25 Flowers that Start with F that You Can Add to your Garden

Flowers have always had different meanings to different people. Sometimes, a flower’s name is an apt description of its most distinguishing features. Other times, the name has little to do with the physical characteristics of a flower or plant itself but rather its history.

Either way, a flower’s name helps you identify it. If you like to group your flowers by name, this list details 25 flowers that start with F that can make a nice addition to your garden. 

List of Flowers that Start with F


  • Fan lower (Scaevola aemula
  • French marigold (Tagetes patula)
  • Firecracker flower (Justicia floribunda)
  • Fivespot (Nemophila maculata)
  • Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum)
  • Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
  • Fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
  • False indigo (Baptisia australis)
  • False rue-anemone (Enemion biternatum)
  • Four O’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
  • Fan columbine (Aquilegia flabellata)
  • Flame nettle (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
  • Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida)
  • Fern leaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina)
  • Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
  • Fire pink (Silene virginica)
  • Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)
  • Flax flower (Linum usitatissimum)
  • Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
  • Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
  • Frangipani (Plumeria)
  • Freesia (Freesia spp.)
  • Frikart’s aster (Aster × frikartii)
  • Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
  • Fumewort (Corydalis solida)

Annual Flowers that Start with F


Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula

Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula) - (image credit: MartinaUnbehauen)

Native to North America, the fan flower is shaped like a fan – hence its straightforward name. It comes in different colors, including dark blue, violet, and white.

As an annual, it grows between 8 to 18 inches high in Zones 10 and 11. The fan flower prefers full sun and moist, slightly acidic soil with pH levels between 5.5 and 6.0. It’s deer resistant and attracts butterflies.

French marigold (Tagetes patula)

French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
- (image credit: severinova)

The tropical French marigold is an elaborate flower with an intricate petal structure and different shades of orange and yellow. It’s the kind of flower that you can spend hours admiring without getting enough of.

It blooms between July and October or until the first frost and requires full sun and well-draining soil. When you want to grow elegant, yellow flowers starting with F, look no further than the French marigold.

Firecracker flower (Justicia floribunda)

Firecracker Flower (Justicia floribunda) - (image credit: hurricanehank)

Native to Brazil, this tubular flower has long petals pointing downwards. The yellow petals have a scarlet base, with some varieties fully red. The evergreen shrub grows to about one foot high and serves as good groundcover in Zones 9 and 10.

It requires full sun and slightly acidic soil, making it one of the challenging annual flowers that start with F to grow.

Fivespot (Nemophila maculata)

Fivespot (Nemophila maculata) - (image credit: fotokon)

It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to figure out why this annual flower starting with an F was called fivespot. The dainty bowl-shaped white flower has exactly five violet blotches punctuating its edge.

In addition, symmetrical thin violet lines stretch from the border to the center, giving it a stylish postmodern look. Fivespot is native to California and grows in Zones 8 to 12.

Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum)

Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum) - (image credit: shahla_bluerich)

The fluffy floss flower is usually light blue. But it can also be white, cream, pink, or purple, and other shades of pastel colors.

Each flower is a ball of thin hairs that stand on end and give it a fuzzy appearance.

It flowers from May until November and spreads a delicate fragrance all throughout its long bloom period. It requires partial shade and attracts butterflies.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - (image credit: 02konon)

Foxgloves have over 100 cultivars and species. As a result, the flowers have different colors ranging from white and purple to blue and pink. Some flowers are multicolored.

Foxgloves are poisonous plants, and the tubular flowers grow on the same stalk that carries the large leaves. Their bloom season is between May and August.

Perennial Flowers That Start With F


Fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla)

Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
- (image credit: crbellette)

The fairy duster is a colorful flower with a stunning combination of white and purple. It varies in size between 1 to 5 inches and grows on an evergreen shrub. It’s ideal for deserts and arid microclimates in Zones 8 to 10.

The showy flowers attract pollinators and thrive in full sun.

False indigo (Baptisia australis)

False Indigo (Baptisia australis) - (image credit: meunierd)

One example of perennial flowers that start with an F is false indigo. False indigos have small white flowers that darken in shades of blue or purple as it matures.

