Perennials - White

Arabis alpina ( Mountain Rockcress )

 
Description: Low growing groundcover, or wall trailer. Bright green leaves up to 3/4" long. Evergreen.
Ideal conditions: Airy, composted soil. Welll drained. Regular water. Sun.
Bloom: Early spring white tufts of flowers.

Iberis sempervivans 'candytuft'

 
Description: 8-12" high. Spreads as wide. Evergreen. Narrow shiny dark green leaves are attractive all year. Excellent slow growing ground cover or bank trailer.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil with compost. Sun to part sun. Regular water.
Bloom: Pure white flower clusters on the end of stems in early spring.

Aquilegia 'White Clementine' ( Columbine )

 
Description: 12-18" tall x the same wide. Bushier than most columbine. Dark green foliage with shorter flower stems.
Ideal conditions: Full sun in the north. afternoon shade or shade in hotter climates. Rich, moist soil that is well drained.
Bloom: Flowers appear in later spring to early summer. 1- 1 1/2" across. Looks like a clematis. Many layers of petals with an open center face upwards.

Bergenia cordifolia (saxifragaceae) Heartleaf Bergenia

 
Description: Low growing up to 1.5' high. Leaves bright green, glossy, roundish, heartshaped at base. Plant grows in round clumps
Ideal conditions: Part shade best but will tolerate full sun on coast. Leaves will redden with more sun. Enjoys moist soil with compost. Rain does not bother the flowers.
Bloom: Spring. Clusters of flowers in the light to dark pink shades. Flowers are held above the leaves on sturdy stalks.
 

Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll ' (periwinkle)

 
Description: Trailing arching stems that root where they touch the soil. Useful as a ground cover. Slower grower that is not as invasive. Small green leaves up to 1" long.
Ideal conditions: Any soil will do. Little to moderate water. Sun to full shade. More blooms in sun.
Bloom: White flowers that are a bit smaller than the other varieties.

Aquilegia 'White Star' (Columbine )

 
Description: Flower stems are 1 1/2- 2' tall . Bright green leaves are set low lower on the stem. Leaves are opposite each other like butterfly wings. softly rounded edges.
Ideal conditions: Filtered shade, part sun on coast, or sun with afternoon shade. Rich, moist soil. Works well under trees.
Bloom: Spring and early summer brings pure white star shaped flowers that face upward.

Galium odoratum ( sweet woodruff )

 
Description: Attractive low spreading groundcover. Roots are shallow. Slender square stems 6-12" high, encircled every inch or so by whorls of six to eight aromatic leaves.
Ideal conditions: Shade to part sun. Regular to abundant water will provide a more luscious growth. In the partial sun of cooler climates and less water it will still grow but will be smaller and spread slower.
Bloom: Covered in masses of true white flowers in late spring to early summer.

Saxifraga 'umbrosa' (London Pride)

 
Description: Rosettes of bright green, shiny, tongue shaped leaves 1 1/2" long are set at ground level. Thin but sturdy stalks hold a delicate spray of flowers well above.
Ideal conditions: Best in shade with plenty of water but requires good drainage. Will tolerate sun in cooler climates but will not be as full looking.
Bloom: Blooms in may. Stem is about 6-8" tall with a spray of light pink flowers.Very effective in a mass planting, walls, rockeries, etc. Creates a pink cloud like appearance.

Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' ( Herbaceous Peony )

 
Description: 40" tall is the height of this peony. Pure white with irregular flecks of dark pink.
Ideal conditions: Ideally the full sun part shade site should be prepared in advance to its arrival. Dig over soil deeply adding compost and/or manure then let it settle for a few days. Good air circulation is of concern as the new buds can be prone to mildew if its too damp.
Bloom: This variety is a double petal. Very full looking. Early summer is their time to shine. Support is a good idea especially on the coast where heavy rains can level them.
 

Campanula persicifolia 'White Peachbell' ( Peachleaf Bellflower)

 
Description: Grows 2 1/2'-3' tall including the flowers x 18"wide. Leaves are shiny green in a low mound.
Ideal conditions: Full sun to part shade. Suitable to most soil conditions. Regular water, but can take a moderate drought.
Bloom: Early to mid summer brings crisp, white, bellshaped, flowers adorn the stems that are held above the foliage mound. Self seeds readily.

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' ( Tickseed )

 
Description: 18"-20" tall with a soft, and delicate needle like foliage. Very hardy, and spreads readily.
Ideal conditions: Full sun, and well drained soil of any type. Regular water, but takes a drought in stride. Needs very minimal care.
Bloom: Flower color is a pale yellow with a dark brown center. Mid summer until fall. Grown as a flowing border it will transport you to a land of peacefulness.
 

