Flowers that start with J are fairly common in gardens everywhere and I’ve compiled a list of my favorites. Gardening is one of the simple pleasures in life and it can do wonders for mental health and wellness.
Spending time outdoors is good for the soul and connecting with nature is great for alleviating stress.
We spend so much of our time working and worrying that it is often necessary to take a step back. Dig your hands into the dirt and plant a garden full of flowers that start with J.
There are many to choose from, so simply pick the ones best suited to your garden’s climate and environment.
Flowers Beginning with J
For this list, I have focused on the common names of flowers that start with J. There are several flowers, bushes, and shrubs to choose from.
You can select the best plants for your garden based on their ideal growing conditions. Pay close attention to the pH, water, and sun requirements when making your selection.
1. Jaborosa (Solanaceae)
Jaborosa flowers belong to the family of nightshades and are native to South America. The flowers smell nice and they are usually white in color and resemble stars.
This is a tropical flower and if you procure seeds, it is best to start them indoors in containers before the last frost. If planted in a garden, ensure that your jaborosa flowers aren’t overtaken by grass growing over their roots.
Take the time to pull out grass or sink landscaping bricks into the borders to prevent grass growth.
Water: Regularly
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0
2. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema Triphyllum)
The jack-in-the-pulpit flower is a very unique plant and it is actually an edible plant. The jack-in-the-pulpit name comes from the tall stalk situated in a hooded cup.
The flower itself is not “in the pulpit” but rather the small, green dots that line the stalk. You can eat the roots of the plant but you need to peel, cut, and roast them for an hour.
The raw roots have small crystals that can cause irritation in the mouth. These plants have an interesting look and do best in very wet and shady conditions. This is one of the most unique looking flowers that start with J.
Water: Keep moist, almost bog-like
Sun: Shade
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
3. Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium Caeruleum)
Jacob’s ladder is a very beautiful native US flower, but, unfortunately, it is considered threatened in some states. There are two species of Jacob’s ladder available and one is specifically cultivated for gardens.
Gardeners are advised not to remove or cut wild species to try and grow them in their gardens. Rather purchase the species specifically cultivated for use in gardens and grow that.
The flowers hang like bells and come in a variety of colors including yellow, pink, blue, or white.
Water: Keep moist
Sun: Shade
Soil pH: 6.2 – 7.0
Recommended Reading
4. Jamesia Americana (Jamesia Americana)
The Jamesia americana is also sometimes called the waxflower and it has a showy cluster of very fragrant flowers. They tend to bloom late in the spring, which gives your garden longevity.
It is a wonderful addition to any garden because the foliage turns brilliant orange tinged with pink in the fall. Jamesia Americana grows best in rock gardens where their roots are sheltered from the sun.
Water: Moderate to dry
Sun: Sun to partial sun
Soil pH: 6.1 – 6.5
5. Japanese Anemone (Eriocapitella Hupehensis)
The Japanese anemone belongs to the buttercup family of flowers and fits right in with their beautiful blooms. The flowers look great in coastal or cottage gardens and are delicate flowers that look good in cut arrangements.
They are fairly resistant to pests, insects, deer, and rabbits, and will therefore last quite long. The flowers come in shades of pink, purple, and white.
Water: Even moisture
Sun: Partial shade
Soil pH: 4.0 – 6.0
6. Japanese Aralia (Fatsia Japonica)
This tropical plant will make a bold addition to any garden and they grow equally well in containers indoors. The leaves are very large and impressive and the entire plant can grow to be 8 to 10 feet tall.
The flowers are dainty white clusters and soon followed by shiny, black berries. The birds love the berries and you’ll have plenty of feathered visitors until they’re all gone.
Water: Keep moist
Sun: Deep shade
Soil pH: 5.5 – 8.0
Recommended Reading
7. Japanese Barberry (Berberis Thunbergii)
The Japanese barberry is an invasive shrub, but this exotic plant is so beautiful that it features in many gardens. It is an ornamental plant and can grow to an impressive seven feet tall.
When pruned regularly, it forms a shrubby tree, but left untouched it can get wider than it is tall. The plant has multiple spiny-stemmed leaf clusters, showy bright red berries, and little yellow flowers.
Water: Light watering
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.2
8. Japanese Iris (Iris Ensata)
The Japanese iris is perhaps the most elegant and beautiful of all iris species. Despite its grandiose looks, the Japanese iris is actually very easy to care for.
They are available in a range of colors including blue, purple, and white. They love water and will grow best by a pond or in a boggy garden.
Water: Constant water or planted in a submerged pot
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5
9. Japanese Kerria (Kerria Japonica)
The Japanese kerria is a very showy flower that almost has the appearance of a rose. They are exceptionally hardy and easy to care for and are pest and deer resistant.
The golden flowers are abundant and even the leaves of the plant turn yellow in the fall.
Water: Average, fairly drought-tolerant
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.0
Recommended Reading
10. Japanese Toad Lily (Tricyrtis Hirta)
Toad lilies are fairly common and they resemble irises, but their flowers have striking spots. The flowers can be either star- or bell-shaped and can come in a range of spotted colors.
