An A-Z List Of 46 Popular Flower Types – How Many Have You Heard Of?

By JONATHAN SWEET / Updated October 9th, 2024
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY / Meets Our Editorial Guidelines
Contributions From ALAN TITCHMARSH MBE , JINNY BLOM

Have you ever been stumped as to the name of a particular flower in your garden or around your home?

This alphabetical list of the most popular flower names from across the UK should help to set you right.

Poets such as William Wordsworth, Bill Shakespeare and Samuel Taylor Coleridge have all but exhausted the English language extolling the virtues of a garden in full bloom.

But all their words would be for nothing without the names by which we identify these handsome horticultural specimens.

It makes sense, then, for any green-fingered devotee to learn the names of the floral beauties which catch their eyes.

Not only does it greatly facilitate finding new additions to your outdoor display, but it also provides you with the vocabulary necessary to boast about them to your friends, neighbours and anyone else who will listen.

“Where do I start when picking my favourite plant?” asks Gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

“Japanese maples, peonies, old-fashioned roses, hostas, ferns and scented-leaved pelargoniums are all up there!”

Without further ado, then, here’s a rundown of some of the most popular flower names from across the British Isles, with their botanical names included for an additional frisson of informational intrigue.

African Lily

Variously known as Lily of the Nile, African Lily or Agapanthus, this stunning flower comes in a variety of sizes and colours.

Its versatility makes it an excellent addition to a border or container, while some strains are even evergreen.

Bellflower

As the name suggests, most bellflower varieties adopt a bell-shaped structure, though there are some which resemble flattened stars when in full bloom.

They’re easy to grow and available in a range of hues, making them a popular choice across the country.

Bergamot

Easily distinguishable by its unique curving petals that grow tendril-like from the central flowerhead, bergamot has aromatic foliage that is often picked for use as potpourri.

It enjoys an exceptionally long flowering season when deadheaded regularly, making it a great choice for an extended display.

Bird Of Paradise

The eye-catching blossoms of this native to southern Africa have earned it its deceptive moniker – as well as widespread popularity around Britain.

However, its exotic origins mean it won’t tolerate night-time temperatures of below 10°C, so it’s really only suited to the conservatory or greenhouse in the UK.

Black-Eyed Susan

With towering upright stems topped by bulbous flowerheads and starry petals, rudbeckias look great in borders, beds and containers.

Annuals come in a variety of different colours, but perennials almost invariably take on the distinctive yellow mantle shown above.

Bluebell

A common sight in shaded woodlands or meadows across the UK, bluebells make for an excellent choice underneath trees or tall shrubs.

Grown from bulbs, they demand little in the way of maintenance and dazzle with their blue blossoms in the springtime.

Broom

Virtually synonymous with rugged Scottish landscapes, broom is found throughout the UK growing freely wherever the fancy takes it.

It carries a faintly fruity aroma and makes for a pleasing addition to a border or as a standalone shrub.

“The tree I can’t live without is the Genista aetnensis, which is the Mount Etna broom,” shares Garden Designer Jinny Blom.

“It’s in flower in June and July, which is rare for trees and shrubs, and the smell is so amazing. It’s a light tree and doesn’t cast much shade. It’s quite weak-rooted but very tough.

“It’s yellow in flower and the smell just fills the whole garden. I’ve always had one and the two that I’ve got at the moment I grew from seed.”

Buttercup

Hardy little critters, buttercups are found in meadows, marshlands and pastures across Britain.

They’re also able to withstand the blades of a lawnmower, which means they crop up in domestic lawns, too.

A favourite of children for their alleged ability to tell whether someone likes butter or not.

Butterfly Bush

butterflies sat on buddleja blooms — Buddleja

As an easy-going shrub that demands little attention but brings in pollinators by the shedload, buddlejas are a favourite among gardeners up and down the country.

They carry a mild honeyed scent and are available in a range of colours, meaning it’s easy to tie them in with your existing aesthetic.

Carnation

Although carnations are perhaps most commonly seen on the lapels of wedding-goers, they are a vibrant garden choice in their own right.

With lush foliage and bright floral blooms, these semi-hardy perennials will make an attractive addition to any outdoor display.

Columbine

white aquilegia flowers on a mountainside — *Aquilegia vulgaris*

Equally at home among the damp environs of fens and woodlands as they are on airy mountain slopes, columbines are cherished as a garden plant, too.

The bonnet-like blossoms add a splash of colour to a border in summer, while they’ll also attract bees and butterflies to your property, too.

Chrysanthemum

There are few flowers more immediately recognisable than the bright and bouncy rosettes of chrysanthemums.

Although they’re fussy plants which require handling with protective gloves – especially when dealing with “late chrysanthemums” – they will reward the effort invested in them with beautiful displays in late summer and autumn.

