If you’re looking for a way to make your garden stand out, consider flowers that start with I. These incredibly vibrant and fragrant choices offer something special for every gardener. From classic favorites to exotic blooms, the ‘I’ section of the plant catalog is full of surprises.
You can find options for sun and shade. There are plants perfect for borders, containers, and cutting gardens. Let’s look at some of the best ones you can grow.
Flowers That Start With I
This list covers a wonderful range of plants. You’ll find annuals, perennials, and even bulbs. Each one brings its own unique color and scent to your outdoor space.
1. Iris
Irises are a true garden staple. They are known for their striking, architectural flowers. The name ‘Iris’ comes from the Greek word for rainbow, which is fitting given their wide color range.
You can find them in purple, blue, yellow, white, and even copper. Many varieties have a lovely, subtle fragrance. They are generally divided into two main groups: bearded and beardless.
- Bearded Iris: These have a fuzzy “beard” on their lower petals. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s crucial to plant the rhizome (the thick root) partially above the soil to prevent rot.
- Beardless Iris: This group includes Siberian and Japanese Iris. They often prefer more moisture and can handle a bit of shade. Their flowers are elegant and more delicate in form.
To plant iris rhizomes, follow these steps:
- Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun.
- Dig a shallow hole and make a small mound of soil in the center.
- Place the rhizome on the mound and spread the roots down the sides.
- Cover the roots with soil, but leave the top of the rhizome exposed.
- Water it well to settle the soil.
Divide your irises every 3 to 4 years in late summer. This keeps them healthy and flowering profusely. Just dig up the clump, cut apart the healthy rhizomes, and replant them.
2. Impatiens
Impatiens are the champions of shady gardens. They provide non-stop color from spring until the first frost. Their bright blooms come in pink, red, white, orange, and violet.
They are incredibly easy to grow from nursery plants. Just make sure you keep them consistently watered. During hot spells, they might need a drink every day.
There are two main types you’ll commonly see:
- Busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana): These are the classic shade-loving bedding plants. They form neat mounds covered in flowers.
- New Guinea Impatiens: These have larger, showier flowers and often variegated foliage. They can tolerate a bit more morning sun than the standard type.
A common problem is downy mildew, a disease that can wipe out plants. If this has been an issue in your area, look for resistant varieties. SunPatiens is a robust hybrid series that resists the disease and can handle more sun.
3. Ice Plant (Delosperma)
Ice Plant is a fantastic, low-growing succulent. It’s perfect for hot, dry, sunny spots where other plants struggle. The name comes from the glistening, ice-like spots on its foliage.
It produces daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of purple, pink, orange, and yellow. They bloom for months on end, creating a stunning carpet of color. It’s also a great choice for rock gardens and slopes.
Care is very simple. Plant it in full sun and in soil that drains exceptionally well. Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant. In colder climates, choose a hardy variety like Delosperma cooperi.
How to Propagate Ice Plant
You can easily make more plants from cuttings. In spring or early summer, take a stem cutting about 3 inches long. Let the cut end dry for a day to form a callus. Then, just stick it in a pot of sandy soil. It should root within a few weeks.
4. Ixora
Ixora is a tropical shrub that loves heat and humidity. In warm climates (zones 10-11), it makes a beautiful evergreen hedge or specimen plant. In cooler areas, you can grow it in a container to bring indoors for winter.
It produces large, rounded clusters of small, star-shaped flowers. The most common color is a brilliant red, but you can also find pink, orange, and yellow varieties. The blooms are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Ixora needs acidic soil to thrive. If your soil is alkaline, you’ll need to grow it in a pot with ericaceous (acidic) compost. It prefers full sun but appreciates afternoon shade in the hottest regions. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
5. Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica)
This is a wonderful native perennial for shady gardens. It’s not actually related to the common pink flower, but it’s name comes from its stunning appearance. The tubular flowers are a fiery red on the outside and bright yellow on the inside.
It blooms in late spring to early summer. The unique flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds. It forms a neat clump and is not invasive, making it a polite and beautiful addition to a woodland garden.
Plant it in partial to full shade in rich, moist soil. It will slowly spread over time to form a nice colony. It’s generally pest-free and easy to care for once established.
6. Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule)
Don’t let the name fool you—this poppy isn’t from Iceland. It’s actually native to cooler regions of Europe and Asia. It’s known for its delicate, papery blooms that come in soft shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white.
They have a lovely, light fragrance. Iceland Poppies are technically perennials but are often grown as annuals or biennials. They bloom in cool weather, making them excellent for spring and fall color.
Sow the seeds directly in the garden in late summer or early spring. They need light to germinate, so just press the seeds gently into the soil surface. They dislike having their roots disturbed, so transplanting is not recommended.
7. Italian Jasmine (Jasminum humile)
This is a shrubby type of jasmine that is less vining than others. It produces clusters of small, bright yellow, fragrant flowers from late spring through summer. The scent is sweet and noticeable without being overpowering.
It’s a versatile plant. You can grow it as a loose shrub, train it against a wall, or even use it for a hedge. It’s more cold-tolerant than some other jasmines, surviving in zones 7-10.
Plant it in full sun to partial shade. It adapts to most soil types as long as they drain well. Prune it lightly after flowering to maintain its shape. If it gets leggy, you can cut it back more hardily in early spring.
