Top 10 flowers to absolutely cultivate (and their secrets)

Céline Lambert

Updated on:

fleur en d

Are you looking for flowers that start with D to enrich your garden or shine in Scrabble? Good news, you are in the right place! Dahlia, daphne, foxglove… these plants are not only beautiful, they also have fascinating stories and sometimes botanical superpowers. So, put on your gardening gloves (or settle in comfortably with a tea) and discover these wonders!

Dahlia: The Exuberant Star

If the dahlia were a celebrity, it would be a diva. Colorful, flamboyant, with a silhouette that commands respect, it attracts all eyes in the garden.

How to grow it stress-free?

  • Exposure: full sun, but tolerates a bit of shade
  • Soil: rich, well-drained
  • Watering: regular, but no standing water (it hates that)
  • Propagation: by dividing tubers or cuttings

The dahlia is a champion of long-lasting blooming: from summer until the first frosts. Additionally, it comes in hundreds of varieties with various shapes and colors. For a spectacular effect, plant it in masses or along borders.

Daphne: Small but Powerful

This small shrub may not look like much, but its fragrance could awaken a sleeping garden. In winter or early spring, its delicate flowers release an intoxicating scent that attracts pollinators.

How to successfully cultivate it?

  • Soil: well-drained, slightly acidic
  • Exposure: partial shade, especially in warm regions
  • Watering: moderate, it doesn’t like excess water

An important detail: daphne is toxic. Do not plant it if you have pets or young children who love to taste everything in the garden.

Foxglove: Beautiful but Dangerous

The foxglove is somewhat the “beautiful but deadly” plant of the garden. With its tall flower spikes and vibrant colors (pink, purple, white), it adds vegetal drama to your flower beds.

But beware, it contains digitalis, a substance used in cardiology… and potentially deadly if ingested.

How to integrate it well into your garden?

  • Soil: light, humiferous, well-drained
  • Exposure: partial shade to sunny
  • Watering: moderate, it manages well on its own

A tip: if you want a wild and romantic garden, the foxglove is perfect for a natural look or in mixed borders with grasses.

Dianthus (Carnation): The Must-Have Fragrant Flower

With its small flowers in bright colors and peppery fragrance, the carnation is a safe bet. It comes in annual, biennial, and perennial versions, so you have plenty of choices.

Its strengths?

  • It grows almost anywhere
  • It withstands drought well
  • It blooms for long weeks

In a pot on a balcony, at the edge of a flower bed, or in a bouquet in a vase, it’s a versatile flower that pleases everyone.

Datura: Venomous Elegance

The datura is somewhat the femme fatale of the plant world. It produces large trumpet-shaped flowers (white, yellow, or purple), often fragrant, that open in the evening.

But be careful, this plant is highly toxic and can be hallucinogenic. Handle with caution.

Its needs

  • Exposure: full sun
  • Soil: rich and well-drained
  • Watering: moderate

If you want a spectacular and easy-to-maintain plant, the datura can be a good option… as long as it isn’t a buffet for children or pets.


Quick Summary in Table:

FlowersExposureSoilParticularity
DahliaSunRich, drainedLong and colorful blooming
DaphnePartial shadeAcidic, drainedEnchanting scent but toxic
FoxglovePartial shadeLight, humiferousBeautiful but toxic
DianthusSunAny typeEasy and fragrant
DaturaSunRich, drainedLarge toxic flower

Delphinium: The Nobility of Blue

The delphinium is a plant that commands respect with its tall stems covered in blue, white, or pink flowers. Its name comes from the Greek word delphis, which means dolphin, because its flowers have a shape reminiscent of this animal.

How to successfully grow it?

  • Prefers a cool, well-drained soil
  • Loves full sun, but tolerates partial shade
  • Requires staking due to its height

Perfect for structuring a flower bed or creating a sense of verticality in a garden.

Other Flowers Worth Their Place

Among other flowers beginning with D that you might like, there are:

  • Doronic: a yellow perennial that brightens flower beds
  • Dracaena: often grown indoors, but some varieties enjoy the outdoors
  • Dimorphoteca: resembling a daisy, it loves the sun

And Now?

If you want to add a touch of color and fragrance to your garden, flowers that begin with D are an excellent option! Choose the ones that suit your climate and space, and have fun creating a unique flowering corner.

By the way, do you already have one of these flowers in your garden? Tell me which one in the comments and share this article with your gardening friends! 🌿