Here’s a list of 18 flowers that start with the letter F. From well-known garden favorites like fuchsia to common landscape plants like forsythia, these flowers vary in characteristics, hardiness zones, blooming times, and sunlight requirements. Let’s explore each flower’s beauty and unique traits.
18 Flowers that start with the letter F
1 Fuchsia
- Scientific name: Fuchsia spp.
- Bloom period: Late spring to fall
- Hardiness zone: Typically 6 to 11, depending on the variety
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full shade
The Fuchsia flower is known for its distinctive pendulous teardrop shape and vivid colors. Originating from Central and South America, fuchsias are widely cultivated in the United States, especially in regions with cooler climates like the Pacific Northwest.
These plants thrive in partial shade to full shade, preferring moist, well-drained soil. Fuchsias produce flowers ranging in color from pink to purple, red, or white, often in bicolor combinations, which bloom from late spring through fall.
The flowers are a favorite among hummingbirds, making fuchsias a popular choice for gardeners looking to attract wildlife. Typically grown as annuals in colder climates, they can be perennial in warmer areas and are commonly used in hanging baskets and as border plants due to their drooping blooms and lush foliage.
2 Forsythia
- Scientific name: Forsythia spp.
- Bloom period: Early spring
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Forsythia is commonly referred to as the harbinger of spring. This early bloomer is originally from East Asia but has become a common sight across many parts of the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. Forsythia bushes are known for their vibrant yellow flowers that burst into bloom before the leaves appear, often as early as March.
The plant typically grows as a large shrub, reaching up to 8 to 10 feet in height and spread, and is favored for its fast growth and minimal care requirements. Forsythia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Its bright yellow blooms make it a popular choice for mass plantings and foundational plantings along borders where its early color can be fully appreciated.
3 Foxglove
- Scientific name: Digitalis purpurea
- Bloom period: Early to mid-summer
- Hardiness zone: 4 to 9
- Sunlight requirements: Partial shade
The Foxglove is native to Europe but has been naturalized across much of North America, commonly found in the Pacific Northwest due to its preference for a cool, moist climate. Foxglove is renowned for its tall spikes of tubular flowers that range in color from purple and pink to white. These blooms appear in early to mid-summer and are known for their patterned interiors, which guide bees deep into the flower to pollinate it.
Growing up to 2-5 feet tall, foxglove prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. While it adds visual appeal to woodland gardens and shaded borders, caution is advised as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
4 Freesia
- Scientific name: Freesia
- Bloom period: Spring
- Hardiness zone: 9 to 10 (often grown as an annual in cooler climates)
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to light shade
The Freesia is cherished for its zesty fragrance and colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers that arch elegantly along the top of slender, leafless stems. Freesias are commonly found in the milder climates of the United States, such as California, where they thrive in cool, damp conditions typical of coastal areas. Blooming in the spring, freesias come in a variety of colors including white, yellow, pink, red, and purple.
They are often used in cut flower arrangements due to their appealing scent and long vase life. Freesias prefer full sun to light shade and require well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot. Their ability to bloom in sequence along the stem makes each flower visible and adds to the overall beauty of the plant in gardens and as cut flowers.
5 Four O’clock
- Scientific name: Mirabilis jalapa
- Bloom period: Summer to fall
- Hardiness zone: 7 to 10
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Four O’clock flower is named for its unique blooming habit, the flower typically opens in the late afternoon around 4 PM and stays open until morning. This plant is native to tropical South America but has become a popular ornamental plant in gardens across the United States, particularly in warmer regions.
Four O’clocks are known for their bushy growth, reaching up to 2-3 feet in height and width, and produce trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of vibrant colors including pink, yellow, red, and white.
Often, the flowers can be multicolored or change hues as they mature. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. Interestingly, different flowers can emit different fragrances, making them a delightful addition to evening gardens.
6 Flax
- Scientific name: Linum usitatissimum
- Bloom period: Early to mid-summer
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
Originating from Eurasia, flax is widely cultivated across the northern United States, especially in cooler climates. This plant is primarily grown for its fibers, used in the production of linen, and its seeds, which are a source of linseed oil and flaxseeds, known for their nutritional benefits. Flax plants are slender and typically grow about 2 feet tall, producing delicate blue flowers that bloom in early to mid-summer.