The flowers grow in clusters covering a long spike in alternate arrangements, blooming between April and July.

The plant averages 2 to 3 feet tall and is native to the central regions of North America. It requires moist soil.

False rue-anemone (Enemion biternatum)

False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum) - (image credit: cotinis)

This perennial flower beginning with F will stop you in your tracks with its showy white blooms. The flowers emerge in the spring on evergreen foliage.

After the flowers fade, the plant goes dormant in the summer. It grows well in Zones 3 to 8 in partial shade and moist soil. It doesn’t exceed 8 inches high and does well as a ground cover.

Four O’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

Four O’clock (Mirabilis jalapa) - (image credit: mschuppi)

Of all the annual flowers that start with F, the four o’clock flower is the most colorful. Pink and yellow are the dominant colors, but some varieties have bright red, orange, or yellow flowers.

The bell-shaped flowers attract bees and butterflies to the garden. The plant grows to about 3 feet tall in full sun in Zones 9 to 11. 

Fan columbine (Aquilegia flabellata)

Fan Columbine (Aquilegia flabellata) - (image credit: ncristian)

The fan columbine takes cool toned and white shades to new levels. As late bloomers, these perennials only flower in the early summer. But they’re worth the wait.

The flowers come in different colors, including light blue and lavender, making your floral arrangements stand out. They grow well in Zones 3 to 9 and need full sun and slightly moist soil.

Flame nettle (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

Flame Nettle (Solenostemon scutellarioides) - (image credit: rumxde)

The flame nettle is a coleus cultivar that was developed not just for its variegated leaves but for its bluish-purple flowers as well. The bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters and vary in size from 0.3 inches to 1.6 inches.

However, what gives the flame nettle its ornamental qualities the most are its leaves with bright red and pink blotches on a green background. It grows in Zones 4 to 10 in full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist soil with pH levels between 5.0 and 7.5.

Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida)

Fern Leaf Lavender (Lavandula multifida)
- (image credit: sasimoto)

If you like your flowers beginning with F to be a combination of lavender and purple, the fern leaf lavender won’t disappoint. Both the fern leaf lavender’s striking colors and a strong fragrance act as magnets for pollinators of all types.

Native to the warmer regions of the Mediterranean, the fern leaf lavender is hardy to Zones 8 to 10 and needs full sun.

Fern leaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina)

Fern Leaf Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina)
- (image credit: nahhan)

The fern leaf yarrow is a member of the sunflower family. It’s one of the most giant flowers that start with an F as it can grow from up to 5 inches wide.

Its intricate flowers are bright, old gold-yellow, and take the shape of a dome or an umbrella. The plant grows in Zones 3 to 9 under full sun and can tolerate drought.

While they only emerge during mid to late summer, fern leaf yarrow flowers are a true showstopper and are sure to turn a curious eye to your flower beds.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - (image credit: hiperdino67)

A member of the daisy family, the feverfew is a cheerful small flower less than three-quarters of an inch in width. But the small bush produces enough flowers to spread cheer with their white petals and yellow centers.

They usually bloom between July and October. Watch out as these bushes tend to spread and crowd out other plants in the garden.

Fire pink (Silene virginica)

Fire Pink (Silene virginica) - (image credit: Jason Hollinger)

The aptly named fire pink flowers are another one of the perennial flowers that start with F on this list. Unfortunately, they have a short lifespan, only living for about three years.

Each flower has five brilliant red petals about 2 inches wide and hairs at the base. The edges of the petals are notched and extended into tubes. They grow in Zones 4 to 8 in full sun and attract hummingbirds.

Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)

Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi) - (image credit:  kengriffiths.live.com)

Named after the downy hair that covers the stems and leaves, the flannel flower is native to Sydney, Australia. The white flowers look like daisies and are spread 2 to 3 inches across. They bloom early in the spring in the land down under, which translates into early fall in the northern hemisphere. 

Flannel flowers have a unique texture, hence the name. Touching one gives you the soft, cottony texture of flannel, making this flower starting with an F a lovely option for petal touching.

Flax flower (Linum usitatissimum)

Flax Flower (Linum usitatissimum) - (image credit: ALesik)

Flax flowers are dazzling light blue with five petals in each flower. Flax flowers grow in clusters that stand out over the slender lance-like leaves spreading a little under half an inch across.

