Comprehensive List of Garden Plants Starting with A
Discover a List of Plant Starting with the Letter A
Gardening enthusiasts, whether beginners or experts, will find this comprehensive list of plants starting with the letter A helpful for planning and maintaining their gardens. From shrubs and trees to perennials and annuals, here is an extensive list that covers a variety of plant types and common names, offering valuable context for each. For a complete listing of plants be sure to go back to our Plant Variety Database.
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Abelia
A genus of flowering shrubs, Abelia is known for its fragrant, bell-shaped flowers and glossy foliage.
Common Name: Abelia
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Abeliophyllum
Often called white forsythia, this plant is notable for its early spring blooms and fragrant white flowers.
Common Name: White Forsythia
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Abelmoschus
Best known for Abelmoschus esculentus, or okra, which produces edible pods used in cooking.
Common Name: Okra
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Abies
Commonly known as fir trees, these evergreens are used in landscaping and as Christmas trees.
Common Name: Fir
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Abronia
This genus includes trailing, fragrant annuals and perennials, often called sand verbena.
Common Name: Sand Verbena
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Abutilon
Known as flowering maples, these plants produce colorful, bell-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Flowering Maple
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Acacia
These trees and shrubs are famous for their feathery foliage and fragrant yellow or white flowers.
Common Name: Wattle
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Acaena
Low-growing perennials with small, burr-like fruits, used for ground cover.
Common Name: Bidi-bidi or Buzzy Burr
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Acalypha
These plants, including copperleaf and chenille plant, are grown for their ornamental foliage and flowers.
Common Name: Copperleaf
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Acantholimon
Also known as prickly thrift, these are small, spiny perennials with delicate pink flowers.
Common Name: Prickly Thrift
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Acanthophoenix
A genus of palms, noted for their ornamental value in tropical and subtropical gardens.
Common Name: Barbel Palm
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Acanthus
These perennials are known for their striking, lobed leaves and tall flower spikes.
Common Name: Bear's Breeches
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Acca
Best known for Acca sellowiana, or feijoa, which produces edible fruits.
Common Name: Pineapple Guava
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Acer
Maple trees are valued for their beautiful foliage, especially in autumn.
Common Name: Maple
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Achillea
Yarrow is known for its flat-topped clusters of small flowers and feathery leaves.
Common Name: Yarrow
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Achimenes
These are small, tuberous perennials with showy, tubular flowers.
Common Name: Hot Water Plant or Cupid's Bower
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Acinos
A genus of aromatic herbs, also known as calamint, used in gardens for their fragrant foliage.
Common Name: Calamint
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Aciphylla
These spiky, tufted perennials are native to New Zealand.
Common Name: Spaniard Grass
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Acoelorraphe
A genus of palms, commonly known for their clumping growth habit.
Common Name: Saw Palm
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Acokanthera
Evergreen shrubs or small trees with fragrant flowers, known for their toxicity.
Common Name: Bushman's Poison
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Aconitum
Known as monkshood or aconite, these perennials are admired for their hooded blue flowers. Note: These plants are highly toxic.
Common Name: Monkshood or Aconite
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Acorus
Grass-like perennials, often found in wetlands, known for their sweet fragrance.
Common Name: Sweet Flag
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Acroclinium
Annuals with daisy-like flowers, commonly used in dried flower arrangements.
Common Name: Paper Daisy
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Actaea
Also known as baneberry, these perennials produce attractive berries and are often grown for their ornamental foliage.
Common Name: Baneberry
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Actinidia
This genus includes kiwifruit plants, grown for their edible fruits.
Common Name: Kiwifruit
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Ada
A small genus of orchids, known for their unique flower shapes.
Common Name: Ada Orchid
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Adansonia
Known as baobab trees, they are notable for their massive trunks and longevity. They also produce edible fruits known as "monkey bread."
Common Name: Baobab
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Adenia
These are climbing plants with striking, often caudiciform, stems.
