Flowers come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s something charming about blooms with perfectly rounded, spherical forms. Ball-shaped flowers are whimsical additions that inject lighthearted appeal into any garden. Their three-dimensional globes stand out wonderfully against wispy grasses or slender leaves With a little creativity, these charming pom-poms can be combined in endless pleasing arrangements
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most delightful flowers that resemble balls. Whether drifting atop tall slender stems or clustering into fluffy mounds, these spherical blooms are sure to bring a smile. Discover 15 varieties to try in your own garden for irresistible whimsy and texture.
Alliums
In the genus Allium, ornamental flowering onions produce the iconic round allium blooms. Their egg-shaped flower heads bob atop straight slim stems, appearing to float over neighboring plants. Alliums include many stunning varieties from vivid purple globemaster alliums to dainty yellow drumstick alliums. They bloom late spring into summer and prefer full sun exposure.
Colors: purple, pink, yellow, white
- Height: 1-4 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 12
Snowball Viburnum
Snowball viburnum shrubs explode with snowy white blooms in spring Lime-colored flower buds open into dense snowball shapes up to 8 inches across! These bold flowering spheres beautifully contrast the bush’s shiny leaves. Snowball viburnum does well in full sun to part shade and grows up to 15 feet tall
White flowers with lime-green buds. Up to 15 feet tall. Full sun to part shade. Three times a year.
Globe Thistles
Globe thistles have uniquely shaped blooms covered in prickly, ruffly bracts with tiny true flowers inside. Resembling mini sea urchins, these steel blue spheres have excellent architectural form. They bloom atop 2 to 4 foot stems from summer into fall, thriving in full sunlight.
- Colors: blue, violet, pink
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 9
Snowball Bush
Like its cousin the snowball viburnum, snowball bush produces abundant, large white blooms in spring. Its flowers emerge as chartreuse buds before opening into eye-catching snowy spheres. This upright bush has gorgeous structure with vase-shaped form and gray-green leaves. It thrives in full sun to part shade and reaches 10 feet tall.
- Colors: White
- Height: Up to 10 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 3
Ornamental Onions
Grown for their stunning blooms, ornamental alliums like purple sensation produce 4-foot stems topped with huge, spherical flower heads. Their strappy foliage dies back before flowering, allowing the bold purple globes to take center stage. These make dramatic displays in full sunlight.
- Colors: Purple, pink, white
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 4
Pincushion Flowers
Aptly named, these flowers resemble pins stuck in a pincushion. Their texture comes from dense small florets clustered into a cushion-like ball. Colors range from azure blue to rosy pink. The wiry 12-36 inch stems and lacy foliage provide lovely contrast. Pincushion flowers thrive in full sun to part shade.
- Colors: Blue, pink, white, purple
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 2
Sea Holly
Sea holly produces unique prickly spheres covered in powdery blue bracts. The flowers resemble otherworldly sea creatures, abstract art, or foliage. Sea holly makes dramatic statements in flower arrangements, dry gardens, or along coastal plantings. It reaches 1-3 feet tall and needs full sunlight.
- Colors: Blue, purple, white bracts
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 5
Globe Amaranth
Globe amaranth flowers keep their shape and color beautifully when dried, which is why they are so popular. The bright clover-shaped flowers are magenta, red, white, and purple. These 8–24-inch annuals look great along borders, in pots, or strewn out as bright ground cover. Globe amaranth thrives in full sun.
- Colors: Red, pink, purple, white
- Height: 8-24 inches
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 7
Globe Daisies
Heat and drought tolerant globe daisies produce pom pom-like blooms from lemon yellow to crimson red. Deadheading spent flowers encourages reblooming. Their fine wispy foliage contrasts the 1-2 foot mounded shape nicely. Globe daisies flourish in hot, sunny gardens.
- Colors: Yellow, orange, red
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Exposure: Full sun
- Frequency of Occurrence: 3
Craspedia
Native to Australia and New Zealand, Craspedia is also called billy buttons. They produce cute rounded yellow flower heads made up of tiny clustered florets. The leafless stems keep the effect clean and simple. Craspedia grows up to 20 inches tall thriving in full sun to part shade.
- Colors: Yellow, green
- Height: Up to 20 inches
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 4
Buttonbush
As the name suggests, buttonbush flowers look like pearly white buttons and grow in dense, spherical clusters. This native wetland shrub is tough and has round, shiny leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It grows up to 12 feet tall and does best in full sun to part shade.
- Colors: White
- Height: Up to 12 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 2
Mums
Available in an autumnal rainbow of hues, mums come in many bloom shapes including rounds. Pom pom and daisy-like spider mums produce perfect sphere-shaped flower heads. They provide cheerful late season color to gardens, pots, and arrangements. Mums reach 1-3 feet tall, tolerating full sun to part shade.
- Colors: Pink, purple, yellow, white, red, orange
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 6
Annabelle Hydrangea
The iconic round hydrangea blooms of Annabelle hydrangea make stunning displays. Each dense globe can reach 10-12 inches across! Cutting plants back in late winter promotes vigorous new growth and abundant flowering. Give them part shade and moist, well-draining soil.
- Colors: White, green
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Exposure: Part shade
- Frequency of Occurrence: 5
With their diversity and charm, it’s easy to see why ball-shaped flowers have such universal appeal. Let your creativity run wild, combining these playful pom-poms in the garden or vase. Their whimsical globes are sure to delight wherever they’re planted!
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
Gomphrena, which is also known as Globe Amaranth, is a charming annual flowering plant that produces small, round, clover-like blooms in a variety of colours. I’ve personally seen them in purple, pink, white, and red. If you’re looking for eye-catching ball-shaped flowers to0 grow in your garden, consider Gomphrena.
- This is something I grew a few years ago. It needs full sun and soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
- It will do best in warmer parts of the UK.
- This was another thing I added to my garden that butterflies and bees liked.
- In my garden, the flowers were long-lasting.
- The blooms made great cut flowers
Craspedia (Billy Buttons)
Craspedia, which I’ve also heard gardeners call Billy Buttons or Drumstick Flowers, is a unique and eye-catching plant with round, yellow, ball-shaped flowers which stood out in the middle and back of my borders in my Surrey garden. They are native to Australia and New Zealand, but I feel they would make a striking addition to any garden.
- Craspedia grows best in full sun and soil that drains well, so it can be used in gardens that can handle drought.
- I had no trouble growing this plant from seed; it was reliable and mostly free of pests. I think it would be great for gardeners who are lazy or busy.
- It grew to about 80 cm tall in my garden, and the pompom-shaped, globe-shaped flowers stayed there for months, well into fall.
- I also put the flowers in planters inside, where they stayed fresh for weeks.
- Based on what I know and where I’ve seen these plants grown, I believe they would do well in rock gardens, mixed borders, and meadows.
Miley Cyrus – Flowers (Official Video)
FAQ
What are the flowers that look like a ball?
Alliums – My Favourite Ball-Shaped Flower.
What is the name of the ball flower?
Craspedia is also known by several common names: Drumsticks Flower, Billy Buttons or Sun Ball. This delightful plant produces an exceptionally bright colored golden ball flower averaging 1″ to 2″ inches in diameter that sits atop a long, single stem.
What are the little ball flowers called?
Craspedia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae commonly known as billy buttons, billy balls, and woollyheads.
What flower looks like a big puff ball?
Salsify looks like a dandelion on steroids. The flower itself looks like a yellow daisy. The seed heads look like a big puffball, up to several inches in diameter. The numerous seeds float away in the wind, just like dandelion seeds.