Discover our beauty of white:
Here's our TOP 20 white flowering plants!
White flowering plants are a timeless choice in landscape design, offering classic elegance that can transform any garden into a serene oasis.
White flowers are particularly easy to use in garden designs because of their versatility. Pair them with green and silvery foliage for aclassy, elegant effect, or use them to highlight bold colors in your garden design. Their neutral colour allows them to blend effortlessly into various designs, from modern minimalist spaces to lush, colorful gardens.
In this guide, we’ll take you through our top 20 white flowering plants, including white groundcovers, climbers, and shrubs that are ideal for Australian landscapes.
WHY CHOOSE WHITE FLOWERS?
Visual appeal
White flowers bring a sense of balance and harmony to any garden, effortlessly complementing a wide range of colors. Whether you're going for a timeless or modern look, white flowers provide a fresh, clean aesthetic with plenty of visual appeal and can also be used to make surrounding colors pop.
Attracting wildlife
Many white flowers are magnets for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. By incorporating them into your landscape, you not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also contribute to local ecosystems and natural pest control. Our Top 20 List includes both native white flowering plants as well as ornamental options.
Versatility in design
White flowering plants are highly adaptable and fit seamlessly into any garden style, from contemporary to classic styles. They can serve as striking focal points, create impact in mass plantings, or add structure to borders. White flowers also have the power to illuminate darker areas, making spaces appear more open and inviting.
Effortless pairing
White pairs beautifully with nearly any color, making it a versatile choice in landscape design. Combine white flowers with green and silvery foliage for a serene, sophisticated look or use them as a backdrop to highlight more vibrant hues.
Our TOP 20 white flowering plants
White flowering plants add elegance and a timeless beauty to any garden. But which white flowers are the best for Australian gardens? The good news is, there is a white flowering option for every type of landscape, from shade loving white flowers to low-maintenance and drought tolerant options.
So whether you're looking for white flowering groundcovers, climbers, perennials or shrubs, we've curated a list of the top 20 white flowering plants perfect for Australian landscapes.
Let's dive in!
Groundcovers
Many groundcovers have white flowers, allowing you to create a delightful carpet with pops of white. Here are three of our favourites.
Rhodanthe anthemoides
Paper Daisy or Chamomile Sunray
Bring a touch of delicate charm to your garden with Rhodanthe anthemoides, also known as Paper Daisy. This Australian native is perfect for adding a soft, whimsical touch to any landscape.
Plant Characteristics
Rhodanthe anthemoides is a low-growing perennial, featuring daisy-like white flowers with bright yellow centers that almost entirely cover the plant in winter and autumn. It forms a delightful carpet of greenery with its spreading habit, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun, making it perfect for dry, open spaces. This plant typically grows to 5-10 cm high and 30-40 cm wide.
Landscape Usage
Ideal for rock gardens or as a groundcover, Rhodanthe anthemoides can fill gaps between pavers or use in dry, sunny areas. It is also effective in suppressing weeds and adding visual interest with its pretty white blooms.
We stock several varieties at Pantmark including Rhodanthe anthemoides Paper Star, Southern Star and Paper Cascade.
Myoporum parvifolium
Creeping Boobialla
Myoporum parvifolium, commonly known as Creeping Boobialla, is a versatile native groundcover with charming white flowers and small, narrow leaves.
Plant Characteristics
This hardy groundcover comes in various forms, including Myoporum parvifolium broadleaf and fine leaf varieties. It features small, star-shaped white flowers on glossy, green foliage and has a spreading habit that reaches 15-30 cm in height and up to 2 meter wide. Drought toleratant, It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil making it ideal for Australian landscape designs.
Landscape Usage
Myoporum parvifolium is perfect for erosion control, bank stabilisation and filling large spaces. It’s also effective as a groundcover in coastal gardens or between stepping stones, providing a dense, attractive cover.
For a slightly different look we also love Myoporum parvifolium purpurea with the same small, star-shaped white flowers but with glossy, purple foliage that make the white flowers pop.
