85+ Flowers That Start With D: Complete Guide & Care

Quick Answer: Best spring choices: Daffodil, Dutch Iris, Dicentra, Dutchman's Breeches Best summer choices: Dahlia, Daylily, Dianthus, Drummond Phlox Best purple choices: Delphinium, Dutch Iris, Drumstick Allium, Douglas Aster Best yellow choices: Daffodil, Dandelion, Desert Marigold, Dahlberg Daisy Best for pots: Dianthus, Dwarf Dahlia, Dahlberg Daisy, Desert Rose Best for bees: Dandelion, Daisy types, Douglas Aster, open-centered Dahlia Best fragrant choices: Dianthus, Daphne, fragrant Daffodil forms, Dog Rose Best unusual choices: Dragon Arum, Dutchman's Breeches, Disa Orchid, Desert Five-Spot

Flowers starting with D include familiar garden blooms, wildflowers, orchids, bulbs, vines, flowering shrubs, small trees, and genuinely unusual plants with memorable blossoms. The best-known names, Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Digitalis, Dicentra, Dandelion, and Dutch Iris, are joined here by 75 more entries, including a run of desert wildflowers and specialty orchids most guides skip.

Full Alphabetical List of Flowers That Start With D

#	Flower Name	Type	Main Color/Range
1	Daffodil	Bulb flower	Yellow, white, orange
2	Dahlia	Tuberous flower	Many colors
3	Daisy	Annual/perennial flower	White, yellow, pink
4	Dahlberg Daisy	Annual flower	Yellow
5	Dalmatian Bellflower	Perennial flower	Purple, blue
6	Dame’s Rocket	Biennial/short-lived perennial	Purple, pink, white
7	Dandelion	Wildflower	Yellow
8	Datura	Caution flower	White, purple, yellow
9	Daylily	Perennial flower	Yellow, orange, red, pink
10	Dead Nettle	Flowering ground cover	Purple, pink, white
11	Delosperma	Succulent bloomer	Pink, purple, yellow, orange
12	Delphinium	Perennial flower	Blue, purple, pink, white
13	Dendrobium Orchid	Orchid	White, pink, purple, yellow
14	Deptford Pink	Wildflower	Pink
15	Desert Beardtongue	Desert wildflower	Pink, purple
16	Desert Bluebell	Desert wildflower	Blue
17	Desert Chicory	Desert wildflower	White, pale pink
18	Desert Dandelion	Desert wildflower	Yellow
19	Desert Five-Spot	Desert wildflower	Pink, purple-marked
20	Desert Four O’Clock	Desert wildflower	Pink, purple
21	Desert Globemallow	Desert wildflower	Orange, apricot
22	Desert Lily	Desert wildflower	White
23	Desert Lupine	Desert wildflower	Purple, blue
24	Desert Marigold	Desert wildflower	Yellow
25	Desert Paintbrush	Desert wildflower	Red, orange
26	Desert Primrose	Desert wildflower	White, yellow, pink
27	Desert Rose	Succulent flowering plant	Pink, red, white
28	Desert Sand Verbena	Desert wildflower	Pink, purple
29	Desert Sunflower	Desert wildflower	Yellow
30	Desert Tobacco	Desert wildflower	White, pale green
31	Desert Willow	Flowering tree	Pink, lavender, white
32	Desert Zinnia	Desert wildflower	White, yellow
33	Devil’s Bit Scabious	Wildflower	Purple, blue
34	Devil’s Claw	Flowering plant	Pink, purple, white
35	Devil in a Bush	Annual flower	Blue, white
36	Dianella	Flowering perennial	Blue, purple
37	Dianthus	Annual/perennial flower	Pink, red, white, purple
38	Diascia	Bedding flower	Pink, coral, orange
39	Dichondra	Flowering ground cover	Greenish, yellow, white
40	Dicentra	Perennial flower	Pink, white, red
41	Dietes	Iris-like flower	White, yellow, purple
42	Digitalis	Biennial/perennial flower	Pink, purple, white, yellow
43	Dipladenia	Flowering vine	Pink, red, white
44	Disa Orchid	Orchid	Red, pink, orange
45	Dittany	Herbaceous flower	Pink, purple, white
46	Dog Rose	Flowering rose	Pink, white
47	Dogwood Blossom	Flowering tree	White, pink
48	Double Impatiens	Bedding flower	Pink, red, white, orange
49	Douglas Aster	Wildflower perennial	Purple
50	Drummond Phlox	Annual flower	Red, pink, purple, white
51	Drumstick Allium	Bulb flower	Burgundy, purple
52	Drumstick Primrose	Perennial flower	Purple, pink, white
53	Dutch Iris	Bulb flower	Blue, purple, white, yellow
54	Dutchman’s Breeches	Woodland flower	White, yellow
55	Dutchman’s Pipe	Flowering vine	Green, purple, brown
56	Dwarf Columbine	Garden flower	Blue, purple, yellow, red
57	Dwarf Crested Iris	Woodland flower	Blue, violet, white
58	Dwarf Dahlia	Garden form	Many colors
59	Dwarf Iris	Bulb flower	Blue, purple, yellow, white
60	Dwarf Morning Glory	Bedding flower	Blue, white, pink
61	Donkey Orchid	Orchid	Yellow, brown, purple, white
62	Dyer’s Chamomile	Herbaceous flower	Yellow
63	Daphne	Flowering shrub	Pink, white
64	Deutzia	Flowering shrub	White, pink
65	Dragon Arum	Caution flower	Purple, maroon
66	Dragon Tree	Flowering tree/houseplant	Greenish-white, cream
67	Dragon’s Breath Celosia	Bedding flower	Red
68	Daboecia	Flowering shrub	Pink, purple, white
69	Dactylorhiza Orchid	Orchid	Purple, pink
70	Dalea	Prairie flower	Purple, pink, white
71	Dasiphora	Flowering shrub	Yellow, white, pink
72	Deinanthe	Shade flower	White, lavender
73	Delonix	Flowering tree	Red, orange
74	Dentaria	Woodland flower	White, pink
75	Didiscus	Annual flower	Blue, lavender, white
76	Dimorphotheca	Daisy-type flower	Orange, yellow, white
77	Disporum	Woodland flower	White, yellow, greenish
78	Doronicum	Perennial flower	Yellow
79	Draba	Rock garden flower	Yellow, white
80	Duranta	Flowering shrub	Purple, blue, white
81	Diervilla	Flowering shrub	Yellow
82	Dampiera	Wildflower/perennial	Blue
83	Darlingtonia	Carnivorous wetland perennial	Green, purple-veined (cobra-lily flower)
84	Dyckia	Terrestrial bromeliad	Orange, yellow
85	Dorotheanthus	Annual succulent flower	Pink, yellow, orange

