This list includes 73 Plants that start with B, from “Baby’s breath” to “Buttonwood”. They range from small annuals and houseplants to large trees, used for ornament, food and wildlife habitat.
Plants that start with B are common and varied species whose common names begin with the letter B. Notable examples include Baby’s breath in floral design and Breadfruit as a traditional Pacific food.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, USDA hardiness zones and Type.
Common name: Gives the familiar name you likely know, helping you find plants quickly and match labels in your garden.
Scientific name: Shows the Latin binomial for precise identification, so you can search catalogs and species pages accurately.
USDA hardiness zones: Lists USDA zone range (1–13) where the plant survives winter, helping you judge if it suits your climate.
Type: Labels each entry as tree, shrub, perennial, annual, succulent, grass, fern or vine to guide planting and care.
Links: Provides a direct link to a species page with growing tips, photos and source references for quick follow-up.
Plants that start with B
| Common name | Scientific name | USDA hardiness zones | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | 10-11 | annual |
| Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | 4-8 | shrub |
| Bay | Laurus nobilis | 8-10 | tree |
| Beech | Fagus sylvatica | 4-7 | tree |
| Bee balm | Monarda didyma | 4-9 | perennial |
| Beet | Beta vulgaris | 2-11 | annual |
| Bergenia | Bergenia cordifolia | 3-8 | perennial |
| Black birch | Betula lenta | 3-7 | tree |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | 3-9 | perennial |
| Blackberry | Rubus allegheniensis | 4-9 | shrub |
| Bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | 4-8 | bulb |
| Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum | 3-7 | shrub |
| Bougainvillea | Bougainvillea spectabilis | 9-11 | vine |
| Boxwood | Buxus sempervirens | 6-8 | shrub |
| Borage | Borago officinalis | 3-9 | annual |
| Bottlebrush | Callistemon citrinus | 8-11 | shrub |
| Broad bean | Vicia faba | 2-10 | annual |
| Buckthorn | Rhamnus cathartica | 2-7 | shrub |
| Buckeye | Aesculus hippocastanum | 4-7 | tree |
| Buckwheat | Fagopyrum esculentum | 4-10 | annual |
| Buffalo grass | Bouteloua dactyloides | 4-9 | grass |
| Buttercup | Ranunculus acris | 3-7 | perennial |
| Butterfly bush | Buddleja davidii | 5-9 | shrub |
| Butterfly pea | Clitoria ternatea | 9-11 | vine |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | 5-9 | shrub |
| Baby’s breath | Gypsophila paniculata | 3-8 | perennial |
| Baobab | Adansonia digitata | 9-11 | tree |
| Bamboo | Bambusa vulgaris | 9-11 | grass |
| Bat flower | Tacca chantrieri | 9-11 | perennial |
| Black locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | 4-8 | tree |
| Bladderwort | Utricularia gibba | 8-10 | perennial |
| Bleeding heart | Lamprocapnos spectabilis | 3-8 | perennial |
| Blanket flower | Gaillardia pulchella | 3-9 | perennial |
| Blue oak | Quercus douglasii | 7-10 | tree |
| Blue flax | Linum perenne | 3-8 | perennial |
| Boxelder | Acer negundo | 2-9 | tree |
| Bracken | Pteridium aquilinum | 3-9 | fern |
| Broadleaf plantain | Plantago major | 2-11 | groundcover |
| Broadleaf cattail | Typha latifolia | 3-10 | perennial |
| Bulrush | Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | 4-10 | grass |
| Bearded iris | Iris germanica | 4-9 | bulb |
| Butterwort | Pinguicula vulgaris | 2-7 | perennial |
| Buttonwood | Conocarpus erectus | 10-11 | shrub |
| Bachelor’s button | Centaurea cyanus | 2-10 | annual |
| Bird of paradise | Strelitzia reginae | 9-11 | perennial |
| Bitter melon | Momordica charantia | 9-11 | annual |
| Bottle gourd | Lagenaria siceraria | 7-11 | annual |
| Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | 3-7 | shrub |
| Blood lily | Scadoxus multiflorus | 8-11 | bulb |
| Bog rosemary | Andromeda polifolia | 3-6 | shrub |
| Bitterroot | Lewisia rediviva | 4-7 | perennial |
| Balsam fir | Abies balsamea | 2-5 | tree |
| Basswood | Tilia americana | 3-8 | tree |
| Beach rose | Rosa rugosa | 2-7 | shrub |
| Beardtongue | Penstemon digitalis | 3-8 | perennial |
| Bamboo palm | Chamaedorea seifrizii | 9-11 | tree |
| Black spruce | Picea mariana | 1-5 | tree |
| Blackcurrant | Ribes nigrum | 3-7 | shrub |
| Blue gum | Eucalyptus globulus | 8-11 | tree |
| Bistort | Persicaria bistorta | 3-7 | perennial |
| Bilberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | 2-7 | shrub |
| Bird’s-foot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | 3-9 | perennial |
| Bird cherry | Prunus padus | 3-7 | tree |
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis | 3-8 | perennial |
| Brazilian pepper | Schinus terebinthifolius | 10-11 | shrub |
| Barnyardgrass | Echinochloa crus-galli | 5-11 | grass |
| Bearberry | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | 2-7 | groundcover |
| Beachgrass | Ammophila arenaria | 4-8 | grass |
| Bellflower | Campanula carpatica | 3-8 | perennial |
| Bermuda grass | Cynodon dactylon | 7-10 | grass |
| Black mustard | Brassica nigra | 2-10 | annual |
| Blue vervain | Verbena hastata | 3-8 | perennial |
| Bugbane | Actaea racemosa | 3-8 | perennial |
Descriptions
Basil
Tropical Asia native culinary herb prized for aromatic leaves; used fresh or dried in cooking and ornamental containers.
