Twelve Star Wars Flowers for Your Garden is not a joke article. Over the years I have on occasion suggested someone might like me to design them a Star Wars themed garden. And as in 2019, May 4th falls on a Saturday, the day for the Plews Potting Shed weekly blog, I could resist no longer!
I do have plenty of ideas for a Star Wars themed garden that would be practical and not just geeky. But rather than getting carried away in the Millennium Falcon, I thought I’d tempt you with Star Wars flowers you could grow in your garden.
Well, strictly speaking, these are plants and flowers named after the series of Star Wars films and characters from the films. There are plants which look similar to those seen in the film, but that’s for another blog.
Star Wars Flowers
I’ll start with four flowers called Star Wars. I’m focussing on the flower rather than the plant, but they are all perennial plants.
Dahlia ‘Star Wars’
A dwarf dahlia with dark foliage and bright orange blooms. Showcasing the dark side and the light side of the Force, you could say! That aside, it is a good plant for containers and patio pots, flowering prolifically from early July through to the first frosts. Likes sun, and flowers well with partial sun too. You can either over winter the tubers or treat Dahlia ‘Star Wars’ as an annual flower and buy new plants each year.
with thanks to Julianne Robertson
Fuchsia ‘Star Wars’
You possibly won’t be surprised to learn that I’m guilty of giving this Fuchsia as a present to friends who are Star Wars fans! It has the advantage of growing as happily in a pot as in the border. Semi-trailing with arching stems, this is a medium sized shrub, growing to less than a metre tall. Bred by one of the Uk’s best, Fuchsia ‘Star Wars’ is bee friendly too, as it’s a single flowered Fuchsia. Sometimes found with the annual bedding plants, this is nonetheless a hardy Fuchsia.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’
A large shrub, growing up to 6 metres tall and needing an acid soil. It will tolerate neutral soil, if its free draining and humus-rich. Protect this magnolia from cold winds and frost pockets. The flower buds can be damaged by late frost – and you don’t want that. Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ has beautiful blooms, fragrant, soft pink and quite large. Currently wondering whether a new gardening course student can fit it into their garden as they’re fans and have an acid soil. Reviewing the existing planting is part of the syllabus so we can hopefully work up to this for next spring. If this shrub is too big for your garden, or your soil isn’t right, you can see Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ at Kew Gardens in London.
with thanks to Nicola Thurston-Staff
Primula auricula ‘Star Wars’
Auriculas are deliciously showy in a restrained manner – how is that possible? This one is classed as a Show Fancy auricula. Which means it doesn’t quite fit into the defined types of other Show auricula. With its sprinkling of star dust, Primula auricula ‘Star Wars’ would add interest to a semi-shady spot in your garden in spring. Grow it in a tall pot to best enjoy the markings.
copyright Vincent Moinard, with thanks to Barnhaven Nursery
More Star Wars Flowers
And now for flowers called after characters for the film series. Interestingly, characters from the Dark Side feature as strongly as the Rebel Alliance. The most famous female character, Princess Leia has two of the flowers named after her. Although neither plant has flowers or leaves which curl as impressively as did her hairstyle in the original Star Wars movie! These flowers are also all perennial plants.
I’m starting with something a bit special. These two Begonia were named after new species that were discovered in Borneo in 2014. They are rare, so perversely I’m not actively encouraging you to grow them unless you can guarantee a legitimate source for purchase.
Begonia ‘Amidala’
Named for Padme Amidala, Queen of Naboo. Begonia amidalae has long, green leaves, speckled with white markings. Very elegant.
Begonia ‘Darth Vader’
Correctly, this is known as Begonia darthvaderiana. It has almost black leaves – supposedly this led to its being named after the Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
with thanks to Julie Skelton
Eucomis ‘Leia’
Eucomis is also known as the pineapple lily for its growth habit. This particular Eucomis is one of the Aloha series so may be named for the Hawaiian word, Leia, which means flower of heaven. But then, its possible that the Star Wars character was called after the Hawaiian word…
A lovely flower; the purple buds open to a raspberry-pink with a light scent reminiscent of coconut.
Primula auricula ‘Darth Vader’
Another flower named after the hero turned Sith Lord. This one is a double flowered auricula with dark red blooms. Earlier flowering than Primula auricula ‘Star Wars’
with thanks to Barnhaven Nursery
Primula auricula ‘Palpatine’
This auricula has deep purple double flowers and is a recent (2017) introduction by Barnhaven Primroses. Named after the wonderful baddy, Senator, later Emperor, Palpatine.
Both of these auricula have the same growing needs as Primula ‘Star Wars’.
with thanks to Barnhaven Nursery
Iris ‘Princess Leia’
An exotic looking Iris with pink-purple and lime flowers. Iris Louisiana ‘Princess Leia’ likes to have its roots in damp soil. It would look impressive on the margins of a swimming pond or a formal koi pond.
Lotus or Padma
The Star Wars character, Padme Amidala Naberrie, was Queen of Naboo, a Senator, wife to Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader and mother to Luke and Leia. Padma is Sanskrit for Lotus flower, so I’m sort of stretching the point.
lotus flower photo by toby wan on unsplash
But it is possible to grow some varieties of Lotus in southern and sheltered areas of the UK. For example, if you can give it frost protection, the stunning Sacred Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, makes an unusual aquatic plant for your ornamental pond. With scented flowers and fruits which are well known as floral wreath decorations, it could be worth a try.
And lastly, Malus Padme Amidala Naberrie
As for the apple blossom of Malus Padme – I’m joking! The apple of my eye is Padme, Border Collie pup.
That’s it (at least until the sequel). There aren’t as many Star Wars flowers as you might expect given the popularity of the films. Although there are 17 + animal species named for the films and characters. I particularly like the thought of a Jedi Ant…
I’d like to say a warm “thank you” to Barnhaven Nursery for the use of their Auricula photos. They are Primula specialists – check out their site for Star Wars flowers and more besides. And I also need to say “thank you” to my friends and fellow members from the Garden Media Guild, Julianne, Nicola and Julie, who have also supplied photos.
However, there is more to a garden than flowers and shrubs. If you would like a Star Wars themed garden, there are other quirky elements we could add in. For example, you could have a fire pit shaped like the Death Star or Tie fighter instead of a BBQ. And there is more to garden design than throwing in some quirky elements and hoping for the best. So if you do fancy a themed garden design, or just your average ornamental kitchen garden, do get in touch. And May the Force be with You – on May 4th and every day that you enjoy your garden!
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