Some flax varieties have blue, red, yellow, and white flowers. They bloom from late spring until midsummer, truly making it one of the most pleasing spring flowers that begin with F.

Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)

Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica) - (image credit: olko1975)

Say what you like about this annual, but the forget-me-not flowers spread joy and hope wherever they grow. The almost-flat light blue petals with a yellow disc and a dark dot in the center are an exquisite color combination.

Since the plant doesn’t rise above 9 inches, it makes for an excellent ground cover.

Forget-me-nots have good tolerance for wet soil and partial shade. It grows in Zones 3 to 8 and is deer resistant.

Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)

Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) - (image credit: Joingate)

Native to Asia, forsythias are named after William Forsyth, a Scottish horticulturist. As an early bloomer, forsythia flowers emerge in the spring and can immediately turn flower gardens into a splash of yellow.

Each flower has four petals that stretch out and arch, allowing bees and butterflies to feed on the nectar and pollen. The perennial shrub needs full sun and is hardy to Zones 5 to 9. 

Frangipani (Plumeria)

Frangipani (Plumeria) - (image credit: LiliGraphie)

With a long bloom season from early summer until the fall, the frangipani is a flower to consider in your garden.

The tropical flower has five white interlacing petals with pinkish outlines and a yellow center. Its fragrance is powerful in the evenings. It thrives in hot and dry climates and is resistant to pests.

Freesia (Freesia spp.)

Freesia (Freesia spp.) - (image credit: inmt24)

The white flowers of the freesia are shaped like a trumpet with yellow shades on the petals. Some varieties have pink, purple, or yellow flowers. Native to the southern regions of Africa, species of freesia bloom in the spring and attract many good insects.

They attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, making them one of the better plants for a thriving ecosystem in your yard.

Frikart’s aster (Aster × frikartii)

Frikart’s Aster (Aster × frikartii) - (image credit: manuel m.v.)

When it comes to perennial flowers that start with F, this hybrid is definitely unique. Frikart’s aster is a hybrid that is the product of 2 flowers, one of them being a daisy and the other Thomson’s aster. This explains why it looks like a daisy, only with delicate, purple-blue petals.

Moreover, Frikart’s aster still retains the long and slender petals of the daisy and the orange center. They are also good attractors of pollinators, making it good for someone passionate about the environment.

Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) - (image credit: IndividualOne)

All fuchsia have a teardrop shape and is quite ornamental in its shades of pink and purple.

It blooms throughout the summer and fall, while some species stay in bloom all year round.

This flower starting with an F is an unexpected crowd favorite of hummingbirds who favor its long and narrow tubular flowers and are attracted to its vivid petals. 

Fumewort (Corydalis solida)

Fumewort (Corydalis solida) - (image credit: andre1ns)

Fumewort is another exotic flower that dangles down like a long and slender tube. It comes in a wide variety of colors including purple, white, mauve, and red.

The plant grows to about 10 inches in the spring and by the summer, it dies back, leaving nothing but its roots. Definitely one of the sadder flowers that begin with F.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Flowers That Begin With F


What are some spring flowers that begin with F?

When you’re looking forward to planting flowers for spring, here’s a list of flower starting with an F that you can plant. They include the following: False rue-anemone, Fern leaf lavender, Fire pink, Flannel flower, Flax flower, Floss flower, Forsythia, Foxglove, Freesia, and Fumewort.

What yellow flowers starting with F are good as gifts?

Many flowers that start with F are yellow. But the most notable ones you can give to friends or loved ones who have a green thumb are: Four o’clock, Fern leaf yarrow, Firecracker flower, Forsythia, Frangipani, and Freesia.

What are some wild flowers beginning with F?

Some of the more preferred to grow wild flowers beginning with F include the: False indigo, Fan flower, Fivespot, Foxglove, Frangipani, Freesia, and Fuchsia.

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AJ Attia

Writer wayfarer. I travel and write and look at life from different angles. When I don't like an angle, I travel to another spot, set up camp, and look. Writing is a process, and it's mostly exploratory.