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How This 85-Flower List Was Curated

The 85 count includes strict flower names and broader flowering plants where the bloom is a major part of the plant’s garden value, keeping classic flowers like Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Daylily, Delphinium, and Dianthus in the same guide as clearly labeled shrubs, trees, vines, orchids, and succulent bloomers.

Garden forms such as Dwarf Dahlia, Dwarf Iris, Dwarf Morning Glory, and Double Impatiens are included only when widely used as recognizable flowering forms, not confused with separate species. Dichondra is included as a flowering ground cover but is grown more for foliage than showy bloom. Dragon Tree is included only as a broader flowering plant, not a typical flower choice. Dittany is handled carefully since the name can refer to more than one aromatic plant group. Among this guide’s additions, Darlingtonia (the cobra lily pitcher plant) deserves the same honesty — its flower is real but unusual, and the plant is grown mainly for its carnivorous pitcher structure rather than the bloom itself.

For another broad alphabet guide with common flowers, wildflowers, and flowering plants, see Flowers That Start With A.

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Common Flowers That Start With D

Daffodil is one of the clearest D-flower names — a spring bulb with trumpet-shaped blooms in yellow, white, cream, and orange. Most garden daffodils prefer well-drained soil and full sun to part shade, blooming early before many perennials fill out. After flowering, foliage should be left to fade naturally so the bulb stores energy for next season.

Dahlia is known for its wide range of flower sizes, forms, and colors. It’s a higher-care flower than Daffodil or Daylily — large types may need staking, feeding, steady watering, and winter storage in colder regions. Especially useful in cutting gardens and summer-to-fall borders.

Daisy is a familiar name for several open-faced flowers with a central disc and surrounding petals. The classic look is white petals around a yellow center. Because the name covers many plants, botanical naming helps when choosing a specific type.

Dandelion is often treated as a lawn weed, but it’s still a genuine flowering plant, supporting early-season pollinators when other flowers are limited. It belongs in a complete D-flower list but should be described honestly as a wildflower that can also behave as a weed.

Daylily produces arching foliage and trumpet-shaped flowers that open one at a time — each bloom usually lasts one day, though mature clumps produce many buds across the flowering period. Despite the name, it’s not a true lily.

