Whether you’re filling garden beds, adorning containers, or creating borders, these delightful flora choices can light up your outdoor space throughout the growing season. Here are some excellent options for white annual flowers that love the sun.
Petunia (White varieties)
Petunias are a classic choice for gardeners looking to add color and life to their spaces. The white varieties, such as the ‘Snow Drift’ and ‘Grande White’, are particularly striking. Petunias thrive in full sun, and their flowers can range from soft cream to brilliant white. These flowers are hardy and can withstand the heat, making them perfect for summer gardens. They have a delightful fragrance and also attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, to your garden.
To care for petunias, ensure they receive about six hours of sunlight daily. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, and a weekly feeding with a balanced fertilizer will keep them looking lush and vibrant throughout the season.
Alyssum (Snow Crystal or Snow Princess)
Sweet Alyssum is adored for its delicate clusters of tiny flowers that create a lovely and soft carpet of white. Varieties like ‘Snow Crystal’ or ‘Snow Princess’ are perfect for sunny spots, as they bloom profusely in warmer weather. Their fragrance is honey-like, adding a sensory dimension to your gardening experience.
These plants grow best in well-drained soil, so ensure that your garden beds or pots have good drainage. Alyssum is fantastic for edging or as a ground cover. With proper moisture and sunlight, they can bloom from spring until early fall, offering long-lasting beauty.
Lobelia (White Lady)
Lobelia, especially the ‘White Lady’ variety, brings a cascade of white flowers that are perfect for hanging baskets or trailing over edges. These plants thrive in sunny conditions and can add a dramatic flair to your arrangements. Their elegant foliage enhances the overall aesthetics, providing contrast to the blooms.
Lobelia prefers moist, well-drained soil. While they appreciate full sun, they can also tolerate partial shade, making them versatile for various garden conditions. Ensure regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, as Lobelia can become stressed in dry conditions.
Impatiens (White varieties)
While traditionally known for their shade-loving tendencies, some white varieties of impatiens, such as ‘White Flash’ or ‘Snowy White’, can thrive in sun-drenched spots, provided they are well-watered. These annuals are known for their compact nature and stunning, consistent blooms.
For best results, plant impatiens in rich, well-amended soil where they can get partial to full sun. Regular watering and feeding with a balanced fertilizer will lead to a lush, vibrant display that blooms continuously through the summer.
Cosmos (Purity)
The white Cosmos, particularly the cultivar ‘Purity’, is an excellent choice for adding height and texture to your garden. These annual flowers have daisy-like blooms that sway gracefully in the breeze. They thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant, making them a low-maintenance option for sunny gardens.
Cosmos prefer well-draining soil and don’t require excessive fertilizing. Plant them in clusters to create a striking impact, and watch them bloom from mid-summer to fall, attracting numerous pollinators along the way.
Nicotiana (White varieties)
Nicotiana, or flowering tobacco, includes lovely white varieties such as ‘Tabacum’. These night-blooming plants offer a sweet fragrance that intensifies as evening falls, making nighttime gardens enchanting. While they thrive in full sun, they can also tolerate some shade.
Nicotiana does best in well-drained soil. Regular deadheading will promote continuous blooming. Their graceful, tall spikes are perfect for adding height and layering to floral arrangements, enhancing both aesthetic and fragrance in your garden.
Snapdragons (White selections)
Snapdragons, especially white varieties like ‘White Knight’, are whimsical annuals that add vertical interest as well as a charming touch to any garden. They perform beautifully in full sun and provide a striking contrast when paired with bolder colors.
These flowers require fertile soil and moderate watering. They can boast a long blooming period, often performing well into the fall. Regular deadheading will encourage further blooms, making them a stunning choice for both cutting gardens and landscape displays.
Zinnia (White varieties)
Zinnias are beloved for their bold colors and durability, but the white varieties, such as ‘White Swan’ or ‘Lilliput White’, offer a clean and refreshing look. They thrive in full sun and are drought-resistant, making them a dream for low-maintenance gardeners.
Plant zinnias in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They do best with some space between plants to encourage airflow. Regular cutting of the flowers promotes more blooms, allowing for a continual supply of beautiful white flowers all summer long.
Bacopa (Snowstorm)
Bacopa, particularly the ‘Snowstorm’ variety, is renowned for its trailing habit and abundant white flowers. This annual loves full sun and can cascade beautifully over containers or garden walls. Its tiny blooms create a cloud of white that softens edges and adds depth to mixed plantings.
