20 Most Popular Flowers to Grow in a Garden

Many people prefer a diverse and colorful garden, full of life and meaningful representations. Therefore it is no surprise that the twenty most popular garden flowers (listed below) are steeped with meaning and history. Any of these are good garden flowers and are sure to be enjoyed by anyone who passes through.

Lily

The colors of lilies are representative of many emotions. For example, orange represents hatred, yellow represents walking on air, and white represents purity. There are over four thousand species of lilies and they have tall stems, thin leaves, and showy flowers. These flowers have been cultivated by humans for thousands of years and were used by ancient civilizations for medicinal and ornamental purposes.

Daisy

The daisy is a cousin of the sunflower and can be found nearly everywhere on the planet. These plants are often grown commercially but are actually known to be a weed due to their prolific behavior. However, they persist as a popular garden flower due to their visual appeal. They symbolize love, purity and gentleness. Daisies are arranged in a circular arrangement with bright, colorful petals.

Lilac

Lilacs are historically representative of first loves and new loves. They are very often used as wedding decorations. These flowers are technically a shrub or small tree, and make beautiful additions to the borders of gardens with their light purple flowers and thick foliage. Lilacs grow in many climates but are seen most prominently as European wildflowers.

Rose

The rose, grown in individual stalks, shrubs, and vines, is one of the most popular flowers in the world. Each color of the rose, natural and cultivated, means different things. For example, the red rose represents love, beauty, and courage while the white rose represents purity, innocence, and humility. There are many other colors with many other meanings. The rose can be grown very tall or small, and are a popular commercial product.

Tulip

Tulips are a popular flower that comes in a whole range of colors. They can grow in variety of sizes. They have large and distinctive flowers that were originally cultivated by the Turks. In fact, the Europeans considered the tulip to be the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. The tulips are today known for being symbol of love, dreams, and imagination. Tulip bulbs are also known for being a replacement for onions in the culinary arts.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a native plant of Northern Asia. These spring blooming flowers have distinctive white, bell shaped flowers that bend towards the ground. They also produce small, red fruits. These flowers are popular in gardens because of their sweet scents and ability to grow in fairly shady areas, where most other plants will not grow. They symbolize sweetness, humility, and a return to happiness.

Orchid

The orchid family is a hugely diverse group of flowers with a wide range of colors, sizes, and visual appeal. These flowers include an astonishing twenty thousand species which make them perfect gardening flowers. It is not difficult to find an orchid that fits in with your garden and personal tastes. These flowers are known to symbolize large families, particularly families with many children.

Stephanotis

Stephanotis plants have small, ear shaped flowers that are usually white and rest inside a rich, dark green foliage. These flowers are typically grown for their fragrance. The stephanotis plant is mainly for experienced gardeners because it does not like sudden changes in its environment. These flowers are popular in wedding bouquets and have long been cultivated for their ornamental appearance. These flowers symbolize marital bliss.

Carnations

Carnations come in many different flowers and can be found in the wild as a pink-purple colored flower. Commonly found in bouquets, the carnation originated in the Mediterranean and was cultivated by ancient cultures. These flowers are famous for being used in Mother’s Day celebrations. A red carination is used to honor a living mother while a white carnation is used to honor a mother who has passed away. In many countries, such as Australia, the carnation is an exotic flower.

Gardenia

Gardenias are a flowering plant in the same family as the coffee producing plants. The flowers come in pale yellow or white with multiple petals, some that fold out and others that form a cup like shape. Gardenias are mainly a tropical flower and are very popular in Hawai’i where they are known as na’u. They make a beautiful addition to any garden with their bright, distinctive flowers. These flowers are a symbol of love and ecstasy.

Hydrangea

The hydrangea is a popular gardening plant, native to the Asian region. They have bulbous, round clusters of flowers in pink, blue, white, and purple. The color of the flowers is indicative of the acidity of the soil they are grown in which makes them great natural pH meters. These flowering plants can grow to be fairly tall, and some of them are even considered to be small trees. They symbolize either understanding or heartlessness.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are one the most popular garden plants because they are easy to grow and many people like to harvest the seeds to eat as snacks. The petals are arranged in a circular pattern with a large central disk. They have a peculiar behavior of turning to face the rising sun. The 67 species of sunflowers have been a domesticated crop for around a thousand years. The sunflower is also renowned for being a source of healthy oils, making it a great, edible addition to any garden. They symbolize loyalty and wishes.

Pansy

Pansy flowers are remarkably similar to the violets from which they were cultivated. They were originally cultivated as garden plants and are thus suited best for garden environments in nearly every part of the world. They first appeared in the 1830s and are known for their irregularly shaped flowers and distinctive colorings.  They are known to symbolize loving thoughts.

Daffodils

The daffodil is most known for its white flowers, with five petals centered around a yellow disk. They are a naturally hardy plant that flowers in spring. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America there are about one hundred different species. Daffodils are heavily cultivated with new varieties being introduced every year. The daffodil is representative of regard and respect.

Forget-Me-Not

Forget-Me-Nots are a very small flower that are most popular for their blue color but can also come in white and pink. They have yellow centers and are extremely popular in garden environments. The origins of forget-me-nots is steeped in magical myths and Christian lore, and they often make an appearance in literature. The forget-me-not makes a fun, pretty addition to any bank of flowers. They symbolize true love and memories.

Marigold

Marigolds come in white, orange, yellow, and gold with thick, lush foliage and a range of heights which all make it a popular garden flower. Originally cultivated for their medicinal purposes in Latin America, the marigold holds distinct spiritual significance to cultures around the world. These flowers have appeared as national symbols and as wedding decorations as well.

Peony

The peony is another popular garden flower that makes numerous appearances in wedding decor. As such they represent happy lives and marriages. Native to Asia, Europe, and parts of North America, they have many petals that come in red, yellow, and white. Blooming in late spring or summer, their flowers are very fragrant and provide a beautiful, classical look to any garden.

Petunia

Petunias come in very different sizes ranging from the small dwarf species to the large giant species. These flowers make great pot plants but also provide beautiful borders for gardens and pathways. Native to the Americas, the petunia made its debut in Europe in 1823. The petunia and all its uses and properties are still being discovered by the modern gardener. This flower symbolizes a soothing presence.

Stock

Stock is a unique set of plants with four flat petals, and a sweet fragrance. They are often known for being shrubby herbs and are found in the wild in Mediterranean area. Stock flowers are most popular in white and symbolize affection and promptness. They also make good bouquets for weddings and various other occasions.

Violet

The violet encompasses a wide range of flowers with over four hundred species claiming the name. The flower is known for its heart-shaped, irregular shape. The most common color is, of course, violet but some species also produce blue and yellow blooms as well. Some flowers are even known to be bi-colored. Violets are used for medicinal purposes due to their high levels of Vitamins A and C. They symbolize faithfulness, watchfulness, and taking risks.