25 Flowers that Start with B: Names, Pictures, Nature & Growing Facts

There are a variety of flowers in the world that gardeners have been cherishing for centuries with love and care. It is not possible to discuss all of them in one article. Thus, the best way is to sort them out alphabetically, restricting the scope and making things easier. 

Here, we will be listing all the top flowers that start with b. The list has a total of 25 names, including baby’s breath, bachelor’s button, balloon flower, and many more. Let’s begin our discussion.  

25 Flowers That Start With B: From Baby’s Breath, Bachelor’s Button, and Balloon Flower to Many Others!

Our list of the major flowers that start with B includes all the top beauties of nature, namely 

1. Baby’s Breath
2. Bachelor’s Button
3. Balloon Flower
4. Balsam
5. Baneberry
6. Banksia
7. Barberry
8. Basil
9. Basket-of-Gold
10. Beach Rose
11. Bee Balm
12. Begonia
13. Bells of Ireland
14. Bergenia
15. Big Flax
16. Bighead Knapweed
17. Billy Button
18. Bindweed
19. Bird of Paradise
20. Bittersweet Nightshade
21. Black Bryony
22. Black-eyed Susan
23. Bleeding Heart
24. Blood Root
25. Blood-Red Iris

These flowers are briefly discussed below with all the essential information, along with key images. 

Baby’s breath is the first of the flowers that start with b in our list, and it is also known as Gypsophila. This summer flower is bushy and branching in nature. It boasts many small, delicate flowers on long, thin stems. Tracing back to the genesis, it is native to Eastern and Central Europe.

Taxonomic name	Gypsophila paniculata
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial (comes back year after year)
Native environment	Native to dry, sandy, and rocky areas of Europe and Asia
Hues	White, soft pink, and light lavender shades
Bloom time	Mid-summer to early fall
Needs for growth	Needs full sun (at least 6 hours daily) + well-drained, slightly alkaline soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	Symbolizes everlasting love, innocence, and purity
Lesser-known fact	Its name, Baby’s Breath, comes from its delicate appearance.

Bachelor’s button is another of the flowering plants that start with b. It is also known as cornflower. These plants are hardy, easy-to-grow annuals. Nature lovers and botanists often recognize them by their vibrant blue, daisy-like flowers. Each stem connecting to a bloom spans up to 2 to 3 feet.   

Taxonomic name	Centaurea cyanus
Species Type	Annual wildflower
Native environment	Native to Europe and Asia, commonly found in sunny and open areas such as fields, meadows, and roadsides
Hues	Primarily, intense blue
Bloom time	From late spring through early summer
Needs for growth	Loves full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight) + a well-draining soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 2 to 11
Cultural importance	A national flower of Estonia and a symbol of remembrance in France
Lesser-known fact	They keep growing until the first frost if deadheaded.

The balloon flower is one of the most common blue flowers that start with b. Its other names are Japanese snowdrop, Chinese snowdrop, Chinese bellflower, and Korean snowdrop. All the buds on this plant start off balloon-shaped, but later turn into five-petal, star-shaped blooms. This ornamental plant is native to East Asia and highly popular among pollinating insects.        

Taxonomic name	Platycodon grandiflorus
Species Type	Long-lived herbaceous perennial
Native environment	Originally from East Asia, i.e., China, Japan, Korea, and Siberia
Hues	Commonly deep blue/violet-blue
Bloom time	In the summer, from July through September
Needs for growth	Wants full sun but can also handle partial shade + well-drained soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	Due to its medicinal properties, it is widely used in Korean cuisine, known as Doraji.
Lesser-known fact	Each bud resembles a balloon-like shape and creates a pop sound when squeezed before full bloom.

Balsam, scientifically called Impatiens balsamina, is the touch-me-not plant. Due to its name, it is also included in our list of flowering plants that start with b. Being a fast-growing annual angiosperm, it is a popular choice among most household gardeners. Furthermore, native to Asia, it is favored for its vibrant red, pink, white, and purple blooms. 

