15 Rare Flowers That Will Make Your Garden Even More Extraordinary (2024)

These Are the 25 Prettiest Flowers in the World, According to Gardening Experts

Mexican Shell Flower

This summer-blooming bulb (Tigridia pavonia) is grown as either an annual or tender perennial. "Native to Central and South America, its unusual-looking flowers come in vibrant colors with three large outer petals that surround a speckled center and a long showy stamen for an eye-catching display," says Janet Loughrey, a master gardener with Garden Design.

• Zone: 8 to 10
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 1.5 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; rich and well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Love-in-a-Puff

For some vertical interest, add the rare love-in-a-puff (Cardiospermum) to your garden. "This is a climbing vine with petite white blooms that form beautiful balloon-like pods," says Kim Zimmerman, master gardener and owner of Rowdy Poppy. "It's such a fun and unique-looking plant and works exceptionally as a cut flower, too." She adds that the seeds that form in the pod are exquisite as well, with their perfectly round black heads featuring a small white heart.

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature size: 10 to 12 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil and provide it with a trellis; keep soil moist

Hoya Rebecca

The hoya Rebecca (Lacunosa Langawi Island x Obscura) is a creeping tropical plant that produces showstopping buds. "It often has leaves that have a faint multi-coloration of green, white veins, and sometimes orange," says florist Caroline Quinonez. "When it blooms, this plant shows off its pink and yellow flowers in clusters many times throughout the year."

• Zone: 8 to 11
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil; allow soil to dry between watering

Tassel Flower

Tassel flowers (Emilia coccinea) are an easy-to-care-for, versatile addition to any garden or floral arrangement. "In cottage gardens, their vibrant scarlet blooms add a pop of color and a whimsical touch as they weave among other summer flowers," says gardener Deborah Stone, founder and co-owner of Stone Hollow Farmstead. "Their historic charm also makes them a delightful choice for vintage-themed gardens or arrangements, evoking a sense of nostalgia and rediscovery."

• Zone: 8 to 11
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; keep soil moderately moist

Painted Tongue

For an exceptionally exotic-looking annual flower, add painted tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata) to your garden lineup. "The striking trumpet-shaped flowers occur in vivid hues of violet, blue, red, orange, chocolate, creamy white, and yellow, many with intricate veined patterns," Loughrey says.

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich and well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Black Ginger

The black ginger plant (Kaempferia parviflora) produces medicinal ginger underground while putting on a show above the soil. "This plant grows beautiful purple and white flowers and has been known to help treat many ailments," says plant expert Jackie Pinkston.

• Zone: 10 to 11
• Mature Height and Size: 6-12 inches tall; 6-12 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Indirect light; loamy soil; let soil dry between waterings

Pineapple Lily

Pineapple lilies (Eucomis) are a rare type of tropical lily native to South Africa. "Instead of the traditional lily shape that we think of, these bulbs produce a flower shaped like a pineapple," Dillon says. "What a welcoming addition to the summer garden! When not in bloom, I find the large foliage striking as well. Pollinators enjoy pineapple lilies for their rich nectar."

• Zone: 7 to 10
• Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; rich and well-draining soil; keep soil moderately moist

Snake's Head Fritillary

You are probably well acquainted with many varieties of lilies, but have you heard of the snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)? "This perennial lily features checkerboard, bell-shaped flowers with grass-like foliage," says Nicole Dillon, a micro-flower farmer and owner of Breemar Flower in Ashland, Virginia. "These delicate purple, white, or gray patterned flowers are something out of a storybook." She recommends planting them at the edge of your garden so they’re more visible.

• Zone: 3 to 8
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial to full shade; rich, well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Indian Pink

"The Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) is a little-known ornamental perennial that is underutilized in home gardens," Loughrey says. Native to the southeastern United States, this unique wildflower produces vertical clusters of tubular flowers in late spring that are lipstick red with a yellow throat, resembling a miniature fireworks display.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature size:1 to 2 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Partial shade woodland setting; rich and well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Passionflower

For a flower that looks like it was born from a sci-fi movie set in the rainforest, look no further than the intriguing passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)—which is actually native to the southeastern United States. "The flower has bright purple petals with stringy filament and exaggerated stigma and anthers," Dillon says. "The vine produces edible fruit called maypops or passionfruit."

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; sandy or loamy soil; keep soil moist

Climbing Gloriosa Lily

Another vining plant option is the climbing gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba), a beautiful and rare flower that’s true to its name. "This climbing tuberous perennial uses tendrils at the ends of its leaves to climb surrounding plants or structures," Stone says. "Known for its stunning, flame-like petals, this exotic flower adds a touch of drama and sophistication to arrangements. Its unusual shape and vibrant colors make it a showstopper."

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Partial to full sun; well-draining loamy soil; keep soil moist

Love in a Mist/Devil in the Bush

This rare flower (known botanically as Nigella) goes by two names, which refer to its two primary stages. "They are love in a mist when in full bloom—showing off delicate white, blue, and sometimes pink or purple blooms among fern-like foliage (the mist)," Zimmerman says. "Once they shed their petals and form pods, they are referred to as devil in the bush with plum, striped, and green oblong pods topped with a crown of tiny horns." She says this rare flower also looks beautiful when dried and can add interest to wreaths and home décor.

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Blue Sea Holly

Steel blue in the garden is something that you don’t often see, but blue sea holly (Eryngium Ppanum) delivers. "The metallic blue color and unique flower shape make this an eye-catching addition to the garden," Dillon says. "They also attract butterflies and bees." She adds that this rare flower makes an excellent choice for your “something blue” in bridal arrangements and is a great candidate for drying.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil; allow soil to dry between watering

Monarda

"Monarda (bee balm) is one of our favorite 'weirdo' flowers for its layers of whorled petals that look like a series of bright jester caps and attract pollinators," says Zimmerman. "It also comes in many colors from lavender to magenta to bright red and smells amazing." For this perennial flower, she suggests cutting deep and expecting a second flush of blooms later in the season.

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil; keep soil moist

Persian Lily

The Persian lily (Fritillaria imperialis persica) is a striking addition to any garden thanks to its tall, dramatic spikes of bell-shaped flowers in shades of plum to deep purple. "This elegant plant can serve as a stunning focal point in mixed borders or as a bold statement in a dedicated flower bed," Stone says. "Its unique coloration and towering height make it perfect for adding vertical interest and contrast among more traditionally colored blooms."

• Zone: 5 to 8
• Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining sandy soil; keep soil moderately moist