Plants that start with ‘M’ are no different from plants that begin with other letters. They all add a picturesque effect to an outdoor or indoor garden or yard with their beautiful leaves and sometimes brightly colored flowers.
The incredibly brilliant flowers and leaves of some of these plants produce stunning views in gardens and in the wild popularly the known ones are Michaelmas daisy, Missouri Evening Primrose, Mock Orange, Mondo Grass, Moss Phlox, Moss-rose Purslane, Mountain Laurel.
Once all the growing requirements are met, you can add one or two of the plants that start with M below, to your garden to add further depth to your outdoor and indoor living space.
Contents
A List of Plants That Start With ‘M’
1. Maiden Pink
Dianthus deltoides, also known as maiden pink, meadow pink, or lady’s cushion, is a small perennial flowering plant native to several parts of Asia and Europe. This specie of Dianthus has since been introduced to parts of North America.
This plant is a gorgeous one that can be found growing naturally on chalky and rocky grounds and, as a result, are perfect for rock or stone gardens and border fronts as a ground cover.
– Features
There are different varieties of maiden pink that produce different colors of flowers, these plants don’t grow taller than 12 inches. The most common type has pink flowers, while other varieties produce red or white blooms.
– Benefits
These plants are deer-resistant which means that it won’t be bitten by them, on another note it is indeed the pollinator attractants. You can expect an array of pollinators, such as birds, bees, and butterflies, around the blooms if you choose to grow this plant.
– Growth Requirements
Maiden pink prefers to be grown in full sun conditions. The plant produces full blooms under exposure to full sunlight.
Also, maiden pink grows well in well-drained soils with neutral to alkaline pH. In addition, the maiden pink is drought tolerant and requires little water for its growth, which is what makes it low-maintenance. Also note that it grows best in hardiness zones 3 to 10.
This plant is easy to care for and maintain as it is a hardy plant. The extent of its maintenance is deadheading regularly to encourage new blossoms and watering when there is a prolonged absence of rainfall.
– Toxicity
Pink maiden is toxic to pets like dogs, cats, and horses. So if you have pets, remember to protect them by growing the plant out of their reach, in order not to intoxicate the pets in any way possible.
2. Morning Glory
Ipomoea purpurea has over 1000 species, commonly called morning glory. These plants are indigenous to Central America and even in some parts of Mexico, as these flowers are one of the most common varieties are fast-growing annual flowering plants.
These plants are commonly called morning glory because of how the flowers open up when the morning sun hits them, and this is how they have gotten their name.
– Features
Morning glory produces vividly colored trumpet-shaped flowers and heart-shaped leaves, the flowers are the ones that attract birds and butterflies which are pollinators. Different varieties of these plants bloom flowers with colors ranging between white, red, blue, purple, and yellow. They would grow as tall as 10 feet and spread as wide as six feet.
One popular variety of the morning glory plant is the dwarf species, and these species are called the Convolvulus tricolor. While most varieties are harmful and aggressive, they can be the perfect ornamental plants in gardens if appropriately managed.
– Growth Requirements
Morning glories are easy to grow, as they aren’t fussy and require very little care. They require little water, except during dry spells, where they need to be watered at least twice a week. Additionally, you can manage their spreading by removing dead blooms and vines.
These plants can tolerate rough, dry soils with a neutral pH, so if you have a sandy or rocky backyard, you can consider growing morning glory. However, they would prefer moist, well-drained soils that are not water-logged. Also, note that the plants prefer full sun conditions, but they can grow in light shade.
On the other hand, what is very specific when growing these plants is that they require support for their vines, and in order to spread and grow. You can simply adjust the support by building them from sticks.
– Toxicity
Morning Glory plants are toxic to pets and even people. If you have selected them as ornamental plants to grow in your garden, be sure to plant them out of the reach of your beloved pets-small and large- to be safe.
3. Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris, also called marsh marigold, kingcup, marsh cup, or Caltha Cowslip, is a perennial plant. As its name indicates, it grows in marshes, wet woodlands, and ditches, usually in areas in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite its name, marsh marigold is not from the marigold family, Asteraceae. It belongs to the buttercup family.
– Features
The plant is unique for its beautiful flowers, which bloom from early spring to mid-summer. However, its flowers may bloom during other seasons, depending on the latitude and elevation from sea level. The beautiful array of flowers the plant produces attracts birds and butterflies for pollination.
Marsh marigolds don’t grow to be so large. They are small and, sometimes, medium-sized plants. With a maximum height and width of about two feet and 18 feet, respectively, Marsh Marigold spreads by Rhizomes, and as a result the plants reach maturity very quickly.
– Growth Requirements
Marsh Marigolds are low-maintenance plants that will grow properly, provided they are planted in the right soil conditions. Marsh marigolds grow in USDA zone 3 till zone 7.
These plants love water and are well-adapted to marshes and waterlogged areas, including streams and ponds. In addition, they can survive under shallow water, with a depth of about five inches.
The best soil type for planting marsh marigolds is a rich, moist soil with an acidic pH. Marsh marigolds will survive in damp or water-logged soils or slow-draining soil types. Also, you must also note that they are drought-tolerant plants.
Also note that in order to have a successful growth of your flowers, that they grow in thick colonies, so they should be spaced appropriately to avoid choking. In short, each marsh marigold plant should have a minimum space of 18 inches between them.
