Plant These Flowers and Trees to Turn Your Garden into a Dreamland

Magnolia

Magnolias were first cultivated nearly 4,000 years ago and can grow 80 feet in height. They’re also known to reach about 30 to 50 feet in diameter. They have a special kind of leaf that’s dark green, oval-shaped, and covered with a layer of wax. They’re popular because of the flowers that bloom on them, which come before the leaves.

The color you get from the flower depends on the species of the tree. They can come in white, yellow, pinkish, purple and green. They have a pleasant smell that is often said to be fruity and sweet. Once you plant a Magnolia, you’ll need to wait about seven years before the tree blooms, which happens between April and June.

Hibiscus Flowers

If you love hummingbirds and butterflies, you’ll want to add the Hibiscus to your garden as it’s known to attract them. The trick to growing these flowers is that you take extra care of them when they need more water and special fertilizer to grow happy and healthy.

They’re a unique flower to bring into your garden because of its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms. The best temperatures for this flower is between 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people like to keep them in planters to help aid their growth and make them movable. It allows them to bring the flowers in during the winter months or when the temperature gets a bit too hot.

Dinner Plate Dahlia

Dinner Plate Dahlia is one of 42 species of Dahlia. Many professional gardeners and landscapers consider this flower to be one of the most requested and attractive flowers. They will reach their peak at mid-summer and last until the first frost, which is when most other flowers are past their prime.

The heads on this flower can grow to be about 1 foot in diameter, which will ensure that people walking by will see these beautiful flowers. You can find nearly every color but blue. Breeders are still trying to find a way to create a blue Dahlia.

Rhododendron

There are over 1000 species of Rhododendron that are native to Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. These flowers need well-drained soil and a cool climate to grow to their best state. You can find these flowers in the wild, specifically in tropical rainforests, mountains, and temperate forests. They can grow between four inches to 98 feet in height, depending on the type.

Depending on which species of Rhododendron you get will determine the type of leaves it grows and the fragrance it gives off. They can produce leaves like evergreen trees or funnel, bell, trumpet-shaped flowers. Many people call the Rhododendron a rose tree because some of the flowers it produces remind people of a rose.

Oriental Lilies

Lilies are usually found in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. They’re considered one of the most popular flowers in the world because they bring character into a person’s home and garden. You can find lilies in several colors, such as yellow, orange, red, purple, and pink. Some will and spots, and others won’t.

One crucial piece of information to note is while they are safe for humans, they are toxic to cats, so if you have them in your garden and have a cat, you want to be cautious about where and how you plant them. You can put them up in a hanging plant to help keep your fur babies from the petals.

Himalayan Poppy

Many people enjoy finding blue flowers to add to their garden because it’s not a natural color to find when it comes to a plant. One of the most beautiful and unique that you can choose is the Himalayan Poppy. In fact, many professional gardeners consider it one of the rarest treasures you can add to your garden.

This poppy blooms in late spring to early summer and is known to be a bit picky. Many gardeners will state that you should have experience before planting one, but there are easy guidelines to follow to extend their lifespan. The most critical factors are soil preparation, and they need a location with partial shade. You also want to water them regularly.

Lilac Tree

Many people like to plant a Lilac tree because it’s the symbol of love. Other people enjoy it because of its fragrance and beautiful color. Even though they’re considered trees, they grow as shrubs and bushes, ranging from six to 20 feet tall. But some have developed over 30 feet tall. They are mainly found in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Even though the most popular is the lilac color, they also come in several other shades like white, blue, pink, red, purple, and violet. One of the best features of these variations is that they can survive nearly any type of weather from high temperatures to as cold as -60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wheat Celosia

These plants commonly grow in Eurasia, Africa, North America, and South America. They weren’t always a common garden flower because of their identification with wheat fields. Many felt that they were preserved for farming, but other people thought they looked best as a part of their yard. Wehat Celosia come in a few different colors, such as purple, red, and pink.

They start growing during mid-summer and continue until the beginning of fall. They can withstand frost, so don’t worry about leaving your flowers out later than other plants. They are strong enough that they can remain upright and attractive even after a couple of cold nights.

Bearded Iris

Irises are often used as an accent in floral design, but the Bearded Iris is more unique than the rest. One of the unique features is that even though it looks like they have six petals, they only have three. The petals are at the top, while the three at the bottom are technically known as large sepals. One feature that is harder to see is that they have fuzzy appendages located above the falls or lower “petals.”