The flowers are quite ephemeral, often lasting only a day before dropping off. Flax prefers full sun and well-drained soils and is valued not only for its industrial and health uses but also for its gentle beauty in fields where it is grown commercially.
7 Frangipani (Plumeria)
- Scientific name: Plumeria rubra
- Bloom period: Early summer to fall
- Hardiness zone: 10 to 12
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
The Frangipani, also known as Plumeria is celebrated for its exquisite fragrance and flowers. Native to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, Frangipani thrives in the tropical and subtropical climates of the southern United States, particularly in Florida and Hawaii. The plant features thick, fleshy branches and leathery leaves clustered near the tips of the branches.
It blooms from early summer through fall, producing clusters of flowers that range in color from white and yellow to pink and red, each with a powerful sweet scent. Frangipani is often associated with relaxation and exotic locales and is commonly used in leis in Hawaii. The flowers are drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering once established, and prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
8 Flaming katy
- Scientific name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Bloom period: Typically blooms in late fall to early spring when daylight hours are fewer
- Hardiness zone: Typically grown as a houseplant; can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 10 to 12
- Sunlight requirements: Bright, indirect light
The Flaming katy is popular houseplant that originates from Madagascar and is favored for its vibrant, long-lasting flowers and minimal care requirements. Commonly found across the United States in homes and offices, Flaming katy blooms in the colder months when daylight is shorter, showcasing clusters of small, colorful flowers ranging from red and orange to pink and yellow.
The plant features thick, waxy leaves that help retain water, making it drought-resistant and ideal for indoor environments. Flaming Katy thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal watering, making it a popular choice for adding a splash of color indoors during the winter.
9 Feverfew
- Scientific name: Tanacetum parthenium L.
- Bloom period: Early summer to fall
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Feverfew is commonly found in temperate regions across the United States, particularly along roadsides, in fields, and in gardens as an ornamental and medicinal herb. This perennial plant features small, daisy-like flowers with white petals and a yellow center, blooming from early summer to fall.
Feverfew grows to about 18 inches tall and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Known for its medicinal properties, feverfew has been traditionally used to prevent migraine headaches and for various other health conditions. Its leaves are aromatic, and the plant is easy to grow, often self-seeding prolifically, which can lead to it spreading extensively in a garden setting.
10 False indigo
- Scientific name: Baptisia
- Bloom period: Late spring to early summer
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The False indigo is native to the central and eastern United States, thriving in USDA zones 3 through 9. Known for its deep blue to violet flowers, false indigo blooms in late spring to early summer. The flowers are arranged on upright spikes and are followed by interesting black seed pods in the fall, which are often used in floral arrangements.
False indigo plants can grow up to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, with a bushy, shrub-like appearance. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Once established, they are drought-resistant and low maintenance, making them a popular choice for naturalistic garden designs and meadow plantings.
11 Fairy primrose
- Scientific name: Primula malacoides
- Bloom period: Late winter to early spring
- Hardiness zone: Typically grown as an annual; can survive outdoors in USDA zones 10-11
- Sunlight requirements: Partial shade
The Fairy primrose is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Originating from China, fairy primrose is popular in the United States for indoor decoration and mild winter gardens. The plant features clusters of small, delicate flowers that bloom in various shades including white, pink, lavender, and red during late winter to early spring.
Typically reaching about 12 inches in height, fairy primrose prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It’s often used in container gardening and as a charming addition to shaded garden beds, where it provides a gentle splash of color in the cooler months.
12 False solomon’s seal
- Scientific name: Maianthemum stellatum
- Bloom period: Late spring to early summer
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
- Sunlight requirements: Partial to full shade
The False Solomon’s seal is native to North America and is commonly found in wooded areas across the United States, particularly thriving in the shade of forested regions. It features arching stems that grow up to 3 feet in height and are adorned with lance-shaped leaves.
In late spring to early summer, it produces small, white, starry flowers clustered at the tips of the stems, which later develop into red berries by fall. False Solomon’s seal prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is appreciated for its graceful appearance and the way its flowers and berries add visual interest to naturalistic and woodland garden settings.
