86 Types of Flowers You Need to Plant in Your Garden

86 Best

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them,” wrote painter Henri Matisse. For many, planting flowers is a way to ensure that they are always easy to see. Flowers bring many joys to human lives, with their vibrant colors, delightful scents, and shapes both elegant and simple as well as intricate and complex. Some types of flowers are particularly good at attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Some have only a short blooming period and others will continue to bloom all season long. If you want to make sure that there are flowers for you to see, check out this list of the 86 best types of flowers you need to plant.

 

Perennials

 

1. Peruvian lily

This beautiful six-petaled flower is originally from South America. They come in several colors including red, orange, purple, and white. Many have streaks of darker colors as well. These are long-lasting lilies.

types of flowers

 

2. Coreopsis

Often called Mango Punch for its mango orange color, this is a low-maintenance flower that is great for attracting butterflies. They typically have a red blush color as well.

types of flowers

 

3. Geum chiloense

Also called Red Dragon for it’s fiery color, this flower will bloom for long periods. This red and orange stunner will attract butterflies.

types of flowers

 

4. Gaillardia x grandiflora

This blanket flower has petals of yellow, orange, and shades of red radiating from a large base. It does best with full sun and is very low maintenance.

types of flowers

 

5. Black-eyed Susan

Part of the sunflower family, this flower goes by a number of names, including brown betty, gloriosa daisy, English bull’s eye, and golden Jerusalem. It’s a large flower with long yellow petals and a black or brown center.

types of flowers

 

6. Jerusalem sage

This shrub has wrinkled green leaves and tubular flowers in a light yellow. The leaves have a sage-like aroma.

types of flowers

 

7. Euphorbia characias wulfenii

This plant features bottlebrush-like yellow-green flowers. The sap can be toxic so it’s important to handle this flower with great care.

types of flowers

 

8. Penstemon

This plant produces long-living flowers in a deep purple. the penstemon is known for attracting bees and hummingbirds.

types of flowers

 

9. Heuchera

Also called Coral Bells, these come in a rainbow of colors and produce large masses of blooms.

types of flowers

 

10. Gaura lindheimeri

Often called Lindheimer’s beeblossom, these are a favorite bloom for the honeybee. These flowers have four pink or white petals and long stamens.

types of flowers

 

11. ‘Moonshine’ yarrow

These fragrant, bright yellow clumps of flowers add a nice burst of color. It’s tolerant to many adverse conditions.

types of flowers

 

12. Pineapple sage

The plant is so named due to the pineapple-like aroma of its tubular red flowers.

types of flowers

 

13. Sedum telephium

This plant has many nicknames, including frog’s-stomach, harping Johnny, life-everlasting, and witch’s moneybags. It features dense heads of reddish or yellowish-white flowers.

types of flowers

 

14. Scarlet Tanager African Daisy

This stunning flower has large scarlet petals. It blooms twice a season.

 

15. Salvia leucantha

Also called Mexican brush sage, this plant grows to be pretty tall. It features white or purple flowers. This is one of the best types of flowers for attracting hummingbirds.

types of flowers

 

16. Veronica

The Veronica flower is also known as speedwell, bird’s eye, and gypsyweed. They are great for ground cover and the flowers come in blue, pink, purple, or white.

types of flowers

 

17. Sea holly

If you want really low maintenance, sea holly is one of the very best types of flowers to plant. The blue and white flowers and silver leaves are very hardy.

types of flowers

 

18. Redbirds in a Tree

The evocative name is a good descriptor, as these flowers really do look like red birds perched on branches.

types of flowers

 

19. Russian Sage

Tall lavender or blue flowers on silver wands make this flower unique. These types of flowers make great borders.

types of flowers

 

20. Miniature Mat Daisy

It’s hard to find more beautiful ground cover than a mat of small daisies.

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21. Asters

Asters add some beautiful vibrancy to a garden, with flowers in shades like pink, purple, blue, and white. This is one of the types of plants that thrives with full sun.

types of flowers

 

22. False goat’s beard

The types of flowers that do well in shade aren’t always the prettiest, but this is an exception. Fluffy plumes of pastel flowers tower above the fern-like leaves.

types of flowers

 

23. Purple Coneflower

This proven performer features a large center cone from which pretty pink-purple petals unfurl.

types of flowers

 

24. Yarrow

Often seen growing in the wild, these types of flowers also look great in a garden. The most common color is white but they grow in a rainbow of shades.

types of flowers

 

