There aren’t many flower names that start with the letter U, and those that do are typically less well-known than the traditional names that abound in other parts of the alphabet.
Flowers That Start With U – List of Flowers Begins with the Letter ‘U’
But that doesn’t lessen how appealing they are! In truth, each of these plants has a unique beauty that is commensurate with the praise given to roses and carnations. Consider planting a handful of these uncommon flowers that begin with U for a special garden full of uncommon flora. But first, let’s check out the names and descriptions of each.
Ursinia
This is a flower that looks like a daisy and has golden petals that are brightly colored that surround a dark ring that contrasts with it and a yellow center for a striking bulls-eye appearance. While its summer and spring blossoms steal the show, the ferny and light foliage makes for an equally lovely backdrop.
Ursinia can be planted in borders, beds, pots, or cut flower gardens. Ursinia is a plant native to South Africa that enjoys full to partial sun and can withstand drought.
Ursinia, a member of the asteraceae family of flowers, is one of the most adored and valued flowers in many regions of Africa.
A flowering plant native to South Africa called Ursinia has gained popularity for its lovely color and perfume. It is frequently used in floral arrangements when paired with roses or lilies.
The genus bears Johannes Heinrich Ursinus’ name; he was a German scholar who flourished from 1608 to 1667.
Uinta Basin hookless cactus
Perhaps the rarest plant on this list is the Uinta Basin hookless cactus, which is listed as an extinct species. This native to Utah only reaches heights of 10 to 12 inches and has ribbed stems that take the shape of a barrel and that are coated in two-inch-long clusters of spines. It produces funnel-shaped, pink to violet blooms with vivid yellow stamens in the middle of spring.
Natural habitats for the Uinta Basin hookless cactus include rocky terrain, coarse soil, and full to partial sunlight. It can withstand dryness but not freezing weather, thus in colder areas, it must be covered during the winter or replanted every spring.
Sclerocactus wetlandicus, often known as the Uinta cactus, is a rare kind of cactus that grows in the Uintah Basin of Utah in the United States. The majority of Uinta cactus are green, with some showing yellowish and pinkish coloring.
Both individual Uinta cactus and colonies can be found growing around rock outcrops. It used to grow in the Uinta Basin, hence the name “uinta-cactus.” It no longer grows there, though.
Ulex
Ulex is an evergreen plant that is indigenous to western Europe and northwest Africa and is also known as gorse. Most of the year, its tiny, golden flowers, which resemble pea blossoms, are in bloom.
Unluckily, several ulex species, most notably common ulex (U. europaeus), proliferate rapidly by seed dissemination and are widely regarded as extremely invasive species. Before planting ulex, consult the extension office in your area.
Ulex tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but it prefers dry, sandy, somewhat acidic soil, and full sun. Ulex-Europaeus, sometimes referred to as gorse, is a type of shrub with thorns that is indigenous to Europe and North Africa and normally grows wild there.
Gorse blooms from early spring through the summer; its abundance produces brilliant golden blossoms in late spring and early summer.
Bright yellow is the hue of the blooms.
Umbrella plant
The umbrella plant blooms in the early spring with pink or white petals and is named for its spectacular two-foot-wide leaves. This native wildflower thrives in damp soil near shaded streams in California and Oregon, making it an ideal addition to any shadow, forest, or wildflower garden.
In full to partial shade, and with regular watering, this low-maintenance plant thrives in its native environment.
Umbrella sedge
Umbrella sedge, also (confusingly) known as umbrella plant, is a winter-hardy evergreen that can be commonly found in USDA Zones 9 to 12. Zone 8 may be its limit, so gardeners further north should prepare to bring this delicate annual indoors for the winter.
Growing umbrella sedges in containers might be the best way to enjoy it because it can get weedy in frost-free regions. In the summer and fall, thick clusters of its tiny, reddish-brown flowers bloom above the brilliant green bracts that take the form of rosettes in the shape of an umbrella.
It is best to plant this native to swampy regions of eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula in full sun to part shade and damp to wet soil.
Upright clemantis
From late spring till summertime, upright clematis blooms with white, small, four-petaled blossoms. They are mildly aromatic and draw butterflies, bees, and other pollinators in addition to themselves. If not supported, the stems will become floppy or even sprawl and grow from a clumping crown.
In full to partial sunlight with average moisture, upright clematis grows well.
Urn plant
The urn plant, a bromeliad, is commonly found to be a houseplant in the United States, although it can also be planted as a perennial in Zones 9 to 11. Urn plants should be cultivated as an annual or potted in colder climates and taken indoors over the winter. It has tall flower stalks with spiky, blue-green, evergreen foliage that is crowned by a pink cluster of spreading spikes.
Given sunny light and low to moderate moisture, this hardy plant is simple to maintain.
Beautiful bromeliads that originate from Brazil are urn plants (Aechmea fasciata).
Although some will bloom more than once a year, aechmea fasciata is a favorite that blooms in the late summer and early fall. In temperate regions, it is frequently cultivated as a houseplant. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit has been given to it.
Uva-ursi
The evergreen groundcover uva-ursi, also known as bearberry or kinnikinnik, has lovely button-like leaves that develop alternately on slender stems. At the tips of the stems, light pink, bell-shaped flowers appear, which are frequently followed by vivid red, tiny, meaty fruits. This endemic to North American plant is a significant source of food for wildlife and frequently draws butterflies, moths, tiny bees, and birds.
Uva-ursi grows well in weak, sandy soils and thrives on neglect. Plants can be grown in a rock garden, along rock walls, or on sandy banks.
Bearberry plants, also known as Uva Ursi, are perennial evergreen shrubs.
The leaves have smooth or serrated margins and measure 2–5 centimeters in width and 4–10 cm in length. If bearberry plants are not regularly pruned, they can spread extremely quickly.
Bearberry plants thrive in settings with lots of sunlight but may also tolerate partial shade.
Bearberry plants demand acidic, well-draining soils that are poor in nutrients.
The fruits borne by these plants are tiny, round, and red.
The plant’s flowers, which stand for tenacity and strength, are also used to cure urinary tract conditions. The flower demands acid soil with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.0 and does best in full sun to moderate shade.
In retrospect, some gardeners are unaware of the majority of these flowers whose names begin with U. This list will be useful if you want to add some distinctive and beautiful flowers to your garden that will draw pollinators like birds, bees, and other insects.
You might need to conduct more research on these plants before you start growing them in order to determine the ideal growing environments for them.
