24 Flowers to Create a Plant Zoo
I wish I could claim this idea as my own, but it is one I learned of a few years ago when I visited the University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville. They had several different gardens that would surely appeal to children, including a garden gnome village and a hobbit house to explore. However, the garden that caught my eye was the Plant Zoo. The plant zoo was planted with varieties whose names referenced animals of all kinds. Sometimes the names were specific plant names, like Tiger Lily, but others were common names like Lambs Ear. The tags in the garden used outlines of the animal in the plant name. I love the concept and I think this would be easy enough to pull off in your home garden with your kids or grandkids helping. Such an easy way to get a child interested in a garden! The plant tags the University had, might not be easily replicated. However, if you want to ID your plants, I think clip art, Sharpies, river rocks, and mod podge would allow the kids to make rock markers for your zoo garden in no time!
There are thousands of plants that would work in your plant zoo, we’ll get you started with
24 Proven Winners options that are perfect for this fun garden.
Senorita Spider Flower | Butterfly Argyranthemum | Toucan® Canna |
Karalee® Butterfly Flower | Stratosphere® Butterfly Flower | Sweet Caroline Raven Ipomoea |
Sweet Caroline Red Hawk Ipomoea | Chantilly Lace’ Goatsbeard | Rainbow Rhythm® ‘Ruby Spider’ Daylily |
Rainbow Rhythm® ‘Tiger Swirl’ Daylily | Pardon My Bee Balm | Leading Lady Bee Balm |
‘Cat’s Meow’ Catmint | ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint | Ground Hug™ Aronia |
Lo & Behold® Butterfly Bush | Pugster® Butterfly Bush | Pink Mink® Clematis |
Waxwing™ Mirror Bush | Red Rover® Red Rover® Silky Dogwood | Black Cat® Pussywillow |
Cardinal Candy® Viburnum | Fun and Games® ‘Red Rover’ Foamy Bells | Firefly Yarrow |
Learn More:
Explore this Idea Board of Plants Perfect for Plant Zoo Gardens
Watch this DIY Floral Paperweight Project from Laura at Garden Answer.
Consider this Pinterest Board with More Kids Gardening Ideas.