Scaevola aemula Fairy White
White Fairy Fan Flower
Scaevola aemula, known as the Fairy Fan Flower, is celebrated for its profusion of fan-shaped flowers and low-growing nature. Available in different colours such as purple, blue and white, seen here is Scaevola aemula Fairy White, with a profusion of crisp, white flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Scaevola aemula Fairy White, produces masses of white flowers and has a distinctive, toothed, wedge shaped foliage in deep green. It grows to about 15-25 cm high and spreads up to 40-60cm wide. This plant prefers well-drained soil and full sun, though it can tolerate light shade.
Landscape Usage
Use as a stunning groundcover, in borders or for filling gaps. Scaevola aemula Fairy White is an excellent choice for garden beds as well as containers and hanging baskets, where it cam create an amazing cascading effect.
Another Scaevola aemula variety with white flowers that we love, is Scaevola aemula Alba, spreading up to a metre wide and growing a bit taller to approx. 50cm high.
Convolvulus cneorum
Silverbush
Convolvulus cneorum, commonly known as Silverbush, is a popular, compact evergreen shrub with striking silver foliage and delicate white flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Silverbush features white, funnel-shaped flowers in late spring and summer. The leaves are covered in silvery hairs, giving the foliage a silvery shimmer. It grows to about 40cm H x 45cm W, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
Landscape Usage
Use Convolvulus cneorum as a border plant, in rock gardens, or in containers to add white pops of colour and contrastig silver foliage and texture. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller spaces or as an accent plant. Orginating from the Mediaterranean region Silverbush is a robust and easy-going plant with many landscape usages.
Climbers
Need vertical coverage? Here are three of our top white flowering climbers. To discover more of our wide range of climbing plants, click here.
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Chinese Star Jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides, or Chinese Star Jasmine, is the scent of Aussie summer! This versatile climber is known for its highly fragrant, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green leaves, and is an ever-popular choice for Australian gardens.
Plant Characteristics
Star Jasmine produces clusters of white, fragrant flowers and can climb or spread with ease. It grows up to 3-4 meters high and wide, making it suitable for covering trellises and walls. Low maintenance and robust, it's an easy-going choice for full sun to partial shade positions. Prefers well-drained soil.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for covering fences, arbors, trellises or unsightly features, Trachelospermum jasminoides also works well as a groundcover in larger areas. Its fragrance and evergreen foliage adds beauty and appeal to any garden space. And what's more, the sweet fragrance is a magnet for pollinators!
Another great Jasmine is Asian Jasmine, Trachelospermum asiaticum, with glossy dark green leaves and slightly smaller flowers than Chinese Star Jasmine. Not only ideal as a climber, Asian Jasmine is often used as a groundcover. Another alternative for a flatter groundcover is Trachelospermum asiaticum Flat Mat celebrated for it's quick growth rate and lower growth habit.
Hardenbergia violacea White Out
False Sarsaparilla / Native Wisteria
Hardenbergia violacea White Out is a popular and vigorous native climber with profusion of stunning white flowers from mid winter to spring.
Plant Characteristics
This plant features abundant sprays of white flowers and a vigorous growth habit, reaching up to 3 meters high and wide. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Thriving in most conditions, Hardenbergia White Out is easy to grow and ideal for Australian landscapes.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for covering fences, walls, or trellises, Hardenbergia violacea White Out can also be used as a groundcover in expansive areas. Its fast-growing nature makes it suitable for quick coverage and stunning, visual impact.
Another Hardenbergia with sprays of white flowers is Hardenbergia Free 'N' Easy. Or if you are looking for the best of both worlds, why not consider Hardenbergia Happy Duo, combining both purple and white flowers on the same plant.
Pandorea jasminoides Lady Di
Bower Vine / White Bower of Beauty
Pandorea jasminoides Lady Di is a beloved native climber with large, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It is known for its vigorous growth and striking appearance, flourishing in most Australian regions.
Plant Characteristics
This evergreen vine produces clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers with a delicate fragrance, and can grow up to 3-5 meters high and wide. A hardy, tough performer, it prefers well-drained soil and full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for covering fences, trellises, or creating a lush green backdrop, Pandorea jasminoides Lady Di is also effective in containers or as a climber over pergolas.
White flowering shrubs
There is plenty of choice when it comes to white flowering shrubs. From classically beautiful roses to hard-working landscapers favourites such as Rhaphiolepis, the choices are endless.
Altyhough it's hard to choose favourites, here are some of our top choices when it comes to shrubs with white flowers. 
