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Overview
What Kind of Flowers Are There?There are as many kinds of flowers as there are people who grow them, according to Names-of-flowers.net. In fact, at last count, there were 260,000 species. Some flowers are annual, lasting only one season, whereas other are perennials and bloom year after year. Flowers, depending on the type, can be grown from seeds, bulbs and cuttings. The one common denominator among flowers is that they are beautiful and aromatic, for the most part, and enhance the beauty of our homes and landscapes.
Exotic
Exotic plants are referred to as such because they are rare and can't be grown just anywhere. Exotic flowers include, among many others, ginger, yucca, lilies and iris. The ginger plant, for instance, is considered both tropical and exotic. It is native to tropical Asia, according to Flowers-cs.com. Ginger plants grow to be as tall as eight feet. Ginger has been grown and used for culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times.
Ginger, Flowers-cs.com
Tropical
Tropical plants are grown in Hawaii, Florida and anywhere that is extremely warm and humid. These plants thrive on humidity, according to Flowers-cs.com. Tropical plants include ginger, protea, bougainvillea, call lily and anthurium. The bougainvillea is a shrub or a climbing vine (called a porch climber) and can grow up to 10 feet in height. The bougainvillea cannot survive frost. It is popular in South America, where is is often used as a hedge. The small flowers on the vine can come in various colors including light yellow, red, pink, orange and purple.
Annuals
According to Gardenguides.com, an annual flower is one of the most adaptable of garden plants. These flowers are planted each year and die out at the end of the season. They do well in less than ideal conditions. Annuals bloom quickly and for long periods of time. Some annuals can be grown from seed, directly into your garden. Most, but not all, like a good bit of sunshine. Your annuals should be watered once weekly. Consider dead-heading your annuals. Dead-heading means picking or snipping off expired blooms. This can encourage regrowth and even bushier growth than the first time.
Impatiens, Gstuff.co.nz
Perennials
A perennial is a recurrent plant, meaning that it grows and blooms year after year. Perennials are generally very hardy and last and last. According to Naturehills.com, perennials are easier to tend than annuals. They require less maintenance and care. Naturehills.com notes that perennials bloom on average three weeks each year. Once you get your perennials established in your yard it makes gardening so much easier, and less expensive, because you to purchase the plant only once, and not every growing season, as is the case with annuals.
Astilbe, Naturehills.com
Wildflowers
Wildflowers are just that: wild. They grow and thrive with no help or intervention from humans. According to Flowers-cs.com, wildflowers can be hard to grow. Wildflowers do best in the shade and may need acidic soil, as is found in the woods where they naturally grow.
Wildflowers, Dailyyonder.com