Achillea millifolium 'Christine's pink' ( Common Yarrow )

 
Description: Ferny, dark green leaves that grow as a mound at the base as well as up the stem. 24"-30 " tall x 18" wide.
Ideal conditions: Rich, moist, drained soil in full sun will give you a very healthy plant. It will tolerate poor soil in full to part sun though, and still bloom quite well. Regular to moderate water depending on location. They can withstand a drought as well.
Bloom: Mid to late summer brings flat topped clusters of flowers in shades of white to an ever so slight pink.

Liatris 'Floristan white' ( Gayfeather)

 
Description: Bright green grass like leaves grow in tufts like daylillies. Stems emerge that can reach 3'-4' tall. The leaves get smaller as they go, but they do continue up the stem. Small flowers grow in clusters to replace the leaves for the last 5-12" of the stem.
Ideal conditions: Tolerates poor soil, but prefers a moderately fertile well drained type. Full sun with regular water.
Bloom: Flowers are white and show in mid summer.

Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' ( Japanese anemone or Windflower )

 
Description: Large dark green leaves at the base with a long slender stem growing 35"- 47" tall x 24"-35" wide.
Ideal conditions: Sandy, or a fertile loam, moist, drained soil. Full sun on the coast to partial shade. Regular water.
Bloom: Late summer to mid fall is the flowering time. A double row of overlapped petals with round edges creates a full flowered look. The flower color is crisp white with a yellow center.

Anenome 'Leveilli' ( Woodland Anemone )

 
Description: 12-18" tall and wide. Dark green leaves with a slender stem holding flowers aloft.
Ideal conditions: Woodland setting with partial sun. Moist ,but drained fertile soil. Regular water. Does well with fern and hosta..
Bloom: Flowers emerge in late spring to early summer. A double row of overlapped petals with round edges creates a full flowered look. The flower color is white with a hint of mauve on the underside, and a yellow center.

Physostegia virginalis 'Miss Manners' ( Obediant plant )

 
Description: Stiff, square, upright stems carry oblong, toothed, 3"-5" long, light green leaves with pointed tips. Can reach 4' tall x 3' wide. This one is, as its name suggests not invasive like other varieties.
Ideal conditions: Moist, well drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Regular water.
Bloom: Pure white flower spikes start out in mid summer till early fall. Each stem is topped with a 10" long spike densely set with funnel shaped 1" long tubular flowers.

Phygelius x rectus 'Moonraker' ( cape Fushia )

 
Description: Woody perennial with bright green leaves 1 1/2"-2 1/2" long. Grows 2'-3' tall x the same wide. Spreads quite well.
Ideal conditions: Full sun on the coast with loose, moist, well drained soil.
Bloom: Creamy yellow, tubular shaped flowers that hang down starting in early to mid summer through to fall.

Dianthus hybrida 'Floral lace mix' ( Hybrid pinks )

 
Description: Light green tufts of grasslike foliage that were bought as an annual have become a biennial. 8"-10"high x 10"-12" wide. A cross between a .chinensis and a . barbatus.
Ideal conditions: Loose fast draining soil with organic material. Regular water with partial sun to more.
Bloom: Flowers are a random mix of colors from deep purples, and pinks to red, and snow white. As well as mixed colors on the same flower.
 

Valeriana officinalis ( Valerian, or Garden Heliotrope )

 
Description: Tall straight stems grow to about 4' tall. Most leaves remain close to the ground. Leaves are light green, borne in pairs that are further divided into eight to 10 pairs of narrow leaflets. The leaves have an odd smell of dirty socks. Cats and other rodents may be attracted to the smell. The plant spreads, and can become invasive, but if you pull up the ones you don't want you can dry the roots for herbal medicine.
Ideal conditions: Sun to part shade with rich, moist, soil. It is a heavy nitrogen feeder, so feed accordingly.
Bloom: Tiny fragrant flowers are in shades from white through pink to light blue.

Polemonium caeruleum 'White Pearl' ( Jacobs Ladder )

 
Description: Lush rosettes of finely divided, fern like foliage in a light shade of green. The leaves resemble short ladders, hence the name. 2'-3' tall stems
Ideal conditions: Rich, moist, well drained soil. Part sun to light shade with regular water. If the foliage fades in the summer it is getting too hot. Cut it back and water . This may also result in a second bloom.
Bloom: late spring to mid summer will bring clusters of white flowers.
 