Barberry
Japanese native often used for hedges and color; thorny shrub with tart berries and wildlife value, invasive in some regions.
Bay
Mediterranean evergreen tree grown for aromatic bay leaves used in cooking; tolerant of container culture and formal hedging.
Beech
European shade tree with smooth gray bark and lush canopy; prized for ornamental avenues and stately landscapes.
Bee balm
North American native with aromatic foliage and showy tubular flowers that attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies; great in cottage gardens.
Beet
Biennial vegetable commonly grown as an annual; root and leafy greens are edible, cool-season crop with many culinary uses.
Bergenia
Central Asian perennial evergreen with large glossy leaves and early pink flowers; valued as a low-maintenance groundcover in shade.
Black birch
Eastern North American birch with aromatic bark and dark winter buds; ornamental shade tree with attractive fall color.
Black-eyed Susan
Native wildflower with bright yellow daisy-like blooms and dark centers; popular in meadows, pollinator gardens, and cut flower mixes.
Blackberry
North American bramble producing sweet edible fruit; thorny shrub useful for wildlife, hedging and home fruit production.
Bluebell
Western European woodland bulb with nodding cobalt-blue spring flowers; cherished in wildflower drifts and shady borders.
Blueberry
North American native fruit shrub grown for sweet berries; prefers acidic soil, excellent for wildlife and edible gardens.
Bougainvillea
South American tropical vine known for vivid papery bracts; drought-tolerant, used on walls, fences and in containers.
Boxwood
Evergreen European shrub classic for formal hedges and topiary; dense glossy foliage ideal for structure in gardens.
Borage
Mediterranean annual herb with star-shaped blue flowers; edible flowers and leaves, loved by pollinators and used in salads and teas.
Bottlebrush
Australian shrub with showy red brush-like flowers that attract birds and insects; used as ornamental and screen plant in warm climates.
Broad bean
Old-world cool-season legume grown for edible pods and seeds; hardy, nitrogen-fixing garden crop.
Buckthorn
Deciduous shrub/tree originally Eurasian; used as hedge or wildlife cover but invasive in many temperate areas.
Buckeye
Large ornamental tree native to southeastern Europe; showy spring flower panicles and large seed conkers.
Buckwheat
Short-season pseudo-cereal from Asia used for grain and cover cropping; fast bloom attracts pollinators.
Buffalo grass
North American native warm-season turf grass; drought-tolerant, low-maintenance lawn alternative.
Buttercup
Common meadow wildflower with bright yellow blooms; ornamental in naturalized areas but toxic to livestock if eaten fresh.
Butterfly bush
Asian native shrub with fragrant flower spikes that attract butterflies; widely planted but invasive in some regions.
Butterfly pea
Tropical Asian vine with striking blue, edible flowers used as natural food dye and herbal tea; vigorous climber.
Buttonbush
North American wetland shrub with globe-like flowers that attract pollinators; often used in rain gardens and pond edges.
Baby’s breath
European perennial with airy sprays of tiny white flowers; classic filler in floral arrangements and borders.
Baobab
Iconic African tree with massive trunk; edible fruit pulp, drought-tolerant, culturally and ecologically significant.
Bamboo
Tropical clumping bamboo used for screening, timber and ornament; fast-growing and useful in warm climates.
Bat flower
Tropical Asian perennial with dramatic dark, bat-like blooms; grown as an exotic houseplant or greenhouse specimen.
Black locust
North American tree valued for hard, rot-resistant wood and fragrant spring flowers; fixes nitrogen and naturalizes readily.
Bladderwort
Aquatic carnivorous plant with small traps that capture tiny aquatic prey; interesting addition to bog or water gardens.
Bleeding heart
Asian woodland perennial with pendulous heart-shaped pink flowers; shade-loving and a spring garden favorite.
