For creating a beautiful floral mat in white shade, ground cover plants with white flowers are ideal. White-flowering ground cover plants, on the other hand, provide more than just beauty. Their spreading nature and mat-forming habits help keep weeds in check and soil erosion at bay.
Ground cover plants, which do not support other plants, help improve the look of a stark landscape. Additionally, evergreen plants maintain your lawn looking great all year long. It’s not hard to choose white-flowered ground cover plants. The USDA growing zone, levels of light exposure, and soil type should all be taken into consideration when selecting white-flowering ground cover plants. For full sun, partial shade, or complete shade, you can then choose perennial or evergreen ground-hugging plants.
The best white-flowering ground cover plants for your garden landscape are identified in this guide. Decide which blanket-forming evergreen and perennial flowers to plant in your yard by reading descriptions and images.
The Best Ground Cover Plants with White Flowers
Your landscape needs determine the finest plants with white flowers that are suitable for ground cover. For covering the bare ground, try creeping, trailing, and low-growing clumping plants. Plants that spread should be about 1 foot (30 cm) tall.
They may be used to create a flower carpet that accentuates garden features. For growing beneath shrubs, in rock gardens, or transforming pathways with bright leaves, ground cover plants are the best choice.
Why Plant Ground Cover Plants With White Flowers
For brightening up dull landscapes, ground cover plants with white flowers are useful. In the spring and summer, the white carpet of gorgeous flowers provides significant aesthetic appeal. Ground cover plants, on the other hand, do more. Hardy ground cover plants help to maintain slopes and the soil under tall shrubs and trees by preventing weed growth, stopping soil erosion, and assisting with beautification.
Ground Cover Plants With White Flowers (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
In the spring, summer, or fall, let’s take a look at some of the best low-growing plants with white flowers that create a natural “mat” that resembles snow.
White Flowering Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft is a lovely woody flowering perennial ground cover that blooms white in the summer and evergreen in colder climes. This lovely evergreen ground cover with dense clusters of white blooms is a popular choice for gardens. The plant has dark green leathery leaves with masses of white flowers that grow haphazardly and spread out.
This spreading, clumping plant is ideal for your garden, growing 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall. In mid-spring and early summer, Candytuft requires full sun to bloom. You may use borders, pathways, or rock gardens to enhance the flowering plant’s appearance. It’s also perfect for cascading down the edge of raised beds to soften corners because of its trailing woody stems.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 9
Creeping White Phlox (Phlox subulata)
The gorgeous perennial ground cover plant Phlox subulata ‘Snowflake’ has masses of brilliant white flowers that cascade down the stems. The dark-green needle-like leaves contrast with the magnificent white blooms on this perennial flowering ground cover plant, which has vigorous growth. During the spring, the spreading plant blooms and succeeds in full sun.
Creeping phlox is the perfect flower for full sun gardens, growing between 4″ and 6″ (10-15 cm) tall and spreading up to 2 feet (60 cm). In addition, on border fronts, slopes, or draping over a wall, you may utilize the plant for white ground cover. Pollinators are drawn to the scented white blooms as well.
Phlox subulata ‘White Delight’—Four or five heart-shaped pure white petals make up the white-blooming creeping phlox. This plant is known as moss phlox because of its delicate, hardy leaves.
Phlox subulata ‘Snowflake’—This low-growing phlox cultivar has delicate heart-shaped petals that produce star-shaped blossoms.
Phlox subulata ‘Calvides white’—For full-sun ground cover, snow-white blossoms with obovate petals and a notched end are ideal.
USDA growing zones: 2 to 9
White Flowering Periwinkle (Vinca minor ‘Alba’)
White periwinkle is a mat-forming, low-growing shrubby ground cover plant with white flowers and evergreen foliage that is suitable for both sun and shade. Ovate, dark green leaves, white five-petaled blossoms, and a small stature are some of the distinguishing characteristics of white periwinkle. The early-blooming spring blossoms bloom above the evergreen foliage and are 1 inch (2.5 cm) broad.
The pretty ground cover plant, with its trailing stems, thrives in full sun, partial shade, and complete shade. It is also known as lesser periwinkle ‘Alba.’ Lesser periwinkle has year-round appeal because of its lovely leaves and white blooms. Edging plants, walkways, driveways, and underplanting shrubs are all suitable for Hardy Ground Cover Plant planting.
Also, since it is suited for banks and slopes, the spreading roots contribute to its suitability. The height of white periwinkle is 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm).
USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
White Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidei ‘Snowdrift’)
White rock cress is a vigorous perennial blooming ground cover with brilliant white flowers and grayish-green leaves. It is a tiny herbaceous perennial that grows low to the ground. When in bloom in the spring and summer, the easy-grow ground cover plant produces a natural carpet of pure white. White rock cress may grow up to 24″ (60 cm) broad and 4″ to 9″ (10–23 cm) tall.
For bright gardens, the four-petaled white blooms are a good way to increase the whiteness. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees are also drawn to the long-blooming flowers. This hardy ground cover plant is ideal for garden edging, planting in borders, and beds, in rock gardens, drooping over walls, and decorating pots because of its small size. It’s excellent for planting between stepping stones because to its tough foliage.
USDA growing zones: 5 to 7
White Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans ‘Alba’)
In zones 5–8, white creeping mazus is a hardy semi-evergreen ground cover with tiny tubular flowers and thick leaves. It is a spreading herbaceous perennial. Mazus creeping is a robust, spreading plant with strong green leaves that will stand up to human traffic. The plant is suited for ground cover in full sun to partial shade because of its creeping habit and low height.
Creeping mazus grows to be 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall and up to 12 inches (30 cm) broad. Planting under shrubs, in woodland gardens, and ground cover in open landscapes is ideal for the hardy, shade tolerant white-flowering ground cover plant. Because of its hardy grassy foliage, you can also plant creeping mazus as a lawn substitute.
Mazus reptans ‘Alba’—The cultivar ‘Alba,’ which has white tubular blooms and spreading green foliage, is a white flowering variant of creeping mazus. Early spring is when the plant blooms, and late summer is when it flowers. The fast-growing creeping ground cover plant is evergreen in warm regions.
USDA growing zones: 5 to 8
White Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’)
The hardy perennial with heart-shaped, serrated leaves that has a white band through its center is called the white-flowering spotted dead nettle. At the ends of upright stems, white flowers bloom in little clusters. Spotted nettle grows to be 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) tall and spreads up to 2 feet (60 cm). In shade gardens, along borders, or in mixed beds, you can grow spotted dead nettle under shrubs and perennials.
Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’—The white cultivar of the spotted dead nettle is called White Nancy. The ground cover bloomer plant produces white blooms that bloom in the mid- to late-spring. Spotted dead nettle is an excellent ground cover for shaded gardens because to the plant’s tolerance of shade.
USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
White Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Alba’)
The white bugleweed cultivar ‘Alba’ is a fast-growing, spreading ground cover plant with dainty white flowers that prefers to thrive in the shade. A carpet of leafy rosettes is formed by the shade-tolerant ground-hugging plant, which is hardy underfoot. Small white blooms appear on short spikes when it is in bloom in the spring, creating a stunning floral show.
White bugleweed grows up to 24 inches (60 cm) broad and 4 inches (10 cm) tall. In partial to full shade, the cold-hardy mat-forming plant thrives. Evergreen perennial plants can be grown where other types of plants cannot.
To avoid erosion, grow the low-maintenance ground cover plant on hills orbanks. In shaded areas like beneath trees, shrubs, or north-facing garden landscapes, the carpet-forming spreading plant performs well.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 10
White Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’)
White creeping thyme is a clumping, aromatic shrub-like plant with white flowers that thrives in full sun. Creeping thyme is a great ground cover in full sun because to its spreading habit. The tiny white blooming shrub contrasts with the tiny dark-green leaves by forming a mound of white blossoms. To grow between stepping stones, enhance rock gardens, or create a fragrant border for walkways and driveways, use white creeping thyme.
Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’—Pure white blooms and light green buds characterize this creeping thyme cultivar. The ground cover plant grows to be 2 inches (5 cm) tall and broad, reaching up to 1 foot (30 cm). White creeping thyme’s aromatic foliage is a distinct characteristic.
USDA growing zones: 5 to 9
White Stonecrop (Sedum album)
White stonecrop is a lovely perennial evergreen ground cover plant with succulent leaves and white star-shaped flowers that bloom in the summer. It has a spreading growth habit and clusters of white blossoms. The finger-shaped, green, meaty leaves, tiny five-petaled white blossoms in the form of a star, and reddish foliage colors of the white stonecrop distinguish it throughout the fall and winter.