13 French marigold
- Scientific name: Tagetes patula
- Bloom period: Early summer to first frost
- Hardiness zone: 2 to 11 (grown as an annual)
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
The French marigold, or Tagetes patula, is not designated as a state flower anywhere in the USA. This plant is native to Mexico and Guatemala but has become a garden staple across the United States, valued for its vibrant, multi-colored flowers that range from yellow and orange to deep red. French marigolds bloom prolifically from early summer until the first frost, making them excellent for long-lasting color in flower beds, borders, and containers.
Typically growing to about 6-18 inches tall, these marigolds are compact and bushy, with a strong scent that can deter pests, making them useful in companion planting for vegetable gardens. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and their flowers are known for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies while repelling nematodes and other garden pests in the soil.
14 Firecracker plant
- Scientific name: Russelia equisetiformis
- Bloom period: Spring to fall
- Hardiness zone: 9 to 11
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Firecracker plant is native to Mexico and known for its cascading growth and vibrant red, tubular flowers that resemble small firecrackers, hence its name. Common in the southern United States, particularly in Florida and Texas, the Firecracker plant thrives in warm climates and is often used in hanging baskets, containers, and as ground cover in tropical gardens.
It blooms profusely from spring to fall, providing a continuous display of flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil. Its fine, weeping foliage and drought tolerance make it a low-maintenance choice for adding long-lasting color and texture to garden landscapes.
15 False sunflower
- Scientific name: Heliopsis helianthoides
- Bloom period: Mid-summer to early fall
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The False sunflower is commonly found throughout the central and eastern United States. Often mistaken for true sunflowers due to their similar appearance, the false sunflower features bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with golden-brown centers. These blooms appear from mid-summer to early fall, providing a long-lasting display of color in gardens.
The plant typically reaches heights of 3 to 4 feet and prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-resistant once established. False sunflower is appreciated for its hardiness and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making it a useful and visually appealing addition to wildlife gardens
16 Flamingo flower
- Scientific name: Anthurium
- Bloom period: Can bloom throughout the year in ideal indoor conditions
- Hardiness zone: 11 to 12 (typically grown indoors in cooler climates)
- Sunlight requirements: Bright, indirect light
The Flamingo flower is native to Colombia and Ecuador but has become popular in humid, warmer regions of the United States, especially in indoor environments nationwide due to its appearance and air-purifying qualities. Flamingo flowers are recognized for their shiny, heart-shaped leaves and the waxy, brightly colored spathes that surround the true flower, which is a spadix at the center.
These spathes can be red, pink, white, or even green. They bloom almost year-round under the right conditions, requiring high humidity, indirect light, and moist, well-drained soil. The plant is widely used in homes and offices for its decorative look and for improving indoor air quality.
17 Forget-me-not
- Scientific name: Myosotis
- Bloom period: Early spring
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 8
- Sunlight requirements: Partial shade to full sun
The Forget-me-not is the state flower of Alaska. These small yet memorable flowers are famed for their delicate blue petals and yellow centers, although they can also appear in shades of pink and white. Forget-me-nots typically bloom in early spring and are found across much of the United States, thriving in moist, shady conditions. They are often seen carpeting woodland floors or bordering garden paths, reaching just a few inches in height.
These flowers are symbolic of true love and remembrance, which contributes to their popularity in gardens and their frequent use in poetry and folklore. Despite their unassuming size, forget-me-nots make a significant impact with their vibrant clusters of blooms that attract bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of their surroundings.
18 Flowering quince
- Scientific name: Chaenomeles
- Bloom period:
- Hardiness zone:
- Sunlight requirements:
The Flowering quince is widely appreciated for its early spring blossoms. Originating from Asia, this deciduous shrub is particularly popular in the temperate regions of the United States. It typically reaches 3 to 5 feet in height and produces a profusion of bright red, pink, or orange flowers before its leaves fully emerge, making it one of the first signs of spring in many gardens.
The branches are often thorny, and the leaves are glossy green. After flowering, the plant produces small, hard fruits that are similar to apples and are sometimes used in preserves and jellies. Flowering quince thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It is often used in landscaping for hedging and as an ornamental feature in mixed borders.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.