Common Name: Adenia
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Adenium
Also called desert rose, these succulent plants are known for their showy flowers and thick stems.
Common Name: Desert Rose
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Adenophora
Perennials known for their bell-shaped flowers, similar to Campanula.
Common Name: Ladybells
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Adenostyles
Perennials with large, lobed leaves and clusters of small, pink or purple flowers.
Common Name: Alpine Coltsfoot
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Adiantum
Maidenhair ferns are appreciated for their delicate, fan-shaped leaflets.
Common Name: Maidenhair Fern
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Adlumia
Climbing biennials, often referred to as climbing fumitory.
Common Name: Climbing Fumitory
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Adonis
Perennials or annuals known for their bright yellow or red flowers.
Common Name: Adonis
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Adromischus
Small succulent plants often grown for their attractive, fleshy leaves.
Common Name: Adromischus
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Aechmea
Bromeliads with striking flower spikes and rosettes of tough leaves.
Common Name: Aechmea
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Aegopodium
Groundcover plants known for their variegated leaves.
Common Name: Bishop's Weed or Ground Elder
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Aeollanthus
Herbs or shrubs with aromatic leaves, often used in traditional medicine.
Common Name: Aeollanthus
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Aeonium
Succulent plants with rosettes of fleshy leaves, popular in rock gardens.
Common Name: Aeonium
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Aerangis
An orchid genus known for its fragrant, star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Aerangis
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Aesculus
Trees or shrubs, including horse chestnut and buckeye, known for their showy flower spikes.
Common Name: Horse-Chestnut or Buckeye
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Aethionema
Rock garden plants with small, colorful flowers.
Common Name: Stonecress
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Agapanthus
Perennials with large, rounded clusters of blue or white flowers. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and are often used in borders and container gardens.
Common Name: Lily of the Nile
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Agapetes
Shrubs with pendulous, bell-shaped flowers, often grown in subtropical gardens.
Common Name: Agapetes
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Agastache
Aromatic perennials with spikes of tubular flowers, popular with pollinators.
Common Name: Hummingbird Mint or Hyssop
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Agathis
Large coniferous trees, also known as kauri, valued for their timber.
Common Name: Kauri
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Agave
Succulent plants known for their rosettes of thick, spiny leaves and dramatic flower spikes.
Common Name: Century Plant or Agave
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Agave lophantha
A shrub with colorful, striped leaves, typically found in desert climates. Known for its striking rosette formation.
Common Name: Quadricolor Century Plant
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Ageratum
Annuals with clusters of small, fluffy flowers, often blue or purple.
Common Name: Floss Flower
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Aglaonema
Foliage plants known for their variegated leaves, popular as houseplants.
Common Name: Chinese Evergreen
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Agonis
Evergreen shrubs or trees, often grown for their attractive, aromatic foliage.
Common Name: Willow Myrtle
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Agrostemma
Annuals with delicate, star-shaped flowers, also known as corn cockle.
Common Name: Corn Cockle
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Agrostis
Grass species commonly used in lawns and golf courses.
Common Name: Bentgrass
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Aichryson
Succulent plants often grown for their ornamental foliage.
Common Name: Aichryson
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Ailanthus
Deciduous trees known for their rapid growth and tolerance of urban conditions.
Common Name: Tree of Heaven
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Aiphanes
A genus of spiny palms, often used as ornamental plants.
Common Name: Aiphanes
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Aira
Grass species, commonly known as hair grass.
Common Name: Hair Grass
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Ajania
Perennials known for their silvery foliage and yellow flowers.
Common Name: Ajania
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Ajuga
Groundcover perennials with spikes of blue or purple flowers.
Common Name: Bugleweed
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Akebia
Climbing plants with fragrant, chocolate-scented flowers and edible fruit.
Common Name: Chocolate Vine
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Alangium
Shrubs or small trees, often grown for their ornamental foliage and flowers.