– Toxicity
Marsh Marigold is toxic to people and animals alike. Although it can be consumed when cooked properly, it is unsafe to consume in large quantities. A toxic compound, protoanemonin, found in the leaves induces throat burning and other severe gastrointestinal problems.
4. Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia, also known as Mexican sunflower or Red Sunflower is an annual plant, Indigenous to the warm regions of Mexico and North America. Mexican sunflower is grown as an ornamental plant.
Also, these plants can be added to bouquets because of their pretty flowers that add a touch of color to any flower arrangement. The plants, growing up to six feet in height, look best when arranged like a curtain behind smaller flowers in borders and beds.
– Features
This is largely a result of its showy orange or red colored flowers that bloom between August and November. Mexican sunflowers are the perfect addition to gardens, as their nectar or pollen-filled flowers attract essential pollinators and a beautiful display of birds during the blooming season.
They produce fuzzy green triangular or oval foliage that also enhances the look of their environment. Mexican sunflowers have no known toxic effects on people and animals, as they are harmless plants. In fact, these plants are sometimes fed to ruminant animals, as they’re rich in fiber and protein.
– Growth Requirements
The maintenance for Mexican sunflower plants is very straightforward, with no unnecessary fuss. Even the most inexperienced gardener would be able to cultivate them successfully because of the minimal care they require. These plants are drought-resistant and do not require watering during their growth process.
Mexican sunflowers are known as warm weather annuals. They love hot summers and become stunted when they’re planted in shaded areas.
They do well when they’re exposed to full sunlight. Also, planting Mexican sunflowers in full or partial shade causes little or no blooms to appear and exposes the plant to a higher risk of fungal diseases.
With Mexican flowers, you don’t need to bother with fertilizers or soil amendments, as these plants are hardy and can thrive in the poorest of soil conditions . However, to avoid issues like root rot, your soil type must have proper drainage and an acidic pH. They are drought-tolerant and grow optimally in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.
5. Mexican Shrubby
Euphorbia Cotinifolia, also called Mexican Shrubby, Mexican Shrubby Spurge, Smoke-tree spurge, or Tropical Smoke Bush, is a red Shrub.
This plant is generally grown as a shrub with a total height of about 15 feet tall. However, it can also be grown as a small tree. This Shrubby Spurge can be found growing wildly in different regions of Mexico and South America.
– Features
Euphorbia cotinifolia is grown for its distinct red foliage and beautiful white flowers, which bloom in the summer months. Their remarkable foliage is shed at the first sign of frost. This shedding helps them retain water during extremely dry periods, as they can’t tolerate so much drought. Shrubby spurge trees usually grow in hardiness zones 9-11.
– Growth Requirements
These plants do well under full sun and can also survive in partial shade. They grow well in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils with a pH range between 6.1 to 7.8.
Mexican Shrubby grows really fast. It needs proper spacing, regular trimming and regular watering, especially during its growing season, and when it’s newly planted. Also, if you need to use a fertilizer, liquid ones are preferable for these plants.
– Toxicity
The sap from the Mexican Shrubby stem is quite toxic. It would cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction when it comes in contact with the skin and other exposed parts of the human body. Also, if the sap from the plant is consumed, it can cause serious harm to vital organs in the body.
6. Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha, also known as Mexican bush sage, is a flowering plant. It is a gardener’s favorite because of the beautiful velvety flowers it produces during the long summer months.
Mexican bush sage is a perennial shrub that grows up to six feet in height. Its showy flowers are usually bi-colored, with purple sepals and white blooms. The plant is considered safe for people and animals. All the parts, including the leaves, flowers, and stems of Mexican bush sage, do not cause any harm to humans and pets alike.
– Growth Requirements
Mexican bush sage grows optimally under full sunlight conditions. They can also thrive in partial shade, but full sun conditions are best for growing them. They require moist, well-drained soils to grow without any issues.
These plants are low-maintenance plants and do not require much care. However, during their formative years, they need frequent watering; at least, every two days for proper growth. Also, Mexican bush sage does not need frequent fertilization, so it’s best to avoid overloading them with fertilizers.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for plants that start with ‘m’ to add to your garden collection, there are several of them- the possibilities are endless such as the Mazus reptans, Meadow Bistort, Meadow Rue, Meadow Sage, Matucana aureiflora, Mealycup sage. But, here’s about the ones that we covered:
- All of the flowers that start with M come from different parts of the world, whether it’s from Europe, Asia, or different parts of Southern America.
- The maiden pink is one of the ones that is popularly loved because it produces beautiful flowers that look gorgeous in spring when they bloom.
- Remember that you must set some sticks for the vines when you want to see your marigolds prosper and thrive.
There are also other types of plants that start with m, such as the Mediterranean Sea Holly, Michaelmas daisy, Mountain Laurel, Musk Mallow, Marguerite Daisy, Mina Lobata, Maltese Cross Flower, Mandevilla sanderi, and the magnolia grandiflora.
You may also find the Mammillaria dixanthocentron, Maribilis jalapa, Mathcana aureiflora, Maximilian Sunflower.
References
- https://www.bioexplorer.net/plants/flowers/maiden-pink/
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/mexican-sunflower-tithonia-rotundifolia/
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