Image source – Pixabay

Gardening is one of the most stress-relieving activities. A beautiful garden enhances the beauty of your home. It is also soothing to the eyes. Showy garden flowers are sure to bring you a lot of compliments. Let’s look at some showy garden flowers and their unique characteristics.

1. Carnations

When it comes to choosing showy garden flowers, carnations are the top choice. They have a wide variety of uses. Carnation flowers are popular as gifts, decorative purposes, and for use in beauty products.

Large-flowered carnations, spray carnations and dwarf flowered carnations are three most popular carnations. There are annually blooming carnations, biennial carnations and also perennial types. Carnations easily grow in flower beds or containers. They require sunlight and well-drained soil for optimum growth.

2. Foxgloves

These tall plants are sure to attract the attention of your guests. The beautiful flowers bloom on stems which can reach a height of up to 6 feet (1.83 m). These showy garden flowers are tube-shaped and the plants grow in clusters. They bloom in a range of colors like white, lavender, yellow, pink, red and purple.

These hardy plants need rich, well-drained moist soil. These plants have the capacity to reseed themselves. The tallest variety of this specimen is called Rusty foxglove which grows to a height of 6 feet (1.83 m). The smallest variety is foxy hybrid foxglove which grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet (0.91 m). A species called the common foxglove can grow to a height of 4 to 5 feet (1.52 m).

3. Cherry Vanilla Dianthus

These huge showy garden flowers are 12 inches (ca. 30 cm) wide and bloom on 8-10 inches tall stems. These fragrant deep red colored flowers have a light pink picotee edge. The plants have attractive blue-green leaves. This plant tolerates drought and grows easily. The plant blooms twice in a year. Once in early summer and then again in fall.

4. Gladiolus

Gladiolus is a tall plant which can reach a height of around 2 to 5 feet (1.52 m). These showy garden flowers range in size between less than 3 inches (ca. 8 cm) in diameter to huge 5-inch flowers. The plant produces flowers in a variety of colors. These plants require 60 to 90 days to fully grow and produce flowers. They require full sun and moderately fertile soil.

Image source – Pixabay

5. Oriental Lily.

Oriental lilies are a popular form of true lilies. Oriental lilies produce fragrant flowers. The plant with thick, rigid stems grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet (1.83 m). These showy garden flowers start blooming in August. They require full sun but can also grow well in cooler climates.

6. Yarrow

Yarrow plants are tough and can survive in harsh conditions like drought, infertile soil and steamy climate. Yarrows have different species which grow in the range of 8 inches (ca. 20 cm) to 5 feet (1.52 m). The plant produces wide, a uniform-topped bunch of showy garden flowers. The blooms comprise numerous small daisy-like buds. These flowers bloom in different colors like white, soft pastels, yellow, red, orange and gold. Yarrow plant has fragrant gray or green leaves. The bloom period can last up to 3 months or longer.

7. Aquilegia

Aquilegia is also called as Granny’s bonnet or crowfoot. This plant originates from northeast regions of the United States and Canada. There are various hybrid versions of these plants. There are 60-70 species of aquilegia. Depending on the species the flowers can be anywhere between six inches to three feet. The dual shaded showy garden flowers bloom in a host of colors like orange, pink, red, white and yellow. The center part of the flowers either matches or contrasts with the color of the side petals. This plant has intricate stems and fern-like leaves.

8. Hibiscus

Medicinal uses and huge flowers make hibiscus an ideal flower for your garden. Hibiscus grows well in warm, tropical regions. The large bell-shaped showy garden flowers bloom in many colors like red, white, yellow or orange. The Chinese hibiscus grows up to a height of 4.5 meters. East African hibiscus can be grown inside the house in hanging containers. These flowers bloom in singles or in bunches depending on the species. The leaves may be even or hairy. The blooms of some species have a short life of only a day.

9. Rudbeckia

This easy-growing plant has colorful flowers which resemble daisy. The flower has a cone-shaped disk in the center. The plant produces mostly yellow flowers. But there are many species among rudbeckia which produce red and orange toned flowers. These showy garden flowers can bloom annually, biennially or perennially. Rudbeckia requires fertile moist soil.

