When you think of flowers, green is definitely not the first color that comes to mind, is it? You’d probably think of the brighter colors; the ones that take center stage. From the crimson red of roses, to the sunny yellow of a sunflower, to even the stranger purple mix of an Iris. As long as it’s not green, it’s considered and appreciated as a flower by most people.
Well, the next sentence might change everything you thought you knew. There is a truckload of flowers that come in green. Rare? Yes. Overlooked? Most likely, but they do exist. And just like their counterparts, they are extremely beautiful and majestic.
What Do Green Flowers Symbolize?
The popular saying ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ didn’t just emanate from thin air. It was borne from what had been observed in the environment. In nature, green is a sign of life and prosperity. Plants that are properly taken care of and healthy, show their appreciation by radiating their bright green colors. Green flowers are a symbol of fruitfulness, abundance and renewal, which is why a number of people include them in wedding bouquets and baby showers. In addition to that, they are really great tools for decoration, bringing a fresh natural vibe to your living space.
Why Are Green Flowers Rare?
There are a few reasons why green flowers are not as widespread as flowers of other colors. The main one being that green is a dull color and is not exactly attractive to insects. What do insects have to do with flowers growing? Let’s take a walk through the process of Pollination.
Pollination is a process of transferring pollen from the male parts to the female part of the flowers. It’s an important process for reproduction, and although pollen is produced in the anthers (the male part), it’s spread throughout the plant by wind and insects also called pollinators.
The bright colors of the flowers attract the insects and in turn, these insects help spread the pollen across the plant and even to other plants, enhancing reproduction of the flowers. Obviously, when not a lot of insects interact with the flowers, there’d be little pollination. That’s the case of the green flowers and is the major reason why they may not appear at every corner.
Even though green flowers might not be every bug’s cup of tea, they are a few that see the beauty in them. Some examples are the lady beetle, some flies and moths.
Best Green Flowers for Your Garden
One of the amazing things about green flowers is that they can blend into any environment. They look great with any other color of plant and are sometimes considered a more neutral color than white. So, you don’t really have any problem if you’re looking to add a green flower to your garden of other plants.
Green Rose
Roses are red… stop right there. Not all of them are. Some of them are green. Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? But these beauties have been existing since the 1800s and were first planted in the United Kingdom. Roses are one of the most popular flowers and are known for their beauty and amazing fragrance. Green roses retain the fragrance and looks (maybe even look better). They bloom in the summer and spring and usually grow to about 3 – 4 feet in height and width. Just like the red roses, they love a good amount of sunlight and a well-drained soil. A unique trait of the green rose is that it doesn’t have any petals, it’s made up of layers of sepals. They complement a range of other flowers and are a unique alternative for red roses on Valentines or any other romantic getaway.
Bells Of Ireland
The name of this plant suggests that it’s from Ireland, but you can say it has dual-citizenship as Bells of Ireland are actually native to Turkey and Syria. They are probably called bells of Ireland because of their mint green color which is similar to the Irish green. These green flowers can grow to be a little over 4 feet in height and spread over 12 inches. In reality, the flower is white, but is covered by a bell-shaped green calyx which is the visible part of the plant. When spread open, you’d notice that the sides of the flower are spiked beautifully. They thrive in direct sunlight and well-drained soils. They are easy to maintain, and add a touch of class to gardens or decorations, making them a favorite for weddings and many other events. In addition to all these amazing traits, they can survive in crazy climate conditions.
Buttercups
These green flowers look as soft and delicate as the name suggests. There are over 1750 different species of buttercups, and they mainly thrive in temperate regions like mountain areas. Buttercups bloom in the spring but can survive through the summer as well. The rose-like petals of the flower spread to only about a foot wide, but they grow up to 3 feet in length. Their physical features are unlike any other flower. If you look into the petals of a buttercup, you just might see your reflection as they are very shiny and smooth. Their ‘glowy’ appearance is a great addition to gardens and decorative pieces like bouquets. Before adding buttercups to your garden though, it’s important to note that they are poisonous when ingested, so growing them around livestock is not exactly a smart thing to do.
Green Carnations
If you are trying to get someone to fall in love, or maybe you just want to make a lasting impression, gift them a green carnation. They are the perfect decorative pieces with numerous uses like corsages. Tall green stems with lighter green flowers give it a divine look. Little wonder it is nicknamed ‘god’s flower’. This perennial flower grows to about 24 inches in height and 14 inches in width. Under the conditions of great sunlight, constant pruning to promote growth and a well-drained soil, they maintain an unexplainable freshness and scent. And can maintain their freshness for a longer period than most flowers even after being uprooted. Just like roses are associated with Valentines, these green flowers are usually associated with Saint Patrick’s Day.
