Similar to any Dr. Seuss story, the world of plants is filled with whimsy and playfulness! From beauty and grace to shade, color, and texture - there's nothing Mother Nature can't whip up. Don't believe us? Take a peek at these plants that would make themselves right at home on the pages of a Dr. Seuss book!
Based on an author who has enchanted millions with his imaginative stories and illustrations, these plants channel the fantastically colorful and simply detailed landscapes of Dr. Seuss' stories. Have we sold you yet? Good! Let's explore some real-life plants that will make your garden look like it belongs in Whoville!
Sprekelia
If there was ever a plant that sprang to life when no one was watching, it's Sprekelia! At first glance, this extravagant red flower appears to have the expression of a quizzical Dr. Seuss character, but look a little closer, and you'll notice the extravagant petals and curling, pollen-rich yellow stamens. Naturally deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and long-lasting - Sprekelia is a must-have in garden beds and containers. Hardy to zones 9-11, Sprekelia can easily be overwintered in colder climates to return in the spring to bring smiles to your garden!
Haemanthus
Anyone who has seen Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! will recognize this funky flower as one of the "clovers" from the film. Haemanthus produce enormous globes of brightly-colored tepals tipped in gold. Their spiky appearance has resulted in nicknames like Pincushion Flower and Blood Lily, but the blooms are actually quite soft and pettable, similar to Dr. Seuss's Truffula trees. Unfortunately, they don't give off the smell of butterfly milk, whatever that is...
Haemanthus are incredibly long-lasting, happily yielding around two months of colorful spheres perfect for summer garden beds and containers! Plus, they're naturally deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, highly attractive to butterflies, and a super fun cut flower - fresh or dried! Hardy zones 8-11, Haemanthus can be easily stored over the winter and replanted every spring. So, are you ready to charm the butterflies and delight onlookers with these whimsical blooms?
Gloriosa Lilies
For reasons that don't need explaining, Gloriosa Lilies are often referred to as Flame Lilies. These blazing beauties flaunt uniquely-shaped petals in a charming array of colors. Just looks at the exotic lemon yellow flowers of Greenii, the bicolor brilliance of Rothschildiana, or the cheery lemon-yellow blooms of Lutea - simply marvelous!
Despite reaching up to 6 feet, these beauties require very little room to grow as the lightweight, twining vines send out tendrils to attach and climb. They're prized by florists for their extended vase life, equally adored by butterflies, and exceptionally easy to grow in the spring for out-of-this-world blooms all summer! Give Gloriosa Lilies a spot to shine in your garden!
Lycoris
Lycoris, also known as Spider Lilies and other playful names, bloom in brilliant shades of red, pink, white, and yellow with long, curling filaments - a perfectly strange, Seuss-worthy look! After a long summer snooze in dormancy, the breathtaking blooms suddenly emerge from the bare ground in late summer, flaunting their flirtatious flowers atop 2-foot tall, sturdy stems. Once the enchanting flowers slip back into dormancy, attractive foliage appears and lasts from fall through spring.
A member of the Amaryllis family, these beauties are exceptionally cold hardy, delightfully fragrant, and resistant to hungry critters. Give your garden a dash of drama, and don't forget to snip a few to bring indoors - Lycoris are extremely long-lasting in vases! So, what do you say? Are you ready to give your garden the dash of drama it deserves?
Passiflora
Behold the wildly exotic appeal of Passiflora! Commonly referred to as Passion Flowers or Passion Vines, these fast-growing plants are perfect for adding a little extra intensity and excitement to summer gardens. They produce lobed, hand-shaped foliage and fascinating, fragrant flowers that are impossible to ignore (ask the butterflies)! While most varieties thrive in warm climates only, some can handle freezing temperatures up to zone 5.
Like watching the shapes in clouds passing by, each bloom can be interpreted differently. Some swear they see a spaceship from a distant star, while others claim to see a striking religious symbol, and if you're like me, you just see the most intricately complex flower in the garden. Oh, and don't even get us started on the delicious fruit born from select varieties!
Eucomis
With whimsically tufted blooms and a top knot of foliage produced by each stem, it's no wonder this summer bloomer holds the nickname of Pineapple Lily. They're not quite on the same level as the Tizzle Top Tufted Mazurka, but I think these jaunty flowers would fit right in with a Dr. Seuss creation, don't you?
The broad, rippling leaves at the base of the Eucomis plant are lush and lend a tropical vibe to gardens. Adding to the splendor, the foliage and stems both display adorable speckles and spots. When the blooms arrive, they provide a sensational splash of color lasting many weeks and serve as beacons for butterflies. Don't worry - they're naturally resistant to deer! Is it possible that butterflies are totally hip to all that is wonderful and wise with Dr. Seuss while deer just don't get it? We think so!