Flowers are a great addition to any garden, patio, or balcony. Whether you choose beautiful red Tulips, colourful Lupins or other flowers, different types of flowering plants can help you create your dream outdoor oasis. In this guide, we’ll explore 25 popular types of flowers for your garden.
How Many Types Of Flowers Are There?
It is estimated that there are more than 400,000 different types of flowers worldwide, although various sources give different numbers. These types of flowers vary in size, shape, colour, and habitat. From the beautiful Asters to the elegant Nerines. This incredible variety ensures that you will always be able to find one or more beautiful varieties that are suitable for your outdoor space.
What Are The Different Categories Of Flowers?
Broadly speaking, flowers can be classified into the following categories:
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Annuals: Annuals complete their lifecycle in one season, from germination to seed production. You have to plant new ones every year to get the same effect.
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Biennials: Biennials complete their lifecycle in two seasons. In the first year, the plants grow roots, leaves and stems, and in the second year, the plants flower and produce seeds.
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Perennials: Perennials come back every year once you have planted them. These plants take longer to establish, but often become fuller and more vibrant over time. Some perennial plants naturalise, which means they multiply.
What Are The Most Common Types Of Flowers?
Some of the most common types of flowers seen include:
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Tulip
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Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath)
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Peony
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Ranunculus
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Calla Lily
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Iris
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Daffodil
25 Different Types Of Flowers: A List
With more than 400,000 different types of flowers, it is impossible to look at every single one of them. Therefore, we have listed the 25 most popular types of flowers that are perfect for your garden.
1. Peony
Peonies (Paeonia Officinalis) are colourful flowers native to Eurasia, northwest Africa, and western North America. These long-lasting perennials come in various colours, from cream to pastel pink. Peonies are popular with gardeners because they add a lot of colour to your garden.
2. Tulip
With over 3,000 registered varieties and 150 species, Tulips are among the world's most popular garden flowers. This plant is available in a wide range of beautiful colours, from the more familiar red and yellow flowers to newcomers, such as ice cream and rainbow. Tulips are also easy to grow and take care of.
3. Lily
Lilies are strongly herbaceous flowering plants with large, prominent flowers. The petals come in various colours and types, from double white petals to orange ones with long stamens. Asiatic Lilies bloom in early to mid-summer, while Oriental Lilies bloom in mid to late summer.
4. Dahlia
A summer garden is not complete without Dahlias. Dahlias grow from a tuber into a beautiful plant. Whether you choose the Anemone Flowering Dahlia or the Pompom Dahlia, they will add a splash of colour to your outdoor space. Dahlias are easy to grow, but you need to store the tubers over winter if you are living in a cold climate.
5. Daffodil
Daffodils are one of the easiest flower bulbs to grow. You plant the bulbs in the autumn, and nature does the rest (depending on the circumstances). These iconic flowers, with their white to yellow petals, welcome the longer and warmer spring days after a dark and cold winter.
6. Iris
Named after the Greek word for rainbow, Irises have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. This flower is well-known for its sword-like leaves, which come in several colours, from baby blue to bronze-brown. Bearded Irises and Siberian Irises are popular varieties to consider for your garden.
7. Calla lily
With Calla Lilies (not related to the Lily family), you bring elegance and beauty to your garden. Their elegant, funnel-shaped flowers make them a favourite in many gardens. Whether you choose the Calla Lily Captain Odeon with its dark orange blooms or the Calla Lily Macau with deep-purple flowers.
8. Begonia
Another favourite flower type is the Begonia. Begonia flowers are native to tropical and subtropical regions and are perfect additions to borders, containers and hanging baskets. The Begonia Ruffled Pink, for example, has large, fully double, soft pink blooms, while the Begonia Boliviensis San Francisco has bright salmon-orange, bell-shaped flowers.
9. Hyacinth
Do you want to add some fragrance to your garden? Hyacinths are the fragrant flowers you are looking for. This is not only for humans, but also for pollinators like bees and butterflies. The compact size makes the Hyacinth plant ideal for borders, pots and containers, indoors or outdoors. Choose from colours such as beetroot purple or go for sparkling blue.
10. Geranium
Geraniums (Cranesbills) are widely appreciated in the gardening world. Why? Geraniums are hardy, easy to take care of, and charming. Perfect for a cottage garden. Take the Geranium Double Jewel, for example, with its unique and distinctive white flowers. Looking for something smaller? Geranium Versicolor is a great choice.
