27 Watercolor Flowers to Plant for Burgeoning Artists Looking for Inspiration

You do not need to be an artist to enjoy the best watercolor flowers in your garden. However, if you are an artist or you enjoy dabbling in watercolors, these flowers are unique additions to your garden that will serve as gorgeous living models. As you decide on plants to place in your watercolor reference garden, focus on which will be the most fun to paint.

27 Dazzling Watercolor Flowers that will Make Your Garden Feel Like an Artwork

From cool, soothing flowers to vibrant, joyful blooms, there are endless artistic possibilities in each of these types of watercolor flowers. Whether your garden is measured in number of containers or number of acres, there are watercolor flower plant options that will fit your space.

1. Sunflower (Helianthus Annus)

Sunflowers are big, brash, bold and beautiful. From rich burgundy to palest white, there is a sunflower variety that will fit your watercolor palette. When you grow sunflowers either in your garden or on your patio, you can enjoy tasty seeds as well as their immense visual beauty.

2. Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis)

An intriguing origami-like flower shape makes columbine a fun plant to capture on paper. Although columbine is available in many colors, choosing a variety with multiple colors results in dazzling images of watercolor flowers. Because columbine spreads easily, you may want to restrict it to a container.

3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii)

When you plant butterfly bush in your garden, sprays of blooms practically paint themselves. Outside, they attract butterflies as well as other picturesque pollinators. Inside, butterfly bush cuttings fill out bouquets. This dwarf variety may top out at 30 inches tall, but produces 7-inch conical clusters of densely packed flowers.

4. Aster (Aster x Frikartii ‘Wunder von Stafa’)

When choosing types of watercolor flowers to plant in your garden, you may want to look for contrasting colors. Because this variety of aster features lavender blue petals that contrast beautifully with vibrant yellow centers, the Wunder von Stafa is brimming with glorious watercolor potential.

5. Clematis

Half the fun of painting pictures of watercolor flowers is developing a scene in the background. Clematis grows best when given a trellis to vine over, and these structures will contribute structure and interesting geometry to your watercolor paintings. Experiment with different trellis types to get the perfect look.

6. Uruguayan Pampas Grass (Cortaderia Selloana)

Immense fluffy silver-white plumes make a dazzling design statement in both landscapes and paintings. With an 8 to 12 foot height, this grass makes an excellent border or background in an outdoor landscape. Beyond the garden, Uruguayan Pampas Grass looks great in dried arrangements for still life paintings.

7. Spring Crocus (Crocus Vernus ‘Purpureus Grandiflorus’)

In early spring, it can be difficult to find watercolor flower plants ready to serve as inspiration. As one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, crocus flowers offer lots of artistic potential. Purpureus Grandiflorus showcases regal purple flowers with bright yellow-orange stamen. If purple does not fit your palette, there are plenty of other crocus colors to use in your space.

8. Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Bravado’)

Bright colors and a spiny center make coneflower an interesting subject for any watercolor painting. Because they attract birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, they are a delight to your garden. The beautiful blooms can be cut for floral arrangements to be painted via still life as well.

9. Small Globe Thistle (Echinops Ritro)

Even on the poorest soil, thistle produces cascades of cool blues and soft purples just waiting for you to capture on canvas. Rich green foliage offers another color to hold your interest. When mature, these thistle flowers are spherical and incorporate the element of fun in your landscape.

10. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia ‘Tizzy’)

Each of these blooms is made up of a multitude of fluted flowers. This blanket flower variety is the perfect subject for those who enjoy a challenge when painting pictures of watercolor flowers. Blanket flower is native to the American continents, and makes a fantastic addition to a patio, garden, or floral bouquets.

11. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila Paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’)

When planning a garden to use for watercolor reference, do not forget to include this versatile plant. Although baby’s breath might not be the star of the show, it’s spray f white budding blossoms has the great ability to help other elements shine to their fullest potential.

12. Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium ‘Peachy Seduction’)

With clouds of compact flower clusters, yarrow naturally lends itself to expressive watercolor artwork. Paint it as it grows outdoors or bring it inside in a still life arrangement. Because yarrow leaves exude a pleasantly spicy aroma, you will be treated to a fragrant feast as you paint.