Delphinium brings tall flower spikes in blue, purple, white, pink, and lavender, performing best in full sun with rich, well-drained soil and some wind protection. Because plant parts can be toxic, it should be placed carefully around pets or grazing animals.

Dianthus is valued for fringed petals, compact growth, and a light clove-like fragrance in many types — one of the better D-flowers for small spaces, front borders, rock gardens, and containers.

Digitalis (foxglove) has tall spikes lined with tubular flowers, adding height and strong vertical form to cottage and woodland gardens, but the plant is toxic and must be placed with care.

Dicentra is best known for heart-shaped spring flowers hanging from arching stems, suiting woodland beds and cool borders with spring moisture; it may fade back later in the season.

Dutch Iris is a bulb flower with clean, upright blooms in blue, purple, white, and yellow markings, flowering in late spring and working well in cutting beds and formal borders.

Dendrobium Orchid is one of the best indoor D-flower names — the clearest orchid answer in this group, fitting better as a bright indoor or sheltered display plant than a standard outdoor border flower.

Desert Rose is a succulent flowering plant with a swollen base and showy blooms, popular in pots and warm-climate gardens; the sap deserves caution around pets and children.

Daphne is a fragrant flowering shrub known for pink or white blooms, often in late winter or spring — grown for scent as much as appearance, though several species have toxic plant parts.

Dogwood Blossom is a flowering tree or shrub group valued for spring bracts that look like large petals, working as a small focal tree or woodland-edge plant.

Drummond Phlox is an annual flower with bright clusters, useful for bedding, containers, and seasonal color blocks.

Drumstick Allium produces narrow stems topped with egg-shaped burgundy-purple flower heads, adding contrast as an accent in mixed borders — deserving caution around pets that may chew bulbs or leaves.

Douglas Aster is a purple late-season flower that supports pollinators as many summer flowers fade, fitting meadow-style beds and naturalistic planting. Gardeners comparing familiar flower names may also find Flowers That Start With B useful for classic bloom choices.

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Other D Flowers Worth Knowing

Dalmatian Bellflower is a low perennial with purple-blue blooms for rock gardens and edging. Dame’s Rocket has fragrant spring flowers fitting cottage-style or naturalized areas. Desert Bluebell, Desert Marigold, Desert Five-Spot, Desert Lily, Desert Sand Verbena, Desert Paintbrush, and Desert Globemallow are useful in dry or desert-style planting where softer flowers struggle. Disa Orchid, Dactylorhiza Orchid, and Donkey Orchid belong to the specialty orchid group — botanical interest, not ordinary beginner bedding plants. Dipladenia and Dutchman’s Pipe are flowering vines; Dipladenia gives bright tropical color in containers, while Dutchman’s Pipe is more unusual and should be used with care. Dittany needs careful wording since the name can refer to different plants depending on usage.

Among this guide’s additions, Dampiera brings a genuinely rare true-blue color to the letter, and Dyckia adds a spiky, drought-tolerant bromeliad option rarely covered in general D-flower guides.

For the letter before or after this one, see Flowers That Start With C or continue to Flowers That Start With E.

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Types of D Flowers by Growth Habit and Garden Use

Bulb flowers: Daffodil, Dutch Iris, Dwarf Iris, Drumstick Allium — useful for seasonal bloom and clean structure.

Perennial flowers: Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dicentra, Doronicum, Douglas Aster, Delosperma — better for long-term garden value.

Annual flowers: Dahlberg Daisy, Drummond Phlox, Didiscus, Diascia, Double Impatiens, Dwarf Morning Glory, Dorotheanthus — helpful for quick color, containers, and bedding.

Orchids: Dendrobium, Disa, Dactylorhiza, Donkey Orchid — more connected to specialty growing or indoor display than ordinary border planting.

Broader flowering plants: Daphne, Deutzia, Dogwood, Desert Willow, Dipladenia, Delonix, Duranta, Diervilla, should be labeled as shrubs, trees, or vines.

Carnivorous/specialty: Darlingtonia — a genuine botanical curiosity, not a conventional garden flower.

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Perennials That Start With D

Good perennial choices include Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dicentra, Dalmatian Bellflower, Douglas Aster, Delosperma, Dutch Iris, Dwarf Iris, Dwarf Crested Iris, Drumstick Allium, Doronicum, Disporum, and Deinanthe.

Daylily, Dianthus, and Delosperma are among the easier choices. Delphinium is more demanding, often needing rich soil, cooler conditions, and support. Dicentra, Disporum, Dentaria, and Dutchman’s Breeches are better for shade or woodland-style planting.

