From the Narcissus, with its stunning foliage, to the delicate Nemesia, flowers that start with N include several options that are perfect for those who aren’t full-fledged ‘green thumbers.’ In this article, I review 13 excellent these flower ideas for your garden.
Unforgettable Flowers That Start With N
Whether you’re a bonafide horticulturist with years of experience under your belt or a newbie gardener just dipping their toes in the world of landscaping, these flower species are sure to impress!
I’ve also added a few tips and tricks to help keep your plants happy and healthy. Check it out.
1. Nemesia
Nemesia plants also go by the name ‘snapdragons’ because of how their blooms resemble a dragon’s nose. In addition to their memorable name, they’re also known for their sweet fragrance.
Gardeners typically plant Nemesia plants as a ground cover because they tend to grow low to the ground, reaching only 12 inches high. They also make nice edges and borders.
These flowering plants thrive in moist soil, warm weather, and full sunlight. Their most prevalent colors are pink and lavender.
2. Narcissus
Narcissus plants also go by ‘paperwhite’ because of the pale white color of their blossoms. They’re often used to represent renewal and rebirth, not just because of their color but also because they’re one of the first bulbs to appear in the early spring.
When mature, the flowers consist of six petals surrounding a bulb-shaped middle. The blooms are mostly white and yellow but can also be pink or orange, depending on the variety.
These hardy plants like their soil to be consistently moist but never soggy. They can handle direct sunlight, but the flowers will bloom longer if kept in partial or indirect light.
3. Nepeta
Do you enjoy the scent of peppermint? Then, this one perennial plant you should definitely have in your garden.
Commonly referred to as ‘catmint,’ this plant is, not surprisingly, a member of the mint family. This means it’s easy to grow and will do wonders when it comes to chasing away pesky insects.
Nepeta plants bear blooms in various shades of blue starting in early summer. While captivating, these plants tend to have a sprawling pattern. As a result, gardeners prefer planting them along the edge of flower beds and walkways to create a stunning border for your garden.
4. Nerine
If you’re looking for a flowering plant that blooms in the fall when all your other plants are wilting away, then these are for you. The delicate blossoms are tiny and come in various shades of white, red, and pink.
With such a distinctive appearance, Nerine plants add a unique style to any space. They’re quite versatile and do fine both indoors and outdoors.
It’s also impressive how hardy these plants are. They can tolerate all types of soil, but they prefer a dry substrate. They also need lots of direct sunlight to bloom consistently.
5. Nymphea
Nymphea belongs to the same family of flowers as the water lily, which explains their similar coloring and appearance. If you have a pond in your garden, then this plant will make a terrific addition to your landscape.
The long-lasting Nymphea flowers bloom from March to September. Their leaves are waxy to increase their buoyancy and make them able to float on the surface of the water with ease.
The best thing about aquatic plants, such as the Numphea, is that they add a unique look to your outdoor space with their stunning blooms. Not only that, but they play a significant role in filtering out the water, reducing algae growth, and providing your pond with shade.
6. Nolana
Nolana plants bear a strong resemblance to the morning glory blossom. However, these perennials are hardy with a laid-back attitude.
The blooms start to appear in early summer. The flowers are mostly blue with a slightly greenish tint. Their bright yellow centers are known to attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators.
They’re highly tolerant of almost all soil types, from gravel to dry desert sand; they’ll quickly adapt and grow no matter where you plant them. They only ask that their substrate is well-draining to prevent root rot disease.
7. Nigella
The Nigella plant gets its name from the Latin word for black, niger. The term refers to black seeds in the middle of the flower that help make cultivating this plant so easy.
This annual plant starts to bloom at the onset of summer, with blossoms appearing in a wide range of colors. Even though each variety has its own color theme, the most common shades are blue, white, and lavender.
Nigellas are happy when their soil is rich and fertile, regardless of whether they’re in a field or a container. Just make sure you place them somewhere that gets plenty of full sunlight.
8. Nelumbo
Nelumbo is just another fancy word for the lotus plant. These aquatic plants are one of the widely known pond plants in the history of vegetation.
In fact, they’ve been used as a symbol of rebirth and enlightenment since ancient times. With their graceful poise and colorful blooms, no wonder they’re loved by so many!
To top it off, the flowers on these low-maintenance plants bloom throughout the summer. Plus, they have a sweet-smelling fragrance as well. Moreover, all the plant parts have been used in both culinary and healing practices for thousands of years, making the Nelumbo plants the complete package.
9. Nightshade
Nightshade, aka ‘Deadly Nightshade,’ is a toxic flowering plant. Its foliage can cause skin irritations if touched. Yet, it’s when consumed that it becomes highly dangerous and even lethal.
Despite that grave introduction, it’s important to mention that, when used correctly, nightshade plants can be used as a treatment for multiple skin and joint conditions. In addition, its healing powers are capable of treating skin conditions, such as eczema, boils, acne, and other types of pain.
This perennial flowering shrub doesn’t do well in waterlogged soil. So, give the soil time to dry between waterings. They also grow best in partial sun, which means you can plant them indoors, preferably in a garden bed.
10. Nasturtium
The Nasturtium plant is often incorporated into gardens as an ornamental plant. With its showy, vibrant flowers and lush foliage, this is one plant that will get everyone talking.
This stunning plant does it all! First off, it’s categorized as a vine, which means it can proliferate quickly and reach impressive heights. The delicate stems branch out to produce dainty, little flowers with rounded edges. Their colors include red, yellow, and bright purple.
Moreover, both the leaves and flowers of the Nasturtium plant are edible. They have a slightly peppery flavor, similar to that of watercress or arugula.
11. Nettle
Nettle is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the Urticaceae family. It has slim, pointed leaves with slightly serrated edges that open up to a cluster of beautiful white flowers starting in summer and lasting into late fall.
This herbaceous plant thrives in moist soil. However, if the substrate ever becomes too dry to its liking, it’ll struggle to maintain its lush foliage and vibrant blooms.
It’s worth mentioning that nettles are self-seeders, which means they pretty much take care of their own propagation each spring without much help from you. One way to stop their fast spread is to cut down the plant in mid-summer as low to the ground as you can get.
12. Nicotiana
You guessed it! Nicotiana is the actual tobacco plant. It’s native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the South Pacific, Australia, and the Americas.
These annual flowering plants thrive in full sunlight and moist soil. They bear bright star-shaped blooms with vibrant orange stamens that attract mainly hummingbirds.
Quick-growing and hardy, Nicotiana plants have lush, velvety leaves. Most varieties have long, slender stems like sunflowers that bend towards the light any time they’re in partial or complete shade.
13. Nerium
Nerium plants are small flowering shrubs. They’re quick to grow and spread. Nevertheless, they’re easy to control, as long as you regularly prune and deadhead all the spent blooms.
These ornamental plants are typically found in subtropical and temperate climates. They’re known for their vibrant, exotic blossoms that bloom in spring and summer.
Despite their seemingly elegant appearance, these plants are highly toxic. According to experts, consuming only one leaf can result in a coma, respiratory failure, and ultimately death.
Wrap Up On Flowers That Start With N
There you have it! Our list of 13 of the most common—but strikingly beautiful—flowers that start with N.
If it were up to us, we’d find a home for each one of these plants in our garden. They all have an eye-catching quality about them. At the same time, they’re relatively easy to grow and picking just one seems impossible!
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