Top 20 Most Common Flowering Plants in France

Img leaf left

Img leaf right

Top 20 Most Common Flowering Plants in France

France's diverse climate and fertile soil provide an ideal environment for a variety of native flowers. Among them, Common hawthorn, Elder, and Common yarrow bloom resplendently, adding visual beauty, symbolic significance, and ecological value to the region. Precise information and trustworthy sources validate the importance of these flowers, making them an integral part of France's natural landscape.

Most Common Flower Plants

Common hawthorn

1. Common hawthorn

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a flowering tree that is actually part of the rose family. It is not unusual in garden settings and arranged as hedges. Examples of famous common hawthorn trees include the apocryphal oldest tree in France, and a well-known hawthorn in England that stood out for flowering three times a year.

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer

Elder

Elder is a malodorous shrub whose berries nevertheless act as an important food source for birds. To humans, except for its flowers and ripen fruits, other parts are poisonous. Ripen fruits can be cooked and made into jams, jellies and chutneys, while flowers could be made into syrups, but it is recommended to be guided by a professional before picking.

Sweet cherry

3. Sweet cherry

Sweet cherry is a well-known species to fruit lovers worldwide. This stone fruit varies in flavor from sweet to tart, depending on the specific cultivar. Sweet cherry is also used for lumber and is a preferred wood type for furniture.

Early spring, Mid spring

Your Essential Companion for Global Plant Exploration

From American natives to Philippine tropics, discover plants worldwide with our app.

Download the App for Free

Common yarrow

4. Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a wildflower that has feathery leaves and flowers in white, yellow or pink. In China, the plant is considered to be good luck while for some time in Scotland it was believed to have magical properties. It has been brewed into beer, tea, and liquors, but it has low toxicity. Do not consume in large quantities. Common yarrow's bitter leaves are toxic to pets and horses. Other livestock can eat it, though it gives cow milk an unpleasant flavor.

Late spring, Summer

Common dogwood

5. Common dogwood

The common dogwood tree contains some of the toughest wood of any tree. As a result, it is said that the cross used to crucify Jesus Christ was built from this. The pollen in the blossoms of this plant attracts butterflies, and the berries attract birds. It is typically planted as an aesthetic plant and is utilized for borders, hedges, or screens.

Oleander

Nerium oleander, colloquially known as oleander, is a shrub or a small tree, known for its majestic pink five-lobed flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves. Oleander is one of the most poisonous popular decorative garden plants, so it is advised to keep small children and pets away from it.

Florist kalanchoe

7. Florist kalanchoe

Florist kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) originates from Madagascar and has been a popular houseplant since the 1930s. Unlike most other succulents that are grown for their interesting leaves, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is valued for the colorful flowerheads it produces in autumn and winter. This is the reason it is commonly gifted during holidays, earning it another name - Christmas kalanchoe. It is toxic to pets.

Spring, Late fall, Winter

Wild carrot

The wild carrot is a common flowering plant with light, delicate flowers. Originally native to Europe and Asia, it has also spread to North America and Australia. Studies of historical paintings suggest that the wild carrot was cultivated in Turkey, Spain, and North Africa for centuries.

Old man's beard

9. Old man's beard

Old man's beard (Clematis vitalba) is a deciduous climbing shrub that will grow to 12 m tall. It blooms with fluffy flowers and fruits that have long silky strands that look like the wispy beard of an old man. This plant is a food source for a variety of moths. Often seen scrambling over hedgerows, it is considered a noxious weed, especially in New Zealand. Evidence suggests ancient Europeans made rope and baskets with old man's beard.

Bigleaf hydrangea

10. Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Blackthorn

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a large deciduous shrub species that is also commonly called a sloe. Blackthorn is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and Africa. In Britain, this species is used to make a liquor called sloe gin. In Ireland, its wood is made into walking sticks.

White clover

12. White clover

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb, one of the most cultivated species of clover. It can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. White clover is often cultivated as a forage plant and used for green manure in agriculture.

Late spring, Summer

Creeping buttercup

13. Creeping buttercup

While originally used as an ornamental plant around the world, the creeping buttercup is now considered invasive in many places. Distribution usually occurs through the transportation of hay, making control difficult. The creeping buttercup is considered poisonous and can cause skin blistering.

Spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Rose of sharon

14. Rose of sharon

Hibiscus syriacus is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, “rose of sharon” is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.

Mid summer, Late summer, Fall

Cow parsnip

15. Cow parsnip

Cow parsnip (Heracleum sphondylium) is a species of flowering perennial herb related to parsley and fennel. Its specific epithet, "sphondylium," means "vertebrate," and references its segmented appearance. This species produces extremely large amounts of nectar and thus attracts many bees.

Hedge bindweed

16. Hedge bindweed

This vine is a cousin of the popular Morning Glory, but the trumpet-shaped flowers grow slightly differently. Hedge bindweed is considered a weed by some due to its tendency to overgrow and inhibit other plants, but its numerous flowers can be beautiful on their own. In the UK, children pop the flowers off the plant as part of a game.