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Annual Flowers That Start With D

Dahlberg Daisy, Drummond Phlox, Desert Bluebell, Didiscus, Dwarf Morning Glory, Diascia, Dragon’s Breath Celosia, and Double Impatiens all fit annual or perennial growing use. Dahlberg Daisy and Dwarf Morning Glory suit sunny spaces; Double Impatiens is better for shaded containers; Drummond Phlox and Didiscus are useful when seasonal color and cut-flower value matter. Dorotheanthus (Livingstone Daisy), one of this guide’s additions, is a genuine sunny-annual option worth knowing — its succulent foliage and bright daisy blooms suit hot, dry beds particularly well.

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Beginner-Friendly Choices

Daffodil is one of the easiest spring choices, planted as a bulb, returning for years in suitable conditions. Daylily is tough and forgiving in many sunny gardens. Dianthus works well for compact color, fragrance, and edging. Daisy types are familiar and simple to place. Dahlberg Daisy is useful for sunny containers. Dwarf Iris gives early spring color in small spaces. Delosperma is a good beginner choice for dry, sunny sites with good drainage.

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Color Filters

Purple Flowers That Start With D

Delphinium is the strongest quick answer, with tall blue-purple spikes. Dutch Iris, Dalmatian Bellflower, Douglas Aster, Drumstick Allium, purple Drummond Phlox, Disa Orchid, Dactylorhiza Orchid, Dwarf Iris, and some Dianthus forms also fit. For height, choose Delphinium; for bulb color, Dutch Iris or Dwarf Iris; for late-season pollinators, Douglas Aster.

Yellow Flowers That Start With D

Daffodil, Dandelion, Desert Marigold, Dahlberg Daisy, Dyer’s Chamomile, Doronicum, Desert Sunflower, Desert Dandelion, and yellow forms of Dwarf Iris. Daffodil is the best-known spring choice; Desert Marigolds and Desert Sunflowers work better in dry-climate planting.

White Flowers That Start With D

Daisy, white Daffodil forms, white Dicentra forms, Deutzia, Daphne, Dogwood Blossom, Dendrobium Orchid, Dutchman’s Breeches, and Double Impatiens. Deutzia and Dogwood belong to broader flowering plant groups, while Daisy, Daffodil, Dicentra, and Dutchman’s Breeches are closer to classic flower intent.

Blue Flowers That Start With D

Delphinium, Dutch Iris, Desert Bluebell, Dwarf Iris, Didiscus, Dwarf Morning Glory, and some Dactylorhiza Orchid forms. Dampiera, one of this guide’s additions, is a genuinely useful addition to this color group — true blue is rare, and Dampiera delivers it reliably.

Pink, Red, and Orange D Flowers

Pink and red: Dahlia, Dianthus, Desert Rose, Dipladenia, Disa Orchid, Double Impatiens, Dog Rose, and some Drummond Phlox forms. Orange: orange Dahlias, orange Daylilies, Desert Globemallow, Desert Paintbrush, Diascia, Double Impatiens, Delonix, and Dimorphotheca.

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Indoor and Container-Friendly Choices

Desert Rose and Dendrobium Orchid are the strongest indoor or bright indoor choices, both need good light and careful watering. For outdoor pots: Dianthus, Dwarf Dahlia, Dahlberg Daisy, Diascia, Double Impatiens, Dipladenia, Dwarf Morning Glory, Delosperma, and Dwarf Iris.

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Best D Flowers for Pots and Small Spaces

Small pots suit Dianthus, Dahlberg Daisy, and Dwarf Iris. Medium pots work for Diascia, Dwarf Dahlia, and Double Impatiens. Larger containers suit Desert Rose, Dipladenia, and bigger Dahlia forms. Dry sunny pots need a fast-draining mix; shaded pots suit Double Impatiens and some Dicentra types; bright indoor pots are better reserved for Dendrobium Orchid and Desert Rose.

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Fragrance, Pollinators, and Use in the Garden

Fragrant D Flowers

Dianthus is one of the best simple answers, many varieties have a light clove-like fragrance, compact enough for pots and path edges. Daphne is highly fragrant but fits better as a shrub. Fragrant Daffodil varieties, Dog Rose, and Datura can also carry scent, though Datura deserves caution as a toxic plant.

Pollinator-Friendly and Meadow Picks

Good choices include Dandelion, Daisy types, Douglas Aster, open-centered Dahlia, Dianthus, Delphinium, Desert Marigold, Desert Sand Verbena, and Drumstick Allium. Dandelion and Daffodil appear early; Dianthus and Drumstick Allium support spring to early summer; Douglas Aster extends color and pollinator value later.