Pieris japonica Temple Bells
Japanese Andromeda
Pieris japonica Temple Bells is an elegant shrub with cascading clusters of bell-shaped white flowers in spring and a dark green foliage.
Plant Characteristics
This highly ornamental shrub features clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers in spring. The young foliage is bronze-red and turns into a glossy dark green as the leaves mature, providing year round interest. Grows up to 1.5-2 meters high and wide. It thrives in acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade.
Landscape Usage
Use Pieris japonica Temple Bells as an eye-catching feature plant in shaded garden beds or woodland gardens. Its graceful blooms and evergreen foliage add year-round interest and creates a captivating feature in spring as the clusters of white flowers appear. 
Rhaphiolepis indica Snow Maiden
Indian Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepis indica are popular compact shrubs with masses of flowers that stand out against leathery, dark green foliage. Seen here is Rhaphiolepis indica Snow Maiden, just one of the great varieties available at Plantmark.
Plant Characteristics
Rhaphiolepis Snow Maiden is an evergreen shrub with clusters of fragrant snow-white flowers and dark green foliage that naturally grows in a rounded shape. A landscaper favourite, this is an easy to care for and adaptable shrub. Drought tolerant, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Grows up to 90cm H x 50cm W.
Landscape Usage
Ideal for low hedges, borders, or mixed garden beds, Rhaphiolepis indica Snow Maiden adds color and structure to the landscape. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens and it can be planted in pots and containers. Looks great massplanted for effect.
Other stunning Rhaphiolepis varieties include Rhaphiolepis indica Oriental Pearl, Little Bliss and Cosmic White.
Philotheca myoporoides Winter Rouge
Long Leaf Wax Flower
Philotheca myoporoides Winter Rouge is a pretty Australian native shrub with star-shaped white flowers and a subtle pink tinge.
Plant Characteristics
This shrub features pink buds that open into star-shaped white flowers with a long flowering period from winter through to spring. A great small growing shrub, that reaches approx 60cm-1m high and wide. Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for mixed garden beds or as a small hedge, Philotheca myoporoides Winter Rouge adds color and texture to the garden. Its unique blooms provide visual interest throughout the growing season and is an ideal addition to native gardens. Can be grown in pots.
Gardenia augusta
Fragrant Gardenia
Gardenia augusta is a classic choice for its fragrant white flowers and glossy evergreen leaves. Seen here is one of our favourites is Gardenia augusta Florida, but we have plenty of cultivars available at Plantmark including Gardenia augusta Magnifica and Gardenia augusta grandiiflora Star.
Plant Characteristics
Gardenia augusta Florida is renowed for its rose-like flowers with a sweet and captivating fragrance. The white blooms stand out against the deep green foliage. Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Grows up to 60cm-1m high and wide.
Landscape Usage
Use Gardenia augusta Florida as a in borders, containers or as feature plant near outdoor living areas to enjoy its fragrance. Or why not plant as a fragrant hedge for a lush, green boundary. Its striking appearance makes it a garden favorite and is often used in floral arrangements.
Murraya paniculata
Orange Jessamine / Mock Orange
Murraya paniculata, also known as Orange Jessamine, features clusters of small, fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves. attracting native wildlife.
Plant Characteristics
Growing up to 2-3 meters high and wide, Murraya paniculata forms a dense, bushy habit. It features leathery, dark green leaves and white flowers with a citrus fragrance throughout the year in warm climates. Murraya paniculata is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, making it a resilient choice. Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade.
Landscape Usage
Murraya paniculata It is excellent for creating structured boundaries, enhancing mixed borders, and for serving as a focal point. Additionally, it attracts pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. Suitable for containers, walkways, or standalone plantings, it seamlessly integrates into diverse landscape designs adding beauty and fragrance.
Viburnum odoratissimum
Sweet Viburnum
Viburnum odoratissimum, commonly known as Sweet Viburnum, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub renowned for its large, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant clusters of small white flowers. This versatile plant is prized for its lush foliage and aromatic blooms.
Plant Characteristics
Sweet Viburnum grows to approx. 3-4 m H x 2m W, forming a dense, rounded shape. The shrub produces clusters of tiny, fragrant white flowers in spring and summer, followed by red berries that mature to black. It thrives in well-drained soil and adapts to both full sun and partial shade. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it popular with our landscape customers.
