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Types of White Flowers

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White flowers generally symbolize perfection, innocence, purity, and honesty. They also provide the perfect contrast to dark green foliage and other brightly colored flowers in the garden.

Whether for your garden, bouquets, simple floral arrangements, or centerpieces, there is a perfect white flower for every purpose.

But if you are having a hard time making a choice, we’ve got your back. In this article, we discuss 16 types of white flowers. We talk about how to grow them, when they bloom, and much more.

Camellia

White camellia

Camellia is a flowering shrub native to Korea, Japan, and China. It belongs to the tea plant, or Theaceae family, and has been cultivated for over 1000 years.

Camellias are a symbol of love and affection. They are primarily used in loose hedges, shrub borders, winter wedding bouquets, and backgrounds. You can train Camellias to grow flat against a wall or fence.

Camellias are slow-growing evergreens with dark and glossy leaves. They bloom in late fall and early spring, producing white, red lavender, yellow or pink flowers. Camellia blooms can be double or single. 

Depending on the variety, mature Camellia can grow anywhere from 24 to 144 inches tall. These plants thrive in rich, moist, well-drained soil with partial exposure to sunlight. 

Camellias are found in USDA growing zones 7-9. 

Baby’s Breath 

little white Gypsophila(Baby's-breath) flowers

Baby’s Breath plants are fast-growing plants native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is commonly used in floral arrangements, wreaths, and bouquets as filler. They also make an excellent addition to gardens.

There are several species of Baby’s Breath; some grow upright while others creep. 

Baby’s Breath has small, narrow gray-green to blue-green leaves. In the summer, when it blooms, it produces clouds of tiny white or pink flowers. The blooms last several weeks, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. 

A mature Baby’s Breath grows to around 24-36 inches tall and wide. Baby’s Breath plants thrive in well-drained soils with adequate sunlight exposure. 

Baby’s Breath is found in USDA growing zones 3-9. 

Nemesia

vanilla nemesia flowers in bloom

Nemesia is a small orchid-like bedding plant indigenous to Africa. It is commonly used as a ground cover or edging plant in landscaping. You can also use Nemesia in rock gardens, mixed borders, or woodland plantings. 

When Nemesia bloom in the spring and summer, they produce white, orange, blue, red, or pink flowers. A mature Nemesia plant can grow around 10-24 inches.

Nemesia thrives in rich sandy soil with partial to adequate sunlight exposure. It is found in USDA growing zones 2-10. 

Dendrobium Orchid

White Dendrobium Orchids in the garden

Dendrobium Orchid is an easy-to-grow plant native to Southeast Asia. Although they tend to be picky about their environment, Dendrobium Orchids still thrive in various climates ranging from high-altitude, cold mountains to hot, wet lowlands. 

Dendrobiums are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants. In nature, they often grow on other tree branches. 

When Dendrobium Orchids bloom, they produce attractive white, brown, yellow, purple, pink-orange, or green flowers. The delicate, white flower of a Dendrobium Orchid makes a good house plant. 

Mature Dendrobium Orchids grow to around 6-48 inches tall and wide. They thrive in a moist, well-drained substrate with partial sunlight exposure. 

Dendrobium Orchids are found in USDA growing zones 9-12. 

Star of Bethlehem 

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem is a fast-growing perennial native to The Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa. Due to its fast growth rate, it is considered invasive in certain areas.

Star of Bethlehem is well-accepted amongst florists, partly because of its longevity. But besides its ornamental application, it finds uses in medicine and cooking.

When Star of Bethlehem blooms in spring, it produces 10-20 white star-shaped blooms. The flowers open in the late morning and close at sunset or when it is cloudy.  

A mature Star of Bethlehem plant grows to around 6-12 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. Star of Bethlehem thrives in moist, well-drained loamy soil with full to partial sunlight exposure. 

Star of Bethlehem is found in USDA growing zones 4-9. 

Carnations

flowering of white carnations

Carnations are flowering perennials native to Croatia, Italy, Greece, and Spain. Although Carnations appear in several colors, white is a popular choice.

White Carnations are excellent in bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. They may also be used as designs for holidays. In fact, for holidays like Easter, Carnations may be dyed in various colors.

When Carnations bloom in the late spring, they produce white, red, or pink flowers. The flowers give off a spicy aroma that attracts bees and hummingbirds. 

Mature Carnations grow around 12-18 inches tall. They thrive in well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure or partial shade. 

Carnations are found in USDA growing zones 7-10.

Snapdragons

white snapdragon (antirrhinum) flowers

Snapdragons are short-lived garden perennials native to the Mediterranean, Syria, and Turkey. 

Snapdragons are the backbone of any classic flower garden. They can be used in patio containers, mixed border gardens, garden wall crevices, baskets, and bouquets.  

Snapdragons come in various sizes. They bloom from spring to fall and produce attractive white, purple, yellow, violet, peach, pink, orange, or red flowers. 

Mature Snapdragons grow around 6-48 inches wide and 6-12 inches across. They thrive in rich, moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure or partial shade. 

Snapdragons are found in USDA growing zones 7-11. 

Peony 

Flowering peony in garden

Peonies are hardy perennials native to Western North America, Europe, and Asia. They are medium-sized plants with tuberous roots. Although most Peonies are herbaceous perennials, some are woody shrubs.

Peonies are easy to grow, and they make excellent additions to cut flower arrangements. You can also plant them in perennial borders or mix them with other shrubs. 