White stonecrop is a fast-growing, spreading succulent that grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and spreads quickly. The dry, hot environment suits the ground cover plant, which isn’t fond of shade. In a sunny area in the garden, between stepping stones, in a rock garden, or in pots, the greatest way to cultivate white stonecrop is.
Stonecrop adds visual appeal to a landscape throughout the year because of its evergreen fleshy leaves and long blooming time.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving perennial ground cover with white flowers and a spreading tendency. It thrives in shady places as a perennial ground cover. In deep shade gardens, the fragrant white blooms and tiny light green petals create a stunning colorful carpet. The aromatic ground cover plant grows to be 6 inches (15 cm) tall and broad.
In shady areas, sweet woodruff is a simple ground cover that requires little upkeep. The fast-growing plant is suitable for planting around shrubbery, shading garden ground, or decorating road borders.
USDA growing zones: 4 to 8
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Snow-in-summer is a spreading perennial ground cover that thrives in full sun and blooms in late spring and early summer. Flowers feature four notched petals in a star pattern with a yellow center and are attractive. Snow-in-summer, a perennial ground cover with long trailing stems that is especially suited for colder places, is also available.
Snow-in-summer grows to be 6–12″ (15–30 cm) tall and broad in full sun. In well-drained soil, the drought-tolerant plant thrives. Apart from planting as ground cover, you can cascade over walls or large containers with the spreading perennial.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 7
White Campanula
The spectacular bell-shaped or funnel-shaped white flowers of Campanula make it a low-growing perennial. A rounded mound of bright green foliage and upturned snow-white flowers make up the white ground cover plant. In the summer, white blooms bloom until early autumn. The white campanula grows to be 6 to 12 inches (15–30 cm) tall and broad.
Campanula carpatica ‘White Clips’—White bellflowers are in full bloom during the summer, amid light green leaves.
Campanula myrtifolia—The mounding ground cover plant, which is covered in bell-shaped brilliant white blooms when in bloom, makes it difficult to see its little green leaves.
Campanula betulifolia—The big bell blooms and heart-shaped serrated leaves distinguish this white-flowering campanula cultivar.
USDA growing zones: 4 to 9
White Veronica (Speedwell)
Veronica spicata ‘White Jolanda’ (left) and Veronica ‘White Wands’ (right) are two clumping herbaceous perennials with beautiful white blooms. The thin, pure white flower spikes and rounded development of white speedwell distinguish it from other species. The short-growing plant is suitable for white ground cover that requires some height and may grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall.
Veronica spicata ‘White Jolanda’—The narrow, lance-shaped leaves of this white speedwell cultivar produce tubular blooms in conical clusters.
Veronica ‘White Wands’—The cultivar of the White Wand has spectacular white blooms with three projecting white stamens and a hint of purple.
USDA growing zones: 3 to 8
White Cranesbill (Geranium clarkei ‘Kashmir White’)
Cranesbill is a sun-loving perennial that springs and blooms with a burst of delicate white flowers in the spring and summer. Cranebill’s appealing, deeply lobed leaves, huge white flowers with pink veins, and spreading habit are all identifying characteristics.
White cranesbill grows to be 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) tall. Cranesbill spreads via rhizomatous roots and is an herbaceous perennial. Full sun to partial shade is best for the tall ground cover plant. Dappled sunlight and complete shade, on the other hand, are also tolerated.
Underplanting in shrub or rose gardens, as well as brightening shaded beds and borders, is best done with the long-blooming, white-flowering plant.
USDA growing zones: 5 to 8
Bishop’s Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Bishop’s weed is a white-flowering perennial plant that thrives in shady areas and can be invasive. It is sometimes known as ground elder. Tall, umbrella-shaped white flower heads and lanceolate serrated leaves distinguish the herbaceous plant. Bishop’s weed thrives in shady and partly shady places and spreads quickly over the ground. The towering white flower stalks reach 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 1 m) tall, and Bishop’s weed leaves reach 6″ to 12″ high.
Bishop’s weed is a spectacular flowering ground cover plant for shady gardens when grown in the correct environment. In shady places, the large white blooms help to illuminate. If you want bright foliage, choose the bishop’s weed cultivar with variegated leaves.
The plant’s attractiveness is further enhanced by its sweet-smelling white blooms and open nature. It’s worth noting that in certain areas, bishop’s weed is invasive. The plant grows swiftly, creating a thick carpet of large, leafy leaves. Unfortunately, this tends to compete with native flora and spread across the ground.
USDA growing zones: 4 to 9