Common Name: Alangium
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Albizia
Deciduous trees with fern-like leaves and fluffy, pink flowers.
Common Name: Silk Tree or Mimosa
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Albuca
Bulbous perennials with green, strap-like leaves and fragrant, nodding flowers.
Common Name: Albuca
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Alcea
Tall perennials with large, showy flowers, commonly known as hollyhocks.
Common Name: Hollyhock
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Alchemilla
Perennials with scalloped leaves and clusters of small, yellow-green flowers.
Common Name: Lady's Mantle
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Aleurites
Trees known for their seeds, which are used to produce tung oil.
Common Name: Tung Tree
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Aliceara
Hybrid orchids with striking flowers.
Common Name: Aliceara Orchid
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Alisma
Aquatic or semi-aquatic plants with small, delicate flowers.
Common Name: Water Plantain
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Alkanna
Perennials with blue or purple flowers, known for their medicinal properties.
Common Name: Alkanna
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Allamanda
Tropical shrubs or vines with large, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Golden Trumpet
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Allium
Includes onions, garlic, chives, and ornamental varieties with globe-like flower heads. This genus includes a wide variety of species such as Allium giganteum (giant onion) and Allium schoenoprasum (chives). They are known for their globe-like flower heads and are often used in ornamental gardens as well as culinary gardens.
Common Name: Onion, Garlic, Chives
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Alluaudia
Succulent shrubs or small trees with spiny stems.
Common Name: Alluaudia
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Alnus
Deciduous trees or shrubs, commonly known as alder.
Common Name: Alder
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Alocasia
Tropical perennials with large, arrowhead-shaped leaves.
Common Name: Elephant Ear
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Aloe
Succulent plants known for their medicinal properties and rosettes of fleshy leaves.
Common Name: Aloe
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Alopecurus
Grass species, commonly known as foxtail grass.
Common Name: Foxtail Grass
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Aloysia
Aromatic shrubs known for their fragrant leaves, often used in teas.
Common Name: Lemon Verbena
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Alpinia
Tropical perennials with showy flowers and aromatic rhizomes.
Common Name: Ginger Lily
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Alseuosmia
Evergreen shrubs with fragrant, tubular flowers and glossy leaves.
Common Name: Toropapa
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Alsobia
Trailing plants with small, tubular flowers, often grown as houseplants.
Common Name: Alsobia
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Alstroemeria
Perennials with lily-like flowers, commonly known as Peruvian lilies.
Common Name: Peruvian Lily
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Alternanthera
Ornamental plants with colorful foliage, used as groundcover or bedding plants.
Common Name: Joyweed or Joseph's Coat
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Althaea
Herbaceous perennials, including marshmallow, known for their medicinal properties.
Common Name: Marshmallow
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Alyogyne
Shrubs with hibiscus-like flowers, often grown in warm climates.
Common Name: Blue Hibiscus
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Alyssum
Low-growing annuals or perennials with small, fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Sweet Alyssum
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Amaranthus
Includes species grown for their edible seeds and ornamental varieties with colorful foliage. This genus includes species like Amaranthus caudatus (Love-lies-bleeding) and Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Prince's Feather), which are grown for their ornamental value as well as their edible seeds.
Common Name: Amaranth
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Amarcrinum
Hybrid bulbs with showy, fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Amarcrinum
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Amarygia
Hybrid genus of Amaryllis and Brunsvigia, known for their striking flowers.
Common Name: Amarygia
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Amaryllis
Bulbous plants with large, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Amaryllis
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Amberboa
Annuals with thistle-like flowers, commonly known as sweet sultan.
Common Name: Sweet Sultan
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Amelanchier
Deciduous shrubs or small trees, known for their edible berries and ornamental flowers.
Common Name: Serviceberry
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Amesiella
Small orchids with white, fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Amesiella
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Amherstia
Tropical trees with spectacular red flowers.