Taxonomic name	Impatiens balsamina
Species Type	Tropical summer annual
Native environment	India and Myanmar
Hues	Red, pink, purple, white, mauve, lilac, and also sometimes bicolors
Bloom time	Summer to early autumn
Needs for growth	Requires moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun
Hardiness	USDA zones 9 to 11
Cultural importance	In India, it is widely used in the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Lesser-known fact	It is called “Touch-Me-Not” because the seed pods explode even at the slightest touch when ripe, scattering seeds far and wide.

Baneberry, another of the most common flowers that start with b, produces flowers that are ideal for cool, shady places. These thread-like ornamental flowers are perfect for indoor decoration. Baneberry is a genus with Actaea rubra and Actaea panchypoda being the two most common species in this category.  

Taxonomic name	Actaea
Species Type	Perennial wildflower
Native environment	Shady woodlands, moist forests, and along the banks of streams
Hues	Small, fluffy white flowers
Bloom time	Late spring to early summer (May-June)
Needs for growth	Prefers partial to full shade with rich, moist, and loamy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 8
Cultural importance	Native Americans used it for medicinal purposes.
Lesser-known fact	While highly poisonous to humans, the berries are eaten by birds.

Banksia is another genus on our list of perennial flowers that start with b. It encompasses over 100 species under it, ranging from iconic Australian wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. The trees under this category can reach up to 35 meters tall. Their blooms are typically yellow, orange, red, or pink in color.      

Taxonomic name	Banksia
Species Type	Australian native wildflower
Native environment	Australia, found in sandy coasts, forests, and shrublands
Hues	In shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and brown or grey
Bloom time	Varies by species
Needs for growth	Thrives in full sun + requires well-drained sandy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 9 to 11
Cultural importance	They represent the Australian landscape.
Lesser-known fact	Many Banksia species have “fire-activated” seeds.

Barberry consists of thorny, deciduous, or evergreen shrubs. Counted among the top flowers that start with letter b, this blooming plant is native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia. Barberry is renowned for its tart, bright red berries, which are known as Zereshk in Iran. Its beautiful aesthetic can add a new charm to your garden after passing the juvenile phase.  

Taxonomic name	Berberis
Species Type	Deciduous or evergreen shrub
Native environment	Commonly found in woods, forests, fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas
Hues	Bright green, yellow, deep red, or purple
Bloom time	In mid-spring, generally from April to May
Needs for growth	Prefers full sun with a well-drained soil.
Hardiness	USDA zones 4 through 8
Cultural importance	Long used as a natural barrier or hedge because of its sharp thorns.
Lesser-known fact	Barberry is a known host for black stem rust, a fungus that can destroy wheat crops.

Basil is a popular, aromatic culinary herb in the mint family. It is primarily known for its sweet, pungent flavor, particularly in pesto, salads, and Mediterranean/Thai cuisines. These plants might not be a standalone addition to your garden, but definitely a perfect gift, packed with 

numerous culinary and herbal benefits, from nature to be sown among other flower plants. 

Taxonomic name	Ocimum basilicum
Species Type	Annual herb
Native environment	Tropical regions of Asia and Africa, requiring warm, sunny spots
Hues	White, pink, or purple
Bloom time	Mid-summer to early fall
Needs for growth	Requires full sun, warm temperatures, and well-drained soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 9 to 11
Cultural importance	Widely used in Italian, Thai, and Mediterranean cooking
Lesser-known fact	It is thought to have been brought to Europe by Alexander the Great.

Basket-of-Gold is one of the highly popular, low-maintenance evergreen perennial flowers that start with b. This species produces masses of brilliant yellow, fragrant, spring-blooming flowers. If you have a rock garden, you must consider growing it in there, and it will take your curb appeal to the next level. 

Taxonomic name	Aurinia saxatilis
Species Type	Evergreen perennial
Native environment	Rocky cliffs and mountainous regions of central and southern Europe and Turkey
Hues	Primarily, bright golden yellow
Bloom time	Mid-to-late spring
Needs for growth	Thrives in full sun and requires well-draining soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 through 7
Cultural importance	It is a staple of traditional English cottage gardens.
Lesser-known fact	The name “Saxatilis” literally means “growing among rocks.”

