When you think of the wildflowers of Britain, serene bluebells or cheerful daffodils might come to mind – but the UK is home to some of the world's strangest and most unusual blooms.
- Are there any black flowers?
- Monkey faces, naked men and swaddled babies: These are the weirdest flowers in the world
Some are native to Europe, while others have come here from further afield. Whether growing wild or cultivated in gardens, these weird and wonderful plants prove that there's nothing boring about flowers in the UK.
Weirdest flowers in the UK
Crested cow-wheat (Melampyrum cristatum)
This unique, densely-packed flower has it all: toothed bracts, purple and yellow flowers and a fantastic name. It is also semi-parasitic, able to obtain nutrients from other plant species. The crested cow-wheat is fairly rare in the UK these days, confined to East Anglia.
Voodoo lily (Dracunculus vulgaris)
The voodoo lily goes by many other – equally haunting – names, such as the dragon lily or vampire lily. It's so called because of its hood-like spathe, which can grow up to 60cm in length, with a dragon-like spadix inside it.
While it looks fantastic, you might not be in a hurry to grow a voodoo lily in your garden, as it has a rather unpleasant aroma of rotting flesh, designed to attract flies as pollinators. It's native to the Balkans, but is relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown in many parts of the UK.
Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
These heart-shaped blooms hang from stems from late spring to early summer, and are hardy perennials, so can be grown in city and country fairly easily. It grows well in all soil types, but thrives particularly in dappled shade. Native to Northeast China and the Korean peninsula, the bleeding heart is known for its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, even down to temperatures below freezing.
Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)
The snake's head fritillary is named after the snakelike appearance of its nodding, bell-like flower heads on their long stems. They are native to Europe and western Asia, but is now considered to be an endangered species in many places, which is why it's rare to see them growing in the wild. Historically, you'll have spotted them in the meadows of southern England, but now they're more likely to be spotted in gardens rather than in the wild.
Black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri)
The black bat flower is a popular and unusual houseplant, as it grows in medium light conditions and requires moist soil and high humidity. Native to southeast Asia, the black bat flower has a unique self-pollinating method.
- What flowers grow on Britain’s highest mountains? The mountain flora that flourishes on our loftiest peaks
- A beginner's guide to native British wildflowers
- 15 poisonous plants to dogs: vet warns about deadly flowers, trees, shrubs and bulbs
Ghost orchid (Epipogium aphyllum)
The ghost orchid has been labelled 'Britain's rarest flower', due to its extremely limited sightings over the years. In 2024, the ghost orchid was spotted for the first time in 15 years – and it was only the second sighting of the species since the 1980s.
Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)
The bee orchid is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. The flower is pink or purple with a yellow lip, which is shaped like a female bee – and the flower emits a scent that attracts male bees.
The bee orchid is an example of a sexually deceptive orchid. These orchids mimic the appearance of other organisms, such as insects, in order to attract pollinators. In the case of the bee orchid, the flower mimics the appearance of a female bee. This attracts male bees, which attempt to mate with the flower. In the process, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, which helps to pollinate the plant.
Cobra Lily (Arisaema speciosum)
The cobra lily is native to the eastern Himalayas, but it can be grown in the UK as it thrive in moist, well-drained soil in shady spots. It has a unique mottled stem, with a palmate leaf and hooded purple spathe with white stripe.