The toad lily enjoys the shade, so does very well in residential gardens, particularly under trees. They also bloom in fall, which gives your garden a little extra longevity.
Water: Keep moist
Sun: Deep shade
Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, or neutral
11. Jasmine (Jasminum)
The jasmine plant is perhaps best known for its very pleasant fragrance and the fact that it creeps. You can easily grow jasmine over arbors, fences, walls, or arches to create perfumed walkways.
However, it grows just as well when left as a bush and will still produce sweet-smelling blooms. The little flowers truly smell wonderful and come in a range of colors including white, pink, ivory, and yellow.
This flower may need a little more care than others on this list, but it is well worth it.
Water: Moderate
Sun: Full sun to light shade
Soil pH: 6.1 – 7.5
12. Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus)
The Jerusalem artichoke is, as the name suggests, a vegetable and grows well in veggie gardens. The artichoke vegetables that you’ll harvest are delicious and versatile and the plant is easy to grow.
As a bonus, the flowers you’ll get with the Jerusalem artichoke are bright and beautiful. These tubers produce cheerful orange-yellow blooms that resemble dainty daisies.
They spread easily and look best when grown as a mass collection.
Water: Regular
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.0
Recommended Reading
13. Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis Fruticosa)
Jerusalem sage is a hardy little shrub with pretty yellow flowers and, funnily enough, it’s not really sage. This plant is actually a closer relative to mint than sage, but the misleading name comes from the leaves.
The leaves are soft and a light green and resemble sage more than mint, therefore the name.
Water: Periodic deep irrigation once established
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 4.5 – 8.0
14. Jewelweed (Impatiens Capensis)
I particularly like the jewelweed and it is potentially one of my favorite flowers that start with J. The jewelweed, as you may have guessed from the name, has a very beautiful flower.
It is very common and the flower consists of a pouch-like structure in a brilliant orange color.
Water: Keep moist
Sun: Full sun to full shade
Soil pH: 3.4 – 7.7
15. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium Purpureum)
Joe-Pye weed looks wonderful in wildflower gardens, because it is, in essence, a wildflower. Its leaves are serrated and the small, mauve flowers have a vanilla scent and attract butterflies.
This plant grows very fast, therefore called a weed, and is very easy to care for.
Water: Keep moist
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil pH: 4.0 – 6.5
16. Johnson’s Beehive Cactus (Echinomastus Johnsonii)
Succulents have enjoyed the spotlight for a very long time now, and for good reason. They are easy to care for, make great houseplants, grow well in gardens and require little maintenance and water.
The Johnson’s beehive cactus is no different, and it has a striking yet soft and delicate purple flower to boot.
Water: Soak and then allow the soil to dry between watering
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5
Recommended Reading
17. Jonquil (Narcissus Jonquilla)
The jonquil is perhaps better known to you as the daffodil, and, of course, they have beautiful flowers. This is one of the most cheerful and summery flowers that you can have in your home that start with J.
They grow well in containers or beds and are bright and usually a vibrant yellow in color. But you can also find jonquil in shades of pink, orange, or white.
Water: Regular watering until they bloom
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil pH: 6.0 – 6.5
18. Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera Ficoidia)
The Joseph’s coat plant is also called joy weed and it is a plant where the flower is a little different. There are some varieties that do best as groundcover and others that can grow tall.
So, it is best to know where you want to plant it when deciding on this genus for your garden. The flower of the Joseph’s coat plant seems like it is just the tips of the foliage that turn a different color.
They can be red, orange, or yellow, and sit atop the dark green leaves underneath. This is a vibrant colored flower starting with J.
Water: Inch of water per week
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, or neutral
19. Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida)
Now, this is a fun one, the jumping cholla is a cactus that has a few tricks up its sleeve. The name jumping cholla comes from the idea that the spiny fruits of the cactus jump onto passing humans.
But, of course, the spiny bits don’t actually jump, it just seems that way. They actually detach very easily and the spines grab hold of clothing or skin. It can hurt, so be careful!
But just because they can be dangerous or annoying, that doesn’t mean that gardeners don’t love them. This is one of the most beautiful and impressive cacti around 10 to 12 feet tall with long chains.
The flowers bloom in May and are a fantastic lavender pink in color.
Water: Soak once a week allowing the soil to dry in between watering
Sun: Full sun
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
20. Juniper (Juniperus)
Juniper trees can also be grown as shrubs, and their defined structure and fresh fragrance make them very popular. It is one of the best shrubs that you can plant as a habitat for wildlife.
It provides shelter to birds in harsh weather, so if you love feathered friends, plant juniper. You can grow juniper in the garden or in pots and it will do equally well.
The flowers on a juniper shrub or tree will be very small and dainty and it will also produce berries.
Water: Twice a week when newly planted, then allow it to rely on rainfall
Sun: Full sun or light shade
Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0
Choosing Plants that Start with J:
Plants and flowers that start with J are no different from plants that start with other letters of the alphabet. But breaking these lists down in this manner means that I can easily group certain plants together.
There are so many plants and flowers to consider when planning a garden that it can be quite overwhelming. I highly recommend taking a look at your garden features and considering your environment before making your selection.
Take into account the soil pH, water, and sunlight requirements of each plant. This will help ensure success once you plant.