Next item on our list of flowering plants that start with b is Beach Rose. It is a hardy, salt-tolerant shrub. This species is often found on sandy coastal dunes and is known for its fragrant pink or white blooms. Beach roses produce blossoms from May to July, and a well-established shrub can grow up to 4 to 6 feet tall.  

Taxonomic name	Rosa rugosa
Species Type	Deciduous shrub
Native environment	Sandy beaches, sand dunes, and along coastal roadsides
Hues	Dark pink, magenta, lavender, and white
Bloom time	Early summer through autumn
Needs for growth	Thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	Symbolizes love, adoration, and rebirth
Lesser-known fact	The seeds can germinate even after floating in salt water for days.

Bee Balm is also one of the most common flowers that start with b. Many gardeners prefer it for its perennial beauty. The name of this species is Bee Balm, because it is known for its great capacity to attract bees and other pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Its blossoms are bright, red, pink, and purple in color. 

Taxonomic name	Monarda
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial wildflower
Native environment	North American ecosystems, including prairies, thickets, open fields, and dry rocky woods
Hues	Varies by species, typically lavender, pink, light purple, red, carmine, white, deep purple, etc.
Bloom time	Mid-summer through early fall
Needs for growth	Prefers full sun, well-drained, moist soil, and good air circulation
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	Oswego and Blackfoot, Native American Tribes, used it for medicinal purposes to treat colds, sore throats, and skin infections.
Lesser-known fact	The plant contains thymol, a natural antiseptic.

Begonia is a beautiful flowering plant that is blessed with flat and wide petals. There are several types of species under this genus, such as Wax Begonias, Tuberous Begonias, Rex Begonias, Angel Wing Begonias, etc. These blossoming plants are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity.    

Taxonomic name	Begonia
Species Type	Perennial annuals
Native environment	Native to moist subtropical and tropical climates; typically found in South American, African, and Asian forests’ understory
Hues	Bright red, pink, white, yellow, orange, and coral
Bloom time	Spring, summer, and fall
Needs for growth	Thrives in partial shade and is sensitive to intense, direct sunlight
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 11
Cultural importance	Popular for their versatility in landscaping
Lesser-known fact	Certain Begonia leaves can reduce air bacteria, such as Staphylococcus.

Bells of Ireland are counted among green beauty flowers that start with b. Their delicate green clusters of cupped petals emit the most unique and peculiar scent, which many cannot describe in words, but just experience. Additionally, these bell plants can get tall enough to provide a sense of strength to your garden. 

Taxonomic name	Moluccella laevis
Species Type	Hardy annual
Native environment	Turkey, Syria, and the Caucasus
Hues	Pale to emerald green
Bloom time	From late summer into fall
Needs for growth	Prefers full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained, and nutrient-rich soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 2 to 11
Cultural importance	Typically, they are connected with good luck.
Lesser-known fact	The “bells” are not actually the petals, but the enlarged sepals that protect the tiny white flowers inside.

Have you ever spotted little bouquets hovering over the blanket of wide, lush green leaves? Little, charming blossoms in clusters? You have probably found another most cherished species of the flowering plants that start with b. They are Bergenia; due to the large leaves, the plant is also called Elephant Ears. These are the perfect addition to your regular gardens as they lie low to the ground, making the soil bed most attractive.  

Taxonomic name	Bergenia
Species Type	Perennial evergreen herb
Native environment	Native to central Asia, the Himalayas, and Siberia; they are rock-loving plants.
Hues	In shades of pink, magenta, ruby red, purple, or white
Bloom time	Late winter to early spring
Needs for growth	Thrives in partial shade to full sun, preferring moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 8
Cultural importance	Widely used in traditional Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine
Lesser-known fact	Also known as “pigsqueak” because rubbing their thick, leathery leaves together produces a squeakly sound.

