The Beauty of White

White gardens have a special kind of charm. They feel calm, fresh, and a little bit magical—like a quiet pause in the middle of a busy day. If you’re looking for a simple way to bring some peace and light into your garden, white might be just the thing.

THE FIRST WHITE GARDEN
Many credit Vita Sackville-West with creating the first true “white garden” at Sissinghurst Castle in 1932. Her design was bold for its time: beds overflowing with white blooms set against a backdrop of silver and gray foliage, all enclosed by tall, sheltering hedges. Did the magic of the white garden start there? Perhaps. But whether or not Sissinghurst was the very first, its influence is undeniable—generations of gardeners have been captivated by the purity and quiet drama of this timeless theme. (If you’d like to learn more, I recommend reading The White Garden.)

WHITE SYMBOLISM

Much like a blank canvas, white symbolizes a fresh start. It suggests simplicity, elegance, and optimism all at once. If you enjoy soft, serene spaces, a white palette can transform your garden into a calm retreat. And if you’re drawn to something more striking, white has a way of sharpening and amplifying other colors around it.

Because white reflects light, it can brighten shady corners and open up smaller spaces, creating a luminous, airy atmosphere that changes beautifully throughout the day. Used throughout a garden, white also fosters unity by bringing together a variety of textures and plant forms into a harmonious whole.

Here are a few ways to think about white in your garden:

Simplicity: Create a mixed border of white flowers, silvery foliage, and lush green plants. Rather than shouting for attention, this kind of planting invites you to slow down and appreciate the details—the texture of leaves, the shape of blooms, the play of light.

Elegance: Pair white blooms with white-painted structures like a pergola, trellis, or bench. Add soft white twinkle lights and a few silver-leaved plants, and the entire space will glow—especially in the evening.

Optimism: White doesn’t always have to stand alone. Try weaving white flowers into beds of bold colors like red, purple, or pink. Against a clean white backdrop, these hues feel brighter and more joyful—almost like they’re singing.

White gardens have this amazing way of feeling both fresh and timeless. Whether you go all-white for a calm, peaceful vibe or mix in some bold colors for a pop, white always brings a little extra light and harmony to the space. Give it a try in your garden—you might be surprised how something so simple can make such a big impact.

WHITE GARDEN INSPIRATION

Find some lovely white flowering plants in your zone using the Monrovia Nursery Plantfinder, then include elements such as furniture, garden structures and other decor to bring this relaxing color into your garden.

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