It can be tricky to list several flowers that start with I, don’t you agree? Despite how intimidating this challenge may appear to be, it’s not impossible because more than 20 flowers have an initial of I.
For example, Indian Blankets, Indian Pinks, Iceland Poppies, Ice Plants, and Impatiens flowers all start with an I. These pretty flowers come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, which made me all the more curious to learn everything about them.
In this article, I’ll dive deeper into the physical features and growing requirements of ten flowers that begin with I. So, stick around to learn some interesting facts about these delicate blooms!
1. Indian Blanket
First on my list is the Indian Blanket flower, which is as attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies as it is to us humans!
Thanks to its cheerfully bright colors and sweet aroma, the Indian Blanket is a favorite of many gardening lovers in the United States. The flower has a red center that’s ringed with a yellow or orange outer band, and its stems and leaves resemble tiny tree branches.
What’s more to like about Indian Blankets is that these wildflowers are a breeze to grow. All you’ll have to do is plant them in full sun, but they can still handle a bit of shade if you live in a warm region of the country.
In addition to that, you must provide your flowers with not-too-rich and well-draining soil. They’re not exactly fans of fertilizers or heavy clay soil as these might cause them to wither away.
Indian Blankets have other names, too, such as:
- Gaillardia pulchella (botanical name)
- Girasol Rojo
- Firewheel
2. Indian Pinks
Indian Pinks look as breathtaking as their name suggests, and they’re unlike any flower species you’ve already seen. They don’t have clusters of tiny petals, drooping blooms, or bulbs. Instead, they grow into elongated clusters on arching stems with bright red bases and pale tips.
Their unusual shape makes them perfect for many spots in your backyard; you can include them in hanging baskets, along the borders of a flowerbed, or straight out in rock gardens. They should grace any exterior space with a pop of color that’s hard to miss.
Indian Pinks require total sunlight, but they don’t mind partial shade either. They like their soil to be well-drained and of medium texture, and they’re cool with some extra moisture.
Besides their lovely name, Indian Pinks are also called:
- Spigelia marilandica (botanical name)
- Wormgrass
- Pinkroot
3. Iceland Poppy
Just as the name implies, Iceland Poppies are beautiful blooms that grow in large numbers in Iceland. Yet, they also appear in several parts of Europe and Asia as well as the subarctic regions of North America.
They’re famous for their vibrant colors, fuzzy stems, and thin, ruffled petals.
These more specific variations of common poppies can pepper your garden with splashes of bright yellow, orange, red, pink, and white. Once you plant them in late winter or early spring, they’ll come to their full bloom in early summer because they grow slowly. Good things take time!
As for their sun and soil preferences, Iceland Poppies prefer their soil rich and fast-draining with direct sunlight shining down on them. They can deal with partial shade, too.
I’m pretty sure you think Iceland Poppies already have a lovely name, but their other names are just as interesting:
- Papaver nudicaule (botanical name)
- Arctic Poppy
4. Impatiens
The Impatiens flower includes many subspecies, and each one of those has unique characteristics when it comes to shape and size. The most popular type is the common Impatiens, which is a short buddy that doesn’t grow above one foot in height!
Because there are many Impatiens varieties, you can find this flower in all sorts of pastel and vibrant colors. For instance, you could end up with violet, purple, coral, pink, red, white, and yellow Impatiens.
Unlike many flowers on this list, Impatiens plants don’t like full sunlight. Instead, they’ll reach full bloom in partial to complete shade. They require rich, slightly acidic, and well-draining soil.
If you’re wondering about their odd name and how it sounds so much like the word “impatient,” you’d be surprised that it’s not a coincidence. Their name is basically the Latin term for that word, and the reason for this is a little funny if you ask me.
See, the ripe seed pods of Impatiens flowers will sometimes explode open at the slightest touch. That way, they’re eager and impatient to spill their contents!
Other names that Impatiens flowers are known by are:
- Impatiens walleriana (the botanical name for the common Impatiens)
- Busy Lizzy
- Touch-me-not
5. Ice Plant
What a weird name for a flower, ha?