10. Lewisia ‘Constant Coral’.

This plant blooms incessantly from spring to fall and hence the word constant is part of its name. The elegant showy garden flowers have coral-pink colored petals with white edges. The small plant needs light and well-drianed soil. This plant is easy to look after and it survives well in normal conditions. The flowers start appearing in May and continue up to August.

11. Begonia

The begonia plant is a native of tropical regions. There are numerous species of begonia plants. The plant can grow up to a height of 6 to 12 inch (ca. 30 cm) or 5 feet (1.52 m), depending on the species. The blooming period also varies according to the species. Some species bloom in early summer while others bloom throughout the year. Wax begonias have soft stems and round reddish-brown leaves. The flowers are single or double and bloom in colors like red, pink or white. Tuberous begonias produce single, double or ruffled flowers.

12. Calibrachoa Crave Strawberry Star’

This small plant produces a lavish display of strawberry red and cream-colored star-shaped flowers. This bushy plant can tolerate the hot summer very well. These are perfect for planting in containers. The seed grows into plants in about 12 weeks. The self-cleaning plant blooms annually in early spring to late summer.

13. Wheat Celosia.

This showy garden flower has all it takes to steal the limelight in your garden. The gleaming upright flowers have distinctive shapes which remind you of everything from candle flames to coral. They bloom in a stunning variety of colors. This plant requires bright sunlight and dry soil conditions. Wheat celosia is member of the amaranth family. Their leaves are edible. The flowers bloom annually from June till winter.

14. Gazania Hybrids.

Gazanias grow in short bunches. The showy garden flowers bloom in a variety of colors like yellows and oranges. The flowers have attractive stripes or spots on their petals which make them more attractive. Their leaves are silver-grey in color. The flowers close during cloudy weather and rainy season. They require full sunlight and well-drained soil. They are vulnerable to fungal problems if the soil is moist.

15. Spider Flowers.

Spider flower is a native of South America. This tall plant can reach a height of 1.5 feet (ca. 46 cm) to 5 feet (1.52 m). The plant produces flowers in white, pink, lavender and rose colours. Spider flower plant has the self-seeding capacity and grows best in full sun. The flowers have multiple petals emerging from a central point which form a softball-sized lump.

16. Nasturtium Orchid Flame.

These showy garden flowers look like orchids. Their speciality lies in their changing colors. The flower is red with yellow splashes initially. Then it turns fully yellow. The deepening yellow color creates unique patterns on the petals. The color of the mature flower will vary depending on the climate. These flowers bloom annually during summer. The plant grows up to 12 inches (ca. 30 cm) in height. It spreads extensively to about 3-4 ft (1.22 m).

17. Lily of the Nile.

Lily of the Nile are natives of Southern Africa. There are over 500 varieties of this plant. This tall plant can grow up to a height of up to 200 centimeters. The blooms are circular and composed of around 250 single blossoms. The flowers bloom in white or blue colors. These showy garden flowers start making an appearance in July and August. The leaves are even without a stem.

18. Astilbe

Astilbe is a perennial plant with attractive flowers which bloom in clusters. The clusters range in size from 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) to 2 feet (0.61 m). The plant can grow to a height of 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) to 5 feet (1.52 m). Astilbes prefer a shady area. The flowers bloom during spring and summer. The flowers bloom in colors like pink, red and white. Astilbe’s gleaming fern shaped leaves provide an attractive background to the upright flowers.

19. Dahlia

Dahlias produce colorful showy garden flowers. The blooming period of these plants begin in mid-summer and continue till autumn. The size of the flowers can be a small 2-inch pompom to huge 15inch (ca. 38 cm) flowers. These plants grow up to a height of 4 to 5 feet (1.52 m). Dahlias thrive well in moist, moderate climates. The flowers bloom after eight weeks of planting. There are around 60,000 varieties of dahlias and they are available in a variety of colors. The flowers last for about a week when they are put in a bouquet.

20. Lantana.

Lantana flowers are popular due to their long flowering period. Lantana has several varieties which produce blooms in a multitude of colors. These showy garden flowers grow in small clusters. Lantana can be annual or perennial. They are tolerant of less than ideal soil conditions. They require sunlight and well-draining soil to grow well.