Common Name: Pride of Burma
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Amicia
Shrubs or climbers with attractive, pea-like flowers.
Common Name: Amicia
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Ammi
Herbaceous plants with umbels of small, white flowers.
Common Name: Bishop's Weed or Laceflower
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Ammobium
Everlasting flowers, known for their papery, white bracts.
Common Name: Winged Everlasting
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Amorpha
Deciduous shrubs with spikes of small, purple flowers.
Common Name: False Indigo
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Amorphophallus
Tropical plants known for their large, unusual flowers and foul odor.
Common Name: Corpse Flower
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Ampelopsis
Climbing plants with colorful, berry-like fruits.
Common Name: Peppervine
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Amphicarpaea
Twining herbaceous plants with small, pea-like flowers and underground fruits.
Common Name: Hog Peanut
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Amsonia
Perennials with clusters of blue, star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Blue Star
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Anacampseros
Succulent plants with rosettes of small leaves.
Common Name: Anacampseros
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Anacyclus
Low-growing perennials with daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Mount Atlas Daisy
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Anagallis
Annuals or perennials with small, star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Pimpernel
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Ananas
Tropical plants known for their edible fruit.
Common Name: Pineapple
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Anaphalis
Perennials with clusters of small, white flowers.
Common Name: Pearly Everlasting
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Anchusa
Perennials with bright blue flowers.
Common Name: Bugloss
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Andromeda
Evergreen shrubs with clusters of bell-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Bog Rosemary
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Andropogon
Grass species known for their ornamental value.
Common Name: Bluestem
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Androsace
Alpine plants with small, clustered flowers.
Common Name: Rock Jasmine
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Anemone
Herbaceous perennials with large, showy flowers.
Common Name: Windflower
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Anemonella
Perennials with delicate, pink or white flowers.
Common Name: Rue Anemone
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Anemonopsis
Perennials with nodding, bell-shaped flowers.
Common Name: False Anemone
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Anemopaegma
Climbing plants with large, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Catuaba
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Anethum
Aromatic herbs with feathery foliage.
Common Name: Dill
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Angelica
Herbaceous plants with large umbels of white or greenish flowers.
Common Name: Angelica
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Angelonia
Annuals or perennials with spikes of colorful flowers.
Common Name: Summer Snapdragon
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Angophora
Trees or shrubs with peeling bark and white or cream flowers.
Common Name: Apple Gum
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Angraecum
Orchids known for their white, fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Angraecum
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Anguloa
Orchids with large, tulip-like flowers.
Common Name: Tulip Orchid
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Angulocaste
Hybrid orchids known for their striking flowers.
Common Name: Angulocaste
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Anigozanthos
Perennials with tubular flowers, often called kangaroo paws.
Common Name: Kangaroo Paw
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Anisacanthus
Shrubs with tubular flowers, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Common Name: Flame Acanthus
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Anisodontea
Shrubs with hibiscus-like flowers.
Common Name: African Mallow
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Anoda
Herbaceous plants with hibiscus-like flowers.
Common Name: Anoda
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Anomatheca
Small, bulbous plants with colorful flowers.
Common Name: False Freesia
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Anopterus
Evergreen shrubs with clusters of white flowers.
Common Name: Queensland Laurel
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Anredera
Climbing plants with heart-shaped leaves.
Common Name: Madeira Vine
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Antennaria
Perennials with small, woolly flowers.
Common Name: Pussytoes
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Anthemis
Perennials with daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Chamomile
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Anthericum
Perennials with grass-like leaves and white flowers.
Common Name: St. Bernard's Lily
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Anthriscus
Herbaceous plants with feathery foliage.
Common Name: Chervil
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Anthurium
Tropical plants with large, glossy leaves and colorful spathes.
Common Name: Flamingo Flower
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Anthyllis
Perennials with small, pea-like flowers.
Common Name: Kidney Vetch
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Antigonon
Climbing plants with clusters of pink or white flowers.
