Names of Flowers
Knowing a flower’s name is the first step to growing it, gifting it or naming something after it. This list gathers 100 flowers, from garden staples like roses and peonies to wildflowers, winter bloomers and tropical showstoppers, each with its botanical name so you can find the right plant at a nursery.
We’ve grouped them by when they bloom in most of the US, and added a short note on color, scent or meaning in the Victorian “language of flowers” where it’s well known. If you’re here for baby name ideas, jump to our flower names for girls or names that mean flower. Gardeners may also like our plant names and herb names.
Spring flowers
Most spring bloomers grow from bulbs planted the previous fall, so plan ahead.
| Flower | Botanical name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip | Tulipa | Perfect love (red); introduced to Europe from Turkey |
| Daffodil | Narcissus | New beginnings; one of the first bulbs to flower |
| Crocus | Crocus | Often blooms through late snow |
| Hyacinth | Hyacinthus | Intensely fragrant spikes |
| Snowdrop | Galanthus | Hope; tiny white bells in late winter |
| Grape hyacinth | Muscari | Clusters like bunches of blue grapes |
| Bluebell | Hyacinthoides | Carpets British woodlands in April |
| Lilac | Syringa | First love; famous perfume |
| Forsythia | Forsythia | Bright yellow shrub, blooms before leaves |
| Magnolia | Magnolia | One of the oldest flowering plant groups |
| Cherry blossom | Prunus serrulata | Japan’s sakura, symbol of fleeting beauty |
| Peony | Paeonia | Honor and prosperity; can live 100 years |
| Iris | Iris | Named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow |
| Lily of the valley | Convallaria majalis | Sweet scent; toxic if eaten |
| Anemone | Anemone | Greek “windflower” |
| Ranunculus | Ranunculus asiaticus | Layered petals like a rose |
| Pansy | Viola × wittrockiana | “Thoughts”, from French pensée |
| Primrose | Primula vulgaris | Latin prima rosa, “first rose” |
| Azalea | Rhododendron | Temperance; needs acidic soil |
| Camellia | Camellia japonica | Admiration; blooms late winter to spring |
| Freesia | Freesia | Fragrant; popular in bridal bouquets |
Summer flowers
The long, warm days of June to August bring the biggest range of color. Many of these double as nature names for girls.
| Flower | Botanical name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rose | Rosa | Love; over 150 species and thousands of cultivars |
| Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | Young heads track the sun |
| Lavender | Lavandula | Devotion; calming scent |
| Daisy | Bellis perennis | Innocence; “day’s eye” |
| Zinnia | Zinnia elegans | Easy from seed; named after Johann Zinn |
| Marigold | Tagetes | Used in Día de los Muertos altars |
| Dahlia | Dahlia | National flower of Mexico |
| Hydrangea | Hydrangea macrophylla | Blue in acidic soil, pink in alkaline |
| Lily | Lilium | Purity; toxic to cats |
| Gladiolus | Gladiolus | Latin “little sword” |
| Cosmos | Cosmos bipinnatus | Airy, daisy-like, loved by pollinators |
| Petunia | Petunia | Classic hanging-basket flower |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | Maryland’s state flower |
| Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | Prairie native, drought tolerant |
| Hollyhock | Alcea rosea | Tall spires for cottage gardens |
| Snapdragon | Antirrhinum majus | Flowers “snap” open when squeezed |
| Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea | Tall bells; highly toxic |
| Delphinium | Delphinium | Deep blue spikes; Greek “dolphin” |
| Sweet pea | Lathyrus odoratus | Blissful pleasure; strong fragrance |
| Geranium | Pelargonium | The common balcony “geranium” |
| Clematis | Clematis | Climbing vine with star-shaped blooms |
| Jasmine | Jasminum officinale | Night-scented; used in perfume and tea |
| Gardenia | Gardenia jasminoides | Creamy white, heavily scented |
| Salvia | Salvia | Hummingbird favorite |
| Verbena | Verbena | Long-blooming clusters |
| Phlox | Phlox paniculata | Greek “flame” |
| Lupine | Lupinus | Tall spires in purple, pink and blue |
| Morning glory | Ipomoea | Opens at dawn, closes by afternoon |
| Nasturtium | Tropaeolum majus | Edible, peppery flowers |
| Carnation | Dianthus caryophyllus | Fascination; long-lasting cut flower |
| Begonia | Begonia | Shade-loving bedding plant |
| Impatiens | Impatiens walleriana | Seed pods burst when touched |
Fall and winter flowers
Cooler months have fewer blooms, which makes these all the more welcome. Many make good weather- and season-themed names too.
