Flowers are beautiful and unique. There are so many types to choose from to spruce up your home and garden. In this list, we are going to discuss 13 beautiful flowers that start with R. You may already have some of these beautiful flowers in your home.
1. Rocket Larkspur
The first beautiful flower that starts with an R is the rocket larkspur. This plant goes by many names including Wild Delphinium. It’s a tall flowering plant native to Eurasia. Rocket Larkspur is popular in North America. This introduced species grows well in the wild and is a popular addition to most North American gardens. These plants have tall pink, white, red, or blue flowers. They can easily grow over 2 feet tall.
2. Rock Cress
Rock cress is another flower that begins with R. Technically, rock cress isn’t one flower, but a genus of flowers. The genus is also known as Arabis. Rock cress is a member of the family Brassicaceae. It’s a perennial plant that produces hundreds or thousands of vibrant flowers in late spring and early summer. Rock cress flowers are red, purple, pink, and yellow depending on the variety. They reach about 9 to 10 inches tall but can spread about 2 feet. One of the most popular cultivars is the Whitewall Gem rock cress.
3. Round-leaved Sundew
The third flower on our list is possibly the most unique, the round-leaved sundew. It’s a vibrant carnivorous flowering plant in the Droseraceae. This beautiful and vibrant flower is widespread in many marshes and bogs throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The round-leaved sundew feeds on insects. It attracts insects with sweet drops of mucilage on its leaves. While the population is stable, it’s listed as endangered in Illinois and Iowa.
4. Rain Lily
Rain lilies are a genus of flowering plants and members of the Amaryllis family. They are very popular ornamental plants native to the Western Hemisphere. Currently, there are at least 200 recognized rain lily species. Sometimes, these lovely flowers are called rain flowers, magic lilies, or fairy lilies. More than half of the rain lily species belong to the subfamily Zephyranthes. These lovely plants are best grown outside in USDA zones 7-10.
5. Rose Mallow
Next on our list of flowers that start with R is the rose mallow. This plant has many names including the eastern rose mallow, swamp rose mallow, and crimson-eyed rose mallow. This beautiful flowering plant is a member of the family Malvaceae. It grows in wetlands in large groups. Rose mallows are very common in the eastern United States. However, you can find it as up north as Ontario. The flowers are vibrant and vary in color and markings depending on the cultivar. Some cultivars are also cold-hardy.
6. Rock Rose
Have you ever heard of the rock rose? Like others on this list, it’s a genus of flowers, not a specific species. Its scientific name is Cistus. There are at least 20 species of rock roses. These lovely flowers are native to the Mediterranean region, parts of the Middle East, and the Canary Islands, Spain. They are common garden flowers with five petals and vibrant green leaves. One of the most popular hybrids is the Cistus × incanus, a flowering shrub that can reach 3 feet tall.
7. Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake masters are also flowers that start with R. It’s sometimes also called the button snake-root. It’s native to central and eastern North America and grows wild in tallgrass prairies. This plant has long stiff leaves with rough pointed tips and ball-shaped flowers at the top. Rattlesnake masters produce umbels of flowers. It was named rattlesnake masters because European settlers believed the plant was used by Native Americans to treat rattlesnake bites and venom. These are easy plants to grow and are favorites for many gardeners. They prefer full sun but can be grown in a variety of different soils including clay, sandy, and rocky soils. Rattlesnake masters easily reach over 5 feet tall.
8. Red Valerian
Next on our list is the red valerian, also known as the fox’s brush, devil’s beard, spur valerian, Jupiter’s beard, and kiss-me-quick. This popular flower is vibrant red and has a long blooming season. It’s native to the Mediterranean region but has been introduced throughout the world. You can find this beautiful flower in Ireland, France, and the United States. It’s an invasive species in Western Cape, South Africa. Red valerians are short shrubs with large inflorescences and small flowers. While most are purple-red, some flowers are lavender, light pink, or white. This is a very pollinator-friendly plant perfect for attracting butterflies and bees.
9. Rue
Rue, also known as common rue and herb-of-grace, is an ornamental and beautiful plant native to the Balkan Peninsula. While only native to the Balkan Peninsula, rue is grown all over the world. It’s a very common plant in the United States. This plant has a woody base and tiny five-petal yellow flowers growing in clusters. Rue has a rich history. It’s been in use as medicine since ancient Rome. While it’s sometimes in food, large amounts of rue can cause discomfort, rashes, and liver damage.
10. Rose
The most well-known flower to start with the letter R is the rose! They are members of the family Rosaceae. Roses are very common. They are also super unique with thousands of cultivars and hybrids. Roses aren’t just beautiful and used as decoration, they are also used as an ingredient in food and drinks. Rose perfumes are also made from rose oil.
11. Rainbow Cactus
Rainbow cacti are also flowers that start with the letter R. The scientific name for this plant is Echinocereus dasyacanthus. It’s also known as the Texas rainbow cactus. As the name suggests, this plant has light rainbow rings on its stems. This beautiful plant produces large yellow flowers, sometimes larger than the plant’s stem. Rainbow cacti flower and bloom mid-spring. While most Rainbow cacti flowers are yellow, they can also be red, pink, and pale yellow. A popular houseplant, but sometimes grows outside in desert gardens.
12. Regal Geranium
The regal geranium is an eye-catching flower perfect for adding color and life to a home. It’s native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The regal geranium is a member of the family Geraniaceae. These lovely flowers come in many colors and sizes. They are grown as annuals and thrive in slightly acidic soil and full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.
13. Rosinweed Sunflower
The last flower on our list is the rosinweed sunflower. It’s sometimes also called the Ozark sunflower. This plant is native to the central United States and parts of the South. It’s in multiple states including Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama. Sadly, it’s endangered in Kentucky. Rosinweed sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet tall.
Summary of Flowers That Start With R
Common Name | Scientific Name | |
---|---|---|
1 | Rocket Larkspur | Consolida ajacis |
2 | Rock Cress | Arabis |
3 | Round-leaved Sundew | Drosera rotundifolia |
4 | Rain Lily | Zephyranthes |
5 | Rose Mallow | Hibiscus moscheutos |
6 | Rock Rose | Cistus |
7 | Rattlesnake Master | Eryngium yuccifolium |
8 | Red Valerian | Centranthus ruber |
9 | Rue | Ruta graveolens |
10 | Rose | Rosa rubiginosa |
11 | Rainbow Cactus | Echinocereus dasyacanthus |
12 | Regal Geranium | Pelargonium grandiflorum |
13 | Rosinweed Sunflower | Helianthus silphioides |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.com
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