Ashley Scott shares 20 flowers starting with B—Begonia, Black-Eyed Susan, Bee Balm, more—for vibrant gardens. Easy US tips!
Hey garden friends! I’m Ashley Scott, and after a decade of growing plants in my California backyard, I’m excited to share 20 flowers that start with B to add vibrant color and charm to your garden beds. From the cheerful Begonia to the striking Black-Eyed Susan, these blooms offer diverse looks, bloom times, and pollinator appeal for US gardeners in zones 3-10. I’ve had my share of wins (and a few wilting flops!), 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 pop!
Why Grow Flowers That Start with B?
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 Bee Balm patch turned a dull corner into a hummingbird haven last summer. 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. Begonia
Begonia flowers bloom summer to frost with vibrant colors. My ‘Dragon Wing’ thrived in pots for 10 weeks.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in partial shade with rich soil (pH 5.5-6.5).
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; avoid wet leaves. Pinch for bushiness.
- Tip: Perfect for containers or shade beds.
- Zones: 9-11 (annual elsewhere).
Resource: The Old Farmer’s Almanac on begonia care.
2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
Black-Eyed Susans bloom from June to September, attracting pollinators. My ‘Goldsturm’ was a butterfly magnet.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; divide every 3 years.
- Tip: Use in wildflower gardens.
- Zones: 3-9.
Resource: Cornell University on rudbeckia.
3. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm blooms in summer with spiky flowers. My ‘Jacob Cline’ drew hummingbirds daily.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 18 inches apart, in full sun or partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; cut back to prevent mildew.
- Tip: Great for pollinator gardens.
- Zones: 4-9.
4. Bellflower (Campanula)
Bellflowers bloom in summer with bell-shaped flowers. My ‘Canterbury Bells’ lasted 6 weeks.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; deadhead for rebloom.
- Tip: Use in borders or rock gardens.
- Zones: 3-8.
5. Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea)
Bachelor’s Buttons bloom in summer with bright flowers. My ‘Blue Boy’ self-seeded happily.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in spring, 6 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; deadhead.
- Tip: Great for cutting gardens.
- Zones: 3-8 (annual).
6. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket Flowers bloom summer to fall, drought-tolerant. My ‘Arizona Sun’ thrived in heat.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with poor soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; deadhead.
- Tip: Use in dry gardens.
- Zones: 3-10.
7. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Bleeding Hearts bloom in spring with heart-shaped flowers. My ‘Spectabilis’ was a shade star.
- Grow It: Plant in fall, 12 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Pair with ferns for shade beds.
- Zones: 3-9.
Resource: University of Minnesota on dicentra.
8. Bluebell (Hyacinthoides)
Bluebells bloom in spring with delicate bells. My ‘Spanish Bluebells’ naturalized well.
- Grow It: Plant bulbs in fall, 4 inches deep, in partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly in spring.
- Tip: Use in woodland gardens.
- Zones: 4-8.
9. Borage
Borage blooms in summer, edible and bee-friendly. My patch was a pollinator hub.
- Grow It: Sow seeds in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; let self-seed.
- Tip: Use in herb gardens.
- Zones: 3-10 (annual).
10. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)
Butterfly Bush blooms summer to fall, attracting butterflies. My ‘Black Knight’ was a magnet.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 5 feet apart, in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; prune in spring.
- Tip: Use in shrub borders.
- Zones: 5-9.
Resource: Purdue Extension on buddleja.
11. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
Baby’s Breath blooms in summer with airy flowers. My ‘Festival Star’ filled gaps.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with alkaline soil (pH 7.0-7.5).
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; shear for rebloom.
- Tip: Use in cut arrangements.
- Zones: 3-9.
12. Balloon Flower (Platycodon)
Balloon Flowers bloom in summer with puffed buds. My ‘Sentimental Blue’ was a hit.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; stake if needed.
- Tip: Use in borders.
- Zones: 3-8.
13. Bergenia
Bergenia blooms in spring with glossy leaves. My ‘Bressingham Ruby’ added texture.
- Grow It: Plant in fall, 12 inches apart, in partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Use as ground cover.
- Zones: 3-8.
14. Baptisia (False Indigo)
Image Prompt: A garden bed with purple Baptisia spikes. Show a gardener planting, with soil and a sunny summer backdrop.
Baptisia blooms in spring with pea-like flowers. My ‘Purple Smoke’ was drought-tolerant.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 2 feet apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; cut back in fall.
- Tip: Use in native gardens.
- Zones: 3-9.
15. Brunnera
Brunnera blooms in spring with forget-me-not flowers. My ‘Jack Frost’ lit up shade.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Use in shade borders.
- Zones: 3-8.
16. Boltonia
Boltonia blooms in fall with starry flowers. My ‘Snowbank’ filled a corner.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 2 feet apart, in full sun with average soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; divide every 3 years.
- Tip: Use in wildflower beds.
- Zones: 4-8.
17. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea blooms year-round in warm climates. My ‘Barbara Karst’ climbed a fence.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 3 feet apart, in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Care: Water 0.5 inch weekly; prune lightly.
- Tip: Use on trellises.
- Zones: 9-11.
18. Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Barrenwort blooms in spring with delicate flowers. My ‘Sulphureum’ was a shade gem.
- Grow It: Plant in fall, 12 inches apart, in shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; mulch.
- Tip: Use as ground cover.
- Zones: 5-9.
19. Betony (Stachys)
Betony blooms in summer with vibrant spikes. My ‘Hummelo’ attracted bees.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 12 inches apart, in full sun or partial shade with rich soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; divide every 3 years.
- Tip: Use in borders.
- Zones: 4-8.
20. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Bugleweed blooms in spring with low spikes. My ‘Burgundy Glow’ spread fast.
- Grow It: Plant in spring, 10 inches apart, in shade with moist soil.
- Care: Water 1 inch weekly; trim runners.
- Tip: Use as ground cover.
- Zones: 3-9.
Resource: Epic Gardening on bugleweed.
Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made these slip-ups; don’t you:
- Overwatering Begonia or Bluebell; soggy soil rots roots.
- Not staking Baptisia; tall stems flop.
- Skipping compost; weak soil cuts blooms.
Check our common gardening mistakes for more.
Make Your Garden Shine with These B-Flowers
These 20 flowers that start with B bring color, fragrance, and pollinators to your garden beds. From Begonia’s vibrant pots to Bee Balm’s hummingbird draw, plant in well-drained soil, add compost, and follow my tips for a stunning 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!