8. Ipheion (Spring Starflower)
This is a charming little bulb that is surprisingly tough. It produces star-shaped flowers in shades of pale blue or white in early spring. The best part is the foliage and flowers have a distinct scent of honey or onions when crushed.
It’s excellent for naturalizing in lawns or planting under deciduous trees. The grass-like foliage appears in fall and persists through winter before blooming. After flowering, the foliage dies back and disappears by summer.
Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. They multiply readily, forming a beautiful carpet of blooms over the years. They are rarely bothered by pests or deer.
9. Incarvillea
Often called Hardy Gloxinia, this perennial has exotic-looking, trumpet-shaped flowers. They rise above a mound of fern-like foliage. Colors include deep pink, rose, and yellow, often with a yellow throat.
It blooms in late spring to early summer. While it looks delicate, it’s quite cold-hardy. The key to success is perfect drainage, especially in winter. Plant the tuberous roots with the crown just at soil level.
Choose a spot in full sun to light shade. Add plenty of grit or sand to the planting hole to ensure water drains away quickly. A layer of mulch in winter can help protect the crown in colder zones.
10. Indian Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
This cheerful annual (sometimes perennial) is a native wildflower. It boasts daisy-like flowers with red centers tipped in yellow, resembling a sunset. It’s incredibly drought-tolerant and loves full, blazing sun.
It blooms non-stop from early summer until frost if you deadhead spent flowers. It’s a fantastic plant for poor, sandy soils where little else will grow. It also attracts butterflies and makes long-lasting cut flowers.
You can start it easily from seed sown directly in the garden after the last frost. Just scatter the seeds and lightly rake them in. They germinate quickly and will flower in just a few weeks. They often self-seed generously for color year after year.
Designing With ‘I’ Flowers
You can create stunning garden displays by combining these plants. Think about their needs and their looks to make successful pairings.
- For a sunny, dry border: Combine Ice Plant (Delosperma) and Indian Blanket Flower. Add some lavender for extra fragrance and texture.
- For a fragrant, shady corner: Plant Impatiens for color at ground level, with the vertical spikes of Indian Pink rising above. Sweet Woodruff could make a nice ground cover around them.
- For a cottage garden feel: Plant Irises at the back of a border. Put Iceland Poppies and Ipheion in front. The poppies soft colors will complement the bold iris blooms beautifully.
- In containers: Use New Guinea Impatiens or Ixora as a thriller in the center. Surround them with trailing plants like sweet potato vine for a full, lush look.
Tips for Success
Always check the hardiness zone for perennial plants. A plant that is perennial in Florida may not survive a Minnesota winter. You can often grow tender perennials like Ixora as annuals in cooler climates or in pots you bring inside.
Pay close attention to sun requirements. A shade-loving plant like Impatiens will scorch in full afternoon sun. Likewise, a sun-worshipper like Gaillardia will become leggy and not flower well in shade.
Improve your soil before planting. Adding compost at planting time helps with drainage in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils. It also provides slow-release nutrients to get your plants off to a great start.
Caring for Your Incredibly Vibrant and Fragrant Blooms
To keep your flowers looking their best, a little routine care is needed. The good news is, most of these plants are not fussy.
- Watering: Water new plants regularly until they establish. After that, group plants with similar water needs together. Ice Plant and Gaillardia need much less water than Impatiens or Ixora.
- Feeding: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to lots of leaves and few flowers, especially in plants like Iris.
- Deadheading: Removing spent flowers encourages more blooms on plants like Impatiens, Gaillardia, and Iceland Poppy. For Iris, cut down the flower stalk after blooming, but leave the foliage to die back naturally.
- Winter Care: In fall, cut back dead foliage on perennials after a hard frost. A layer of mulch can help protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles. Tender plants in pots should be moved to a frost-free location.
FAQ: Flowers Starting With I
Q: Which flowers that start with the letter I are the most fragrant?
A: Italian Jasmine is known for its strong, sweet scent. Iris, particularly the bearded varieties, often have a light, violet-like fragrance. Ipheion has a unique honey or onion scent when its leaves are crushed.
Q: Are there any indoor flowers beginning with I?
A: Yes! Impatiens and Ixora can do well as indoor plants if given enough light. A bright, sunny window is key. African Violets (which start with ‘A’) are more common, but these can be fun alternatives.
Q: What is an easy I flower for a beginner?
A: Impatiens and Indian Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) are among the easiest. Impatiens is forgiving in shade with regular water. Gaillardia is tough as nails in hot, sunny, dry spots and grows easily from seed.
Q: Can I find blue flowers that start with I?
A> Absolutely. Many Irises come in stunning shades of blue, from pale sky blue to deep indigo. Ipheion (Spring Starflower) also offers lovely soft blue varieties that bloom in early spring.
Q: Which I flowers attract pollinators?
A: Many do! Indian Blanket Flower and Ice Plant are magnets for butterflies. Indian Pink is a favorite of hummingbirds. Ixora also attracts butterflies and hummers with its nectar-rich clusters.
Adding flowers that start with I to your garden is a sure way to include incredible color and wonderful fragrance. With options for every climate and garden style, there’s an ‘I’ plant ready to become your new favorite. Start with one or two that match your conditions, and enjoy the vibrant results they bring to your outdoor space.