If you are a gardening enthusiast you may be keen to gather as much knowledge as you can about different plants before deciding what you want to put in your garden.
Spending time outside with nature is superb for the soul and a worthwhile use of time. But it can be daunting to know how to plan a garden and what to include, so we’ve put together some great plants that’ll be a good addition to any garden.
1. Bamboo
The bamboo is a perennial that grows fast and there are 1439 known species. Bamboo releases more oxygen than other similar trees meaning that having bamboo in your outside space contributes to reducing your carbon footprint.
Bamboo can be harvested after 4-5 years and is known as a super strong material for building with and a great replacement for wood.
In the backyard a bamboo plant can make a fantastic screen or walkway as well as creating a tropical feel.
2. Banana Plant
The banana plant is a perennial herb that consists of big green leaves and makes a wonderful addition to the backyard. If you live in a tropical climate your banana plant should produce a large amount of fruit.
There are several varieties of plant, and one type produces beautiful red foliage and is used for ornamental purposes making it a great decorative addition to your space.
3. Basil
Basil is a small fragrant herb that can be grown indoors or out. They are pretty easy to grow and can be used in a variety of cuisine. It has a sweet aroma and peppery taste and there are over 60 varieties in circulation.
It’s best to grow basil in fertile soil that’s well drained and away from direct sunlight. Furthermore, it’s best to grow basil in a container for continuous summer crop. Add it to salads for a glorious summer lunch; bliss!
4. Bay Willow
Bay Willow acquired its name because its leaves are reminiscent of the bay tree. Trees grow up to 18 m. The Bay Willow bark is a dark gray color with crossed scaly ridges. Twigs tend to be green-brown, smooth and glossy.
Bay willow is a dioecious plant so the female and male flowers, after emerging in spring, are produced on two different plants. Female catkins are a repent color and male catkins are usually yellow.
Female catkins are pollinated by insects and develop into a capsule of fruit which consist of a selection of little seeds immersed in white down.
5. Bearded Iris
The bearded iris is the most common iris around. It has sword-like foliage and beautiful intense blooms in the spring. An iris plant makes a fantastic addition to sunny borders.
Each bloom consists of large inner and outer petals, referred to as falls and ruffs. Furthermore, the bearded reference is because of the hairs that grow in the middle of the falls.
You should grow the iris in well-drained but moist soil that receives full sun. Always ensure the rhizome is placed above soil level in a position that will get sun for most of the day, so it gets maximum flowers. Every three years divide up the clumps, so the plants don’t get congested.
6. Bedstraw
Bedstraw or (yellow bedstraw) is a beautiful blossom that gives off a lovely honey aroma. It is linked to the plant cleavers, otherwise known as ‘sticky fingers’.
The bedstraw was also voted the County Flower of Dorsetshire after a poll by Plantlife in 2002.
The plant is very distinctive and has soft groups of translucent yellow flowers whose aroma is reminiscent of hay. The leaves are sleek, green, and shaped in whorls. You will find it creeping through long grasses and offering tall flowering stems mid-summer.
7. Beech
Beech trees are part of the deciduous Fagaceae family of plants. The foliage is dense but narrow. Beech trees are often used for backyard shade trees, and their wood makes perfect firewood or lumber. Furthermore, Beech can grow in several conditions, although you must ensure the soil has proper drainage.
Beech plant leaves are green with toothed edges. Some varieties are variegated with purple or yellow leaves and some are edible.
Beech trees live a long life and can thrive for 200 to 300 years. Beech trees are excellent shade trees that will stick around longer than you will.
8. Begonias
Begonias are super colorful and brighten up dark areas in or outside the house. Although flowering plants, Begonias thrive when kept in the shade. They also never stop flowering. Once they start they bloom consistently from summer to winter.
There are different varieties of Begonias such as wax and angel wings. These are usually grown as annuals outside or indoors. They are grown from clump roots and are hardy in the winter. Rex and Rhizomatous Begonias are popular for their beautiful foliage. The roots are creeping and fleshy.
9. Bellflower
Bellflower plants are known for their happy nodding heads. They are bright perennial flowers. The plant grows in many regions especially where there are cool nights and even temperatures that offer the perfect conditions for growing these cute flowers.