11. Gladiolus
One of the most elegant flowers is the Gladiolus. This showy flower has a long stem with multiple blooms. From pale pink flowers with striking darker pink markings to a combination of rich purple and creamy yellow. Depending on the variety, Gladiolus can grow to 61 to 183 cm (2 to 6 feet).
12. Ranunculus
If you want to add a touch of romance to your garden, Ranunculus is an excellent choice. The paper-thin double-layered petals are available in different bright colours, giving the plant a rose-like appearance. Ranunculus is a perfect choice if you are looking for wedding flowers for bridal bouquets or other floral arrangements.
13. Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are elegant, late-season perennials that bloom from late summer into autumn. They thrive in partial shade and add soft colours to any landscape, from cottage gardens to woodland settings. If you cannot decide between colours, DutchGrown has a wonderful mix: Japanese Anemone Mix.
14. Aster
Asters are Daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer and autumn. They add colour to borders and cottage gardens, in shades from violet-blue to pale pink. Asters are easy to grow and maintain, attract bees and butterflies, and add life and movement to your outdoor space.
15. Delphinium
Delphiniums (Larkspurs) are a perfect choice for gardeners of all levels. The flowers are easy to care for and will return year after year with proper care. They are known for their tall spikes of showy, brightly coloured petals. Delphinium Highlander Rainbow Sensation, for example, has soft hues of pink, lilac and creamy yellow.
16. Allium
During the late 1800s, Allium caught the attention of botanists and horticulturists. Nowadays, it has become a favourite flower for modern gardens. The large, spherical flowers on tall stems are often purple, but Alliums also come in white, pink, blue, and yellow. Allium Ambassador, for example, grows during late spring/early summer.
17. Astilbe
Zoom in on Astilbes and you will see tiny, densely packed flowers in colours such as red, soft pink and white. Astilbes' long-lasting, large, fluffy, feathery plumes bloom throughout the summer, attracting butterflies and pollinators. It's the perfect plant to create a stunning visual contrast and lush texture in your landscape.
18. Crocus
Crocuses may be small flowers, but they have a powerful message: spring is coming. These flowers bloom in late winter/early spring and add a welcome splash of colour to your spring garden after a dark, cold winter, from purple to yellow. Crocus is also a pollinator magnet and naturalises well.
19. Phlox
Phlox is a charming and versatile perennial plant known for its vibrant and abundant flowers. This plant is available in a range of varieties, from tall perennials to ground-covering types. Phlox is a robust and easy-to-grow plant, making it a great addition to several landscapes.
20. Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria, or Peruvian Lilies, are native to South America and symbolise friendship, wealth, and devotion. The flowers come in stunning colours, such as pink and orange. At DutchGrown, you can find the Alstroemeria Majestic Mix. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners who can’t decide between colours.
21. Agapanthus
Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) is native to South Africa. It is known for its funnel-shaped flower clusters, ranging in colour from deep violet and blue to white and sometimes pink. They are perfect for ornamental gardens and as a cut flower, thanks to their long-lasting flowers and ability to add vertical interest.
22. Campanula
Campanula is a popular flower with bell, cup or star-shaped flowers. That's why it's also known as the 'bellflower'. Available in a variety of heights and colours (around 300 varieties), Campanula adds a touch of charm to any outdoor setting, from a border to a floral display.
23. Liatris
Liatris (Blazing Star) has unique flower spikes that attract butterflies and pollinators. This plant is easy to care for and adds vertical interest to any garden. Plant Liatris in full sun in well-drained soil for optimum growth and flower production.
24. Gypsophila
Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) is a very popular choice for flower arrangements, especially for wedding bouquets. But it will also take your garden to the next level. This plant has slender stems and a profusion of tiny, star-shaped flowers. Gypsophila can flower from late spring to late summer, depending on the variety.
25. Eryngium
Finally, Eryngium (Sea Holly) is another popular type of flower for your garden. This plant has thistle-like blue or silver flowers and spiny-toothed leaves. Eryngium is drought tolerant, making it the perfect flowering plant for dry soil and seaside gardens where other plants might struggle.
Discover The Wide Collection Of Different Types Of Flowers At DutchGrown
With this guide, you have discovered 25 popular types of flowers for your outdoor space, from colourful Peonies to the special Eryngium. And the best thing is that you can find them all at DutchGrown. We offer you a wide collection of high-quality flowers you can plant and let grow in your garden. Discover our autumn-planting flowers and spring-planting bloomers now and get started. We ship from Holland to all over the UK.