Verbascum phoeniceum ( Purple Mullien )

 
Description: Tends to be a short lived perennial 2' tall x 2' wide. May have a variety of different colors in the same clump. The stem is sturdy and straight with a tendency for the tip to curl until the flower develops. The leaves are oval shaped with a pointed tip in a medium green color.
Ideal conditions: Poor, well drained soils on the chalkier side. Sun with average water to less.
Bloom: Small flowers in a range of colors with yellow centers form an 8-10" spire.

Sedum spectabile 'Stardust' ( Showy Stonecrop )

 
Description: 18"-23" tall x the same wide. Foliage is light green in color. Leaves are fleshy like a succulent with a soft serrated edge.
Ideal conditions: Most well drained soil types will accommodate this type, but in rich soils, plants may be pinched in June to prevent floppiness. Regular water, but can take drought. Full sun to part shade. 
Bloom: This Sedum begins to produce green broccoli-like buds in mid-summer, which gradually open into large clear-white flower heads, later developing a tinge of pink. .

Astilbe japonica 'Deutschland' ( Goatsbeard, False Spirea )

 
Description: 20"-24" tall x the same wide. Fern like dark green foliage. Leaves clump at the bottom and send up spikes of flower plumes.
Ideal conditions: Does best in moist, well drained soil. Part sun / shade.
Bloom: Fluffy white plumes of flowers are held above the foliage on spikes.

Heracleum lanatum ( Cow Parsnip, Indian Celery ))

 
Description: A coastal native with large leaves almost like a rough textured maple leaf. Thick, hollow, hairy stalks. Overall height is 3'-5' tall. It is a relative of a larger version called giant hogweed. It is NOT that. It can however create a mild rash through skin contact on people who suffer from light sensitivity. When the skin is peeled off it is edible. Best harvested before it blooms.
Ideal conditions: Rich, moist soil, similar to stream banks, or marshes. May be found near upper beaches with heavy fresh water runoff.
Bloom: Flat topped, umbrella shaped sprays of white flowers with 1-4 secondary umbels from side shoots.

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky' ( Shasta Daisy )

 
Description: Becky is larger than most other cultivars with a height of 36"- 48" tall x 24"- 36" wide. Stems are thick and very sturdy. Can be staked though for containment of its sheer volume. Will need dividing to maintain its masses of flowers.
Ideal conditions: Most soil types in full sun to part sun will suffice. Regular water, but can take a drought in moist soil when mature.
Bloom: Crisp, white flowers with bright yellow centers will be in abundance mid summer. Flowers are 3"- 4" across with an unpleasant scent when enclosed in a room. Petals are long , and narrow set in a single row. Not a great indoor cut flower for this reason.

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Crazy Daisy' ( Shasta Daisy )

 
Description: This variety is shorter than some. Only 24"- 30" tall x 18"- 24" wide. Stems are thick and very sturdy with dark green leaves.
Ideal conditions: Most soil types in full sun to part sun will suffice. Regular water, but can take a drought in moist soil when mature.
Bloom: Noted for its large, double blooms with fluffy petals of pure white with yellow centers. Multiple flowers bloom per stem.

Centauria montana 'Amethyst in snow' ( Bachelor’s Button )

 
Description: 12-24" high. A clump forming mass of grayish green leaves with a slight silvery cast.
Ideal conditions: Well drained soil with regular water and part sun to full. Doesn't seem to enjoy a full on coastal breeze. It is more prone to mildew on the coast than its cousin in blue.
Bloom: Flowers are ragged looking appearing in spring to mid summer. Keep deadheaded to prolong the blooms.

Heuchera 'Stormy seas' (coral bells)

 
Description: 7-8" in height. Leaves are dark purple with splashes of silver, pewter and grey. Color shows best in partial shade.
Ideal conditions: Full sun with afternoon shade in cool climates. Shade in all shows its colors best though. Moderate to regular water. Any drained moist soil will do, but beef it up with compost and it will really look great. Regular water.
Bloom: Creamy white blooms in early summer.
 

Veronicastrum virginicum ( Culvers root )

 
Description: 5'-6' tall stems with whorls of dark green, serrated, narrow leaves larger at the base, gradually becoming shorter as they reach the top. Stems are very stiff, and rough in texture, as are the leaves.
Ideal conditions: Medium to moist soil of any type with regular water. Full sun to part shade.
Bloom: Mid summer brings elegant spires 6"-12" long covered in small white flowers. Very durable in the rain.
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