Even though they are available in many colors, the most common are purple, blue, white, and yellow. There are different variations of Irises that are found around North America, especially in the coastal regions.

Gazania Hybrids

Gazanias are known as a treasure flower because they are unique in so many ways. They thrive in several climate conditions, from intense heat to droughts. However, many expert gardeners say they will struggle in colder temperatures. The best place to put them is where the sun can beat down on them throughout the day.

They’re known as exotic flowers because of the somewhat grassy look of their petals. Plus, the flower is unique when it comes to color and design. They’re bi-color flowers with many variations of golds and oranges to dusky rose and ivory. Once the sun goes down, these flowers start to close, but during the day, they’re open and busy attracting butterflies.

Peony ‘Bowl of Beauty’

These flowers are more commonly called Herbaceous Peony, but many refer to them as a Bowl of Beauty because of their look. They start blooming between May and June. They also need to have exposure to the sun to reach their peak performance as a flower. They can blossom between 9 and 10 feet, but sometimes more.

Even though you want to keep them in the sun, they can survive almost any type of weather. They’re known as one of the most durable flowers, which makes them an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. If you want to bring a flower or two into your home, cut them once they are in full bloom because they will last for about a week in a vase with water.

Toad Lily

We already talked about lilies, but this is one of the most unique bulbs that you can find. Many people believe they’re one of the most exotic flowers in the world because of their look and design. They tend to bloom much later than most flowers, which can add a new assortment to your garden. Their peak time is between August and September but can go as late as October.

Their spread is about one to two feet, and they can grow between two to three feet. They’re usually found in Southern and Central Japan, especially around the shaded rocky cliffs and stream banks. They typically have about six petals, but there are a few that grow that have more or less.

Moss Rose

Even though many people like purple or pink, they also come in several other colors such as white, yellow, red, and orange. The plant doesn’t do the best in cold climates, but they can tolerate hot and dry conditions, so they’re great flowers to put in the sun. They are considered small, reaching heights of six to eight inches with a spread of about 12 inches.

Another key to growing robust Moss Rose flowers is to keep the water moist but not soggy, especially if you have them in a planter. They’re also plants that don’t need to be fertilized as this can do them more harm than good.

Petunias

There are at least 35 species of petunia that originate from South America but have made its way to North America and many other parts of the world. To grow its most robust, this flower needs at least five to six hours of sunlight every day, which can be challenging during cloudy and rainy days. They also need to be well-drained, which helps ensure the soil is as healthy as possible. They don’t tolerate frost well.

This flower can grow from 6 inches to 4 feet high, depending on which variety you plant. They can have heart-shaped leaves, which is usually one of their strongest selling points. They blossom during the spring and fall and come in colors such as white, yellow, red, pink, or purple.

Birds of Paradise

Many people call the Birds of Paradise a crane flower because it looks like a crane. They are native to Southern Africa and tend to bloom between September through May. The leaves grow pretty significant, usually between 12 to 79 inches and broad between four to 31 inches. They come in colors that resemble an exotic bird, which also clearly makes it an exotic flower.

Even though most are seen with bright orange and blue colors, they can also be seen as purely white or white and blue. Sunbirds take to these flowers, and they’ve made their way to the Western Coast of the United States.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a common plant in North America and many other parts around the world. They’re best known for their unique personality, which makes them look down when the sun isn’t shining on them. Some people will state that they look sad because their warmth has been taken away. But, once the sun beats down on them again, they look up with praise.

Sunflowers can grow several feet tall, but the tallest one ever recorded reached a height of 30 feet. They have traveled into space, and many people feel they have healing powers.

Love-Lies-Bleeding

There are many names for this plant, but everyone’s favorite seems to be Love-Lies-Bleeding. They can grow between two to eight feet tall and from one to three feet wide. The size will depend on how fertile the soil is and how well you care for it. The best type of soil is well-drained, but they can handle nearly any kind.

No one knows where this flower originated, but it now lives in several areas of the world, especially in Central and South America.

Sources:

“20 trees for small gardens.” BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Gardeners’ World. February 2020.

“Top 10 Small Trees for Tiny Gardens.” David Domoney, David Domoney.

“The Best Summer Flowers for a Standout Garden.” Monique Valeris and Lauren Smith McDonough, Good Housekeeping. May 2020.

“The Most Beautiful Flowers You Can Plant in Your Garden.” Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce. June 2019.

“15 Fantastic Trees That Can Turn Your Garden Into a Dreamland.” Bright Side.