Flowers That Start With D

Looking for flowers that start with d to add to your garden? You’re in luck, because the variety is truly impressive. From classic favorites to exotic gems, these blooms offer a spectrum of colors, shapes, and growing needs. This guide will help you pick the perfect ones for your space.

Let’s get to know some of the most popular and beautiful options. Whether you have a sunny border or a shady corner, there’s likely a ‘D’ flower that will thrive.

Dahlia

Dahlias are the showstoppers of the late summer garden. They come in an almost unbelievable range of sizes, from tiny pompons to dinner-plate blooms over 10 inches wide. Their colors span every hue except true blue.

Growing Tips: Plant tubers in spring after the last frost. They love full sun and well-draining soil.
Key Care: Stake tall varieties. Deadhead regularly for more flowers. In colder zones, you must dig up the tubers in fall and store them indoors over winter.
Popular Types: Decorative, Cactus, Pompon, and Anemone-flowered.

Delphinium

Delphiniums provide majestic height and stunning vertical lines. Their tall spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers are a cottage garden classic. They can reach up to 6 feet tall, creating a dramatic backdrop.

Growing Tips: Prefer cool summers and rich, moist soil. Full sun to light shade is best.
Key Care: Staking is essential to prevent breakage. Protect from strong winds. Cutting back spent flowers may encourage a second, smaller bloom.
Popular Types: Pacific Giant hybrids, Magic Fountains series (shorter).

Dianthus

This large group includes Sweet William, Carnations, and Pinks. They are known for their charming, often frilled flowers and a lovely, spicy fragrance. Dianthus are generally low-growing and excellent for edges, rock gardens, or containers.

Growing Tips: Need excellent drainage and full sun. They dislike wet winter soil.
Key Care: Deadhead to prolong blooming. Many are short-lived perennials but are easily propagated by cuttings or division.
Popular Types: Dianthus ‘Barbatus’ (Sweet William), Dianthus caryophyllus (Carnation).

Daffodil (Narcissus)

No spring garden is complete without the cheerful daffodil. These reliable bulbs are one of the first signs of life after winter, blooming in yellows, whites, and peaches. They are also largely resistant to deer and rodents.

Growing Tips: Plant bulbs in the fall, about 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. They naturalize well in grass or under trees.
Key Care: Let the foliage die back naturally after flowering; this feeds the bulb for next year. Very low maintenance once established.
Popular Types: Trumpet, Large-cupped, and Miniature varieties.

Daisy (Bellis perennis & others)

The simple, happy daisy is universally loved. While the English Daisy (Bellis perennis) is a common lawn flower, Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum) are garden staples with larger, classic white petals around a yellow center.

Growing Tips: Most daisies are sun-loving and not fussy about soil, as long as it drains well.
Key Care: Deadhead Shasta Daisies to keep them blooming. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
Popular Types: Shasta Daisy, Oxeye Daisy, Gerbera Daisy (for containers or indoors).

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)

Valued for its stunning silvery-white, felt-like foliage, Dusty Miller is a fantastic contrast plant. It brightens up any combination, making other flower colors pop. It’s often grown as an annual.

Growing Tips: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Key Care: Pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushiness. It’s generally pest-free and easy to care for.

Digitalis (Foxglove)

Foxgloves bring a touch of woodland magic with their tall spires of tubular, speckled flowers. They are biennial, meaning they foliage the first year and flower the second, but they often self-seed freely.

Important: All parts of the foxglove plant are highly toxic if ingested. Plant with caution if you have small children or pets.

Growing Tips: Prefer partial shade and moist, humus-rich soil. They are excellent for adding height to shady borders.
Key Care: Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want new plants. Stake in windy areas.

Other Notable ‘D’ Flowers

The list doesn’t end there. Here are a few more gems to consider:

Datura (Angel’s Trumpet): Large, dramatic, fragrant trumpet flowers that open in the evening. Also very toxic.
Dierama (Angel’s Fishing Rod): Graceful, arching stems with dangling bell-shaped flowers that sway in the breeze.
Doronicum (Leopard’s Bane): One of the earliest perennials to bloom, with cheerful yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Dendrobium (Orchid): A massive genus of epiphytic orchids, many of which are popular for their long-lasting, exotic blooms as houseplants.

How to Choose the Right ‘D’ Flower for Your Garden

With so many choices, how do you decide? Follow these simple steps to narrow it down.

Check Your Hardiness Zone: First, know your USDA zone. A Dahlia won’t survive a cold winter in the ground, but a Daffodil needs that cold period to bloom.
Assess Your Sunlight: Watch your garden for a full day. Does the spot get 6+ hours of sun (full sun), 3-6 hours (partial sun/shade), or less (full shade)? Match the plant to the light.
Understand Your Soil: Is it heavy clay, sandy, or loamy? Most flowers prefer well-draining soil. You can always amend it with compost.
Consider Height and Spread: Place tall Delphiniums at the back of a border and low-growing Dianthus at the front. Check the plant tag for mature size.
Think About Bloom Time: For season-long color, mix early Daffodils with mid-summer Dahlias and fall-blooming perennial Daisies.

Planting and Care Basics

Getting your flowers off to a good start is key. Here’s a general guide that applies to most plants on our list.

Planting Steps

Timing is Everything: Plant perennials and bulbs in fall or early spring. Plant annuals after all danger of frost has passed.
Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Loosen the soil around the sides.
Position the Plant: Gently remove from its pot and loosen any circling roots. Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently firming it down. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Essential Ongoing Care

Watering: Water deeply and less frequently to encourage strong roots. Early morning is the best time to water.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Feeding: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring is often sufficient for perennials. Container plants and heavy feeders like Dahlias may need more.
Deadheading: Regularly removing spent flowers encourages the plant to produce more blooms instead of setting seed.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even the best gardeners face challenges. Here’s how to handle some common issues.

Leggy Growth/ Few Flowers: Usually means not enough sunlight. Consider moving the plant to a sunnier location next season.
Yellowing Leaves: Can be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Check soil moisture before watering.
Pests (Aphids, Slugs): For aphids, a strong spray of water often works. For slugs, use beer traps or diatomaceous earth around susceptible plants like Dahlias.
Powdery Mildew: A white fungus on leaves. Improve air circulation, water at the base of the plant, and consider a fungicidal spray if severe.

FAQ: Flowers That Start With D

What is a popular tall flower that starts with D?

Delphinium is a very popular tall flower, often reaching 4 to 6 feet. Some Dahlia varieties can also get quite tall and need staking.

Are there any shade-loving flowers beginning with D?

Yes, Digitalis (Foxglove) and Dicentra (Bleeding Heart, though not covered here) are excellent choices for partial to full shade gardens.

Which D flowers are best for containers?

Dwarf Dahlias, Dianthus, and Dusty Miller are fantastic for pots and container gardens due to their manageable size and long performance.

What are some easy-to-grow flowers that start with the letter D?

Daffodils are extremely easy from bulbs. Dianthus and Shasta Daisies are also very reliable and low-maintenance perennials for beginners.

Is there a fragrant flower starting with D?

Many Dianthus (especially Pinks and Carnations) have a wonderful spicy-sweet fragrance. Some Datura flowers are also very fragrant at night.

Adding flowers that start with d to your garden is a sure way to boost its beauty and interest. With options for every condition and style, from the stately Delphinium to the humble Daisy, you can enjoy a dazzling display across the seasons. Start with one or two that match your garden’s conditions, and you’ll soon appreciate the unique charm each one brings.