Blanket flower
North American native with daisy-like, long-blooming red and yellow flowers; excellent for dry sunny borders.
Blue oak
California native oak with bluish foliage; drought-tolerant, used in native and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
Blue flax
Perennial flax with delicate sky-blue flowers; good for rock gardens, meadows and low-maintenance borders.
Boxelder
North American maple with compound leaves; fast-growing pioneer tree often used in screens and windbreaks.
Bracken
Widespread fern of temperate regions; forms dense colonies in woodlands and disturbed sites, useful for groundcover in wild areas.
Broadleaf plantain
Cosmopolitan weed/herb with edible young leaves and medicinal uses; tolerant groundcover in compacted soils.
Broadleaf cattail
Widespread wetland plant with tall foliage and brown cylindrical flower spikes; valuable for wildlife and water filtration.
Bulrush
Wetland-forming rush used in pond margins and restoration; sturdy stems and dense stands for habitat.
Bearded iris
Garden favorite with large ruffled flowers in many colors; rhizomatous iris used in perennial borders.
Butterwort
Temperate carnivorous plant with sticky leaves that trap insects; small, attractive flowers and bog garden interest.
Buttonwood
Tropical coastal shrub/tree native to the Americas; tolerant of salt and used in coastal landscaping.
Bachelor’s button
Old-fashioned annual with vivid blue cornflower blooms; popular in cottage gardens and pollinator mixes.
Bird of paradise
South African perennial with dramatic orange-and-blue flowers resembling birds; striking container or tropical specimen.
Bitter melon
Tropical Asian vine grown for bitter edible fruit used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine.
Bottle gourd
Old-world vine producing hard-shelled gourds used as containers, utensils and ornament; grown for edible young fruit in many cuisines.
Bayberry
North American native aromatic shrub with waxy berries used historically for candle making and wildlife shelter.
Blood lily
Tropical African bulb with spectacular spherical red flowerheads in summer; great for containers or warm borders.
Bog rosemary
Acid-soil bog specialist with narrow evergreen leaves and pink urn-shaped flowers; suited to peat and bog gardens.
Bitterroot
Western North American native wildflower with fleshy root and showy spring blooms; prized in rock gardens.
Balsam fir
Cold-hardy North American conifer used widely as a Christmas tree; aromatic needles and compact form.
Basswood
Large North American shade tree with fragrant summer flowers that attract pollinators; soft lightweight timber.
Beach rose
Northeast Asian rose naturalized on coasts; tolerant of salt and sand with fragrant flowers and large hips.
Beardtongue
Eastern North American perennial with tubular white to pink flowers; attracts pollinators and performs well in borders.
Bamboo palm
Tropical Central American palm often grown as indoor or patio specimen; clumping, shade-tolerant and graceful foliage.
Black spruce
Boreal conifer adapted to cold wet sites; used in reforestation and wildlife habitat in northern climates.
Blackcurrant
European shrub grown for tart edible berries used in jams, juices and liqueurs; prefers cool, moist sites.
Blue gum
Australian eucalyptus known for rapid growth and aromatic foliage; used for windbreaks and timber in warm regions.
Bistort
Moist-meadow perennial with spikes of pink flowers; traditional medicinal plant and attractive border perennial.
Bilberry
Northern hemisphere wild blueberry with small flavorful fruits; thrives in acidic, cool soils and woodland settings.
Bird’s-foot trefoil
Low-growing legume used in meadows and erosion control; nitrogen-fixing and good for pollinators and forage.
Bird cherry
Eurasian spring-flowering tree with fragrant white blooms and small black fruit; used in parks and naturalized woodlands.
Bloodroot
Eastern North American spring ephemeral with white flowers and medicinally used red sap; great in woodland gardens.
Brazilian pepper
South American evergreen shrub/tree with showy red berries; used ornamentally in warm climates but invasive in some regions.
Barnyardgrass
Widespread annual weed of wet and disturbed soils; common in agricultural and garden settings worldwide.
Bearberry
Low evergreen groundcover of northern regions with red berries; excellent for rock gardens and erosion control.
Beachgrass
Coastal grass adapted to sand dunes; stabilizes dunes and used in coastal restoration projects.
Bellflower
Compact perennial with bell-shaped blue or white flowers; ideal for rockeries, borders and container displays.
Bermuda grass
Warm-season turf grass widely used for lawns and sports fields; very drought-tolerant and aggressive.
Black mustard
Old-world mustard species grown for seeds and condiments; fast-growing annual used in rotation and spice production.
Blue vervain
Moist-site native with tall spikes of violet-blue flowers that attract pollinators; good for riparian and rain gardens.
Bugbane
Eastern North American woodland perennial with tall spires of white flowers; shade-loving and deer-resistant.