From Abeliass to Athyriums, there are a huge variety of plants that start with A, each of which is incredible in its unique way.
If you are trying to increase your knowledge of plants then starting with the first letter of the alphabet is a great place to begin.
Let’s take a look at some plants you may or may not have heard of and find out more about these awesome ‘A’ flowers.
1. Abelia
Abelia, native to the UK, is commonly considered an old-fashioned plant that can often be found decorating the landscape.
This deer-resistant plant has beautiful arching branches that are densely covered in glossy inch-long leaves.
Thanks to the bell-shaped blossom clusters that adorn this plant, you can usually find it attracting butterflies from spring all the way through to fall.
2. Abelmoschus
The name Abelmoschus translates in Arabic to ‘father of musk’ and these 5 petalled, hibiscus-like flowers thrive in high heat and humidity.
The 6-inch pale yellow flowers typically have purple or dark maroon eyes which give this flower its distinctive look. Reaching heights of over 6 or 7 feet when planted in good, fertile soil, several types of Abelmoschus are edible enough to be categorized as both a flower and vegetable.
3. Abyssinian Banana
This African native plant is known worldwide for its incredibly lush, tropical-looking foliage.
Commonly found decorating the surrounding area of swimming pools, or running alongside riverbanks, this plant loves water.
Its large, dark green leaves are easily shredded by the wind so ideally it should be planted in a wind-sheltered location for best results. During the winter, you can move this plant indoors to prevent it from dying.
4. Acacia
These relatively short-lived plants tend to grow incredibly quickly and are known for their leathery foliage and big, showy blooms.
Acacia can tolerate poor, dry soils as they hail from warm-weather climates such as Australia, Mexico, and Central and South America.
During their lifespan (20-30 years) they suffer from few pests and tend to have small yellow or white flowers in dense clusters.
5. Acalypha
The acalypha species can be grown indoors and bloom intermittently during warm months. The large oval leaves of this plant are simple and are accompanied by catkin-like racemes of brightly colored, tiny flowers that are usually fluffy and red.
Native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, this species of plant can be both evergreen shrubs/trees or annuals.
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6. Achimenes
These plants have slender stems with crisp, round leaves ranging from bright to dark green and are typically covered with hair.
In bloom from Summer to Autumn, the flowers of this plant are around 3 inches wide and can be found in pink, orange, orchid, purple, lavender, or blue.
Achimenes are great for planting in window boxes or used to decorate porches and patios.
7. Aechmea
Otherwise known as Epiphytes, the Aechmea plant is found to grow on the trunks and branches of trees.
Their strap-shaped leaves are rigid and tend to form a funnel around a central cup that holds water following rainfall.
During the summer months, you will often find a bright pink spike-like flower blooming from the center which stays on display for several months.
8. Aeonium
Native to the Canary Islands, these cool-season growers tend to go dormant during the summer months where you’d be mistaken for thinking that they had died.
However, when the weather cools and the plants are watered, these flowers will spring back into action and regrow their fleshy leaves. It takes several years for rosettes to produce a single large flower stalk.
9. African Corn Lily
These plants have grasslike leaves which are topped with stems and short spike flowers around 2 inches in size.
Each flower has 6 petals and when in the sun they open out to nearly flat, however on overcast days, they tend to remain cup-shaped.
They can be found in several different colors, including yellow, red, orange, cream, and pink, and typically have dark centers.
10. Agastache
These plants are a firm favorite with hummingbirds and butterflies thanks to their bright colors and aromatic foliage.
The whirls of pink, blue, purple, red, and orange on the flowers appear in spike-like clusters and bloom throughout the summer months.
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11. Agave
Agaves have large, fleshy leaves and tall, otherworldly-looking blossom spikes.
After blooming, the original plant dies but leaves offshoots that make new plants, meaning that flowering for this plant is sporadic.
The plants are great for coastal gardens and they can withstand freezing temperatures. They also grow well in containers, making them perfect to have around the home.
