usually grow 2-3 feet high, although some of the smaller varieties never reach a foot. Sometimes there is one petal per stem, while at other times there can be single-bloom plants that grow in clusters.
37. Lupine
Lupines, or lupin flowers (Lupinus spp.), are short-lived perennials with dense, bloom-covered spikes. They get their name from “lupus,” the Latin word for “wolf.” Lupin flowers bloom from May to July in a wide range of colors.
38. Foxgloves
The common foxglove grows as a biennial, flowering in its second year with tubular flowers that bloom from the bottom of the plant upward on a tall stalk.
39. Yucca flowers
All Yucca flowers have long, sharp leaves and have flowers that form clusters at the end of a stalk. The stalk grows taller than the rest of the plant and stands out.
40. White Amaryllis
The holiday-blooming plants popularly called amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp) produce bright red, or white-and-red blossoms. Frequently seen around the Christmas holiday, indoor forced amaryllis flower in winter, while those grown naturally outdoors bloom in spring or early summer.
Other Types of White Flowers
- Annual Vinca Flowers
- White Camellia Flowers
- White Dahlia Flowers
- White Ranunculus Flowers
- Delphiniums
- Moonflower
- Peony
- Astroemeria
- Columbine
- Dianthus
- Dogwood
- Marigold
- Cosmo
- Candytuft
- White Oleander
- White Daffodil Flowers