For centuries, people have been drawn to the beauty and fragrance of flowers. They play an essential role in ecosystems, facilitating pollination and creating habitats for insects and animals.
In this article, we’ll explore flowers that start with “V.” Some are common garden plants, while others are a bit more rare and exotic.
We’ll explore the unique characteristics of each flower, and consider its symbolic meaning and any practical uses it may have, from culinary to medicinal.
If you’re looking to add a flower that starts with V to your garden, we’ll also provide basic growing tips.
Get ready to be enchanted by the vibrant world of “V” flowers — each with its own unique story to tell.
Violet (Viola)
When you think of flowers that start with the letter “V,” chances are the first one that comes to mind is “violet.”
Violets are famous for their heart-shaped leaves and petals that aren’t symmetrical. These blossoms come in a rainbow of colors, including purple, blue, white, and yellow.
The Viola genus contains more than 500 species.
Symbolism and uses
Violets often stand for modesty, faithfulness, and love.
Both the flowers and leaves are edible, and they can add color and interest to salads and candies. Violet tea is considered soothing, and the flowers have traditionally been used for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Growing tips
Violets are relatively easy to grow in shady areas with soil that drains well.
Once you get them started, they tend to naturalize in gardens. That means that if they like the spot you’ve given them, they’ll spread and grow without a lot of intervention from you.
Verbena
Verbena, a genus containing roughly 250 species, is known for its clusters of small but vibrant flowers. Depending on the species and local climate, Verbena can be either an annual or a perennial.
These plants are super popular with gardeners because they don’t need much water and they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. You’ll often see verbena used in borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Beyond their ornamental uses, certain types of verbena have been used in traditional medicine to relieve anxiety and promote sleep.
Growing Tips
If you’re thinking of adding verbena to your garden, keep these tips in mind:
- Verbena loves full sun and well-drained soil.
- To keep your verbena blooming all season long, be sure to regularly deadhead the spent flowers.
Vinca (Periwinkle)
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover that blooms, you might want to consider vinca, also known as periwinkle. This easy-to-grow plant has glossy green leaves and delicate, star-shaped flowers.
There are about a dozen species of vinca, and they’re known for being hardy and spreading easily. They’re often used on slopes to prevent erosion and in gardens to fill in bare spots.
Vinca is relatively low-maintenance and can adapt to many different conditions. While it likes partial shade best, it can also thrive in full sun.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian is a tall, herbaceous perennial with clusters of small, fragrant flowers with a distinctive scent. There are around 200 species in the Valeriana genus.
For centuries, herbalists have used valerian root as a natural way to relieve anxiety and help people sleep. Today, you can find valerian in teas, capsules, and tinctures designed to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
If you’d like to grow your own valerian, you can plant it in gardens or containers in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Vanda Orchid
If you’re looking for a flower that starts with V, the Vanda orchid is a great place to start.
Vanda orchids are known for their large, showy flowers and aerial roots. The blooms come in shades of purple, blue, pink, and yellow.
There are about 80 species in the Vanda genus.
Growing conditions
Vanda orchids need high humidity and bright, indirect light. Because of their need for air circulation, they’re often grown in hanging baskets or mounted on trees.
Vanda orchids are epiphytes. That means they grow on other plants for support. They also need lots of air circulating around their roots.
Notable species: Vanda Coerulea (blue orchid)
The Vanda Coerulea is one of the most prized Vanda orchids because of its unusual blue flowers. However, this type of orchid needs very specific care to flourish.
Venus’s Looking Glass (Legousia speculum-veneris)
With its delicate, bell-shaped blooms, Venus’s Looking Glass is a wildflower with a charming name. Its petals are typically a vibrant blue or purple.
There are about 10 species of Venus’s Looking Glass in the world.
Growing tips and preferences
If you’re hoping to add Venus’s Looking Glass to your garden, keep in mind that this flower thrives in sunny spots where the soil drains well. You’re likely to find it growing in meadows or alongside roads.
Viburnum
With more than 150 species, Viburnums are shrubs or small trees known for their showy clusters of flowers and appealing foliage. Many varieties also produce colorful berries.
Viburnums are popular for:
- Hedges
- Borders
- Specimen plants
- Wildlife gardens
The foliage changes color with the seasons, and many viburnums turn brilliant shades of red or purple in the fall. The berries attract songbirds and other wildlife.
Notable species: Viburnum plicatum (Japanese Snowball)
Viburnum plicatum, also known as Japanese Snowball, is a favorite among gardeners. It features large, snowball-like clusters of white flowers that resemble snowballs. It can be used as a specimen plant, border, or hedge.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Virginia bluebells are wildflowers known for their clusters of delicate, bell-shaped blooms that shift from pink to a gorgeous sky blue. They tend to grow in moist woodlands and along streams.
If you’re looking for a spring-blooming plant for a shady spot, Virginia bluebells might be just the thing.
Growing tips and preferences
These plants like moist, well-drained soil in a shady area.