25. Peonies

Always a crowd pleaser, peonies don’t bloom for long, but they are glorious while they last. The huge flowers come in a variety of colors.

types of flowers

 

26. Switchgrass

When you think of types of flowers, you usually think of colorful blooms, but there is a need for more neutral plants in a garden as well. This upright grass is attractive in a garden.

types of flowers

 

27. Threadleaf Coreopsis

Also called Threadleaf tickseed, this flower features golden yellow blooms. These types of flowers like sun and can tolerate drought.

types of flowers

 

28. Siberian Iris

These frilly purple blooms are one of the more unique types of flower with their drooping petals.

types of flowers

 

29. Red Devil Perennial Verbena

These types of flowers are great for ground cover. They feature brilliant red blooms.

types of flowers

30. Daffodils

These types of flowers inspire happiness. They feature a trumpet and a ring of petals.

types of flowers

 

31. Tall Garden Phlox

This is one of the more hardy types of flowers. The eye-catching clusters of pink, purple, lavender or white blooms look great in any garden.

types of flowers

 

32. Moss Phlox

Like tall garden phlox, moss phlox is hardy and has beautiful flowers. The difference is that moss phlox is one of the best types of flower for ground cover.

types of flower

 

33. Pincushion Flower

The name is apt as these flowers really look like pincushions. Available in blue, pink, and white, they do best in full sun.

types of flowers

 

34. Sedum

This flower looks good both when in bloom and when not in bloom. Sedum is low maintenance.

types of flowers

 

35. Red Hot Poker

There are few types of flowers with names as evocative as this one. The tubular spikes of flowers really do resemble a hot poker.

types of flower

 

36. Daylily

This stunning flower will thrive in a variety of climates and is available in a variety of colors. When asked what types of flowers are a favorite, many will answer this one.

types of flowers

 

37. Hardy Hibiscus

These large and vibrant blooms do best in full sun.

types of flowers

 

38. Asiatic Lily

This variety of lily is a favorite for many. They bloom earlier than many lilies and the bloom is long-lasting.

types of flowers

 

39. Chrysanthemum

Also called mums, these flowers have multiple layers of radiating petals.They come in several colors.

types flowers

 

40. Hosta

Known mostly for their green and white foliage, these plants also produce tall and delicate white-purple flowers.

types of flowers

 

41. Tiger lily

This fiery orange lily is covered in spots. Its vibrant and unique look makes it one of the most beloved types of flowers.

types of flowers

 

42. Bellflowers

Shaped like delicate bells, these flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.

types of flowers

 

43. Irises

This famous flower is recognizable by its drooping petals. There are several different varieties.

types of flowers

 

Annuals

 

44. Geranium

These types of flowers come in a variety of colors and feature clusters of blooms.

types of flowers

 

45. Marigold

These vibrant and happy flowers come in yellow, orange, or a mix of yellow and orange. In addition to being pretty and smelling good, they’re edible.

types of flowers

 

46. Sweet Alyssum

The best types of flowers provide a function in addition to being beautiful. Sweet alyssum makes great groundcover, looks lovely, and smells divine.

types of flowers

 

47. Zinnia

Available in many colors, these flowers feature large blooms with layers of petals.

types of flowers

 

48. Petunia

These trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors.

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49. Fuchsia

This trailing flower works particularly well in a hanging capacity. They come in combinations of white, red, pink, and purple.

types of flowers

 

50. Impatiens

Impatiens are one of the best types of flowers for shaded areas. They add some tropical flair.

types of flowers

 

51. Lobelia

These delicate blooms stay relatively compact. Available in white, blue, or pink, they prefer sun but can tolerate shade.

types of flowers

 

52. Diamond Frost Euphorbia

This flower has white blooms above green foliage. It prefers partial sun and blooms all year.

types of flowers

 

53. Cosmos

The types of flowers that make people happiest tend to have bold, vibrant colors. The cosmos is a joy-bringing bright yellow.

types of flowers

 

54. Summer Snapdragon

This plant grows upright and features orchid-like blooms on spikes.

types of flowers

 

55. Sunflower

This is a flower everyone can identify, even those without any interest in gardening. The cheery yellow leaves around the large center are iconic.

types of flowers

 

56. Superbells Lemon Slice calibrachoa

This is one of the more unusual types of flowers. The pinwheel pattern of alternating yellow and white is quite striking.

types of flowers

57. Vinca

A perfect flower for ground cover, the vinca has pink, lavender, or red petals in a shape reminiscent of a parasol.

types of flowers

 