Bacopa prefers rich, well-drained soil, and regular watering is essential to keep them thriving. They can bloom from spring until fall, providing reliable color and texture in hanging baskets or as a ground cover.
Cleome (White Queen)
The ‘White Queen’ variety of Cleome, commonly known as spider flower, features tall, airy blooms that add height and drama to sunny gardens. These unique flowers are excellent for creating a focal point in a flower bed, and they thrive in hot, sunny conditions.
Cleome prefers rich, well-draining soil and can tolerate dry conditions once established. Their spiky flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, enhancing the allure of your garden. With a knack for self-seeding, Cleome can be a delightful addition year after year.
Begonia (White varieties)
While begonias are often associated with shade gardens, certain white varieties, like ‘Bada Bing White’ and ‘Super Cascade White’, can thrive in sunny locations with adequate moisture. These annuals are known for their stunning foliage and long-lasting blooms, which can spice up any flower bed or container.
To grow successful begonias in full sun, plant them in loose, well-draining soil. They require consistent moisture, so checking soil regularly is essential. Provide a little afternoon shade in extremely hot climates for the best performance.
Dianthus (White shades)
Dianthus, also known as pinks, includes beautiful white shades like ‘Snowflake’ and ‘White Wonder’. These charming flowering plants thrive in full sun, displaying their frilled, carnation-like blooms. They’re perfect for borders or as colorful touches in perennial gardens.
Dianthus prefers lean, well-drained soil and moderate watering. These plants also have a lovely fragrance, making them a popular choice for cutting gardens. Regular clipping encourages a fresh flush of blooms, ensuring a continuous colorful display.
Angelonia (White selections)
Angelonia, also known as summer snapdragon, features elegant spikes of flowers, with white varieties like ‘Angels Face White’ radiating beauty in sunny gardens. These cheerful annuals are heat-loving and show excellent resilience in full sunlight.
They prefer slightly sandy, well-drained soil and regular watering until established. Angelonia boasts a long blooming period, making them ideal for summer-long enjoyment. Their vertical growth adds height and a dynamic element to garden arrangements.
Sweet Pea (White Ensign)
The ‘White Ensign’ sweet pea is a lovely annual that offers the same sweet fragrance and climbing habits as its colorful cousins. This variety thrives in sunny locations, where they can twine and climb, adding character to your vertical spaces.
Sweet peas prefer rich, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Regular watering helps keep the plants looking healthy, and continuous harvesting of the flowers promotes further blooming. Their delightful fragrance is a significant bonus, perfect for informal gardens or cottage-style planting.
Nemesia (White Cloud)
Nemesia, particularly the ‘White Cloud’ variety, is striking for its petite blooms and charming fragrance. This hardy annual flourishes in full sun and can create a lovely splash of soft white against greener foliage.
To cultivate nemesia, give them well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Regular watering helps them thrive, especially during dry spells. These gentle blooms add delightful texture and can last from spring until fall, making them a favorite for gardeners seeking long-term beauty.
Osteospermum (White varieties)
Osteospermum, or African daisies, includes stunning white varieties that provide bright accents to sunny gardens. Flowers like ‘Shasta Daisy White’ are incredibly resilient in both heat and drought, ideal for flowerbeds that endure long summer days.
These flowers prefer full sun and well-drained soils. Regular watering will encourage blooming throughout the season, and deadheading can prompt additional flowers. Osteospermum will not only beautify your garden, but they also attract pollinators, enhancing the ecosystem around them.
Calibrachoa (White varieties)
Calibrachoa, commonly known as million bells, offers a cascade of trumpet-shaped flowers perfect for hanging baskets and containers. White varieties like ‘Superbells White’ provide a dazzling display that can brighten up any sunny area.
These annuals thrive in full sun and are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Use a potting mix that drains well to keep the roots healthy. Regular deadheading and fertilizing will promote a longer blooming period, keeping your arrangements looking fresh all summer long.
Phlox Drummondii (White types)
Phlox Drummondii, or annual phlox, showcases soft white blooms that add a lilting touch to gardens. Varieties like ‘White Beauty’ are sun-lovers and are perfect for borders or mix-plantings in sunny areas.
