Much as I love a traditionally beautiful flower, there’s just something about the really weird blooms that always draws me in. When I was in North Carolina recently, I was incredibly taken with a display of carnivorous pitcher plants – not only are they tiny death traps for insects of all kinds, but they’re fascinating to look at up close. I could sit and stare at the intricacy of a columbine bloom all day long, and gloriosa lilies are always enough to stop me dead in my tracks for a closer look.
From Left: Pitcher Plants, Gloriosa Lily, Columbine
Without a doubt, though, the weirdest blooms in my yard are those of my pipevines (Aristolochia spp.) Before the blooms open, it’s easy to see the pipe shape that inspires the name, but that’s not really the strangest part. My Calico Dutchman’s Pipe (A. littoralis) has blooms the size of salad plates, and the color and design… well, it’s frankly just strange.
Calico Dutchman's Pipevine Bloom - larger than my hand!
Do you love to grow strange blooms? What’s the weirdest flower that grows in your yard? Share with us in the comments below!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have Dracunculus and Stapelia,both of which produce beautiful very foul smelling flowers. I live in Canada, zone 3 so they I grow them in pots that are brought in the house for the winter.
I have the Calico Dutchman’s Pipevine plant. Got it several years ago and it’s one of my favorites when it is in bloom. This year it has had more blooms and when they open it looks like a velvet flower.. I just haven’t been able to harvest any seeds, does anyone have any luck with that?
.I also have the climbing lily which is another beautiful, different plant.
I just posted a picture of my ‘dutchmans pipe’ on face book last week. It is my first experience with it and I really love the beauty and functionality!
The strangest bloom in my yard is my Carrion plant! It’s a cactus that blooms a strange star-fish like flower that stinks and draws flies! And they have strange veining and fuzz inside of them too!
I have pictures of it but don’t see anywhere to add a picture !
I have an Italian Arum in my flower garden. It stays green all winter. Then when it blooms in May it dies back and rests for a couple months. It sprouts again in late summer. Really unusual bloom.