13 Stunning White Flowers To Brighten Up Your Shade Garden

Want to give your shade garden a gorgeous glow with white flowering plants? Shade gardens can be just as eye-catching as sun-drenched border beds, you just have to pick the right plant species. White blossoms can instantly brighten up a shady space, adding an ethereal look to a variety of verdant areas. While typical shade-friendly plants include ferns and mosses, there are also various flowering options. From pretty white-flowered annuals to cream-colored perennials, you can find the perfect blossoms for your outdoor space.

There are numerous species of flora that don't just survive but thrive in areas with limited sunlight. Whether you're looking to freshen up your patio or backyard, there are several white-tinted blooms to consider. As long as you select species well-suited to shade conditions, and provide proper care, you can create a stunning shade garden with white accents. No matter the season, ensure that your shade garden shines by choosing the right white blossoms. 

If your garden lies under heavy shade, foamflowers are an ideal option. They fall under the family group of Saxifragaceae. Foamflowers were named after their foam-like clusters of blooms that appear in the springtime. The shade-loving blossoms also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. The color of their flowers ranges from snow white to pink. If you're searching for a groundcover option that loves low light, foamflowers check several boxes.

Keep in mind that foamflowers grow slowly, expanding every year. Most variations multiply through the production of underground rhizomes. However, the hybrid Wherry's foamflower does not spread by rhizomes and instead forms clumps without runners. All foamflowers require moist soil that is kept well-drained. They grow primarily in damp forests, bottomlands, and shore inlets. Thanks to their native status, foamflowers are relatively easy to grow if given the right conditions and suffer from few pest issues. Foamflowers bring a delicate beauty to shaded gardens.

For a plant that presents several stunning transformations throughout the year, creeping dogwood is a perfect choice. It starts completely green and then grows small, white flowers in the spring and summer. Later in the year, the blossoms are replaced by bright red berries. The leaves also change from green to dark red. The plants typically reach about 3-6 inches in height when fully grown, making them an ideal low-profile groundcover option.

Creeping dogwood is best grown in cool, moist climates. It is native to North American woodlands and mountain regions, as well as areas of Greenland and Northeast Eurasia. If you live in a particularly cold climate, creeping dogwood is a great plant to try due to its hardy nature. Plant it underneath large shrubs and small trees to ensure heavy shade. It is also ecosystem-friendly, because it offers food for animals throughout the year. Creeping dogwood is non-toxic, making it a great plant to consider if you have children or dogs roaming around your garden.

Snowbells are one of the most visually impactful, shade-friendly blooms. They offer large, eye-catching flowers that flourish in the shade. Also known as the "Christmas rose," snowbells blossom as early as late winter and stay open until the start of spring. Their unusual blooming schedule is a great way to add beauty to your shade garden while most other plants lie dormant. The flowers also face outward, which is atypical for many other hellebores.

Although they are relatively resilient, snowbells cannot tolerate heavy winds. They should be partially sheltered from any strong cold breezes to be best preserved throughout the winter. Consider planting them underneath large bushes, shrubs, or trees. Snowbells are largely pest-free, except for in areas that are prone to slugs and aphids. You should always wear gloves when planting and caring for your snowbells to avoid skin irritation. They are also toxic for both humans and animals to ingest. All plants that fall under the Helleborus umbrella, including snowbells, could be considered invasive as they are not native to North America. However, invasiveness varies between species and climates. 

White Erythroniums are also known as "dog's tooth violets" because they grow from bulbs that resemble canine teeth. The flowers, which start in the spring, have swept-back petals and appear almost star-like, adding a unique and exotic look to your shade garden. There are a couple of beautiful white varieties to choose from. The "Harvington Snowgoose" variation has petals with feathered edges, whereas the "White Beauty" alternative has crisp, white leaves that are dappled with copper.

While they are fairly easy to grow, the soil must be kept consistently moist and well-drained. Erythronium bulbs are vulnerable to drying out, so they're usually best propagated from established plants bought in pots. You can plant a variety of flora around them. A few complementary ornamentals to consider include hepaticas, trillium, and hellebores, which have similar soil, shade, and moisture requirements. Make sure to mulch your white Erythroniums every year with leaf mold to keep them healthy.

Another late bloomer, white wood aster blossoms from late summer to fall. The plant can grow in partial to full shade and it is adaptable to both mildly acidic and neutral soils. It has deciduous foliage, but the leaves remain uniquely green in the autumn. The flowers present as small and daisy-like. They have narrow white petals with yellow centers.

While white wood asters may have invasive habits, it is not on the Federal noxious weed list. What's more, this native species plays an essential part in supporting forest life, and if you live in the eastern United States, can actually help support the ecosystem as butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers. Because aster rhizomes can spread quickly, make sure to plant them at least 18 to 30 inches apart. The woody aster, different from the white wood aster, can be toxic to humans, but most asters are safe around both humans and animals.

While technically a very light blue, May Breeze woodland phlox is an early spring blossom that has an icy white appearance. If your goal is to make your shade garden glow, opt for phlox divaricata. This variety produces fragrant flowers that will fill your garden with a gentle, sweet aroma. Plant your woodland phlox in an area with damp, well-drained soil. It can tolerate shade, but also thrives with some sunlight.

If your goal is to attract hummingbirds to your shade garden, woodland phlox will draw them in with its sweet scent. Once your phlox has become established, it will be able to survive drier conditions. This makes it extremely versatile if you live in an unpredictable climate. Woodland phlox creates an excellent groundcover as the plants spread easily, but they won't overtake your garden. It is considered very nonaggressive, and you can easily remove or transplant any phlox seedlings that pop up.