13+ Lovely Flowers that Start with L
When you think about nature’s beauty, flowers that start with L often come to mind. It’s amazing how many different colors, shapes, and scents they have! From exotic lilies to the sweet smell of lavender, these flowers are favorites for gardeners and flower lovers alike.
These plants aren’t just pretty to look at – they show us how diverse the natural world really is. Picture yourself walking through a garden. You might see tall lupines with their bright, spiky flowers reaching up to the sky. Or maybe you’d spot lantanas spilling out of pots or flower beds, with their little clusters of colorful blooms.
Each of these flowers adds something special to our gardens. They all have their own stories and backgrounds too. Why not dive into the world of L-flowers? You might find yourself falling in love with some of nature’s most beautiful creations.
1. Lavender
Scientific Name: Lavandula
Lavender is a perennial flowering plant known for its fragrant purple flowers and aromatic foliage. These beautiful blooms are prized for their soothing scent and are often used in aromatherapy, perfumes, and culinary applications. Lavender typically blooms in summer, making it a perfect addition to herb gardens and cottage-style landscapes.
Lavender is also favored in floral arrangements due to its calming fragrance and elegant appearance. It symbolizes purity, silence, devotion, and serenity.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Colors: Purple, lavender, pink, white
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lavender in well-draining soil and water sparingly. Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
2. Lily
Scientific Name: Lilium
Lilies are dramatic and eye-catching flowers, often recognized by their large, trumpet-shaped blooms. They come in a wide range of colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, and red. Lilies belong to the genus Lilium and are known for their strong, sweet fragrance.
These flowers are relatively easy to grow, making them perfect for gardeners who want show-stopping plants. In floral language, lilies symbolize purity and refined beauty.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Colors: White, yellow, orange, pink, red
- Height: 2-8 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Plant lily bulbs in spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil and perform best with consistent moisture.
3. Lupine
Scientific Name: Lupinus
Lupine, also known as lupin, is known for its tall spikes of pea-like flowers that come in various colors including blue, purple, pink, and white. These annual or perennial plants are often used as background plants in gardens, filling spaces with their impressive height and bright blooms. They thrive in cool climates and are perfect for cottage gardens or wildflower meadows.
Lupine flowers symbolize imagination and happiness. Their striking appearance and variety of colors make them a favorite for enhancing outdoor spaces.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
- Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white, yellow
- Height: 1-5 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Sow seeds directly in the garden in spring or fall. Provide support for tall varieties to prevent wind damage.
4. Lilac
Scientific Name: Syringa
Lilac is famous for its fragrant, cone-shaped flower clusters that come in shades of purple, lavender, white, and pink. Known for their sweet scent, these deciduous shrubs bloom in spring, providing a burst of color and fragrance in gardens and landscapes. Their flowers are often used in perfumes and aromatherapy.
Lilac symbolizes first love and the emotions of young love. Their nostalgic fragrance and beautiful blooms make them a cherished addition to any garden setting.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Colors: Purple, lavender, white, pink
- Height: 8-15 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lilacs in well-draining, slightly alkaline soil. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage blooming.
5. Lantana
Scientific Name: Lantana camara
Lantana is a low-growing shrub that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and pink. The flowers often change color as they mature, creating a multi-colored effect. Lantana is often used in hanging baskets, as ground cover, or in borders.
Lantanas bloom throughout the summer and fall and are known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. They are drought-tolerant and heat-resistant, making them ideal for warm climates.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colors: Yellow, orange, red, pink, purple
- Height: 1-6 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lantana in well-draining soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
6. Lisianthus
Scientific Name: Eustoma grandiflorum
Lisianthus, also known as prairie gentian, is popular for its elegant, rose-like blooms. The flowers come in shades of purple, pink, white, and bicolor varieties. These annuals or short-lived perennials are prized for their long-lasting blooms and make excellent cut flowers.
Lisianthus symbolizes appreciation and charisma. It is frequently used in bridal bouquets and floral arrangements due to its delicate beauty.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colors: Purple, pink, white, bicolor
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lisianthus in rich, well-draining soil. They prefer consistent moisture and protection from strong winds.
7. Lobelia
Scientific Name: Lobelia
Lobelia is a charming, low-growing plant with small, delicate flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. While its flowers are small, they bloom profusely, creating a carpet of color when planted en masse. These plants are often used in hanging baskets, window boxes, or as edging plants.
Lobelia symbolizes malevolence in the Victorian language of flowers, but today it’s appreciated for its beauty and ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
- Height: 6-12 inches
- Sun Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Lobelia prefers cool temperatures and moist, well-draining soil. Trim back after the first flush of blooms to encourage more flowering.
8. Larkspur
Scientific Name: Consolida
Larkspur, also known as annual delphinium, produces tall spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. These annuals are easy to grow from seed and add vertical interest to gardens and floral arrangements.
