Striking White Annual Flowers

'Coconut Ice' is a relatively new sunflower variety with creamy vanilla-white petals that transition to white at the tips. One flower is produced per stem on plants that grow 4 to 5 feet high. The black centers make a bold contrast to the blossoms, measuring 4 to 8 inches across.

Datura is, um, quite a trip. One of this flower’s common names, jimsonweed, comes from “Jamestown weed” — a reference to Revolutionary War soldiers who foraged this plant for food and suffered wild hallucinations. Also used in manhood iniation rites among American Indian tribes, this plant has potent narcotic qualities, so don’t sample it at home. But do consider adding it to your garden, where its night-opening blooms attract sphinx moths and other pollinators.

The hare's tail is a compact, annual grass with pale green leaves and fluffy, hairy seedheads. Sow in groups of drifts in spring. Lagurus ovatus; A compact, annual grass with pale green leaves and fluffy, hairy seedheads. Sow in groups or drifts in spring. H 20 in (50 cm); S 12 in (30 cm).

Senecio cineraria 'Silver Dust' is a tender perennial usually grown as an annual. It has deeply lobed, silver felt like leaves and in summer, bears yellow, daisy like flowers.