20 Beautiful Types Of White Flower Ground Cover Plants That Spread Quickly
While newly planted trees and shrubs can bring beauty and structure to your garden, there’s often a missing element that can take them to the next level: a lush layer of ground cover plants. Not only do these low-growing beauties add color and texture, but they also serve a practical purpose by suppressing weeds and minimizing maintenance.
In this article, we’ll dive into 20 stunning species of ground covers that produce white flowers, offering a wealth of options to complement your existing landscaping.
Key Takeaways
One of the most striking aspects of white flower ground cover plants is their compact nature, with many species reaching no more than a foot in height. Another characteristic that will become apparent as you delve into this list is their remarkable ability to spread rapidly, often forming dense mats of foliage. In terms of their growth habits, white flower ground covers can be either deciduous or evergreen, offering varying degrees of year-round interest.
Furthermore, some popular cultivars have been developed from these species, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of these plants. Perhaps most notably, however, white flower ground covers are renowned for their exceptional ability to suppress weed growth, making them a valuable asset in any garden setting.
20 Stunning White Flower Ground Cover Plants to Complete Your Planting Beds
Bishop Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)
Bishop weed, a stunning ground cover with delicate white blooms, is often overlooked in favor of more exotic options. But don’t be fooled – this versatile plant has a lot to offer. While it may thrive in natural areas, bishop weed can also be a great choice for gardeners looking to add some low-maintenance beauty to their outdoor spaces.
One of its greatest strengths is its compact stature, reaching only about half a foot to one foot tall, making it an excellent option for smaller gardens or areas where you don’t want the foliage to overwhelm. Atop this petite plant, you’ll find clusters of tiny white flowers that resemble miniature bouquets, adding a touch of elegance to any setting.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
One of the most fascinating aspects of the candytuft plant is its remarkable adaptability. Its growth habit can change significantly depending on the climate and environment where it’s grown. In warmer regions, the candytuft tends to develop an evergreen quality, becoming a more woody plant over time. Conversely, in colder climates, it behaves as a perennial ground cover, dying back during winter only to regrow anew come spring.
A constant thread throughout is its annual production of rounded clusters of white flowers, a delightful harbinger of spring.
Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
While many plants take center stage, others often go unnoticed despite their unique qualities and benefits. The creeping dogwood is one such example, frequently overshadowed by its more popular relatives, the flowering dogwood and kousa dogwoods. However, this underrated native ground cover has a lot to offer, boasting lovely leaves, showy flowers with large white bracts, and an equally impressive display of colorful fruit that follows the blooms.
Creeping Mazus (Mazus pumilus)
While instant gratification may not be feasible with ground cover plants, there are many species that exhibit rapid growth. Among these, the creeping mazus stands out for its impressive spreading abilities and remarkable resilience. Native to Asia, this plant has been known to colonize abandoned areas without deliberate planting, a testament to its adaptability.
Moreover, the creeping mazus boasts charming white and light purple flowers, adding an extra layer of appeal to its already impressive characteristics.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping phlox is a stunning option for anyone seeking a vibrant pop of color during early spring. This flowering groundcover is characterized by its blanket-like coverage of blooms, creating a beautiful and harmonious landscape. While white flowers are one possibility, creeping phlox also comes in pink and purple hues, offering flexibility to suit individual tastes. Regardless of the color choice, this versatile plant adds a wealth of interest to the early spring garden.
For an especially striking display, combine multiple colors of creeping phlox in a single planting scheme, where their contrasting shades will create a visually stunning effect.
Creeping White Thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’)
While thyme is commonly used in cooking, its producing plant also has ornamental value as a ground cover. When grown, creeping thyme spreads along the ground, filling gaps between pavers or other plants in your garden bed, and releasing a pleasant scent into the air. Notably, many varieties of creeping thyme produce purple flowers, but if you’re looking for white blooms, opt for the cultivated variety known as Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’.
Crocus (Crocus)
Crocus plants burst forth from the earth with their unique cup-shaped blooms, showcasing a range of colors including white. Although these diminutive flowers may not provide comprehensive ground coverage and have a relatively short lifespan, they play a vital role in adding color to the landscape during the early spring period when other plants are still dormant.
Moreover, their arrival serves as a reassuring harbinger of the seasons change, offering a sweet reminder that spring is just around the corner.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
The lily of the valley’s delicate white blooms are characterized by their bell-shaped petals, which dangle downwards from slender stems that rise vertically before curving sharply towards the ground. This understated beauty is framed by the plant’s lush, deep green foliage – large, pointed ovals that stand upright like sentinels. As a native of both North America and Eurasia, lily of the valley has spread its roots far and wide.