12. Aloe
This South African plant, used globally for its healing properties, ranges in size from 6 inches to full-blown trees.
The plants form fleshy, pointed leaves and usually have clusters of orange, yellow, red, or cream flowers that bloom almost every month.
The biggest bloom for this plant can be seen from midwinter through to the summer.
These plants are great to have near the beach as they are highly tolerant of salt spray, but they are equally just as great when used as indoor container plants.
13. Amethyst Flower
These plants bloom in brilliant vibrant colors such as blue, violet, or white and thanks to the contrast of the white eye of the flower, the blue and violet plants, in particular, make a striking addition to any garden.
Perfect for locations that are warm in the shade or have filtered sunlight, these plants can flower throughout the winter if the temperature is warm enough.
14. Amorpha
These shrubs have leaves that tend to be divided with spikelike clusters of blue and purple single-petalled flowers.
These plants are tough and undemanding and tend to bloom in early summer. They can withstand heat and wind, however, in cold weather, they tend to die back nearly to the ground.
Thanks to the vibrancy of these plants, butterflies adore them.
15. Aralia
These bold-leafed plants can grow up to 2530 feet tall and are not ideal for small gardens. They are shrublike with spiny, nearly vertical branches.
The leaves of this plant are huge and tend to be clustered at the end of each branch. You can find white flowers on this plant which tend to be small but thanks to the large clusters they are considered showy.
Thanks to the berry-like fruit that sits amongst the flowers, many birds flock to these plants.
16. Arbutus
All species of Arbutus are covered in ornamental bark with small clusters of urn-shaped flowers decorating them.
As well as these little flowers, you can also find edible fruit that looks a little like strawberries and dark green, leathery leaves.
The small bell-shaped flowers resemble those of the lily of the valley and the flowers and fruit appear at the same time. This plant is best in low-humidity areas with low rainfall.
17. Asclepias
These easy-to-grow flowers are classified as milkweeds thanks to their milky sap, however, they are not weeds.
They bloom in summer with their showy star-like flowers in flattened clusters which can be found at branch tips.
Just like dandelion seeds, once the flowers fade, their silky seeds burst and are carried through the air. This plant is perfect if you want to attract butterflies.
18. Aster
Aster flowers are bright in color, typically found in white or shades of pink, lavender, red, blue, or purple, with every flower boasting a yellow center.
Blooming in late summer to early fall these plants can range from 6 inches to 6 feet tall.
19. Athyrium
Popular since the Victorian era, Athyrium is known for its incredibly beautiful foliage and its ability to grow with ease. All species of Athyrium enjoy rich, moist soil with lots of organic matter.
During the colder months, the leaves will turn brown, however, the dead foliage acts as a shield to protect the new, delicate foliage that emerges in spring.
20. Avens
This plant combines beautiful foliage with luscious showy flowers that can usually be found in red, orange, pink, or yellow.
These flowers make an appearance throughout the summer months as long as regular deadheading has taken place, and the leaves of an Aven are often scalloped or have toothed margins that are divided into leaflets.
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21. Aztec Lily, Jacobean Lily, St.James Lily
This native Mexican flower has foliage that is somewhat similar to that of a daffodil. The difference is that atop each stem is a dark red bloom that resembles an orchid.
Within the bloom, there are 3 upper segments and 3 lower ones. This plant also blooms twice a year, once in spring and once in the fall.
If the climate is just right, however, it can bloom several times a year with the foliage remaining evergreen.
Conclusion
With so many plants that start with the letter A, you truly are spoilt for choice with what you can purchase for your specific wants and climate.
Our favorite plant is the Agastache which is bright, vibrant, and aromatic. If you want to attract butterflies and hummingbirds into your garden this is the perfect choice of plant for you.
Otherwise, you can take your pick from the many other plants out there, waiting to grace your garden with their unique characteristics, colors, and styles.
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The majority of people who have no interest in the subject, and aren’t green fingered assume that all plants and vegetables require the same growing conditions. This is not the case at all. Each plant has its own unique and interesting history and growing process.
I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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