Types of Flowers
| Native Flowers and Plants Anza Borrego Wildflowers April Flowers - Northwest Cactus Flowers Early Pacific Northwest Flowers Redwood Flowers Camas Lily Cat's Ear Columbine Fivespot Indian Paintbrush Poppy Sunflower Rhododendron Roses Introduced Flowers and Plants Daffodil Dahlia Echeveria Flowers of South Africa Grape Hyacinth Nasturtium Orchids Periwinkle Siberian Squill Weed Identification |
Taxonomic discussions usually start by identifying the largest flower families, sunflowers (Asteraceae) and orchids (Orchidaceae).
Sunflowers, thistle and dahlias are all members of the Asteraceae family.
The native flower versus introduced flower dicotomy commonly serves to differentiate between types of flowering plants, and that dicotomy organizes the different types of flowers presented here.
Native flowers are considered those growing as indigenous plants, native to a particular region. Introduced flowers are considered non-indigenous plants eitheir intentionally or unintenitonally growing in a particular region.
Much garden planning also falls along native and introduced flower lines. Botanists and gardening enthusiasts promote native plants typically, but not always, as low maintenance garden plants, in need of little extra-ordinary preparation or care.
Garden flower planning also often revolves around bloom time questions, with annual, biennial and perrenial commonly used as differentiating terms.
Annual flowers germinate, grow, flower and die in one year. Gardeners choosing annuals benefit by having different flowers growing year to year. Pansies are an example of a common annual.
Biennial flowers germinate, grow, flower and die in two years time, with flowering normally a second year occurrence.
The forget-me-not in the picture is an example of a biennial flower.
Perennial flowers continue to grow and flower three or more years. Tulips, daffodils and other bulb flowers are perennials. (see Fall is bulb planting season)
Finally, in addition to their aestic qualities, some flowers also act to deter certain insect pests. The article Flower Seed Packs for Pest Management examines the claims of companies that pursue this marketing claim.
The links in the box point to articles that outline flower families or individual flowers.