Flowers are vital to both the planet’s ecosystems and human culture. They add beauty to our world, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and even play a part in our traditions and celebrations.
This article will focus on a small subset of the vast floral kingdom: flowers beginning with “T.” You might be surprised by the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes represented in this group.
From gardens to bouquets, and even in some culinary applications, flowers enhance our lives. Some flowers beginning with “T” even have medicinal properties.
Tiger Flower (Tigridia pavonia)
The tiger flower is known for its striking appearance and bold, vibrant colors. The botanical name is Tigridia pavonia.
These flowers are fairly large, generally measuring 3 to 6 inches in diameter. The plants are native to Mexico and Central America, where they were cultivated by the Aztecs, who called them “cacomitl,” meaning “tiger flower.”
Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium)
Tiger lilies are native to Asia and are known for their vibrant orange color and distinctive dark spots. Their petals curve dramatically backward, or “recurved,” giving them a unique and striking appearance.
They’re super popular as ornamental plants and are often found in gardens and floral arrangements.
Trillium
Trilliums are wildflowers native to both Asia and North America. Sadly, several trillium species are now endangered or threatened due to habitat loss.
Trilliums are easy to identify, as their name suggests. They have parts that come in threes: three leaves, three petals, and three sepals. The petals are usually white, pink, red, or purple, depending on the species.
Throatwort (Trachelium)
Throatwort, also known by its scientific name Trachelium, is a beautiful plant known for its delicate, clustered flowers.
These blooms create a lovely, airy effect, and they come in a range of colors, making them popular in floral arrangements.
As for its life cycle, throatwort can be either an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one year, or a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years.
Tulip (Tulipa)
Tulips are one of the most recognizable flowers, and the Tulipa genus includes about 75 species. They come in almost every color imaginable, and the flowers themselves have a wide range of forms, from simple cups to complex doubles and fringed varieties.
Tulips have a long and interesting history. “Tulip mania” in 17th-century Holland saw tulip bulbs traded at wildly inflated prices, making them one of the earliest examples of a speculative bubble.
Transvaal Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
The Transvaal daisy, also known as the gerbera daisy, is a colorful flower that’s part of the sunflower family. It’s native to South Africa but has become popular worldwide as an ornamental plant.
These daisies produce vibrant, showy blossoms that can be more than 4 inches across. The plants themselves can grow up to 18 inches tall.
Tuberous Begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida)
If you want huge, colorful flowers, tuberous begonias are hard to beat. These plants produce showy blooms that can reach up to 6 inches across. They come in a wide range of colors, from bright reds and oranges to soft pinks and yellows.
Tuberous begonias are named for their thick, underground tubers, which store energy and allow the plant to grow year after year. These tubers need to be stored properly over the winter in colder climates.
Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua)
Turtleheads are native to the eastern United States, and they’re named for the unusual shape of their blossoms, which look like turtle heads poking out of their shells. Their rich green foliage grows to a height of two to three feet, with a spread of one to two feet.
Tea Rose (Rosa odorata)
Tea roses are known and loved for their delicate, sweet fragrance and classic, elegant form. Their beauty has made them a favorite in gardens and bouquets for centuries.
In addition to their beauty and scent, tea roses are a popular choice for cut flowers because they stay fresh and lovely for a relatively long time after being cut.
Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
Toadflax is a wildflower with flowers that look a bit like snapdragons. They’re usually bright yellow, but you can sometimes find them in shades of white or purple.
While they’re pretty, toadflax can be a problem in some areas. It can spread aggressively and take over gardens or fields. So, if you’re thinking about planting it, make sure you’re prepared to keep it under control.
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Toyon is native to California and other parts of the Southwest. It’s sometimes called California holly or Christmas berry.
Toyon flowers are only about half an inch across, but they grow in clusters, creating a beautiful display. The berries are smaller, about a quarter of an inch in diameter.
The bright red berries appear in the winter, making the toyon a festive and visually striking plant during the holiday season.
Treasure Flower (Gazania rigens)
If you want flowers that bask in the sun, consider treasure flowers. They produce blossoms that range from 2 to 5 inches wide and come in a variety of colors, often with striking patterns.
Keep in mind that these flowers tend to close up at night or on cloudy days, so you may not see their full beauty all the time.
Twinspur (Diascia barberae)
Twinspur flowers are native to South Africa and bloom from summer until the first frost. They’re popular in hanging baskets and window boxes.
Twinspurs are known for the tiny spurs that protrude from the back of their petals. The petals are usually pink, salmon, or white. They’re relatively easy to grow and attract butterflies.
Tartarian Aster (Crinitaria tatarica or Aster tataricus)
Tartarian asters are late-blooming perennials that add color and texture to your garden in the fall. The flowers are small, about an inch across, but they grow in large, showy clusters. The plants themselves can get quite large, reaching 3 to 6 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in width.
If you’re looking for something to provide some visual interest at the end of the growing season, the Tartarian aster is a great choice.
Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis)
This pretty flower was once on the endangered species list, but thanks to conservation efforts, its populations are now stable.
The Tennessee coneflower typically grows to be between 2 and 3 feet tall.
Like other coneflowers, the Tennessee coneflower has a prominent central “cone” surrounded by petals. But unlike other coneflowers, its petals tend to point upward instead of drooping down. This gives it a unique, perky appearance that makes it a favorite among wildflower enthusiasts.
Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
Texas Mountain Laurel is a flowering shrub native to central Texas. It can grow to be 15 to 25 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.
In the spring, it produces clusters of vibrant purple flowers that smell distinctly like grape soda. The fragrance is so strong that you can often smell the plant before you see it.
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces long, hanging seed pods filled with bright red seeds.
Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana)
Thimbleweed can add a touch of whimsy to your garden! These wildflowers can grow up to three feet tall and produce these fascinating, thimble-shaped seed heads.
Once the white petals drop, the center of the flower transforms into a dense, elongated cluster. This cluster is made up of tiny seeds, and it’s this structure that gives the flower its unique, thimble-like appearance. They’re fascinating to look at!
Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
Threadleaf coreopsis is a personal favorite. It gets its name from its delicate, thread-like leaves. This plant grows to be about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, and its flowers can measure up to 2 inches across.
Threadleaf coreopsis is easy to grow and adds a cheerful splash of yellow to any garden.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a low-growing herb that often reaches about 6 inches in height. The plant is easy to grow, and it thrives in many climates.
Thyme is known for its strong, pleasant aroma. People use its leaves in cooking and traditional medicine. The plant’s flowers also attract pollinators.
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
Toad lilies are late-summer bloomers that prefer shady spots in the garden. They’re not true lilies, but their blossoms are small and orchid-like, sporting freckled petals in shades of white, pink, purple, and yellow. Toad lilies are relatively low-maintenance, making them a striking addition to any shade garden.
Key Takeaways
As you can see, when it comes to flowers that start with the letter “T,” there’s a dazzling range of colors, shapes, and sizes to explore.
Each of these flowers has its own unique characteristics and uses, and they all play an important role in their respective ecosystems.
We’ve only scratched the surface here, so why not delve deeper into the plant kingdom? There are tons of resources available online and in libraries to help you learn more about these and other fascinating flowers. Happy exploring!