Shade-Tolerant & Water-Demanding Plants With White Flowers

Low-Growers

• If you're looking for a low-growing plant around 12 inches or shorter, consider Lenten rose (Helleborus spp.), such as "Ivory Prince" (Helleborus x hybridus "Walhelivor"), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9. Reaching 12 inches tall, the downward-facing, creamy white flowers bloom in early spring. Another option is lily-of-the-valley (convallaria majalis), which grows in USDA zones 3 through 8. These plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread to 12 inches or more. Small, delicate white flowers bloom in spring on stalks in between the curled, tall foliage.

Interesting Blooms

• If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, a few water- and shade-loving plants have white, textured flowers that will add interest to your shady location. Consider "Black Negligee" snakeroot (Actaea simplex "Black Negligee"), which grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. In autumn, this perennial displays 6-foot bottlebrush spikes of white flowers that tower above the 2-foot dark purple foliage. The feathery flowers of astilbe (Astilbe spp.) soften the look of anywhere they're planted. "Deutschland" (Astilbe x arendsii "Deutschland") is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and displays its white, feathery plumes in summer. This astilbe grows to 12 inches tall with 2-foot-tall flowers. Fingerleaf rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia) is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8 and can reach an impressive 5 feet.

Other Choices

• Large, daisylike white blooms appear in late summer and last through early autumn on "Whirlwind" Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida "Whirlwind"), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. This is a large anemone, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall. Beesia (Beesia deltophylla) is an evergreen groundcover in USDA zones 6 through 8. Unlike the other plants mentioned, beesia doesn't like overly wet feet: keep the soil moist, not soggy, for this dark green perennial with white, star-shaped flowers.

Hostas

• Although some hostas (Hosta spp.) grow well in nearly full-sun locations, they're beloved shade plants that will drink up nearly all the water you can give them. Hostas are a diverse group, as well: There's a hosta out there to fit nearly any shady, wet space you're looking to fill. Some hostas are small, reaching only a few inches tall, while others resemble mounding shrubs. Blue, yellow, green and variegated leaves are all available. White or purple flowers shoot up on tall stalks that tower over the foliage in spring or summer. White-flowered varieties include "Elegans" (Hosta sieboldiana "Elegans") and "Piedmont Gold" (Hosta "Piedmont Gold"), which both grow to 3 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. These two varieties, along with most other hostas, grow in USDA zones 3 through 9.