Common St. John's wort

17. Common St. John's wort

Common St. John's wort (*Hypericum perforatum*) is a plant species that is native to Europe and Central Asia. Common St. John's wort is considered poisonous to livestock and can cause problems for humans if consumed. This dense, fast-growing plant has been introduced to North America and Australia, where it is often viewed as an invasive species.

Mid spring, Late spring, Summer

Black locust

18. Black locust

While the black locust may have a bad reputation in many areas of the US due to its opportunistic and rapid growth, there are benefits to this tree. The black locust is an important food source for honey bees and is a good choice for windbreaks since it grows so quickly (91 to 122 cm per year). Its wood also resists rot, so it is used in fenceposts. The plant is highly toxic, though, and should never be consumed.

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer

Common daisy

19. Common daisy

The common daisy produces iconic flowers that are seen in European and American folklore dating back centuries. It is often a representation of childlike innocence. The plant is edible and can be used in small quantities in salads, sandwiches, soups, or tea. However, it can also become toxic and cause digestive problems if eaten in quantity.

Spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Red clover

Red clover is widely cultivated as a fodder plant and green manure because its roots can fix nitrogen and increase the fertility of the soil. The cultivated Trifolium pratense is inevitably escaped and is now naturalized globally, including the United States and Australia. Its flowers are attractive, so it is also cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Late spring, Summer

Discover 4 Exciting Reasons to Choose PictureThis

Instantly identify plants with a snap

Identify toxic plants around you

Easily find your perfect green friends

Get full care tips and tricks for your plants

Download the App for Free

Europe > France

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte

Centre-Val de Loire

Hauts-de-France

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

Pays de la Loire

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants in France

Mask group

Most Common Toxic Plants

France, with its diverse climates ranging from oceanic in the northwest to Mediterranean in the southeast, possesses varied environments that can sustain different types of vegetation, including toxic plants. Concerns regarding the proliferation of , , and illuminate the broader issue of potentially harmful flora thriving across France's favorable habitats. Vigilance and education on these toxic species are increasingly important for public safety and ecosystem management.

Mask group

Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Spring breathes new warmth into France’s landscapes, myriad flowers awaken. Among them, unfurls delicate petals, a testament to nature's resilience. The iconic bursts forth, embodying the vibrancy of the season. Lastly, dots the French scenery, heralding Spring's full swing with their symbolic presence.

Mask group

Most Common Spring Fruits

In France, Spring unfurls in a gentle crescendo of warmth, nurturing the rebirth of nature. The season's soft sunlight and fertile soils give rise to a bountiful harvest of local fruit plants. Among these, , , and exemplify the freshness and rebirth that the season ushers in. These spring-harvested fruits are a treasured presence in local markets, embodying the vibrancy of the French countryside.

Mask group

Most Common Fruits

France's temperate climate and diverse soils—from the fertile valleys of the Loire to the sun-drenched fields of Provence—provide an ideal setting for cultivating a range of local fruit plants. Esteemed varieties such as , , and thrive here, each deeply ingrained in the nation's gastronomic heritage. These fruits are celebrated for their unique flavors and are pivotal to local economies, with many regions hosting festivals and markets dedicated to their harvest and culinary uses.

Mask group

Most Common Trees

France, with its diverse climatic and soil conditions, provides an ideal environment for the growth of native trees. Among the most emblematic species, , , and stand tall. These trees hold immense cultural and ecological value within the region. They are deeply rooted in the history and traditions of France, providing habitat for wildlife, contributing to the beauty of the landscape, and serving as an integral part of the local identity.

Mask group

Most Common Weeds

France's temperate climate, with its mild winters and warm summers, creates a fertile breeding ground for garden weeds. Amongst the most common offenders, , , and stand out for their resilience and rapid proliferation, often outcompeting cultivated plants for resources. Gardeners across the country grapple with these invasive greens, which require consistent efforts to manage and contain, lest they overrun cherished plants and disrupt ecosystem balance.

Mask group

Most Common Tall Trees

France's temperate climate and varying landscapes, from mountainous regions to fertile plains, offer an ideal habitat for numerous tall tree species. Among these, , , and stand as silent sentinels, skyward bound. These trees not only contribute to the majestic beauty of French forests but are also pivotal to ecological balance and historical legacy, witnessed by generations and providing sanctuary to diverse wildlife.

Mask group

Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in France brings a serene cold that surprisingly becomes a haven for certain flowers. Despite the chill, , , and boldly blossom, displaying their resilience, beauty, and symbolic depth. These winter blooms add a touch of vibrancy to the frosty environment, creating a stunning contrast between the frozen landscape and the colorful flowers.

Mask group

Most Common Plants

In France, you can find English ivy, European ash, Stinging nettle, Sycamore, Tomato, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Copyright © Glority LLC Limited. All Rights Reserved.