Daffodil
Daffodils are a group of plants in the Amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae.
They have long been associated with spring and Easter time, but they can be found all year round as houseplants or garden plants. The daffodil is one of the most popular flowers for cutting. It has many cultivars that range from white to yellow, red and orange. There are also many hybrids available.
Daffodils are often used to provide color under large shrubs or trees, or even to help ‘re-wild’ lawns and meadows, where they provide an abundance of color.
The daffodil is native to the woodland and meadows of the south parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Western parts of the Mediterranean.
Dahlia
Dahlias (see also How To Care For Dahlias) are a large genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae.
Dahlias are grown worldwide for their beautiful blooms as ornamental plants, or flowers for exhibition.
Most species are perennial herbaceous plants which grow tubers underground.
In colder climates, these tubers need to be dug up and overwintered in a dry shed or greenhouse, away from the light. Then they can be planted back into soil in spring.
Daisy
The name daisy can refer to the common lawn daisies, the Asteraceae plant family, and a whole host of plants such as Osteospermum, the African daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, the oxeye daisy, and Gerbera jamesonii, the Barberton daisy.
Most daisies will close up when the sun goes behind a cloud, or at night, and open again when the sun comes out.
Daphne
Daphnes are a genus of just under a hundred species of shrubs in the Thymelaeaceae plant family, hailing from parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia.
They are grown all over the world as shrubs valued for beautiful flowers and fragrance.
The name “daphne” comes from the Greek word δάφνε (dáphnēòs), meaning ‘fragrant’. It’s worth mentioning that all parts of the plant, including any berries produced, are poisonous.
Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of night-flowering plants in the nightshade plant family.
They’re often called jimson weeds, thornapples, hell’s bells, devil’s weed, or devil’s trumpets.
As you can imagine, they are incredibly poisonous, so the plants in this genus are not suitable for gardens with pets or children.
Daylily
A day lily is a member of the Asphodelaceae plant family, as part of the Hemerocallis genus.
They aren’t related to the true lily, but they are no less beautiful. There is plenty of choice when it comes to picking out a daylily for your own garden, as there are more than 80,000 different cultivars.
These beautiful flowers will sometimes only last a day or so depending on the species, but you will soon see new blooms the following day.
Delosperma
Delospermas are a group of roughly 170 different species of flowering succulent plants, which originally belonged to the Mesembryanthemum genus.
Delospermas are perfect for rockeries, where they will provide you with plenty of color with their daisy-like flowers and thick leaves.
Delphinium
Delphiniums are a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae.
They are found throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, but also in tropical parts of Africa.
All of the plants within this genus are toxic, so keep them well out of reach.
Delphiniums are known for creating huge flower spikes with vivid, true blue, purple, white, pink, or even red flowers.
Plant delphiniums away from windy places, as this is likely to snap the tall flower stems.
Desert Rose
A member of the dogbane family, the desert rose, or Adenium, is a succulent plant with a thick, green trunk, which produces beautiful white and pink flowers.
It’s commonly grown as a houseplant in colder areas, as it hails from the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa.
It’s a popular choice for indoor bonsai, too.
Dianella
Also known as flax lilies, Dianella comes from warm parts of the world, such as Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
These perennial plants produce bright blue flowers, followed by royal blue or purple berries.
Most of these fruits are extremely poisonous, but some fruits can be eaten, depending on the cultivar.
Dianella needs a sheltered position, well draining soil, and either full sunlight or partial shade to survive.
Dianthus
You may be more familiar with the common names surrounding the dianthus genus, including carnations, pinks, and the sweet william.
The dianthus genus contains around 340 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants, hailing from parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Many have been hybridized to create many varieties, each with its own unique characteristics.
Dittany
Dittany may be a plant you’ve only heard of when mentioned in Harry Potter, but it’s not one you should overlook for your garden.
It’s a member of the mint plant family, and grows throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Dittany flowers are very good at attracting pollinators into your garden, but they also have some traditional medicinal applications, too.
Dutchman’s Breeches
Also known as Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman’s Breeches also goes by the name squirrel corn, or Dutch man’s boot.
You’ll often find this plant growing in woodland in the eastern parts of the US, reaching about 50cm tall.
During winter, this plant will produce a long arc of white flowers that look like trousers hanging upside down.
This stem drapes over the rest of the plant, making for a display that will stop anyone in their tracks.
Dwarf Crested Iris
This iris is native to eastern parts of North America. While much more compact than the standard form of iris, it’s no less beautiful.
The dwarf crested iris still bears flowers which have both upright and fall petals, in shades of pale purple, with splotches of orange or yellow.
Dwarf crested iris like dappled shade, and well-draining soil. You can also grow them in pots, too.
They will tolerate full sunlight if you give them constantly damp soil.
Dyer’s Chamomile
Also known as golden marguerite, dyer’s chamomile is an easy-to-grow perennial herb that has a lovely fragrance.
It’s relatively short-lived, often grown as a biennial plant (see also Biennials To Grow), as it rarely survives past two years of flowering.
The fragrance this plant is known for comes from its feathery leaves, contrasting well against its sunshine-yellow, daisy-shaped flowers.
The name dyer’s chamomile comes from the plant’s use as a fabric dye, produced in different shades of yellow and orange.
Unlike normal chamomile, dyer’s chamomile doesn’t have any culinary applications.
These plants are easy to raise from seed, either sown inside in March, or sown outside in May though until July.
Plant them in well draining soil in full sunlight, making sure to keep them well watered, as they don’t cope well with dry spells.