Its natural tendency to spread easily means it typically reaches a modest height of around six inches, making it an unassuming yet charming addition to any garden or landscape.
Myrtle (Vinca minor ‘Alba’)
Myrtle is a stalwart and dependable choice for broad-leaved evergreen enthusiasts. Its glossy green leaves, shaped like ovals, maintain their vibrancy throughout the seasons. Spring brings an added bonus – pinwheel-shaped flowers that are often a deep purple hue. But for those seeking a more elegant display, Vinca minor ‘Alba’ offers an annual guarantee of pure white blooms.
Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)
Pachysandra’s widespread use in residential landscaping can be attributed to its dependable characteristics. Its evergreen foliage remains dense throughout the year, providing consistent coverage. Notably, this plant spreads rapidly without compromising on density, making it an excellent choice for groundcovers. Moreover, Pachysandra produces small white flowers with a unique cylindrical shape and fuzzy texture, adding visual appeal to the landscape.
Furthermore, this versatile plant is adept at thriving in low-light conditions, ensuring its survival even in areas with limited sunlight.
Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
While it’s unusual for snowfall to occur during the summer months, the Snowfall in Summer ground cover creates a unique winter wonderland-like appearance even in the hottest season. This sprawling plant forms small rounded mounds that can reach up to 12 inches tall and wide, featuring clusters of pure white flowers in the summer. The stems and leaves are light green with subtle hints of white, which adds to its snow-covered effect.
As a result, this ground cover transforms any outdoor space into a breathtaking winter scene, complete with blooming white flowers that evoke the magic of freshly fallen snow.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
For those who tend to their gardens, selecting the right plants can be a daunting task. One of the most significant hurdles to overcome is the limited availability of sunlight. However, there are a few remarkable ground cover options that can thrive in shaded areas. A prime example is sweet woodruff, which not only tolerates partial to full shade but also exhibits an impressive level of adaptability when it comes to soil types.
This resilient plant can grow well in acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils alike, while simultaneously producing beautiful white blooms and delicate foliage, adding a touch of elegance to your garden.
White Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Alba’)
When seeking a low-maintenance ground cover that can withstand occasional foot traffic and still boast stunning visuals, ajuga is an exceptional choice. This versatile plant exhibits rapid spreading when conditions are favorable, making it an ideal solution for areas in need of coverage. Moreover, ajuga’s resilience allows it to thrive even when occasionally traversed. The purple-tinged hue of its flowers and leaves adds a pop of color to the surrounding environment.
However, if you’re seeking a more subtle appearance, white ajuga is another popular variant that boasts pure white blooms. This variety is not only aesthetically pleasing but also remarkably easy to care for, provided it receives the suitable growing conditions it prefers.
White Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
White bloodroot, also known as Indian paint, bloodwort, or simply bloodroot, is a low-maintenance ground cover that boasts striking flowers. Its blooms feature substantial petals surrounding a radiant yellow center, scattering across the ground like tiny stars. The leaves of this plant are equally impressive, with their vibrant green hue and one-of-a-kind shape. When growing in its natural habitat, white bloodroot thrives in moist woodland environments, where it’s often found.
To replicate these conditions in your own yard, aim to create a similar atmosphere by incorporating plenty of moisture into the soil.
White Campanula (Campanula betulifolia)
The white campanula takes the stage with its impressive blooms, surpassing the showiness of the white bloodroot’s flowers. This perennial ground cover is characterized by large, cup-shaped flowers that emerge in abundance. Each bloom features a striking yellow reproductive structure at its center, providing a delightful contrast. Notably, the white campanula grows slightly taller than some of its counterparts on our list, typically reaching over a foot in height.
Despite its vertical stature, it still provides an impressive horizontal spread, making it a versatile addition to any garden.
White Ground Cover Rose (Rosa ‘Flower Carpet White’)
While many people are familiar with traditional shrub roses featuring red or pink blooms, there’s a world of variety beyond these popular forms. In fact, roses can grow in an array of shapes and sizes, including vining varieties that sprawl across surfaces and miniature tree-like specimens that add a touch of elegance to any landscape. But what about the ground cover type?
One notable example is the white ground cover rose, which exhibits a unique creeping habit, effortlessly blanketing areas with its delicate white blooms, evoking a sense of understated sophistication.
White Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica)
As the white rock cress grows and spreads unchecked, it will ultimately form a vast expanse of pure white blooms. Yet, in our enthusiasm for this showy display, we must not overlook the intrinsic beauty of each individual flower. Each delicate bloom boasts four snow-white petals that elegantly encircle a bright yellow center, suspended from slender stems that rise just above the foliage. This lush greenery provides a natural ground cover, adding to the plant’s overall charm.
White Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’)
While some plants on our list boast stunning white blooms, their foliage colors often lack the same level of visual appeal. However, the white spotted deadnettle presents an exception to this rule. Not only does it feature beautiful white flowers, but its leaves also offer a unique and eye-catching combination of green and white hues. Each leaf has a distinctive triangular shape and a predominantly green color with a striking white tint that sets them apart from other foliage in your garden.
White Stonecrop Sedum (Sedum album)
Stonecrop sedum plants have earned a reputation for their remarkable resilience. They can thrive in environments that would be challenging or even hostile to many other plants. Their ability to withstand dry soils with limited nutrients is impressive, and they seem to revel in full sunlight. The white flowers that bloom on these plants are a lovely bonus. What’s more, stonecrop sedum has natural defenses against pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
As long as you avoid planting them in areas prone to waterlogging, this hardy species will continue to flourish year after year.
White Veronica (Veronica longifolia ‘Vernique White’)
Standing apart from the rest, the white veronica plant boasts an extraordinary stature, with the majority of its impressive height stemming from its showy, spike-like flowers. These pristine blooms, characteristic of the ‘Veronique White’ cultivar, stretch towards the sky like a beacon, imparting a sense of drama to the surrounding landscape.
If you’re seeking a groundcover that not only adds visual interest at floor level but also commands attention among other plants, then the white veronica is an exemplary choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Flower Ground Cover Plants
What is the Fastest Growing Flowering Ground Cover?
While it’s challenging to pinpoint a single ground cover as the fastest-growing, there are numerous options that excel in terms of speed. Many individuals favor these rapid growers due to their ability to quickly blanket large areas. Nevertheless, this characteristic also presents some drawbacks, including increased maintenance and control challenges.
On one hand, you can cultivate fast-germinating ground covers like myrtle, phlox, thyme, and sweet woodruff, among several others, for a lush landscape.
What is the Best Ground Cover to Prevent Weeds?
One of the most significant advantages of ground cover plants is their ability to suppress unwanted vegetation in your garden. This is achieved by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds, thereby preventing germination. The denser the foliage of the ground cover, the more effective it will be at suppressing weeds. Notable examples of excellent weed-suppressing ground covers include creeping phlox, thyme, ajuga, sweet woodruff, and pachysandra.
By choosing these types of plants for your garden, you can enjoy a low-maintenance, weed-free environment.
What is the Toughest Ground Cover?
Ground cover plants are often both visually stunning and remarkably resilient, with some species capable of withstanding incredible amounts of wear and tear. A prime example is the white ajuga plant, whose durability allows it to be walked upon without sustaining any damage. Another remarkable ground cover is sedum, which boasts a different kind of toughness.
Unlike ajuga, sedum’s resilience stems from its ability to thrive in challenging growing conditions – a testament to its hardiness and capacity to adapt, allowing it to flourish even in areas where other plants might struggle or fail.
What is the Fastest-Growing Evergreen Ground Cover?
Ornamental evergreen ground covers like creeping thyme, pachysandra, and myrtle boast impressive growth rates, rapidly covering areas of your garden with lush foliage. The key advantage of fast-growing ground covers is their ability to fill gaps quickly, eliminating the need for winterized maintenance. In contrast, evergreen varieties ensure year-round coverage, leaving no room for bare patches or unsightly winter views.
What is the Fastest-Growing Ground Cover for Shade?
When it comes to finding ground covers that can thrive in shade conditions, there’s good news: several options exist that are well-suited for low-light environments. Two exemplary species are pachysandra and sweet woodruff, both of which exhibit dense foliage and evergreen characteristics. These plants not only tolerate partial shade but also full shade, with their growth rates remaining relatively unaffected. This adaptability makes them ideal choices for shaded areas.
As interest in these flowering ground covers grows, so too do the number of questions surrounding them. To provide insight into this intriguing plant group, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked queries below.
20 Effective Types of White Flower Ground Cover Plants that Fully Cover Your Garden Floor
Despite their compact size, white flower ground covers possess an undeniable allure, rivaling the beauty of more sprawling plants. The various forms these plants take share a common characteristic: radiant white blooms that add visual appeal to any landscape. Once you’ve selected the perfect specimen for your garden, it will rapidly spread across the ground, showering your space with stunning flowers.