| Flower | Botanical name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysanthemum | Chrysanthemum | Symbol of the Japanese imperial family |
| Aster | Symphyotrichum | Named after the Greek word for “star” |
| Sedum | Hylotelephium | Pink heads turn rusty red in fall |
| Goldenrod | Solidago | Wrongly blamed for hay fever |
| Toad lily | Tricyrtis | Orchid-like, speckled blooms in shade |
| Helenium | Helenium autumnale | Also called sneezeweed |
| Autumn crocus | Colchicum autumnale | Blooms in fall without leaves; toxic |
| Poinsettia | Euphorbia pulcherrima | Red “petals” are actually leaves (bracts) |
| Hellebore | Helleborus | Called the Christmas or Lenten rose |
| Amaryllis | Hippeastrum | Giant holiday bulb |
| Winter jasmine | Jasminum nudiflorum | Yellow flowers on bare stems |
| Witch hazel | Hamamelis | Spidery blooms in January |
| Cyclamen | Cyclamen persicum | Upswept petals; popular houseplant |
| Christmas cactus | Schlumbergera | Blooms around the holidays |
| Heather | Calluna vulgaris | Scotland’s moorland flower |
Wildflowers
Many of these are state flowers or native plants that feed bees and butterflies.
| Flower | Botanical name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Poppy | Papaver rhoeas | Remembrance of fallen soldiers |
| Cornflower | Centaurea cyanus | Vivid blue; also called bachelor’s button |
| Bluebonnet | Lupinus texensis | State flower of Texas |
| Queen Anne’s lace | Daucus carota | Wild ancestor of the carrot |
| Buttercup | Ranunculus acris | Glossy yellow petals |
| Clover | Trifolium | Four leaves bring luck |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Named after Achilles |
| Indian paintbrush | Castilleja | State flower of Wyoming |
| Columbine | Aquilegia | Colorado’s state flower |
| Trillium | Trillium | Three petals, three leaves |
| Forget-me-not | Myosotis | True love and remembrance; Alaska’s state flower |
| Violet | Viola sororia | Faithfulness; state flower of four US states |
| Evening primrose | Oenothera | Opens at dusk |
| Bee balm | Monarda | Also known as bergamot |
| Chicory | Cichorium intybus | Sky-blue roadside flower; root used as coffee substitute |
| California poppy | Eschscholzia californica | California’s state flower |
| Fireweed | Chamaenerion angustifolium | First to regrow after wildfires |
| Milkweed | Asclepias | Essential food for monarch caterpillars |
Tropical and exotic flowers
These thrive in frost-free climates like Hawaii and Florida, or indoors elsewhere. See Hawaiian names for names inspired by island flowers.
| Flower | Botanical name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Orchid | Orchidaceae (family) | One of the largest plant families, with over 25,000 species |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus | Yellow hibiscus is Hawaii’s state flower |
| Bird of paradise | Strelitzia reginae | Looks like a crane’s head |
| Plumeria | Plumeria | Also called frangipani; used in leis |
| Bougainvillea | Bougainvillea | Colorful bracts around tiny white flowers |
| Lotus | Nelumbo nucifera | Sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism |
| Anthurium | Anthurium andraeanum | Glossy heart-shaped “flower” |
| Protea | Protea cynaroides | South Africa’s national flower (king protea) |
| Heliconia | Heliconia | Also called lobster claw |
| Passionflower | Passiflora | Intricate blooms; some bear passion fruit |
| Lantana | Lantana camara | Changes color as it ages |
| Water lily | Nymphaea | Monet painted about 250 of them |
| Oleander | Nerium oleander | Showy but highly toxic |
| Ginger lily | Hedychium coronarium | Fragrant white “butterfly” blooms; Cuba’s national flower |
Tips for choosing and growing flowers
- Check your hardiness zone. The USDA zone map tells you which perennials will survive your winters.
- Plan for every season. Mix spring bulbs, summer perennials and fall bloomers so something is always flowering.
- Use the botanical name when shopping. Common names vary by region — “bluebell” means different plants in the US and UK.
- Mind pets. Lilies, foxglove, oleander and lily of the valley are toxic to cats and dogs.
- Borrow a flower for a name. Flowers inspire lovely names for daughters, pets and businesses. Try boutique names or girl cat names for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular flower?
The rose is widely considered the world’s most popular flower, especially for gifts, followed by tulips, lilies and sunflowers.
What flower means love?
Red roses are the classic symbol of romantic love. Red tulips, forget-me-nots and camellias also carry love-related meanings in the Victorian language of flowers.
Which flowers bloom in winter?
Hellebores, snowdrops, witch hazel, winter jasmine and camellias can all bloom in winter in mild parts of the US.
What is the national flower of the United States?
The rose was designated the US national floral emblem in 1986.
What are good flower names for a baby girl?
Lily, Rose, Violet, Daisy, Iris, Magnolia, Dahlia and Camellia are popular choices. See our full list of flower names for girls.