Plant(s) of the Month: The Whites (May 2026)

A blue sky has appeared, white clouds are in retreat and the white flower clusters are glowing in the bright sunshine, after two days of rain.

Outside my window, Matthiola perennis ‘Alba’, the white scented stock, is soaking up the warmth of the sun. Classed as a short-lived perennial, this cluster is most likely 6-7 years old now, with grey-green foliage and flower clusters sitting atop tall, 3 foot, woody stems. Wonderfully perfumed, preferring shelter, full sun, good drainage and poor soil.

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane) is, I have noticed, extremely popular at our plant sales, where they are very much sought after, as this is a plant that immediately softens edges and steps in newly-landscaped gardens and naturally overflows in planted containers. Its small, daisy-like flowers, white-turning-pink are on show for eight months of the year, providing an harmonious, cottage-garden quality to any garden for a long period of time. I wouldn’t be without it!

This year I have a swathe of Hesperis matronalis (sweet rocket), mostly white, some with a blush of mauve and an occasional mauve one and all of them charming. Generally classed as biennial but I notice more and more are now short-lived perennials. Sweetly-scented and important component for late-spring gardens.

My one-metre high Cistus (variety unknown) is looking very nice at the moment, the shrub covered in white, delicate, papery-like flowers. Each of the petals has a maroon blotch at its base, thus making it a very handsome specimen to have in a border, where there is space for it to spread and be admired.

Anna L