Landscape Usage
Viburnum odoratissimum is ideal for creating tall hedges, privacy screens, or as a lush backdrop for other flowering plants. It adds structure and year-round beauty to landscape designs, making it perfect for formal gardens or mixed borders. Its dense foliage also provides an excellent sound and wind barrier, creating private, secluded outdoor spaces.
Viburnum opulus Sterile
Snowball Tree / Guelder Rose
Admired for its large, showy clusters of pure white flowers that resemble snowballs, Viburnum opulus Sterile, or Snowball Tree, is a striking deciduous shrub that's guaranteed to catch the eye.
Plant Characteristics
The Snowball Tree grows up to 2m H x W, forming a rounded, bushy shape. In late spring to early summer, it produces abundant clusters of weeping, ball-shaped white flowers that gradually turn creamy white as they mature. The dark green, lobed leaves turn a vibrant shade of red in autumn, adding seasonal interest. This variety doesn't form the red berries that are typical for Vibunum opulus.
This shrub thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is also relatively low-maintenance and adaptable to various garden conditions.
Landscape Usage
Viburnum opulus Sterile is perfect for garden beds, hedges, or as a standout specimen plant. Its dramatic floral displays make it an excellent choice for creating focal points and visual interest. It also works well in mixed borders, cottage gardens, or as a natural screen.
Hydrangea macrophylla White Knight
Mophead Hydrangea or Black Stemmed Hydrangea
Classic Hydrangeas are an ever-popular choice when it comes to showy, white blooms. The queen of summer gardens, Hydrangeas provide elegance and charm to shady corners.
One of our favourite White Hydrangeas is Hydrangea macrophylla White Knight, with classic, large, showy blooms and dark, unusual stems.
Plant Characteristics
This hydrangea produces abundant, ball-shaped clusters of pure white flowers from late spring through summer, that gradually fade to a soft green as they age. The unusual dark stems and large, glossy green leaves provide a lush backdrop for the blooms, making them stand out.
Hydrangea macrophylla White Knight thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with partial shade, and benefits from regular watering to maintain its lush appearance. It is known for its long-lasting blooms, perfect for flower arrangements.
Landscape Usage
Use in shaded garden beds, borders, or as a standout feature plant. Its elegant white flowers add a touch of sophistication to any landscape, making it perfect for formal gardens, woodland settings, or cottage gardens. It also works beautifully in large containers, where it can be a focal point on patios or terraces.
Looking for a Hydrangea that's more sun tolerant? Look not further than Hydrangea paniculata Sundae Fraise, with large conical flowers that turn from green, to white, to light pink as they mature and will grow in sunny to partly shaded areas.
Another stellar Hydrangea, is Hydrangea macrophylla White, with classic, large white flowers.
Hebe buxifolia
Boxleaf Hebe / Veronica Odora
With its dense, rounded foliage and small, delicate white flowers. Hebe buxifolia, or Boxleaf Hebe, is a versatile plant, perfect for adding texture and subtle white flower colour to the landscape.
Plant Characteristics
Boxleaf Hebe grows up to 1m H x W, forming a neat, mound-like shape. Its tiny, box-like leaves are glossy and deep green, creating a dense, textured appearance. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers that contrast against the dark foliage.
This shrub thrives in well-drained soil and adapts well to both full sun and partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
Landscape Usage
Hebe buxifolia is ideal for borders, rockeries, or as a low hedge. Its compact, rounded form adds a soft, structured look to garden designs, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings and an ideal alternative to Buxus.
It also works well in coastal gardens, where it can withstand salt-laden winds, or in container plantings for patios and balconies.
Rosa Iceberg
Floribunda Rose
No list of white flowers would be complete without a rose, and Rosa Iceberg is one of our most popular rose varieties. This classic rose is celebrated for its prolific blooming, disease resistance, and ability to produce clusters of stunning, pure white flowers throughout the growing season.
Plant Characteristics
Featuring clusters of medium-sized, snow white flowers with a light fragrance, Rosa Iceberg blooms continuously from spring to autumn. Thriving in well-drained soil and full sun, Rosa Iceberg has a strong disease resistance making it a reliable choice for any garden. Available as a shrub, climber and as a standard, it's a versatile option for various garden designs. Grows up to 1-2 m H x 60cm-1m W.