Bellflowers will bloom the most around June and July but can also surprise you with flowers into October and beyond occasionally. If you master how to grow Campanula Bellflowers you’ll receive alpine flowers that will be long-lasting and liven up the landscape in rock gardens and borders.
10. Bergamot
Bergamot is a herb and has a plethora of uses. It’s a hardy perennial and needs a sunny spot or can also thrive in partial shade. It requires light, rich and moist soil. Furthermore, it’s easy to grow indoors in containers. Flowers will appear early in the summer and the plant reaches 60 – 100 cm high.
You must ensure soil doesn’t become waterlogged but keeping the soil moist is also crucial. If growing in the garden they are great for attracting butterflies and bees. Every few years you can split the plants and replant the puter shoots.
Bergamot has a lovely citrus flavor and makes a great addition to curries, fish, soups, and omelettes. In times past, wild Bergamot would be used to treat respiratory problems and herbalists still recommend it today.
11. Birch
Birch is a deciduous tree belonging to the Betulaceae family. There are thought to be 60 different species of the plant that grow in various climates around the earth. Birch requires well-drained soil with a good amount of moisture and sunlight for successful growth.
You will find Birch growing near rivers and lakes. Birch has become a pioneer species as it easily spreads throughput that has been damaged by fire. Birch is often cultivated because of its ornamental appearance and unique wood. Sadly 11 species of Birch are considered endangered because of environmental destruction.
12. Blackberry/Bramble
The blackberry/bramble plant is super hardy. It develops powerful roots and grows swiftly in any conditions. They have thorny with long stems and usually grow around two meters high.
Leaves tend to be dark green on the tip and paler at the bottom. The stalks are prickly and sharp. The fruits are a deep regal purple and ripe by July. Who doesn’t enjoy wandering along in the summer picking up gorgeous juice blackberries to nibble on?
The bramble flowers develop in a cluster of pink and white, 2-3 cm and are typically seen from late spring time. Bramble flowers are the perfect food for honey and bumblebees and the leaves are a favorite for some species of caterpillars.
12. Busy Lizzie
This plant is more commonly known as Clivia. It boasts incredible orange flowers shaped like a trumpet. It flowers during spring on a long stalk. Furthermore, it’s really easy to grow rewarding green plant lovers with a superb blanket of flowers during bloom.
Clivia Miniata is the most common plant you’ll find in homes and garden centers. However, hybrids are always being developed.
The busy Lizzie is generally grown in homes of greenhouses and thrives in containers which can be transported outside during warm summers.
13. Bluebells
Bluebells are beautiful bulbous perennials that offer a huge carpet like display during April and May. You’ll find Bluebells in the UK mainly and they populate shady areas as well as damp areas.
These gorgeous blue flowers are protected from commercial harvesting meaning generations to come will be able to enjoy the fantastic displays offered. Not only are there blue flowers there are several varieties that offer while and lilac colors.
14. Bird Cherry
The Bird Cherry plant/tree is a stunning offering and gives off a beautiful aroma. The almond blossom attracts animals during the spring who enjoy the nectar.
The trees usually grow up to 25 m. The tree’s bark is peeling, greyish-brown and smooth and often gives off an acrid odor. Twigs are a deep brown color peppered with pale markings. Hairy shoots are common in young plants but lose hair with age.
15. Balsam Poplar
The Balsam Poplar plant/tree is unique in that few trees share how aromatic they are. The resin covers above the winter buds and smells very intense especially in spring as the buds open.
The tree is native to the north of the USA and Canada. In the wild the Balsam Poplar can grow up to 30 m. When being cultivated it reaches around.20 m. It grows upright with a narrow round shape and a width approximately 8 m. The leaves are naturally green and in the shape of a heart.
Poplars tend to grow easily anywhere they are placed. They will grow fast and big as they have invasive and vigorous root systems. They are able to tolerate getting waterlogged but will also thrive in loams. Furthermore, they don’t do so well in very dry conditions; however they do tolerate salt air making them ideal as a seaside tree.
So there we have a nice variety of plants and trees that begin with the letter B. Happy gardening!
Plants have always been a big interest of mine, and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the different types of species. I have gained a vast knowledge of the subject over the years, and I have decided to share this information with others.
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