The Lunar New Year is a chance to embrace the Year of the Dragon – and bring a more adventurous, confident approach to our gardening! As an emblem of energy, power and transformation, the dragon is an exceptional animal in the Chinese lunar calendar. Fifth of the animals (after rat, ox, tiger and rabbit), it is alone in being derived from a mythical creature. Yet with its fiery symbolism, it encapsulates a vibrancy and vitality we can all harness in our gardening over the coming year.
For lovers of Feng Shui and Oriental planting, there are certain Lunar New Year plants which add not only beauty but also the promise of good fortune to gardens inside and out. Emblems of positivity and prosperity, Chinese New Year flowers and plants can serve as talismans for our best intentions – and in the case of the dragon, these plants can help us tap into an altogether more visionary gardening spirit. So if you fancy elevating your garden’s positive vibes, try harnessing the heft and zing of the dragon with some of the luckiest flowers and plants in the new lunar cycle.
Which Lunar New Year Plants Are Luckiest For The Year Of The Dragon?
There are several Lunar New Year options which augur fortune and prosperity, regardless of which year it is. Pussy willow, synonymous with new beginnings, is one such plant to grow. Lucky bamboo is frequently grown in indoor spaces to ramp up the positive vibes. This lucky plant can be fashioned into different numbers of stalks, depending on the type of fortune you hope to attract (six for domestic harmony, two for partnerships, and so on). And the Chinese Lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi) is also desirable for those seeking a shot of good fortune, no matter what your Chinese zodiac animal is.
Several ornate floral plants can be grown to attract good fortune. Orchids (especially Phalaenopsis) make excellent Lunar New Year plants for growers looking to ramp up their love energy. Narcissus flowers, with their hues of silver and gold, are said to be synonymous with wealth. But what is it that defines lucky ‘Year of the Dragon’ plants and plant growing? Partly, it’s about color: purples, golds and silvers are auspicious for dragon years. You should also consider plant location – west-facing positions are recommended. Beyond that, have fun experimenting with any of the following flowers and plants to unleash the power of your inner dragon!
1. Hyacinth
The hyacinth is one lucky flower associated strongly with the Year of the Dragon in Chinese mythology. A vivid emblem of positivity, it is said to help dispel negative forces in your surroundings. Widely regarded for their uplifting and deeply fragrant blooms, flowering hyacinths are considered potent forces for serenity in a domestic environment. They are available in a range of tones from creams and whites to pinks, but it’s well worth growing some in violet blues or lush deep purples so you can make the most of the dragon’s luckiest colors.
2. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra) are great balancing agents, according to Chinese mythology. They are often referred to as the ‘embroidered purse peony’ in Chinese (peonies also being highly regarded for prosperity). The ‘purse peony’ reference alludes to the traditional tale of a female deity who embroidered a purse for her lover, which she hung from the branches of a peony tree. So beautiful was her stitching, it fooled passing pollinators – eventually, the ‘purse’ became entwined with the tree, giving life to a new heart-shaped flower. For this reason, bleeding heart plants are said to be particularly effective as a marker for good luck in relationships.
3. Kumquat
Once you know the word ‘kumquat’ means ‘golden orange’ in Chinese, you can see why it is heavily associated with gold and so highly prized as an emblem for wealth and prosperity in the home garden. Indeed, this fruit tree is part of the genus Fortunella – a name which seems heaven sent. Since the color gold is also considered such a lucky tone for dragons, the kumquat tree is well worth a place in this year’s gardening plans if you’re after lucky Lunar New Year plants. The wood of the fruit tree signifies a double boon for 2024, the Year of the Wood Dragon.
4. Larkspur
The larkspur, also known as the knight’s spur, is another dramatic flowering ornamental with potent dragon affiliations. These towering spires of white, blue and purple blooms have a folklore drenched in dragon’s blood. The legend goes that the larkspur came about when a group of valiant warriors killed a dragon and wiped their swords in the earth. The drops of dragon’s blood left behind were transformed into larkspur plants, bursting forth from the ground like luminous swords. This flowering plant is now, ironically, synonymous with good fortune in the Year of the Dragon.
5. Flamingo Flower
Positive vibes are guaranteed if you grow a flamingo flower (also known as anthurium or flamingo lily). The Chinese consider the anthurium to be synonymous with great bounty, particularly if you grow it in a south-facing spot to maximize wealth potential. Opinion is divided as to whether red is a lucky color for plants associated with the Year of the Dragon: some view it as a powerful accent tone for prosperity, while others consider it overkill. Still, you can always grow pink and white flamingo flowers, to be on the safe side – and rest assured that the gleaming golden yellow central spadix of the flamingo flower is very lucky indeed.
6. Chinese Rose
Also known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the Chinese rose has strong associations with good luck and prosperity. This tropical ornamental, with its peach, pink, orange, blue or purple hues, has long-standing symbolism as an emblem for positive energy. Roses themselves are revered for invoking a sense of optimism, innocence, peace and devotion. They are key native flowers for manifesting harmony. This makes them a perfect fit for the Chinese dragon which, unlike its feisty Western counterpart, is a benevolent agent for virtuosity and goodness.
7. Cyclamen
Elemental and pure, cyclamen have a unique place in Chinese folklore as symbols of sincerity and good fortune with an otherworldly allure. The Chinese name for ‘cyclamen’ roughly translates as ‘the guest from the fairyland’. With its delicate floral clusters that seem to hover atop ethereal stems, it’s easy to see why Chinese mythology focuses on its dreamlike qualities. According to legend, it is believed that cyclamen seeds originated from a rabbit that lived on the moon. When the seeds were planted, the emerging blooms were reminiscent of those same bunny ears!
8. Azalea
In Chinese tradition, the appearance of a flowering azalea is recognised as a sign of exceptional good fortune and renewal, heralding fresh beginnings. Flamboyant and festive, these acid-loving shrubs denote prosperity whether planted in the ground or grown in containers. Prized as emblems of abundance, azaleas are also synonymous with contentment in home life. This makes these dazzling ornamentals ideal for gifting as well as growing during the Year of the Dragon, and for many vibrant years to come.
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