Peony bloom periods vary depending on the variety. All in all, they typically blossom between late spring and late summer.

Peonies produce large, sweet-scented white, coral, red, pink, or signature yellow flowers. However, they are mildly toxic to both pets and humans. So be cautious around them.

White Peonies symbolize pure romance and are often used to decorate weddings. They have also been the subject of art, from ancient paintings to modern-day tattoos.

Peonies thrive in rich, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure to partial shade. 

Peony is found in USDA growing zones 3-9, depending on the variety. 

Hyacinth

hyacinth

The Hyacinth is an easy-to-grow bulb native to Europe. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is also called Garden Hyacinth, Common Hyacinth, or Dutch Hyacinth. Hyacinths are toxic to both pets and humans. So be wary when handling them.

Hyacinth begins blooming in spring, producing white, red, blue, pink, and purple flowers with intense fragrances.

Mature Hyacinths grow to around 6-12 inches tall and 3-6 inches wide. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure. 

Hyacinth is found in USDA growing zones 4-8. 

Lisianthus

pure white Lisianthus flower

Also known as Prairie Gentian or Texas Bluebell, the Lisianthus symbolizes appreciation. It is a perennial flower native to North America. Lisianthus has a reputation of being difficult to grow.

The delicate petals of a Lisianthus flower are excellent for special flower arrangements, centerpieces, and wedding bouquets. 

Lisianthus is slow-growing and reaches maturity after about 5-6 months. When they bloom in the summer or fall, Lisianthus produce white, purple, cream, and pink flowers.

Mature Lisianthus grows to around 12-36 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure. 

Lisianthus is found in USDA growing zones 8-10. 

Scabiosa

Scabiosa

The Scabiosa or Pincushion Flower is an easy-to-grow perennial native to Europe.

Scabiosa plants attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. So, they can be beneficial to plants like zucchinis, which need a lot of pollinators to produce fruits.

Scabiosa has a moderate growth rate and reaches maturity within 90-100 days. When it blooms in the summer or early fall, it produces white, cream, pink, burgundy, lavender, or red button-like flowers. 

Mature Scabiosa grows around 12-18 inches tall and wide. Scabiosa thrives in moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure. 

Scabiosa is found in USDA growing zones 3-7. 

Sweet William

White sweet William flowering

Sweet William is a short-lived, low-maintenance flowering plant native to Europe. It is ideal for containers, cottage gardens, and perennial beds. 

Sweet William plants bloom in late spring or summer, producing beautiful white, red, or pink flowers. These attractive flowers attract pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. 

Mature Sweet William plants can grow around 12-24 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. Sweet William thrives in moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure or partial shade. 

Sweet William is found in USDA growing zones 3-9. 

Spider Mum

A beautiful white spider mum flowers

The Spider Mum or Fuji mum is a decorative herbaceous perennial native to Asia and Northeastern Europe.

Spider Mums have unique, attractive, and delicate flowers. These flowers may be used for special occasions, floral displays, and indoor containers. 

By late summer, Spider Mums produce attractive white, yellow, purple, pink, and red flowers. The flowers have drooping, long, thin, and tubular petals similar to curling spider legs. Mature Spider Mums can grow around 12-72 inches tall. 

Spider Mums thrive in rich, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure or partial shade. They are found in USDA growing zones 6-9. 

Periwinkle

flowers white periwinkle

Periwinkle, also known as Vinca minor, is a hardy evergreen perennial native to Europe.

Periwinkles are pest-free and low-maintenance. Their attractive flowers and broadleaf foliage are ideal for providing ground cover since they creep. 

Periwinkles bloom in the spring or summer, generally with blue flowers. However, they can also blossom in white, lavender, or purple flowers.

White Periwinkle flowers make great additions to anniversary gifts or wedding bouquets. However, they are toxic to pets, so ensure you keep your pets away from them.

Mature Periwinkles grow around 3-6 inches tall, with trailing vines growing up to 18 inches long. They thrive in rich, well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade.

Periwinkles are hardy in zones 4 to 8.

Gladiolus

white gladioluses

Gladiolus is a member of the Iridaceae family native to Europe and South Africa. Its flowers symbolize infatuation, integrity, and faithfulness. 

Gladiolus is an excellent addition to bouquets and landscapes. It begins blooming in June, producing trumpet-shaped white, red, orange, pink, green, yellow, or purple flowers.

White Gladiolus flowers are popular in religious ceremonies and weddings. 

Mature Gladiolus plants grow to around 12-60 inches. They prefer well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure.

Gladiolus plants are toxic to pets, humans, and livestock. So handle them cautiously. Gladiolus plants are hardy in USDA growing zones 7-10. 

Daffodils

White Daffodils

Daffodils are bulbous perennials native to North Africa and Europe. They produce attractive white, pink, yellow, red, or orange flowers.

Daffodils are easy to grow. So, if you are a novice gardener looking to flex your green thumbs, this is for you.

Daffodils thrive in rich, moist, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight exposure or partial shade. With proper care, you can replant the bulbs to keep enjoying them.

Daffodils are toxic to pets. So, take necessary measures to ensure your pets do not eat them.

Daffodils sometimes stop blooming when they suffer a condition known as ‘going blind.’ The cessation of blossoms in Daffodils is typically caused by excess shade or insect pests.

Mature Daffodils can grow around 6-30 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. They are hardy in USDA growing zones 4-8. 

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