These annuals flourish in moist, well-drained soil rich in nutrients. They benefit from regular deadheading to promote further blooming. Popular among gardeners for their charming look and pleasant fragrance, they’ll surely enhance any garden setting.
Gaura (White Butterfly)
Gaura, with its airy and delicate flowers, includes the stunning ‘White Butterfly’ variety. Known for its long blooming season from summer to fall, Gaura performs beautifully in full sun and adds a touch of whimsy to gardens with its graceful flowers swaying in the breeze.
These perennial annuals prefer well-drained soils and can thrive with minimal attention once established. Regular watering during dry spells will encourage a continuous display of flowers, enriching your garden with their heavily nectar-rich blooms that attract butterflies.
Morning Glory (White Moonflower)
The white variety of morning glory, known as ‘Moonflower’, blooms in the evening and makes an exceptional addition to any garden. These vivacious climbers spiral up trellises and fences, showcasing enchanting white flowers under the moonlit sky.
Morning glories prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They thrive with minimal care and require regular watering to flourish in hot weather. Their climbing nature makes them ideal for vertical gardening and adds instant beauty to any structure in your garden.
Geranium (White selections)
Geraniums include many delightful white varieties, such as ‘Snowflake’, known for their vibrant foliage and classic charm. These annuals thrive in full sun and can add an evergreen component to your garden design with their lush leaves.
They require well-drained soil and should be watered regularly to keep them healthy. Geraniums are versatile and can be used both as bedding plants and in containers, allowing for a plethora of aesthetic options regardless of your available space.
Heliotrope (White cultivars)
Heliotrope, especially white varieties, such as ‘Alba’, offer delightful fragrances and charming clusters of tiny flowers. These heat-loving annuals thrive in full sun and bloom throughout the summer, making them a lovely choice for gardens and containers alike.
Plant heliotropes in rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture. Regular watering will keep these beauties looking their best. Their heavenly scent and good looks make them favorite companions to roses and other flowering plants.
Pansy (White shades)
Pansies, especially white shades like ‘Snow Angel’, are well-loved for their cheerful faces adorned with vibrant colors on the edges. While they prefer cooler temperatures, with adequate water and some shelter from excessive heat, pansies can thrive in sunny spots.
They flourish in well-draining, rich soil and need regular watering to prevent stress. With their robust appeal, white pansies can enliven containers, borders, and garden beds alike.
Viola (White selections)
Violas, also known as Johnny Jump-Ups, feature delightful white blooms that bring joy to sunny gardens. Varieties like ‘White Knight’ and ‘Bulk Float’ are perfect for adorning borders or as charming accents in containers.
Violas prefer nutrient-rich, well-drained soils and benefit from regular watering. With a little care, these cheerful annuals will bloom from spring until fall, providing consistent delight.
White Scaevola
Scaevola, also known as fan flower, includes exceptional white varieties that create stunning cascade effects in hanging baskets and containers. These blooms are perfect for full sun and can provide extensive coverage and vibrant impact in your garden.
Plant Scaevola in well-draining soil with regular watering to keep them healthy and blooming profusely. Their long-lasting flowers are adored for their unique shape and are sure to bring interest to your outdoor space.
Torenia (White cultivars)
Torenia, or wishbone flower, offers white cultivars that thrive in full sun; however, they also tolerate partial shade, making them perfect for varied garden conditions. These charming flowers bloom profusely in soft white shades that stand out beautifully against dark green foliage.
These annuals prefer well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Regular deadheading will encourage new blooms, enhancing both the beauty and longevity of their display.
Coreopsis (White annual cultivars)
White annual cultivars of coreopsis bring exuberance and simplicity to sunny spaces. Varieties such as ‘Snowberry’ are perfect for borders or mixed gardens, where they’ll provide cheerful daisy-like blooms set against rich green foliage.
Coreopsis prefers well-drained soil and needs regular watering, especially during dry spells. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage continual flowering, making them an excellent choice for gardens that aim for a long-lasting display.
Ammi Majus
Ammi Majus, or Bishop’s Flower, showcases delicate white blooms reminiscent of lace, making it a breath of fresh air in sunny gardens. These annuals thrive under full sunlight and add wonderful texture and height to any arrangement.
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil and ensure consistent moisture for optimal growth. They will self-seed readily, and their elegant blooms are perfect for both fresh and dried floral arrangements, providing beauty well beyond their flowering period.