Venidium (Cape Daisy)
If you’re looking for a ‘V’ flower, you might like the Venidium, also known as the Cape Daisy. This flower has striking daisy-like blooms, often with a dark-colored center disk.
There are about 20 species of Venidium.
Growing Tips
Venidiums are native to South Africa and are known for being drought-tolerant. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a relatively easy-to-grow addition to your garden.
Veronica (Speedwell)
Also known as Speedwell, Veronica is a wildflower with spikes of tiny, bright flowers. You can find them in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
The Veronica genus includes more than 500 different species.
Characteristics and uses
Gardeners love Veronica because it’s so easy to grow and care for. It’s not susceptible to most common garden pests, either.
Because of their vertical growth habit, Veronica plants are often used to add height to borders and rock gardens, or to give a classic, slightly overgrown look to cottage gardens.
Growing tips
Veronica plants prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. They need soil that drains well.
To keep your Veronica blooming all season long, pinch off the flower heads after the blooms fade.
Vanilla Orchid (Vanilla planifolia)
Who doesn’t love the smell of vanilla? The vanilla orchid is known for its fragrant flowers and, of course, the vanilla beans that come from it. The Vanilla genus includes around 110 different species.
These orchids don’t look like your typical orchid. They are climbing vines that can reach impressive lengths. The flowers are typically a creamy white or greenish-yellow color, and they have a delicate, almost translucent appearance.
To thrive, vanilla orchids need warm, humid conditions, mimicking their native tropical environments. The plants grow best with high humidity, good air circulation, and dappled sunlight.
The process of cultivating vanilla beans is labor-intensive. After the flowers are pollinated (often by hand), the beans are harvested, cured, and then used as a flavoring in desserts, beverages, and even perfumes.
Verbesina
With around 300 different species, the genus Verbesina offers a wide array of choices for gardeners. These flowers are recognizable by their clusters of small, daisy-like flowers, which are often yellow or white.
Growing tips and preferences
Verbesina plants aren’t particularly picky about their soil and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. They seem to do best in full sun to partial shade, so choose your location accordingly.
Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)
The Virginia spiderwort is a native wildflower with three-petaled flowers that are generally blue or purple. The plant gets its unusual name from the sap in its stems, which becomes threadlike when it’s pulled apart. It looks, some say, like a spider’s web.
Growing tips and preferences
Virginia spiderworts aren’t too picky about where they grow, but they do best in moist, well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. They’re native to North America, so they can thrive in many different conditions and climates.
Vriesea
If you’re looking for a splash of color, consider the Vriesea. These bromeliads are known for their colorful bracts (modified leaves) and unique flower spikes.
With more than 250 species in the genus, there’s bound to be a Vriesea that suits your fancy.
Growing conditions
Good news: Vrieseas aren’t fussy. They’re relatively easy-going houseplants that thrive in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Think tropical rainforest but in your living room.
Viola Tricolor (Johnny Jump Up)
These little guys are so cute, they’re called Johnny Jump Ups.
What do viola tricolor look like?
These small, colorful flowers have a mix of purple, yellow, and white petals. You might know them by the name Johnny Jump Up, which might give you a clue about how easily they reseed themselves!
Growing tips and preferences
Viola tricolor likes cool weather and soil that drains easily. They’re great for containers and borders, and they’re known for attracting butterflies and other pollinators.
Valerianella locusta (Lamb’s Lettuce)
OK, I’m bending the rules a little here. Lamb’s lettuce is technically a leafy green vegetable. But it does have “flower” in its name, so I think it deserves a place on this list.
Valerianella locusta, also known as lamb’s lettuce, is a small green plant with rounded leaves and a mild, slightly nutty flavor.
Growing tips and culinary uses
Lamb’s lettuce is easy to grow. It prefers cool weather and moist soil, so it’s often planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. The leaves can be harvested when they’re young and tender, and they’re delicious in salads or as a garnish.
Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea)
Also known as cowpea, Vigna unguiculata is a legume with edible beans and leaves.
Growing tips and benefits
Cowpeas can improve soil fertility and are often used as a cover crop. If you’re a bean lover, this might be the “V” flower for you.
Wrapping Up
From the delicate charm of Violets to the exotic allure of Vanda Orchids, flowers that start with “V” offer a delightful glimpse into the incredible variety the floral world has to offer.
These blooms aren’t just pretty faces; they also have practical uses. Some enhance gardens, while others provide medicinal or culinary resources.
Whether you grow them in your garden or simply admire them in nature, I encourage you to explore and appreciate these unique floral treasures. Flowers play a vital role in our ecosystems, supporting pollinators and adding to biodiversity. They also hold deep cultural significance, representing love, beauty, and celebration in traditions around the world.
So, why not consider adding some of these “V” flowers to your own garden or home? Experience their beauty and benefits firsthand, and discover the joy these vibrant blooms can bring. You might just find your new favorite flower!