Green is definitely a color we associate with wildlife and gardening, but it’s rarely a shade you expect to see on a flower!
Instead, we tend to assume green is confined to leaves and stems, acting as a quiet backdrop to the colors of the flowers.
Green flowers are often subtle rather than showy, a burst of spring freshness (no matter what time the flower starts to bloom).
They’re rarely the star of the show in an arrangement, but the delicate green coloring allows the shape and form of the flower to take center stage.
Ready to discover some types of green flowers you may not have seen? Read on to discover more about green flowers!
1. Bells Of Ireland (Moluccella Laevis)
A hardy plant that’s popular in bouquets (especially around St. Patrick’s day), gardeners have cultivated Bells of Ireland since the 1500s.
Producing long stalks decorated with small cup-shaped blooms, Bells of Ireland add height and freshness to any display.
The very tiny flowers of Bells of Ireland are actually white but wrapped around them are green sepals. These form the bell-shaped decorations of Bells of Ireland, giving the plant a vibrant green coloring.
Typically tall, Bells of Ireland can grow top-heavy with a tendency to droop.
2. Calla Lily (Zantedeschia)
Calla lilies are the smaller, tender sibling to the Arum lily. They don’t grow with the same luscious height as the Arum, but the Calla lily has its own striking beauty. It also comes in a range of colors, including a delicate green!
Green Calla lilies grow with the trumpet-shaped flower typical of the lily. They’re formed from a single green bract that curves around the central spadix.
It’s on the spadix that you’ll find the actual flowers of the Calla lily, hidden behind the beauty of the bract.
3. Rose (Rosa)
When you think of roses, the first color that comes to mind is likely to be a vivid red or a pretty pink. But the rose has been cultivated to grow all kinds of colors and shades, including luscious green.
The green rose is a fresh take on a romantic flower. It reminds us of spring and new growth, and although it isn’t as common as yellow or pink roses, it can still be spotted in bouquets and arrangements.
4. Carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus)
Growing tall and topped with tightly packed serrated petals, the carnation has an almost fluffy appearance. Like the rose, the carnation is often associated with romance and is known for the wide range of colors it can produce.
Green carnations have an unusual history. Cultivated for a long time, the green carnation is often worn on St. Patrick’s day.
Green carnations are also a symbol associated with Oscar Wilde after he wore one in his lapel — and encouraged his followers and friends to follow his example!
5. Dahlia (Dahlia)
Showy and spectacular, dahlias are impressive blooms with carefully curved petals that almost seem deliberately placed!
Dahlias take a few different forms, although all varieties are showstoppers, and they are grown in almost every color (apart from blue)!
Green dahlias are typically lightly colored, with a delicate freshness that contrasts the showiness of the blooms.
Green dahlias aren’t as bold as other forms of dahlias, so they’re less likely to draw all the attention in an arrangement. But the intricate pattern of green petals is still an impressive sight.
6. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)
There’s something so cheerful about the Gerbera daisy, a flower in the Aster family that’s related to sunflowers.
With a center disk surrounded by ray petals, bold and bright Gerbera daisies are often seen as a symbol of joy.
Green Gerberas are sure to add a touch of happiness to any display. They have a lighter color than other Gerberas, with a hint of yellow to the delicate green.
Because the flowered center is also green, they don’t have the same contrast as other Gerberas.
7. Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
Big blooming shrubs of hydrangea can add a touch of sunshine to any garden, although you’d probably need just a single stem for a flower arrangement!
Hydrangeas grow large heads composed of numerous small blooms. These flowering heads look like pom-poms!
Hydrangeas are known for their natural blue coloring, but there are also green varieties.
The numerous small flowers of a hydrangea bloom can grow in subtly different shades of green, creating a rich effect. And thanks to these numerous buds flowering and fading at different times, the hydrangea stays attractive throughout the season.
8. Gladiolus (Gladiolus)
Gladiolus is sometimes known as the sword lily, and while this might not be the most common name for the flower, it does describe just what this showy bloom looks like!
Gladioli can be real showstoppers, growing several feet high and towering over smaller plants. When in bloom, the top of the tall stem comes alive with flowers.
Green gladioli are just as impressive as the other colorful varieties, especially as the green can grow quite vivid. A single gladiolus can be a showpiece on its own, or as a line flower in an arrangement.
9. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum)
As well as their attractive flower heads, chrysanthemums are popular for blooming relatively late in the season.
As most of the flowers wind down at the end of summer. Chrysanthemum keeps on going strong. It will often stay flowering through fall!
Available in a range of shades, the green chrysanthemum can add a touch of spring to a fall garden.
As everything else fades to brown and gray, a green chrysanthemum can remind you that new growth is just a few months away!
10. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are a curious contrast of a flower. The single trumpeting blooms have a delicate touch combined with a bold shape.
Each flower blooms for just a day, but with care and attention, you can keep the daylily going for weeks. And although the single flowering stems seem delicate, they’re actually pretty hardy.
So, it’s no wonder that we’re fascinated by the daylily, cultivating it in a variety of colors! Green daylilies look unusual and exotic. Take care to remove dead flowers so that you can keep this special plant blooming for longer.
11. Zinnia (Zinnia Elegans)
With layers and layers of petals curving backward from the center, zinnias add plenty of life to any display.
They’re known for having a long cut time, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular in arrangements. But zinnias are also great for planting — the pollen attracts lots of wildlife.
Zinnias can be loud and brash, but green zinnias are a delicate variation. The petals have a touch of lime, but they aren’t overwhelming. Instead, the quiet shades allow green zinnias to balance out the boldness of more colorful varieties.
12. Cymbidium Orchid (Cymbidium)
The flower spikes of the cymbidium orchid make this an impressive bloom, no matter the color.
Cymbidium orchids come in bright tropical shades and subtler pastels, as well as a light green. This green is often contrasted by a shot of purple or pink that sits on the lower half of the flower.
The cymbidium orchid is a relatively easy houseplant to grow and the bright bloom delivers delightful results.
13. Hellebore (Helleborus)
You have to get close to see the true beauty of hellebores, as the blooms nod downwards even when they come into flower.
They might not be the centerpiece of a display, but they have elegance, attractive leaves, and a long flowering period to make them popular with gardeners.
Green hellebores are among the most graceful of hellebores. The light freshness of the green, combined with the oval petals, makes for a classic look. Try snipping the flowering heads and floating them in a bowl of water.
14. Tulip (Tulipa)
The height of the tulip craze might have been the 1600s, but these gorgeous flowers never really go out of style. The curving petals of the tulip reach upwards, giving them an enclosed shape that draws the eye.
Green tulips are a subtler shade for the tulip, but a delightful one. Delicate green emphasizes the spring association of the tulip and adds a touch of whimsy to the iconic plant.
Tulip is also a rewarding plant for the gardener, as it can grow tall and strong in the right conditions.
15. Tropical Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedioideae)
The best-known feature of the Lady’s Slipper orchid is the labellum that hangs at the base of the flowering head. This delicate pouch resembles a lady’s slipper, giving the orchid its name.
Orchids have a reputation for difficulty, but the Lady’s Slipper orchid is a good starting place. Choose a Tropical Lady’s Slipper orchid and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous green bloom.
The variegated top petal adds extra interest to the strange shaping of the Lady’s Slipper orchid.
Final Thoughts
Green flowers tend to have a touch of subtlety, even on the most extravagant of blooms. They are a quiet and refreshing feature in a flower arrangement but also look stunning planted indoors and out.
We hope this guide has inspired you to discover your own favorite green flowers!
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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