Landscape Usage
Rosa Iceberg is perfect as a feature plant in rose gardens, mixed borders, or as a low hedge. Its prolific white blooms offer continuous interest throughout the warmer months. For a dramatic effect, consider mass planting, or pair with other white-flowering plants for a cohesive, elegant look.
Other exquisite white rose varieties to consider include Rosa Winchester Cathedral and Rosa Pope John Paul II, which share the same charm and elegance.
Liriope muscari Monroe White
White Lilyturf / Monkey Grass
Liriope muscari Monroe White is a versatile, grass-like perennial with lush, arching, strap-like leaves and elegant white flower spikes. The dense, deep green foliage adds soft texture to the garden, offering year-round appeal.
Plant Characteristics
Liriope Monroe White features tall spikes of bell-shaped white flowers, blooming in late summer and followed by small, ornamental black berries, providing extended seasonal interest.
This low-maintenance plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers well-drained soil. It typically grows to approx. 30-45 cm H x W, forming a dense, attractive clump.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for borders, edging, or as a groundcover, Liriope muscari Monroe White adds a lush, elegant touch to garden beds and containers.
Erica daviesii
Heath
Erica daviesii is a low-growing evergreen shrub with fine, needle-like foliage and charming clusters of small, white bell-shaped flowers in winter.
Plant Characteristics
Small, white flowers bloom in late winter to early spring and almost cover the entire plant. Erica daviesii thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and flourishes in full sun, making it a hardy choice for a variety of garden settings. Grows up to 1m tall.
Landscape Usage
Perfect for rockeries and borders Erica daviesii adds a fine-textured, delicate touch to the garden. Its resilience to coastal conditions make it an excellent choice for coastal gardens, where it will soften and brighten the landscape.
Callistemon citrinus White Anzac
White Bottlebrush
Last but not least, why not try a native white-flowering option! Callistemon citrinus White Anzac is a compact bottlebrush with soft white flowers and grey-green foliage, making it a standout in any landscape, not just in native gardens.
Plant Characteristics
Callistemon White Anzac features soft, bottlebrush flowers in creamy white, contrasting beautifully with its slender, grey-green leaves. The plant has a dense, bushy habit, giving it a textured appearance.
In addition to its visual appeal, White Anzac is drought-tolerant once established and attracts pollinators like bees and birds, which is great for both pollination and pest management. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun, though it can tolerate light shade. Grows up to 1m H x 2-4m W.
Landscape Usage
Use Callistemon citrinus White Anzac as a feature shrub, an informal hedge, or as a feature in native garden design. Its unique white blooms and textured foliage provide visual interest and contrast, making it an excellent choice for adding depth and variety to your garden design. It’s also well-suited for coastal gardens due to its salt tolerance and works well in mass plantings for a striking, cohesive look.
Conclusion
White flowering plants are an essential component of any Australian landscape, offering timeless beauty, versatility, and year-round interest. By selecting a mix of white flowering groundcovers, climbers, and shrubs, you can create a dynamic and harmonious garden design that thrives in Australia’s diverse climates.
Whether you're looking for white flowering plants for shade, coastal gardens or white flowers that are low-maintenance or drought resistant, our Top 20 white flowering plants offer options to suit different garden styles and conditions.
By selecting the right plants for your region and conditions, you'll ensure a beautiful and thriving landscape design that can be enjoyed for years to come.
FAQs
What are the best white flowering plants for Australian landscapes?
- There's a lot of choice available when it comes to white flowering plants. When planning your garden design, consider the specific needs of each plant, such as soil type, sunlight, and watering requirements. Our list of the best white flowering plants include groundcovers like Myoporum parvifolium, climbers like Trachelospermum jasminoides, and shrubs like Pieris japonica Temple Bells.
How do I care for white flowering plants?
- Most white flowering plants require healthy soil, regular watering during establishment, and occasional pruning to maintain their health and appearance.
Can I mix native and exotic white flowering plants?
- Yes, mixing native and exotic white flowering plants can create a diverse and visually appealing garden. Just be mindful of each plant’s specific needs.
Did we include your favourite white flowering plants in the list above? Let us know your favourites in the comments below.
Have a question? Let us know below. Our Plantmark team would love to hear from you!
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