Common Name: Coral Vine
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Antirrhinum
Annuals or perennials with colorful, snapdragon-like flowers.
Common Name: Snapdragon
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Aphanes
Small annuals with tiny, greenish flowers and divided leaves.
Common Name: Parsley Piert
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Aphelandra
Tropical plants with showy flower spikes and glossy leaves.
Common Name: Zebra Plant
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Aphyllanthes
Grass-like perennials with blue flowers.
Common Name: Blue Lily
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Aponogeton
Aquatic plants with floating leaves and fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Water Hawthorn
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Aporocactus
Cacti with long, trailing stems.
Common Name: Rat's Tail Cactus
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Aptenia
Succulent groundcovers with small, daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Baby Sun Rose
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Aquilegia
Perennials with distinctive, spurred flowers.
Common Name: Columbine
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Arabis
Low-growing perennials with white or pink flowers.
Common Name: Rock Cress
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Arachnis
Orchids with spider-like flowers.
Common Name: Scorpion Orchid
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Araeococcus
Bromeliads with small, berry-like fruits.
Common Name: Araeococcus
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Aralia
Shrubs or small trees with large, compound leaves.
Common Name: Spikenard or Aralia
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Araucaria
Evergreen trees known for their symmetrical growth.
Common Name: Monkey Puzzle Tree
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Araujia
Climbing plants with fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Moth Plant
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Arbutus
Evergreen trees or shrubs with red, peeling bark.
Common Name: Madrone
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Archontophoenix
Palms with slender trunks and feathery fronds.
Common Name: King Palm
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Arctostaphylos
Evergreen shrubs with small, bell-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Bearberry or Manzanita
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Arctotheca
Perennials with daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Cape Weed
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Arctotis
Perennials with large, colorful flowers.
Common Name: African Daisy
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Ardisia
Evergreen shrubs with glossy leaves and clusters of small flowers.
Common Name: Coralberry
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Areca
Palms with feather-like fronds.
Common Name: Areca Palm
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Arenaria
Low-growing perennials with small, white flowers.
Common Name: Sandwort
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Arenga
Palms with pinnate leaves.
Common Name: Sugar Palm
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Argemone
Annuals with prickly leaves and large, poppy-like flowers.
Common Name: Prickly Poppy
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Argyranthemum
Perennials with daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Marguerite Daisy
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Argyreia
Climbing plants with large, heart-shaped leaves.
Common Name: Silver Morning Glory
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Argyroderma
Succulent plants with thick, fleshy leaves.
Common Name: Living Stones
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Ariocarpus
Small, slow-growing cacti.
Common Name: Ariocarpus
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Arisaema
Perennials with distinctive, hooded flowers.
Common Name: Jack-in-the-Pulpit
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Arisarum
Small perennials with unusual, hooded flowers.
Common Name: Friar's Cowl
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Aristea
Perennials with grass-like leaves and blue flowers.
Common Name: Aristea
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Aristida
Grass species known for their resilience and use in erosion control.
Common Name: Threeawn
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Aristolochia
Climbing plants with distinctive, pipe-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Dutchman's Pipe
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Armoracia
Perennials grown for their pungent roots.
Common Name: Horseradish
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Arnebia
Perennials with bright yellow flowers.
Common Name: Prophet Flower
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Arnica
Perennials with yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Common Name: Arnica
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Aronia
Deciduous shrubs with clusters of small, white flowers.
Common Name: Chokeberry
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Arrabidaea
Climbing plants with showy, trumpet-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Trumpet Vine
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Arrhenatherum
Grass species known for their ornamental value.
Common Name: Oat Grass
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Artemisia
Herbaceous plants with aromatic, silvery foliage.
Common Name: Mugwort, Sagebrush, Wormwood
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Arthropodium
Perennials with grass-like leaves and small, white flowers.
Common Name: Renga Lily
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Arum
Perennials with distinctive, hooded flowers.