Big Flax is a versatile flowering plant known for its delicate blue-purple blooms. It is another item on our list of flowers that start with b. This plant doesn’t just provide beautiful petals but also edible seeds and fiber commonly used for linen. By nature, it grows quickly, typically 3 feet tall when provided with full sunlight and enough drainage in the soil after watering.  

Taxonomic name	Linum usitatissimum
Species Type	Herbaceous annual wildflower
Native environment	Open fields, meadows, roadsides, and disturbed soils
Hues	Primarily sky blue, but white, red, and pink as well
Bloom time	Late spring to late summer
Needs for growth	Thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained, fertile to sandy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 4 to 9
Cultural importance	One of the oldest cultivated plants.
Lesser-known fact	Each flower only blooms for one day.

Bighead Knapweed is a tall, hardy perennial. It is known for its large, bright yellow, thistle-like flower heads. Growing up to 5 feet, it features hairy stems and leaves. It is a preferred ornamental flowering plant among gardeners due to its drought-tolerant capacities. If you live in a dry location, this plant is the best bet. 

Taxonomic name	Centaurea macrocephala
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial
Native environment	Native to the Caucasus Mountains
Hues	Golden yellow
Bloom time	Mild to late summer
Needs for growth	Requires full sun and well-drained soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 8
Cultural importance	It is considered a noxious weed in areas such as Alberta, Washington State, etc.
Lesser-known fact	A single flower head produces up to 200 seeds.

Billy buttons are perennial flowers that start with b. They are cheerful Australian wildflowers known for their bright yellow, globe-shaped blooms on tall, sturdy stalks. These flowers, by nature, look almost like drumsticks. Due to their versatile appearance, billy buttons are widely popular in weddings, bouquets, and garden displays.   

Taxonomic name	Pycnosorus globosus
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial
Native environment	Dry forests, grasslands, rocky outcrops, and alpine regions
Hues	Bright golden-yellow
Bloom time	From spring through summer
Needs for growth	Needs full sun with no particular soil type requirement
Hardiness	USDA zones 8 through 11
Cultural importance	Symbolizes optimism, resilience, and cheerfulness
Lesser-known fact	The flower is actually a home to dozens of hundreds of tiny individual florets.

Bindweed is a common, fast-growing flowering plant that acts like a vine. It is listed 18th in this article on flowering plants that start with b. Due to its vining nature, it is the first choice in gardens with established arch trellises. Thus, when the bloom comes, the garden becomes filled with the dangling flowers overhead.  

Taxonomic name	Convolvulus arvensis
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial vine
Native environment	Thrives in distributed areas, such as roadsides, agricultural fields, gardens, and grasslands.
Hues	White or pale pink
Bloom time	Mid-summer
Needs for growth	Loves full sun but can also tolerate semi-shade with the soil PH ranging from 4 to 9
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 10
Cultural importance	It was historically used in Ayurvedic treatment.
Lesser-known fact	Its seeds are considered toxic.

Look at its stunning beauty, and you would instantly want to bring it home. Bird of Paradise is one of the common flowers that start with b and is often known for its beautiful appearance that completely resembles colorful birds in flight. This plant features large, sturdy, banana-like leaves, and doesn’t even need intensive care.  

Taxonomic name	Strelitzia reginae
Species Type	Evergreen perennial
Native environment	Native to South Africa
Hues	Brilliant orange sepals and vivid blue petals
Bloom time	From late winter through spring
Needs for growth	Prefers full sun to partial shade with well-draining, rich, loamy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 10 to 12
Cultural importance	Official flower of the city of Los Angeles, California
Lesser-known fact	The plant is specifically adapted for bird pollination.

Bittersweet nightshade is one of the blue flowers that start with b. It is a woody perennial vine in the potato family. Although it has beautiful purplish flowers and red berries, all parts of this plant are poisonous to humans and livestock.    

Taxonomic name	Solanum dulcamara
Species Type	Perennial vine
Native environment	Moist areas, including riverbanks, wetlands, thickets, hedgerows, fencerows, roadside, etc.
Hues	Purple
Bloom time	Mid-May to September/October
Needs for growth	Thrives in nitrogen-rich, moist soils, preferably in partial shade
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 8
Cultural importance	Historically used in European herbalism to treat skin conditions
Lesser-known fact	This plant is commonly known as bitter-sweet due to the term dulcamara.

