Statement Blooms That Bring A Colorful Accent To Your Yard
There are a few ways certain flowers are given the label of a "statement bloom." Most of the time, this credential is earned because of the vibrancy of the petals, perhaps in shades of gorgeous pink or beautiful blue. Another common reason why some flowers draw more attention than others is because of their size, as some blooms can measure over 1 foot across. A delicious floral scent could also make a certain flower stand out, and unique features like blooms with two colors can also give a plant this status.
Adding statement blooms to your yard is sure to make your space feel more welcoming and fun. If you like to entertain often, a flower garden filled with bold florals could be a great conversation starter that gets everyone talking and impresses your guests. And, even if you don't claim to have a green thumb, many of these plants are low maintenance and require little care. Below are 18 statement blooms you could plant to add vibrancy and life to your property.
1. Angel's trumpet
Available in shades of white, orange, yellow, and pink, angel's trumpets (Brugmansia) are statement blooms because of their size and shape. These plants can grow up to 30 feet tall in warm climates, but even if they're in a colder climate or restricted to a container, they can still reach 15 feet tall. The blooms have a unique funnel shape that hangs downwards, which gives them such a breathtaking appearance. To properly care for these pretty low-maintenance flowers, give them full sun and provide them with moist, well-draining soil.
2. Balloon flower
Known for their deep bluish-purple color, balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) have their nickname because they inflate like balloons before opening their petals. These plants can grow up to 2 feet tall as long as they're given the right conditions, including full sun and moist, rich, and well-draining soil. Overall, though, this plant is also considered low maintenance.
3. Angelonia
Typically growing to around 1 to 3 feet tall and spreading 1 to 2 feet wide, the angelonia or summer snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia) is typically bluish-purple or white, but there are also red varieties. This flower is quite hearty, as it can withstand both heat and humidity. It loves having full sunlight and damp, draining soil, but it can survive in drought conditions and is quite low maintenance. Angelonias are also great for growing in containers if you want to place them on your deck or patio.
4. Panicle hydrangea
The panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is also known as the peegee, hardy, or limelight hydrangea and is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow and care for. They're tolerant to both heat and cold but need full sun and like well-draining, moist soil. These blooms are football-shaped and start off white but turn pink and red as the season progresses. They can grow up to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide, making them quite a large plant.
5. Dahlia
Coming in basically all the colors of the rainbow, dahlias (Dahlia pinnata) need full sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. It's also best to protect them from strong winds, as their blooms could snap off. While there are plenty of sizes of this flower, some are particularly large and are called dinnerplate varieties; these can have 15-inch wide blooms and can grow 4 to 5 feet tall. To make sure these flowers are well cared for, protect them from frost and cold temperatures.
6. Daylily
The daylily (Hemerocallis) typically grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and can come in colors like yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and white. Most of these species have two colors, one on the petals and another in the center of the blooms, creating a stunning contrast. To keep these plants happy, give them well-draining and rich soil, as well as full sun. Luckily, these unique flowers are drought tolerant, so they can survive in hot temperatures and with little water.
7. Globe thistle
About the size of golf balls, globe thistle (Echinops) blooms are typically white or bluish-purple and have a sharp texture. If you want to attract pollinators to your yard, this is a great option, as butterflies, bees, and birds love the blooms. To properly care for this plant, provide it with full sunlight and well-draining soil, but it is also drought tolerant. This plant will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.
8. Hibiscus
Known as a tropical plant, the hibiscus flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. These disc-shaped blooms can grow to measure 1 foot across and can extend to be up to 8 feet tall when provided with full sunlight, rich and well-draining soil, and protection from strong winds. The petals can come in shades of red, pink, and white, and some feature two colors with a darker tone in the center.
9. Mammoth sunflower
While all sunflowers will make a statement, none will make a larger one than mammoth sunflowers (Helianthus giganteus). What sets this type apart is that it grows much taller than other varieties and can reach over 12 feet in height with 1-foot wide blooms. Most have bright yellow petals and a brown center, and only one bloom grows on each plant. Whether you have sandy or clay soil, you could grow these large flowers in your yard. They require full sun but beware of overwatering them, as they're drought tolerant.
10. Red feather
What makes the blooms on a red feather plant (Echium amoenum) statement pieces is not their size but instead their vibrant color. While the blooms are very small, they extend up the stems of the plant and have a red raspberry color that stands out. These plants typically grow about 12 feet tall and 8 to 10 inches wide as long as they have full sun and just a small amount of water. A huge benefit of this plant is that it can adapt to many different types of soils, like sandy or clay.
11. Lotus
In order to add a lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) to your yard, you'll need to have a water feature, such as a small pond, as it's an aquatic plant. Because it's invasive, it's best to plant the lotus inside a container, which you can then place 18 inches below the surface of the water. These pink blooms with yellow centers enjoy full sun and need to be fertilized, and cannot survive a freeze. If your lotus blooms are given the right conditions, they could grow to measure 1 foot across.
12. True lily
The true lily (Lilium) is known for its shape, which is sometimes described as a star or a trumpet with six petals. Coming in colors like pink, gold, red, orange, and white, this colorful bloom with a sweet scent requires full sunlight and well-draining soil to grow to its full potential. If provided with these conditions, it could extend to 1 to 3 feet tall and up to 1 foot wide. This plant can also grow in a container if you want to place it on your patio or deck.
13. Texas bluebonnet
The Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) was given its name because it's the state flower of Texas. These bright blue clusters with white bloom tops are very low maintenance and can survive many harsh conditions, including drought and poorly nourished soils. Also known as the wolf flower, these cold-hardy annuals can extend up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide as long as they're given full sun and well-draining soil, whether clay or sand. It's best to leave these plants alone as long as they've been established, as they could suffer if over-watered or over-fertilized.
14. Zinnia
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are easy to grow and are great for attracting butterflies. Not only that, but their blooms come in extra bright shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Growing 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, these plants need full sun, good air circulation, and moist and rich soil. They're pretty tough, so they should survive in most conditions, and they could be planted in a container.
15. Leather flower
Those who want their statement blooms to climb up a fence or a trellis could choose the leather flower (Clematis). This vine can reach up to 8 feet tall and can be 20 feet wide. The blooms, which can reach 7 inches across, come in a number of colors, including blue, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow, and they typically have a striped or veined pattern on the petals. These flowers can also have a pleasant fragrance that will invite birds into your yard. This vine prefers full sunlight, well-drained and moist soil, and regular fertilization.
16. Peony
If you're looking for a delicate flower, the peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is sure to meet your needs. The large blooms, which are typically red, pink, or white, have a layered appearance. When given full to partial sun, shelter from strong winds, and rich soil that drains well, they can grow 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Another benefit of these flowers is that they often give off a fresh and delicious scent.
17. Poppy
Poppies (Papaver rhoeas) can come in a myriad of colors, including yellow, gold, orange, red, blue, and purple. They're low maintenance, as they require little water and aren't picky about soil conditions, though they do prefer full sun and well-draining soil. These flowers usually grow to 2 feet tall, and the blooms typically have ruffled petals around the exterior and a dark center.
18. Camellia
Also known as the Japanese camellia, the camellia flower (Camellia japonica) can grow single or double blooms off of one stem. They come in shades of red, pink, and white and can open to reveal a yellow center. Some are also bi-colored, with multiple shades present in the layered and textured petals. This shrub requires partial sun and moist and well-drained soil. Great for containers, this plant can grow 8 to 20 feet high and up to 20 feet wide.