13 Beautiful Flowers That Start With R

Written by Nixza Gonzalez
Updated: August 6, 2023
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13 Beautiful Flowers That Start With R
These flowers add beauty to any garden they grace.

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.

Delphinium ajacis close up background. Multicolored Larkspur flowers. Delphinium putple, blue, pink flowers grows in the garden, Flowering field with Rocket Larkspur (Consolida ambigua). orientalis

Rocket larkspur plants can reach 2 feet tall.

©Victoria Moloman/Shutterstock.com

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.

Aubretia or Aubrieta low spreading hardy evergreen perennial flowering plants with multiple dense small violet flowers with yellow center planted in local garden looking as texture or wallpaper

Rock cress is a genus of flowers with many cultivars.

©Hecos/Shutterstock.com

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.

Closeup of a red, insectivorous sundew leaf, Drosera rotundifolia, with sticky, clasping glandular hairs in a swamp at Morey Pond in Wilmot, New Hampshire.

Round-leaved sundews are widespread and in many marshes and bogs throughout Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.

©Jeff Holcombe/Shutterstock.com

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.

Zephyranthes Candida

Rain lilies are best grown outside in USDA zones 7-10.

©iStock.com/Malcolm

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.

Hibiscus Moscheutos

Some rose mallow cultivars are cold-hardy.

©OlesyaKas/Shutterstock.com

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.

Bright pink rock-rose flower in a spring botanical garden. Cistus creticus is a species of shrubby plant in the family Cistaceae. A species of shrubby plant widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Rock roses are perennial shrubs that typically grow three to six feet tall.

©Al More/Shutterstock.com

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.

Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

Rattlesnake masters can grow over 5 feet tall.

©Tracy Immordino/Shutterstock.com

8. Red Valerian

Red Valerian in flower, macro

Butterflies and bees love the Red Valerian.


Image: Stan Banash, Shutterstock

©Stan Banash/Shutterstock.com

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

Ruta graveolens, commonly known as the, common rue or herb-of-grace, is a species of Ruta grown as an ornamental plant and herb. It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb, as a condiment.

Rue has been used for medicinal purposes since the Roman era.


Image: weha, Shutterstock

©weha/Shutterstock.com

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.

Closeup of a Gorgeous Pink Carefree Wonder Rose Blossoming in the Garden

There are thousands of rose cultivars.

©lovelypeace/Shutterstock.com

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.

Echinocereus dasyacanthus, Texas rainbow cactus

Rainbow cacti produce large, showy flowers.

©iStock.com/Clement Peiffer

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.

White and purple blooming geraniums.Geranium Grandiflorum, Regal Geranium "Elegance Jeanette"

Regal geraniums need full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.

©Studio Photo MH/Shutterstock.com

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.

Yellow Rosinweed blooming in the spring with a dark background.

Rosinweed sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet tall.

©iStock.com/Derek Broussard

Summary of Flowers That Start With R

Common NameScientific Name
1Rocket LarkspurConsolida ajacis
2Rock CressArabis
3Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
4Rain LilyZephyranthes
5Rose MallowHibiscus moscheutos
6Rock RoseCistus
7Rattlesnake MasterEryngium yuccifolium
8Red ValerianCentranthus ruber
9RueRuta graveolens
10RoseRosa rubiginosa
11Rainbow CactusEchinocereus dasyacanthus
12Regal GeraniumPelargonium grandiflorum
13Rosinweed SunflowerHelianthus silphioides

The photo featured at the top of this post is © JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Nixza Gonzalez is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics like travel, geography, plants, and marine animals. She has over six years of experience as a content writer and holds an Associate of Arts Degree. A resident of Florida, Nixza loves spending time outdoors exploring state parks and tending to her container garden.

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