Crocus

Crocus generally blossom in late winter and early spring, bringing a dash of much-needed vitality to borders and rockeries at a time when everything else is still shaking off its slumber.

Daffodil

Associated with the month of March, daffodils are spring bloomers that are among the most popular bulbed plants throughout the world.

The distinctive trumpet-like structure of their blossoms is offset perfectly by the dual tones of yellow which characterise most strains.

Daphne

Though small in stature, daphnes are big on impact.

Their diminutive clusters of delicate flowerheads are pleasing on the eye, while their delectable fragrance is a draw for the nostrils, too.

Ideal for smaller gardens, mixed borders or even window boxes.

Daylily

Daylilies are as lovely as they are short-lived. The clue is in the title: most species wither the same day as they bloom.

With a wide range of colours to choose from, and repeated blossoms expected through the year, however, they’re still a hugely popular choice for any back garden display.

Evening Primrose

A native of North America, evening primrose was first naturalised in the UK in the 1600s.

It’s so named for the bright yellow blooms which only unfurl themselves in the evening, drawing drowsy bees and butterflies to wildlife gardens across the country.

Forget-Me-Not

Perhaps the most romantically named of all the entrants on this list, forget-me-nots are a bold and vibrant spring flower.

Their sizable green foliage serves as the perfect backdrop for the brilliance of their pastel blue flowers, hanging in the air like an unforgettably arresting cloud of petals.

Foxglove

Characterised by spires of tubular flowers in pink, purple, yellow or white, foxglove plants are almost universally loved for their architectural and aesthetic appeal.

Gladiola

These impressive specimens hail from South Africa, western Asia and the Mediterranean, depending on the particular cultivar.

With over 300 to choose from, you’re sure to find one which complements your existing colour scheme, though most Gladiola varieties grown today are modern hybrids.

Hyacinth

The delightful star-shaped flowers of the hyacinth plant are crowded so tightly on their stems that there’s little elbow room between them.

This, coupled with their pleasing aroma, is what makes them such a popular option in borders, pots or as cut flowers indoors.

Iris

Irises generally come in two varieties: those grown from rhizomes and those grown from bulbs.

The former boast sword-shaped leaves while the latter are more lance-like in their structure, but both varieties come in a full spectrum of wonderful colours for their spring blooms.

Larkspur

With sturdy, upright stems and intensely bright flowers, larkspurs are a favourite for cottage gardens around the UK.

Not only do they add dramatic height and colourful flair, but they’re also a magnet for bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your outdoor space.¹

They’re also easy to grow in containers.

Lavender

This fragrant evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean is renowned for its calming qualities.

It’s versatile enough to work as a hedge, wildlife garden or potted plant, depending on the variety selected.

For the most easily-maintained results, choose a hardy or half-hardy cultivar.

Lilac

Available as both a shrub and a tree, lilac is a classic staple of gardens all over Britain.

Its versatility means it can work equally well in a container as it can in the ground, while its soft pastel tones and subtle fragrance bring a touch of elegance and class to any environment.

Lily

Instantly recognisable by their distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers, lilies are a positively charming addition to any garden.

There are an extensive number of varieties available, some of which are capable of exceeding 6m in height, so be prepared for that eventuality when selecting your specimen.

Lily Of The Valley

By contrast, lily of the valley is a humble spreader which won’t get ideas above its station, making it an excellent choice for ground cover.

The dainty hanging flowers and the intoxicating aroma mean that it’s popular throughout the British Isles.

Love In A Mist

This imaginatively titled flower is almost as impressive to look at as its moniker suggests.

With fanned blue petals sitting atop a bed of spiky green fronds and presenting intricately shaped stamen, it’s an eye-catcher for sure.

A native of Mediterranean and North African climes, it’s taken to the British weather remarkably well and requires little in the way of maintenance.

Marigold

These cheerful annuals are hardy enough and will tolerate mild frosts, before bursting into life in summer with their bold and vivid blooms.

The flowers of marigolds are edible and are often used as a garnish for salads, cocktails and other culinary concoctions.²

Mimosa

Originally from Australia, mimosas are available as trees, shrubs and climbers, though the former is the most commonly found variety in the UK.

When planting, make sure you have enough space to accommodate your tree, since some strains can grow up to 12m in height and a similar spread.

Monkshood

Also known as wolf’s bane, this plant is a close relative of larkspur.

It’s a beautiful plant to include in your garden display.

Moth Orchid

One of the most readily available types of orchid in the UK, moth orchids are particular about the climatic conditions of their surroundings.

For that reason, they’re generally an indoor plant in Britain, but there is a wide array of varieties available in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that complements the feng shui of your home.