Common Name: Cuckoo-pint
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Aruncus
Perennials with large, feathery flower spikes.
Common Name: Goatsbeard
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Arundinaria
Bamboo species known for their tall, woody stems.
Common Name: Bamboo
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Arundo
Tall, reed-like perennials.
Common Name: Giant Reed
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Asarina
Climbing plants with tubular flowers.
Common Name: Twining Snapdragon
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Asarum
Perennials with heart-shaped leaves and small, hidden flowers.
Common Name: Wild Ginger
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Asclepias
Herbaceous plants known for their role in supporting monarch butterflies.
Common Name: Milkweed
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Ascocenda
Hybrid orchids with showy flowers.
Common Name: Ascocenda
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Asimina
Small trees with large, edible fruits.
Common Name: Pawpaw
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Aspalathus
Shrubs with yellow or purple flowers, some species used to make rooibos tea.
Common Name: Rooibos
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Asparagus
Perennials grown for their edible shoots.
Common Name: Asparagus
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Asperula
Herbaceous plants with small, star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Woodruff
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Asphodeline
Perennials with tall flower spikes.
Common Name: King's Spear
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Asphodelus
Perennials with star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Asphodel
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Aspidistra
Evergreen perennials known for their tough, glossy leaves.
Common Name: Cast Iron Plant
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Asplenium
Ferns with delicate, feathery fronds.
Common Name: Spleenwort
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Astelia
Perennials with silver or bronze foliage.
Common Name: Silver Spear
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Aster
Perennials with large, umbrella-like leaves.
Common Name: Astilboides
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Astragalus
Herbaceous plants with small, pea-like flowers.
Common Name: Milk Vetch
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Astrantia
Perennials with star-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Masterwort
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Astrophytum
Cacti with distinctive, star-shaped ribs.
Common Name: Astrophytum
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Athamanta
Perennials with finely divided leaves and small, white flowers in umbels.
Common Name: Alpine Carrot
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Atherosperma
Evergreen trees with fragrant wood.
Common Name: Southern Sassafras
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Athrotaxis
Evergreen conifers native to Tasmania.
Common Name: Athrotaxis
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Athyrium
Ferns with delicate, feathery fronds.
Common Name: Lady Fern
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Atriplex
Herbaceous plants or shrubs with silvery leaves, known for their tolerance to saline conditions.
Common Name: Saltbush
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Aubrieta
Low-growing perennials with small, colorful flowers.
Common Name: Rock Cress
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Aucuba
Evergreen shrubs with glossy, variegated leaves.
Common Name: Japanese Laurel
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Aurinia
Low-growing perennials with bright yellow flowers.
Common Name: Basket-of-Gold
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Austrocedrus
Evergreen conifers native to South America.
Common Name: Austrocedrus
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Avena
Grass species grown for their edible grains.
Common Name: Oats
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Azalea
Flowering shrubs known for their spectacular spring blooms.
Common Name: Azalea
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Azara
Evergreen shrubs with small, fragrant flowers.
Common Name: Azara
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Azolla
Floating aquatic ferns.
Common Name: Mosquito Fern
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Azorella
Cushion plants native to the Southern Hemisphere.
Common Name: Azorella
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Azorina
Small shrubs with bell-shaped flowers.
Common Name: Azorina
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Aztekium
Small cacti with ribbed stems.
Common Name: Aztekium
Gardening Tips for Beginners and Experts
This extensive list should help you get a head start on your gardening journey, offering insights and inspiration for a wide variety of plants that can thrive in your garden. Achieving success in gardening requires understanding the unique needs of each plant. Critical factors include soil type, sunlight, and watering requirements. This guide aims to help you select the right plants for your garden, ensuring a vibrant and healthy landscape. By incorporating a variety of plants starting with the letter L, you can enhance the beauty and diversity of your garden. Whether you favor vibrant flowers, hardy shrubs, or unique succulents, there's an L-named plant for you. Happy gardening!