Larkspurs symbolize an open heart and ardent attachment. They’re often used in cottage gardens and wildflower meadows for their airy, natural appearance.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Spring to summer
- Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Sow larkspur seeds directly in the garden in early spring or fall. They prefer cool temperatures and may need staking for support.
9. Liatris
Scientific Name: Liatris spicata
Liatris, commonly known as blazing star or gayfeather, produces tall spikes of feathery, purple flowers. These native North American plants are drought-tolerant and attract butterflies and bees. Liatris blooms from the top down, which is unusual among flowering plants.
Liatris symbolizes happiness and joy. Its unique blooming pattern and ability to thrive in various conditions make it a valuable addition to perennial gardens.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colors: Purple, pink, white
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant liatris corms in spring in well-draining soil. They’re relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
10. Lunaria
Name: Lunaria annua
Lunaria, also known as honesty or money plant, is grown for both its spring flowers and its unique seed pods. The flowers are small and purple, but the real attraction is the silvery, translucent seed pods that appear in late summer. These pods are often used in dried flower arrangements.
Lunaria symbolizes honesty and sincerity. Its distinctive seed pods add interest to gardens long after the flowers have faded.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Spring (flowers), Late summer to fall (seed pods)
- Colors: Purple (flowers), Silver (seed pods)
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Sow lunaria seeds directly in the garden in spring or fall. It’s a biennial plant that self-seeds readily.
11. Lavatera
Scientific Name: Lavatera trimestris
Lavatera, also known as tree mallow, produces large, funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. These fast-growing annuals or short-lived perennials bloom profusely throughout summer and fall, making them excellent for adding quick color to gardens.
Lavatera symbolizes sweet disposition and is often associated with grace and elegance in the garden.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall
- Colors: Pink, white
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lavatera in well-draining soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance but benefits from regular deadheading to encourage more blooms.
12. Lemon Verbena
Scientific Name: Aloysia citrodora
While primarily grown for its fragrant foliage, lemon verbena also produces small, delicate white or pale lilac flowers in late summer. The leaves have a strong lemon scent and are often used in teas, perfumes, and aromatherapy.
Lemon verbena symbolizes sensitivity and enchantment. Its refreshing citrus scent makes it a popular choice for herb gardens and sensory plantings.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Late summer
- Colors: White, pale lilac
- Height: 3-8 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant lemon verbena in well-draining soil. It prefers warm temperatures and can be grown in containers to be moved indoors in colder climates.
13. Lychnis
Scientific Name: Lychnis
Lychnis, also known as campion or catchfly, includes several species with bright, star-shaped flowers. Colors range from vivid red to pink and white. These perennials or biennials are known for their long blooming period and ability to self-seed.
Lychnis symbolizes religious enthusiasm in the language of flowers. Its bright blooms add a pop of color to rock gardens and borders.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Colors: Red, pink, white
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Plant lychnis in well-draining soil. Most species are drought-tolerant once established and require little maintenance.
14. Love-in-a-Mist
Scientific Name: Nigella damascena
Love-in-a-mist is a charming annual known for its delicate, star-shaped flowers surrounded by a crown of feathery foliage. The flowers come in shades of blue, pink, and white, followed by interesting seed pods that are often used in dried arrangements.
This flower symbolizes perplexity and confusion, likely due to its intricate appearance. It’s a favorite in cottage gardens and adds a whimsical touch to flower beds.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
- Colors: Blue, pink, white
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Sow love-in-a-mist seeds directly in the garden in spring. It self-seeds readily and requires little care once established.
15. Leucanthemum
Scientific Name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Leucanthemum, commonly known as Shasta daisy, produces large, white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. These perennials are hardy and long-blooming, making them a staple in many gardens. They’re excellent for cutting and attract butterflies.
Leucanthemum symbolizes innocence and purity. Their classic daisy shape and bright white petals make them a cheerful addition to any garden.
Key Features:
- Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
- Colors: White with yellow center
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Sun Requirement: Full sun
Care Tips: Plant leucanthemum in well-draining soil. They’re relatively low-maintenance but benefit from division every few years to maintain vigor.
Also check: Flower names that start with K
Conclusion
Flowers beginning with “L” add a wonderful variety to gardens. Think of the sweet smell of lavender or the grace of lilies. Then there’s the playful love-in-a-mist and the bright, cheerful lantanas. Each of these flowers has something special about it.
Some people love these flowers for their bold colors, others for their lovely scents. Many appreciate the meanings behind them. Whatever draws you in, there’s no denying that L-flowers can really inspire gardeners and flower lovers.
Getting to know these flowers better isn’t just fun – it can help you see nature in a new light. Plus, it might give you some great ideas for your own garden or flower arrangements. There’s a whole world of L-flowers out there waiting to be discovered.