Cut Flower and Bouquet Favorites

Dahlia is one of the strongest D-flowers for bouquets, size, color, and a clear focal point. Delphinium adds height; Dutch Iris brings a cleaner, narrower form. Dianthus is useful for smaller, fragrant details; Drumstick Allium works as a textural accent; Dendrobium Orchid suits more polished or specialty bouquet work.

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Flower Meanings and Symbolism for D Flowers

Daffodil is often linked with renewal, spring, and new beginnings. Dahlia is associated with strength, elegance, and lasting bonds. Daisy suggests simplicity and a fresh start. Dandelion is linked with resilience and wishes. Daylilies can suggest short-lived beauty since each bloom is brief. Delphinium is tied to openness and cheer. Dianthus can suggest affection or admiration. Dogwood Blossom is commonly linked with spring beauty, while Dutch Iris can suggest hope or refined beauty.

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Growing Requirements for D Flowers

Full sun: Dahlia, Daylily, Dianthus, Delphinium, Desert Marigold, Desert Zinnia, Delosperma. Part shade: Dicentra, Daphne, Dogwood, Dutchman’s Breeches, Dentaria, Disporum. Dry soil: Delosperma, Desert Rose, Desert Zinnia, Desert Marigold, Desert Sand Verbena, Desert Globemallow, Dyckia. Moist/cooler: Drumstick Primrose, Dicentra, Disporum, some iris types, Darlingtonia (genuinely boggy, not just “moist”). Warm climate: Desert Rose, Dipladenia, Duranta, Delonix, Desert Willow. Cooler climate: Delphinium, Digitalis, Dianthus, Doronicum, many spring bulbs.

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Water and Pond Flower Picks

True water flowers are fairly limited in the D group. Duck Potato is the clearest fit, naturally suiting shallow water and muddy margins. Daylily can work near a pond where soil stays evenly moist, though it’s better treated as an edge plant than an aquatic flower. Darlingtonia, one of this guide’s additions, belongs in the same conversation, it’s a genuine bog/wetland specialist, though grown for its carnivorous pitcher structure as much as its unusual flower.

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Broader D Bloomers, Caution Notes, and Common Mix-Ups

Strict flower names include Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Dianthus, Daylily, Delphinium, Digitalis, Dicentra, and Dutch Iris. Wildflowers include Dandelion, Desert Bluebell, Desert Marigold, Desert Lily, Douglas Aster, and Desert Sand Verbena. Orchids include Dendrobium, Disa, Dactylorhiza, and Donkey Orchid. Broader bloomers include Daphne, Deutzia, Dogwood, Desert Willow, Delonix, Dipladenia, Dutchman’s Pipe, Duranta, and Diervilla.

Toxic or Caution-Worthy Entries

Daffodil, Delphinium, Digitalis, Daphne, Desert Rose, Datura, Dragon Arum, Dutchman’s Pipe, Drumstick Allium, and Duranta all deserve caution. Daffodil bulbs can be harmful if eaten. Digitalis and Delphinium are toxic plants. Daphne berries and plant parts can be unsafe. Desert Rose has toxic sap. Datura should be avoided in casual family gardens since the whole plant is toxic. Alliums can be risky for pets if bulbs or leaves are eaten. Duranta fruit deserves caution.

Common Mix-Ups

Daylily is not a true lily, despite the name. Daisy can refer to several different plants, so botanical names help. Dandelion is often called a weed but is still a flowering plant. Dogwood and Deutzia are broader flowering plants rather than standard bedding flowers. Desert Rose is not a true rose. Dutch Iris is only one type of iris. Dittany needs careful wording since the name can refer to more than one aromatic plant group. Dichondra is grown more for foliage than flowers.

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Conclusion

D-named flowers cover much more than a short alphabet list, bulbs, perennials, annuals, orchids, wildflowers, desert bloomers, flowering shrubs, small trees, vines, succulents, and container plants. The strongest familiar choices are Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Daylily, Delphinium, Dianthus, Dutch Iris, and Digitalis. For pots, compact options like Dianthus, Dwarf Dahlia, Dahlberg Daisy, Diascia, and Desert Rose are more practical. For pollinators, open-centered flowers like Daisy types, Dandelion, Douglas Aster, and simple Dahlias are more useful.

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FAQ

References

• Royal Horticultural Society — Plant Search
• Missouri Botanical Garden — Plant Finder
• NC State Extension — Plant Toolbox
• USDA — PLANTS Database
• American Daffodil Society, American Daylily Society (general reference for Daffodil/Daylily cultivar and care detail)
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List