Did you know there are over 400,000 plant species across the world? In other words, that’s more than the number of bird, butterfly and bee species, combined! While many flowers grow naturally in forests, grasslands, deserts and tundras, growing your own garden or picking up some unique flowers is a great way to create your own oasis.
How do you pick the right type of flowers for your needs? With literally hundreds of thousands to choose from, it can be overwhelming! That’s why we’ve compiled our handy guide below of 151 Most Common Flower Types in the U.S. Wondering how much sun or soil your flower will need? Where it grows best? How to make a fabulous flower bouquet for your indoor table? Scroll through our alphabetical list of flower names and gardening information to find your perfect bloom!
Aconite
Aconites are one of the first bulb flowers to bloom in the spring and are known for their cheerful yellow color. Plant Aconites in a large group together and you’ll be able to smell their sweet, honey-like fragrance.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 9
Height
0.25 – 0.5 feet
Blooms in
Early Spring
Features
Deer resistant
Ageratum
Also known as Flossflower, Ageratums come in blue, pink and white blooms. The taller varieties are best for cutting and displaying in your home, while the dwarf bedding varieties are best kept in the garden.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
5 – 9
Height
0.5 – 2 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Allium
here are five varieties of the Allium, known primarily for their tall stems and large, spherical heads. Blooms are typically violet, but blue and pink varieties can also be found.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 10
Height
1 – 6 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Mid-Summer
Features
Good for cut flowers
Anemone
The Anemone includes 120 species of flowers, but the most common types found in North America come in white, pink or violet hues. The Anemone is dainty and doesn’t grow well during summer droughts, overly wet winters or high winds.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained, High fertility
Zones
3 – 9
Height
2.5 – 5 feet
Blooms in
Mid Spring – Mid-Fall
Features
Deer resistant
Angelica
Commonly found in tea and herbal remedies, the stem of the Angelica can even be made into candy. With over 50 species, the Angelica is also good for bees and other pollinators. Known for their large starburst flowers, it comes in white or green.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained, High fertility
Zones
4 – 9
Height
3 – 6 feet
Blooms in
Summer
Features
Deer resistant
Angelonia
Especially good for container gardening, the Angelonia will keep blooming all summer even if old flowers are removed. Once tall enough to cut, bring them inside and you’ll notice a light scent that some say is reminiscent of apples.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Damp
Zones
9 – 11
Height
2 – 3 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Tolerates heat
Artemisia
For those seeking a drought tolerant plant that doesn’t make your yard look like a dessert, the Artemisia is for you. Tolerating low amounts of water, you can create a diverse xeriscape with this silvery flower.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
6 – 8
Height
2 – 3 feet
Blooms in
Late Summer
Features
Non-invasive
Aster
Named after the Latin word for “star,” Asters will brighten up any garden. It attracts butterflies and comes in a variety of colors including blue, indigo, violet, white, red and pink. Unlike other colorful flowers, Asters will typically stay in bloom into cooler fall months.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 8
Height
0.25 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Astilbe
Astilbes are deceptively delicate with their long, fern-like flowers. These flowers can actually withstand damp soil and shade, while still growing between one to six feet tall. Perfect to add for a pop of color to a garden that typically gets little sunlight.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained, High fertility
Zones
4 – 9
Height
1.5 – 6 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Fall
Features
Good for cut flowers
Aubrieta
Named after Claude Aubriet, a French artist who famously painted them, Aubrietas spread low with small violet, pink or white flowers. If you’re creating a rock garden, Aubrietas are ideal as it prefers sandy, well-drained soil.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained, High fertility
Zones
4 – 9
Height
0.5 – 0.75 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Spring – Early Summer
Features
Non-invasive
Azalea
Often referred to as “the royalty of the garden,” these elegant flowers are known for their outstanding colors and foliage. With thousands of varieties to choose from, Azaleas require little maintenance once planted and can be brought inside to make a fabulous bouquet.
Sun Needs
Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 6
Height
3 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Spring
Features
Good for cut flowers
Balloon Flower
Balloon flowers start as hollow buds and, as it grows, eventually bursts open into a star-shaped flower. In addition to its beauty, Balloon flowers are resilient in the garden and can handle varying sunlight, water and soil.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 9
Height
2.5 – 3.5 feet
Blooms in
Summer
Features
Deer resistant
Balsam
Bring the tropics to your garden with a Balsam plant. Easy to care for, it thrives in shadier spots, can tolerate heat and handle damp soil. Flowers come in almost every color of the rainbow, including red, orange, yellow, violet, white and pink.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 7
Height
1 – 2.5 feet
Blooms in
Early Summer – Mid-Fall
Features
Tolerates heat
Baneberry
Perfect for cool, shaded spots, the Baneberry brings a holiday-inspired look to your garden. Before the Baneberry bears ornamental fruit, it features small white flowers. Beware though, the little red berries found on the plant are poisonous to eat!
Sun Needs
Partial Shade?/?Full Shade
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
3 – 9
Height
1.5 – 3.5 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring
Features
Non-invasive
Basket of Gold
With bright yellow, low-growing flowers, no wonder where the Basket of Gold got its name. Given its short height and golden color, this makes for a perfect addition to a rock garden or xeriscape.
Sun Needs
Full Sun
Soil Needs
Well-drained
Zones
4 – 8
Height
0.5 – 0.75 feet
Blooms in
Late Spring – Early Summer
Features
Deer resistant
Bee Balm
With the name Bee balm, this ornamental flower attracts not only bees, but hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators. Bee balms are highly valued for their deep scarlet color, but also come in blue, violet, white and pink.
Sun Needs
Full Sun?/?Partial Shade
Soil Needs
Damp
Zones
4 – 9
Height
2 – 4 feet
Blooms in
Mid-Summer – Late Summer
Features
Attracts bees, butterflies
Begonia
Known for their attractive blooms, the Begonia is a timeless favorite among gardeners. Consisting of more than 1,700 specie, Begonias also make for good indoor plants if kept by a sunny window and watered regularly.