There are many fascinating flowers that start with the letter N, and in this article, we’ll explore seven of them. We’ll take a look at their unique characteristics, how they grow, and what they need to thrive. By understanding their requirements, you can decide if any of these blooms would make the perfect addition to your garden.
Some of these flowers are known for their beauty, while others stand out for their resilience. No matter your gardening goals, these N-named blooms have something to offer!
7 Flowers that start with the letter N
1 Nigella
- Scientific name: Nigella damascena
- Bloom period: Late spring to early summer
- Hardiness zone: USDA zones 2 to 11
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
The Nigella flower is also known as “Love-in-a-Mist”. This annual plant is notable for its delicate, ferny foliage that partially obscures its flowers, giving rise to its poetic name. Nigella blooms are most commonly blue, though they can also be found in shades of white, pink, and pale purple.
Native to parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia, Nigella is popular in cottage gardens across the United States for its charming appearance and ease of growing. The flowers are followed by distinctive seed pods that are often used in dried floral arrangements. Nigella prefers full sun and well-drained soil and is known for its ability to self-seed prolifically.
2 Nicotiana
- Scientific name: Nicotiana spp.
- Bloom period: Summer to fall
- Hardiness zone: USDA zones 10 to 11 (grown as an annual in cooler climates)
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Nicotiana flower is also known as flowering tobacco. Nicotiana is valued for its trumpet-shaped flowers and pleasant fragrance, which is especially strong in the evening. The plant typically displays white, pink, red, or purple blooms, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and moths.
Native to the Americas, Nicotiana has adapted well to various environments and is commonly found in gardens across the United States. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Nicotiana can range from compact varieties suitable for borders to taller types that make striking background plants.
3 Nemesia
- Scientific name: Nemesia spp.
- Bloom period: Spring to early summer
- Hardiness zone: Typically grown as an annual; performs best in USDA zones 9 to 11
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Nemesia flower is known for its vibrant, often bi-colored blooms that come in shades of blue, pink, white, and yellow. Originally from South Africa, Nemesia is a popular choice for gardeners in the United States for seasonal color in flower beds and containers.
The plant typically grows as a compact bush with a profusion of small, snapdragon-like flowers that are favored for their ability to fill spaces with color. Nemesia prefers cooler temperatures and blooms mainly in spring to early summer. It requires well-drained soil and benefits from a position in full sun to partial shade, where it can maintain vibrant foliage and continuous flowering.
4 Narcissus
- Scientific name: Narcissus spp.
- Bloom period: Early spring
- Hardiness zone: USDA zones 3 to 9
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Narcissus flower, commonly known as the daffodil, is also the state flower of Wales. This flower features a trumpet-shaped structure surrounded by six floral leaves and is typically bright yellow, although it also comes in shades of white and orange. Narcissus heralds the arrival of spring, blooming early in the season.
It is widely cultivated across the U.S., especially favored in temperate regions for its early bloom and resistance to cold. The plant is often associated with rebirth and new beginnings due to its early spring appearance. Narcissus bulbs are easy to plant and care for, preferring well-drained soil and at least partial sun exposure.
5 Nerine
- Scientific name: Nerine spp.
- Bloom period: Autumn
- Hardiness zone: USDA zones 7 to 10
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
The Nerine flower, often called the Guernsey lily, originates from South Africa. This bulbous plant is celebrated for its vibrant, lily-like flowers that bloom in autumn, a rarity among flowering bulbs. Common in warmer climates in the southern states of the US, Nerine displays clusters of pink, red, or white flowers.
Each petal is slightly recurved and characterized by a delicate shimmer. These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them suitable for borders or rock gardens. Their ability to bloom profusely late in the season, when many other plants are fading, makes them valuable for extending garden color.
6 Nierembergia
- Scientific name: Nierembergia
- Bloom period: Early summer to fall
- Hardiness zone: USDA zones 7 to 10
- Sunlight requirements: Full sun
The Nierembergia flower, also known as cupflower. This small perennial is native to South America and is commonly found in the warmer climates of the southern and western United States. Nierembergia has delicate, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of purple, blue, and white from early summer to fall.
It features slender, needle-like leaves that form a low, dense mat, making it an ideal choice for ground cover, borders, or container gardens. The plant thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil, performing best with regular moisture but can tolerate brief dry spells.
7 Night-flowering catchfly
Scientific name: Silene noctiflora
This annual plant is native to Europe but has naturalized across various parts of North America, including the central and eastern United States. It is known for its ability to open its white to light pink flowers exclusively at night, releasing a strong fragrance to attract nocturnal pollinators such as moths.
The flowers close by morning, making this plant unique among garden species. The Night-flowering catchfly grows well in disturbed soils, often found in fields and along roadsides. It thrives under full sun conditions and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.