Plants that produce flowers of more than one color are known as multicolored flowering plants. There are many examples of plants that can have flowers of two different colors, such as roses that can be red and yellow. However, there are fewer examples of plants that naturally produce flowers of three distinctly different colors on the same plant.
Plants With Three Flower Colors
After researching this topic, it appears there are two main examples of plants that can naturally produce flowers of three noticeably different colors: lantana and certain daylily (Hemerocallis) hybrids.
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of over 150 species of perennial flowering plants that are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa. Many lantana species and hybrids are popular ornamental plants grown for their colorful flower clusters.
One of the most commonly grown ornamental lantanas is Lantana camara, also known as common lantana or shrub verbena. This species comes in many cultivated varieties that can produce flower clusters with blossoms in 3 different colors – most often yellow, orange, and red or pink.
The exact flower colors can vary between specific Lantana camara cultivars, but having tricolored blooms of yellow, orange/peach, and red/pink is common. The flowerheads change color as they age, transitioning from yellow to orange to red. This gives lantana a multi-hued appearance.
Daylilies
Daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are perennial flowering plants that produce large, showy blooms on long stalks or scapes. Through hybridization, there are now over 80,000 registered daylily cultivars with flowers that come in almost every color except blue.
Some modern daylily hybrids can produce flowers in three distinctly different colors on the same plant. For example, the cultivar ‘Ruby Spider’ has flowers that are ruby-red with yellow throats and purple-red veins and midribs. The cultivar ‘Destined to See’ has pale purple flowers with rose-red eyes and yellow-green throats.
There are many other registered hybrids that have flowers combining yellow, purple/red, and orange shades. The exact hues can vary, creating tri-colored blooms in shades of yellow, plum, lavender, melon, pink, and more.
Other Possible Examples
In addition to lantana and daylilies, there are a few other plants that may occasionally produce flowers of three colors, though this is less common:
- Some rose varieties – Most roses are one solid color, but a few can have bi-colored or flecked petals that combine yellow, pink, and red hues.
- Columbine (Aquilegia species) – Some columbine varieties may produce flowers in yellow, pink, and purple.
- Viola and pansy hybrids – Through selective breeding, some violas and pansies can produce tri-colored flowers.
However, clear examples of plants that reliably and naturally produce flowers of three distinct colors are less common outside of lantana and certain daylily hybrids.
Why Plants Can Have Multi-Colored Flowers
There are a few key reasons why some plants are capable of producing flowers with multiple, distinct colors:
- Pigmentation – The petals contain pigments of different colors, such as both anthocyanins (red/purple) and carotenoids (yellow/orange).
- pH levels – Subtle changes in pH can change color expression. More acidic conditions give anthocyanin pigments a redder hue.
- Bleeding and veining – Some color patterns are due to one pigment “bleeding” into areas containing another pigment.
- Selective breeding – Humans have selectively bred plants to enhance and stabilize multi-colored varieties.
In lantana and daylilies specifically, their naturally occurring genetic diversity provided material for breeders to develop stable tri-colored hybrids through selective breeding programs.
Growing Tips for Tricolor Flowers
If you want to grow plants with three-colored flowers in your own garden, here are some useful tips:
- Choose a lantana or daylily hybrid known for having tricolored blooms. Check plant tags or descriptions carefully.
- Provide plenty of sun – at least 6 hours per day allows the best color development.
- Use a well-draining soil mix amended with compost or organic matter.
- Fertilize regularly with a balanced flower fertilizer to encourage flowering.
- Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous new flowers.
- Watch for pests like aphids, thrips, or spider mites which can damage flowers.
With the right growing conditions and plant choices, you can enjoy the unique, multi-hued flowers these plants produce in your own garden!
Conclusion
While many plants produce flowers of one or two colors, there are few examples in nature that reliably exhibit blooms of three distinctly different colors on the same plant. After research, it appears lantana and some modern daylily hybrids are the primary examples that can achieve this tri-color effect. Their genetic makeup and pigmentation allow breeders to develop cultivars with yellow, orange/peach, and red/pink flowers. With proper care and cultivation, gardeners can enjoy these uniquely multi-hued blooms.
| Plant | Flower Color 1 | Flower Color 2 | Flower Color 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lantana camara cultivars | Yellow | Orange/Peach | Red/Pink |
| ‘Ruby Spider’ daylily | Ruby-red | Yellow | Purple-red |
| ‘Destined to See’ daylily | Pale purple | Rose-red | Yellow-green |