Peony

With some varieties offering blooms the size of dinner plates, peonies are among the most ostentatious garden flowers available.

They generally come as herbaceous (which die away in winter) or tree (which maintain their upright demeanour but lose their flowers and foliage), though a hybrid of both is less commonly found, too.

Peruvian Lily

As the name suggests, Peruvian lilies hail from South America.

But despite their exotic origins, they cope with the British climate remarkably well and most gardeners find them both hardy and easy to grow.

They come in a wide variety of colours and styles, all of which make for excellent cut flowers as well as garden additions.

Petunia

Another native of South America, petunias don’t handle British frosts quite as impressively as Peruvian lilies.

Nonetheless, they remain a popular choice due to their knack for consistently creating a colourful bed of blossoms during the summer months.

Lots of colours and flower shapes to choose from.

Rose

This far-reaching family of plants contains more than 3,000 members, including well-loved fruits such as apples, raspberries and strawberries.

But it’s the humble rose which steals the majority of the headlines, of course, in part thanks to the scribblings of the Bard and his brethren.

By any other name, it would still smell as sweet – but would it still be a rose?³

Sea Lavender

The foliage of sea lavender is almost as big a draw as its flowers, given that many varieties will change colour throughout the year.

Having said that, it’s certainly the papery petals of its flowerheads which steal the show in midsummer, while they also hold their colour and fragrance remarkably well when cut, making them an ideal choice for bringing indoors, too.

Snake’s Head Fritillary

single Fritillaria meleagris flowerhead — *Fritillaria meleagris*

One glance at the blooms of this unique plant will leave you in no doubt as to why it has earned its common name.

Not only are the shape of its petals reminiscent of a viper’s head, but all varieties, regardless of their particular colour, carry an unmistakably checked pattern that recalls the mottled skin of a slithering snake.

Snapdragon

Easy to grow and guaranteed to add a splash of colour and architectural intrigue, snapdragons are favourites among old-fashioned cottage garden aesthetics.

Their flowering period is more prolonged than many of their counterparts, with blossoms (and the bees and butterflies they attract) going the distance from early June until late October.

St John’s Wort

One of the most versatile flowers on this list, St John’s wort can be evergreen or deciduous, annual or perennial and a shrub or a tree.

Whichever you opt for, you can expect showy yellow flowers that are revered for their aesthetic qualities.

Sunflower

Their easy-going nature, oversized stature and iconic flowerheads make sunflowers an ideal growing project with younger members of the household.

Although they are famously associated with brown and yellow blooms, there are other varieties that offer green, white and red flowers, too.

Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are just as effective as border plants as they are terms of endearment.

Although they don’t bear any edible produce, they do boast colourful blooms in a range of colours and look especially impressive when several tones are combined in a single display.

They also have a powerful and pleasing fragrance, too, with even just one vase of cut sweet peas enough to perfume a room.

Tansy

The bulbous, button-like flowerheads of the tansy plant, with their unmistakable yellow colouring, have meant they have been incorporated into many a decorative garden display.

Thistle

This iconic flower is the symbol of Scotland and is found growing freely throughout the wild verges, meadows and grasslands of that nation.

But despite their feral nature and their prickly texture, many varieties have been adapted for inclusion in a contemporary garden display.

Tulip

Tulips are intrinsically linked to the feelings of rebirth and revitalisation of springtime.

Although technically a perennial plant, many modern hybrids have been over-engineered to achieve the best aesthetic result – but at the cost of longevity, with reliable blooms in consecutive years few and far between.⁴

For that reason, many gardeners simply replant tulip bulbs every autumn to ensure strong output.

Windflower

Windflowers are one of the few entrants on this list that is perhaps more recognisable by its Latin name than its common counterpart.

“Commonly known as Japanese Anemone, Anemone hupehensis is a late summer and early autumn flowering perennial that is a popular garden plant in the UK and is not to be confused with the early spring flowering Wood Anemone,” shares Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly.

They are forest flowers that bloom in spring and hibernate for all the other seasons, before coming back just as strongly the following year.

References

1
How to attract bumblebees to your garden. (n.d.). The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-attract-bumblebees-your-garden
2
Marigold Uses in the Garden and on the Table. (1983, July 1). Mother Earth News – the Original Guide to Living Wisely. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/marigold-uses-zmaz83jazshe/
3
‘A Rose By Any Other Name’, Meaning & Context. (2020, October 7). No Sweat Shakespeare. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/famous/rose-by-any-other-name/
4
Gilmer, M. (2019, April 27). The twisted, mutated history of the beautiful tulip. Palm Springs Desert Sun. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://eu.desertsun.com/story/life/home-garden/maureen-gilmer/2019/04/27/twisted-mutated-history-beautiful-tulip/3489404002/