58. Begonia

The most common kinds of begonia are wax and tuberous. All begonias feature colorful blooms and do best in shade.

types of flowers

 

59. Scarlet Sage

Native to Brazil, this flower has tubular blooms in a rich scarlet shade and is known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

types of flowers

60. Morning Glory

Vines of these blue, purple, pink, and white flowers can only be fully enjoyed in the morning.

types of flowers

 

61. Cardinal Vine

These climbing vines produce red, pink, or white flowers. The blooms only remain open during the first part of the day.

types of flowers

 

62. Cypress Vine

This is another climbing vine that produces flowers that only remain open for through the afternoon. The red, pink, or white flowers are star-shaped.

types of flowers

 

63. Moonflower

These delicate and aromatic white flowers only open at night.

types of flowers

 

64. Spanish Flag

As the name suggests, these types of flowers feature the colors red and yellow.

types of flowers

 

65. Hyacinth Bean

This vine has long-blooming lavender flowers that end as rich purple seedpods.

types of flowers

 

66. Nasturtium

A climbing vine with red, orange, yellow, apricot, or cream flowers, the edible nasturtium does best in full sun.

types of flowers

 

67. Scarlet Runner Bean

The red-orange blooms on this quickly growing vine offer beauty and attract hummingbirds.

types of flowers

 

68. Sweet Pea

The delicate beauty of the sweat pea is just part of their allure. They are also incredibly fragrant.

types of flowers

 

69. Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Like the perennial black-eyed Susan, the black-eyed susan vine features yellow flowers around a dark center.

types of flowers

 

70. Cup and Saucer Vine

On this delightful flower, the blooms begin as white and eventually mature to a purple. The shape is cup-like and the vines can grow to a great height.

types of flowers

 

71. Lantana

Small clusters of flowers in various colors make the Lantana particularly attractive to butterflies.

types of flowers

 

72. Million Bells

In the nightshade family, million bells look similar to petunias. They are easy to care for. Though an exaggeration, the name signifies how abundantly they bloom.

types of flowers

 

73. Moss rose

Not truly a rose, moss rose offers a blanket of green and a wealth of colorful blooms. The flowers come shades like orange, pink, purple, and yellow.

types of flowers

 

74. Pentas

These are often called Egyptian stars, due to their five-pointed shape. Typically found in red, pink, and white, and they are quite easy to grow.

types of flowers

 

75. Profusion zinnia

This series of zinnia is known for producing an abundance of blooms. These are available in a variety of colors and will bloom throughout the season.

types of flowers

 

76. Scarlet sage

Tubular flowers in a deep scarlet red make this flower a stunner. These types of flowers are really a jewel of summer.

types of flowers

 

77. Spider flower

A nickname for cleomes, this flower features long leaves that look somewhat like the legs of some spiders. The pink, lilac, or white blooms are large and have intricate designs.

types of flowers

 

78. Flower-of-an-hour

This variety of hibiscus is so named because it blooms only once and only for a few hours. The brevity makes its beauty all the more precious.

types of flowers

 

79. South African foxglove

This exotic plant features clusters of graceful, drooping blooms. The elegant bloom is white with a hint of lavender.

types of flowers

 

80. Tassel flower

These types of flowers feature bright orange pompoms of blooms. This unique flower adds a whimsical touch to a garden.

types of flowers

 

81. Honeywort

This is one of the types of flowers best known for its pleasant scent. The tubular flower is dark blue and rather unusual looking but it can add a nice touch of contrast.

types of flowers

 

82. Flowering tobacco

Another one of the types of flowers that are known for attracting hummingbirds, flowering tobacco features star-shaped blooms in a variety of colors.

types of flowers

 

83. Creeping zinnia

This flower is perfect for creating a mat of blooming ground cover. The orange or white petals spiral out from a large center button.

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84. Annual clary sage

Available in white, pink, or purple, always with darker streaks, this flower is unique and elegant. It stays in bloom for a long time and it is known for attracting butterflies.

types of flowers

 

85. Castor beans

Although the plant can be toxic, its beauty makes it worth planting as long as you handle it with care. The shrubs have large leaves in dark greens and purples and clusters of small, cup-shaped flowers.

types of flowers

 

86. Sunset hibiscus

This plant is known for its large yellow flowers. The five petals unfurl from a dark red eye.

types of flowers

 

We hope this list helps you plan your flower garden. These 86 types of flowers are really just a starting point, as there are many more flower species to choose from. Do you have a favorite flower on this list?

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