13. Bigleaf Hydrangea

Mottled blue and purple hydrangea blooms are just calling to be immortalized via watercolor. Because hydrangea flower color is determined by pH, your watercolor painting will contain a terroir-like quality. The colors you capture are possible only with the exact soil where your hydrangea is planted.

14. Tall Bearded Iris (Iris ‘Mystic Image’)

If you prefer dynamic images of watercolor flowers to the romance of pastels, the Mystic Image tall bearded iris is for you. Audacious ruffles define purple-flecked orange flowers for a unique and unforgettable flower. For those who prefer softer-hued flowers, there are a wide variety of iris colors and forms to choose from.

15. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica)

With clusters of bright pink blossoms against green foliage perched atop a graceful stem, it is easy to imagine each stroke of the brush. Depending on where you live and how you trim it, crape myrtle can appear as a shrub or, as shown here, like a tree.

16. English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

Lavender is an aromatic watercolor flower plant with the potential for lots of energy. Have fun mixing shades of purple and green to create a unique portrait of this fragrant plant. Dry the lavender blooms to enjoy the soothing scent long after the growing season has ended.

17. Asiatic Lily (Lilium ‘Forever Susan’)

Even if you do not live near the equator, you can channel tropical vibes by planting an Asiatic lily of the ‘Forever Susan’ variety. Lilies can be found in simple, elegant colors or explosive bright shades as shown in this illustration. Freckles on the petals add some exciting interest.

18. Common Hyacinth (Hyacinthus Orientalis)

While some flowers seem untamed and wild, hyacinths channel an elegantly manicured breed of beauty. Each flower features delicately curved petals, which bestow a refined sophistication to your artwork. Available in colors beyond pink, hyacinths can add an orderly, peaceful quality to your artwork. Whether you paint outdoor landscapes or still life portraits, hyacinths are a simply stunning addition.

19. Daffodil (Narcissus ‘Monal’)

Something about soft yellows and greens means daffodil flowers pair perfectly with watercolor painting. Because of their unique flower shape, daffodils can present an interesting subject either head-on or in profile. As a perennial, daffodils return year after year to help provide inspiration to your artistic instincts.

20. Peony (Paeonia Lactiflora ‘Madame Calot’)

When peonies come into bloom, they reign supreme. Layers of soft, feathery petals almost seem made to be captured in watercolor. This variety is a French heirloom renowned for hints of cream throughout their flowers. Depending on your artistic style, capture them on the bush or in a vase.

21. Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’)

Native to North America, garden phlox is an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor space. To bring your watercolor dreams to life, it can be found in a wide variety of colors each of which showcases the characteristic dense cluster of florets. Even if your watercolor style is to capture each floral detail with realistic precision, garden phlox offers lots of potential.

22. Climbing Rose (Rosa ‘Meizalitaf’ Spectra)

When cataloging the types of watercolor flowers, roses are, for good reason, a mainstay. While this climbing rose blooms, you will have a show-stopping flower shining in your garden. Because it blooms from May to September, there will be plenty of time to take in its splendor.

23. Orchid (Cymbidium)

Before being immortalized in artwork, some flowers look as if they have already felt a watercolor brush’s gentle kiss. With an orchid, there are so many possible colors that you will be able to find the perfect inspiration for your pictures of watercolor flowers. However, they can be temperamental plants.

24. Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus Serrulata)

With a Japanese flowering cherry tree on hand, you can celebrate your own cherry blossom festival from the comfort of your own garden. If you are experiencing an artistic block, these exquisite blossoms are a great excuse to explore Japanese-style artwork.

27 Photogenic Watercolor Flowers to Plant When You Love Painting and Gardening

Types of watercolor flowers might include some surprises. With some persistence, any flower can become a watercolor flower. A few elements to keep in mind when evaluating which will work best with your aesthetic are: color, geometry, length of blooming season, and the plant’s additional uses. A flower’s color and shape are what you, as an artist, will be transcribing to paper.

Do you prefer little details in a floret or broad, sweeping sunflower petals? How long it blooms will determine how long you have fresh flowers to work from. To make the most of your time, effort, and space, pick plants like blackberry bushes that provide more than visual stimulation.