Broccoli Flowers
Broccoli is definitely not a strange plant to anyone living in the United States and most parts of Europe. It is a large tree-shaped plant with branching florets that are edible. The fast-growing plant (usually about 14 – 16 weeks) grows upright up to about 30 inches tall. They thrive in cold conditions and can hardly stand the heat of the summer, so it’s best to harvest them before then. They may not be crushing it in the looks department like most other flowers, but they are of equal importance in the kitchen as they are a great source of vitamin C and K.
Green Viburnum
Sounds like the popular fictional element, vibranium, from Wakanda, but the green viburnum is native to the northern hemispheres. These flowering shrubs look great on walls or fences as some species grow up to 20 feet tall. They have long, usually brown stems that end at a spherical, large bloom like a green lollipop. The flowers of the green viburnum require frequent trimming and their soils need to be properly watered and drained. They are not fans of direct sunlight as they are partial shade plants. 3 hours of morning or evening sun is sufficient for their growth. They are great additions to gardens as they pair well with a range of colors.
Green Yarrow Flower
Another plant that probably reminds you of a fictional superhero, the green yarrow or devil’s nettle is popular in the temperate regions of Asia, North America and Europe. Fun fact about this plant is that it derives its name, devil’s nettle, from an ancient myth. According to legend, the devil walked the streets at night and he’d shake the green yarrow at the doors of homes he desires to curse. Scary, isn’t it? After reading that tale, you probably do not want to plant this particular green flower anymore.
But superstition aside, the yarrow is a beauty to look at and definitely a great addition to your collection or space. Not only for its soft, equally separated leaves along the stem, but also because of its great healing ability. Grounding the leaves and applying it to broken or wounded skin promotes healing, and it’s also a natural form of medication for insomnia and anxiety.
In addition to this, it can eradicate terrible smells from your environment, leaving you with the fresh scent of pure honey.
Green Hydrangeas
Some historians claim that hydrangeas are native to China, while others might argue in favor of Japan. What we can agree on is that they are from the shores of Asia, and have been accepted by gardeners all over the world. The bushy green blooms of the flower are a joy to witness in the sunny summer. Through the stages of growth, the hydrangeas change colors a number of times; it’s the chameleon of the flower world.
Unlike most flowers, Hydrangeas only have layers of sepal which are naturally green, but might have shades of other colors. As time passes, the green pigment spreads over the other pigments until the plant is totally green.
There is also a variation of the green flower that has smaller leaves than its sibling called limelight. Miniature Hydrangeas grow to about 3 feet, but others might grow up to 6 feet in height and length. They are partial shade plants but can thrive in full shade if they get enough sun in the morning or evenings. They also work great for indoor spaces in a vase or pot.
Boxwood
Boxwood is one of the most popular and used plant for topiary; trimming plants into well defined shapes for decoration. It is native to the shores of Asia, Europe and Africa but was first used by the Roman empire for topiary. Boxwood can grow up to 20 feet tall and 8 feet wide. They have a hardiness of 5 – 9, and thrive best in direct sunlight. The best part about these plants is how low maintenance they are, and it’s the reason they are a preferred choice for designs. They have an amazingly long lifespan, living up to 40 years.
Viridiflora Tulips (Green Tulips)
Tulips are popular and beautiful flowers; a favorite of many. There are over 78 species of tulips including the green tulips which bloom in late spring. They have huge petals that are either fully green or laced with hints of white. And they grow up to 22 inches tall. Green tulips enjoy direct sunlight and thrive in moist soil with good drainage.
A bunch of tulips in a vase would look amazing at the center of a table, and they are also great gifts for special people in your life.
Green Lily of the Valley
Green lilies of the valley have a lot of spiritual, and cultural meaning. They embody serenity, humility and purity. They add a touch of class, romance and peace to your floral arrangements and designs, and are mainly used in romantic settings. In the Christian religion, the flowers are called ‘our lady’s tears’ because they are believed to have grown out of the tears of Mary (the mother of Jesus). In addition to these, it is also the birth flower for the month of May.
The bell-shaped blooms of the flowers fall to one side, and have amazing scents. They are native to temperate regions in Europe and Asia, but can be found in most parts of the world. The plant grows about 6 -12 inches tall and 12 inches in width. They bloom in late spring and thrive mostly in moist soil under full or partial shade.
Before You Go
If you’ve reached this point then you know it’s probably time to give green flowers a chance in your garden. From the beautiful round petals of the green rose to the hanging tepals of the lilies, there’s definitely something for you. Put a seed in the ground and watch it give life and color to your environment.