Still, if you learn the explanation behind it, you’ll probably not be so skeptical. Ice plants, also known as Delosperma, get this nickname because their petals are covered with tiny hairs that reflect any nearby light. Therefore, they resemble ice crystals to an extent.
As for the shape of the petals, they look a bit like that of a daisy but thinner. The center of the Ice Plant flower isn’t as pronounced as a daisy’s either, and its foliage is fleshy.
Ice Plants are available in many colors based on the variety in question. Their petals can be orange, yellow, pink, red, or purple. Some types are bi and even tri-colored.
These flowers are famous for being fast-growers, and they bloom in the summer and fall as well as spring. To reach their promised glory, Ice Plants need full sun exposure and dry soil.
6. Iris
Everyone’s heard of Irises, but not many people know them at a first glance. Irises have a distinctive shape that, once you see them for the first time, they’ll be hard to forget afterward.
These bold flowers have drooping or spreading lobes instead of petals, and their leaves resemble swords. Yet, the Iris genus is so diverse that each variety has its own set of growing requirements. The most common type is the Bearded Iris, and, naturally, it’s the easiest to take care of.
Irises exist in a multitude of color options, such as yellow, orange, red, brown, white, pink, and white. More interestingly, some varieties are bi-colored.
Despite their magnificent display of pretty colors and eye-catching looks, remember that Irises can be toxic to pets. Therefore, you must plant them somewhere out of your dog’s or cat’s reach.
Besides their rather famous moniker, Irises are also called by other names that are more specific to their variety:
- Iris Germanica (Bearded Iris)
- Iris Hollandica (Blue Magic)
- Iris Reticulata (Dwarf Iris)
7. Ixia
Ixias are South African flowers with showy tendencies!
These girls are proud of their vibrant colors, broadcasting them on wide petals so that everyone can take a good look. Ixias appear in shades of yellow, orange, red, and even white. As for their stalks, they’re usually leafless.
Ixias like their soil incredibly rich in nutrients, and they require full sunlight.
What’s also pretty interesting about these flowers is that their bulbs are edible. No worries about them being toxic, then!
Ixias have other, more common names, such as:
- African Corn Lily
- Wand Flower
8. Iberis
Did you know that Iberis flowers are distant cousins of cabbage and broccoli? If you see a picture of them, you’ll get the reference!
Iberis flowers are known for their ornamental qualities and soft, pastel colors. As a result, a lot of people favor them in their landscaping or gardening projects.
These pretty blooms appear as tufts of tiny flowers, and they’re available in white, pink, and purple. They prefer complete to partial sun exposure and well-drained soil.
Iberis flowers also go by:
- Iberis sempervirens (botanical name)
- Candytuft
9. Ixora
Who doesn’t love Ixora flowers with their sweet and musky fragrance, bright colors, and remarkable shape?
This ornamental vine produces orange, red, yellow, or white blossoms to transform the appearance of your garden. Its petals grow in tight clusters that look like puffs of cotton candy, which also makes it an awesome addition to your indoor space.
West Indian Jasmine Flower is another, more popular name for the Ixora flower.
10. Italian Aster
Last but not least, you can’t not mention the Italian Aster when talking about flowers that start with the letter I. This lovely lady grows in Italy as a wildflower, covering entire meadows. People also like to include it in their flower beds for its delicate, daisy-like looks.
Where the petals of daisies are white, the Italian Aster’s are purple with yellow center points.
This flower is also called:
- Aster amellus (botanical name)
- Fall Aster
- Italian Starwort
- Michaelmas Daisy
Final Words On Flowers That Start With I
Knowing ten flowers that start with I sounds as tough as ever. But now that you’ve read this article, it shouldn’t be anymore, right?
From Irises to Ice Plants and all the way to Iceland Poppies, you can’t go wrong with any of the flowers we’ve explored together. All of them are beautiful in their own way, with various colors, sizes, shapes, and preferred growing conditions.
Have you settled on a favorite yet?
Back to Petals And Hedges home page
Read more from our wedding flowers ideas category