Black bryonys are highly toxic, climbing perennial flowers that start with b, They are commonly found in hedgerows and woodlands. It is a fast-growing climber with twining stems that can even reach up to 2 to 4 meters high. If you spot it in your garden, weed it out as soon as possible. 

Taxonomic name	Dioscorea communis
Species Type	Perennial climbing herb
Native environment	Hedgerows, woodland edges, scrub, and shady areas
Hues	Yellow-green
Bloom time	May to August
Needs for growth	Prefers shade or semi-shade with moist soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 4 to 8
Cultural importance	Historically used for medicinal purposes, even though it is highly poisonous.
Lesser-known fact	Its roots can grow up to 60 cm in width.

Black-eyed Susan is a hardy sun-loving North American wildflower. It has very beautiful, equally shaped and sized petals connected with a black crown in the centre. This flower resembles the sunflower in its composition.   

Taxonomic name	Rudbeckia hirta
Species Type	Biennial or short-lived perennial wildflower
Native environment	Prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, and open woodlands are its common thriving places.
Hues	Golden yellow petals
Bloom time	Mid-summer through early fall
Needs for growth	Requires full sun with no soil specifications
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	The state flower of Maryland
Lesser-known fact	Native Americans historically used the plant medicinally to treat cold symptoms.

Look at the mesmerizing beauty of these dropping blossoms. They are like hearts cut open in shape. Thus, bleeding heart is one of the uniquely shaped common flowers that start with b. You might want to decorate your garden with this gift of nature, but sadly, it is a poisonous creature of God. It is harmful when eaten and also irritates when rubbed against the skin. 

Taxonomic name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Species Type	Herbaceous perennial
Native environment	Native to moist, woodland environments in Eastern Asia
Hues	Pink and white
Bloom time	Late spring to early summer
Needs for growth	Prefers partial to full shade with moisture and well-draining soil
Hardiness	USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9
Cultural importance	In various Asian folklores, it represents unrequited love or a broken heart.
Lesser-known fact	The plant is toxic if ingested.

Bloodroot is a spring-blooming herbaceous perennial that features a lotus-like appearance. Each blossom has several mini flower clusters in the centre with various large petals around. These flowers don’t grow lying low to the ground, but some height above with strong supporting stems underneath.    

Taxonomic name	Sanguinaria canadensis
Species Type	Perennial herbaceous
Native environment	Rich, moist deciduous woodlands, floodplains, and slopes
Hues	Pure white petals with a bright yellow center
Bloom time	Early spring, typically March to April
Needs for growth	Prefers partial to full shade and well-drained soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 3 to 8
Cultural importance	Native Americans used it historically for its medicinal properties.
Lesser-known fact	This plant is a “myrmecochore,” meaning its seeds are specially designed to be dispersed by ants.

Another one of the blue flowers that start with b is the blood-red iris. In this angiosperm, each flower is like a bouquet itself. This plant features 6-8 cm wide flowers with distinctive, erect, narrow leaves. The blooms are typically reddish-purple or violet-blue. 

Taxonomic name	Iris sanguinea
Species Type	Perennial herb
Native environment	Native to East Asia, including Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan, and Korea; typically, found in damp meadows, sunny pond banks, etc..
Hues	Reddish-purple, blue-purple, and deep violet
Bloom time	In late spring to early summer
Needs for growth	Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade with slightly acidic loamy soil
Hardiness	USDA zones 4 through 9
Cultural importance	It represents wisdom, hope, trust, and courage.
Lesser-known fact	The name “Blood-Red” comes from the red-purple color of the spathe valves.

Conclusion 

That has been the list of 25 flowers that start with b. Some of these can be a great addition to your existing gardens, while others are good in words and images only, as they contain poisonous qualities such as bittersweet nightshade, black bryony, bleeding heart, etc. So, be careful while selecting. Read about each flowering plant thoroughly for an informed decision.  

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