Ashley Scott shares 20 flowers starting with A—Alyssum, Amaryllis, Aster, more—for vibrant gardens. Easy US growing tips!
Hey garden friends! I’m Ashley Scott, and after ten years of growing plants in my California backyard, I’m thrilled to share 20 flowers that start with A to bring color and life to your garden beds. From the fragrant Alyssum to the striking Amaryllis, these blooms offer diverse looks, bloom times, and pollinator appeal for US gardeners in zones 3-10. I’ve had my share of successes (and a few soggy mistakes!), so I’m packing this guide with practical tips, personal stories, and specific advice to help you grow these beauties. Let’s make your garden shine!
Why Grow Flowers That Start with A?
These flowers bring texture, color, and wildlife to your garden beds. They suit various styles—cottage, modern, or wildflower—and thrive in well-drained soil with compost. My Alyssum patch turned a dull corner into a bee magnet last spring. Whether you’re in a chilly Northeast plot or a sunny Southwest one, these flowers offer long blooms, low care, or pest resistance. For general flower tips, check our flower gardening guide on USA Garden Hub.
1. Alyssum
Alyssum blooms with tiny, sweet-scented flowers from spring to fall. My ‘Snow Princess’ attracted bees for months.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in spring, 6 inches apart, in full sun with well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.0).
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; shear after blooming for rebloom.
- Tip: Perfect for borders or containers.
- Zones: 5-9 (annual elsewhere).
Resource: The Old Farmer’s Almanac on alyssum care.
2. Amaryllis
Amaryllis offers bold, trumpet-shaped blooms in winter or spring. My indoor ‘Red Lion’ was a holiday hit.
- Grow It: Plant bulbs in fall, 8 inches deep, in full sun or pots with rich soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; let foliage die back.
- Tip: Force indoors for winter color.
- Zones: 8-10 (indoor elsewhere).
3. Aster
Asters shine in fall with star-shaped flowers. My ‘New England’ bloomed for 6 weeks.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; pinch tips in June for bushiness.
- Tip: Great for pollinators.
- Zones: 3-8.
Resource: Cornell University on asters.
4. Anemone
Anemones bloom in spring or fall with delicate petals. My ‘De Caen’ added charm to a shady spot.
- Grow It: Plant tubers in fall, 3 inches deep, in partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch for winter.
- Tip: Pair with ferns for shade beds.
- Zones: 4-8.
5. Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile)
Agapanthus blooms in summer with blue or white clusters. My ‘Blue Heaven’ was a stunner.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 2 feet apart, in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; divide every 4 years.
- Tip: Use in borders or pots.
- Zones: 7-10.
6. Allium
Alliums bloom in spring with globe-like flowers. My ‘Purple Sensation’ drew pollinators.
- Grow It: Plant bulbs in fall, 4-6 inches deep, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly in spring.
- Tip: Plant in groups for impact.
- Zones: 4-8.
Resource: University of Minnesota on alliums.
7. Aquilegia (Columbine)
Aquilegia has delicate, spurred flowers in spring. My ‘McKana’ self-seeded beautifully.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in fall, 12 inches apart, in partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; let self-seed.
- Tip: Great for woodland gardens.
- Zones: 3-9.
8. Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
Alstroemeria blooms summer to fall. My ‘Indian Summer’ lasted 8 weeks.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; pull stems to encourage blooms.
- Tip: Use in cut flower arrangements.
- Zones: 7-10.
9. Achillea (Yarrow)
Achillea blooms in summer with flat flower heads. My ‘Moonshine’ was drought-tolerant.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; divide every 3 years.
- Tip: Attracts butterflies.
- Zones: 3-9.
10. Ageratum
Ageratum blooms summer to frost with fuzzy flowers. My ‘Blue Horizon’ was a border star.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in spring, 6 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; deadhead.
- Tip: Great for edging.
- Zones: 5-11 (annual elsewhere).
11. Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
Snapdragons bloom in spring and fall. My ‘Rocket Mix’ added height.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; pinch for bushiness.
- Tip: Use in mixed borders.
- Zones: 7-10 (annual elsewhere).
12. Armeria (Sea Thrift)
Armeria blooms in spring with pom-pom flowers. My ‘Maritima’ thrived in poor soil.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 10 inches apart, in full sun with sandy soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; deadhead.
- Tip: Ideal for rock gardens.
- Zones: 3-8.
13. Asclepias (Milkweed)
Asclepias blooms in summer; monarch magnet. My ‘Butterfly Weed’ was a hit.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; let self-seed.
- Tip: Use in wildlife gardens.
- Zones: 3-9.
14. Arum
Arum has unique hooded flowers in spring. My ‘Italicum’ added texture.
- Grow It: Plant tubers in fall, 12 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Pair with hostas.
- Zones: 5-9.
15. Aubrieta
Aubrieta forms a low carpet in spring. My ‘Purple Cascade’ spilled over rocks.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; shear after bloom.
- Tip: Great for walls or rockeries.
- Zones: 4-8.
16. Astilbe
Astilbe blooms in summer with feathery plumes. My ‘Fanal’ loved shade.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; divide every 4 years.
- Tip: Use in shade borders.
- Zones: 3-8.
17. Azalea
Azaleas bloom in spring with vibrant colors. My ‘Gibraltar’ was a showstopper.
- Grow It: Plant in fall, 3 feet apart, in partial shade with acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0).
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Use in shrub beds.
- Zones: 5-9.
Resource: Purdue Extension on azaleas.
18. Alcea (Hollyhock)
Hollyhocks bloom in summer with tall spikes. My ‘Chater’s Double’ reached 6 feet.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in summer, 2 feet apart, in full sun with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; stake tall stems.
- Tip: Use for vertical drama.
- Zones: 3-8.
19. Anthurium
Anthurium has waxy blooms year-round in warm climates. My indoor ‘Flamingo’ thrived.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; keep humid.
- Tip: Grow in pots in cold zones.
- Zones: 10-11 (indoor elsewhere).
20. Arnica
Arnica blooms in summer with yellow daisies. My ‘Montana’ was a wildflower gem.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; deadhead.
- Tip: Use in medicinal gardens.
- Zones: 4-8.
Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made these errors; don’t you:
- Overwatering Amaryllis or Allium; soggy soil rots bulbs.
- Not staking Alcea; tall stems fall.
- Skipping compost; weak soil cuts blooms.
Check our common gardening mistakes for more.
Make Your Garden Glow with These A-Flowers
These 20 flowers that start with A bring color, fragrance, and pollinators to your garden beds. From Alyssum’s sweet scent to Astilbe’s shady plumes, plant in well-drained soil, add compost, and follow my tips for a vibrant display. Which one’s going in your garden? Share in the comments; I’d love to hear! For more ideas, visit our full gardening blog or sustainable gardening tips on USA Garden Hub. Happy planting!