Plants Kids Love to Touch

Kids can't keep their hands off this selection of fuzzy, vibrant and just plain fun plants.

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Photo By: Image courtesy of Dig. Drop. Done

Photo By: Image courtesy of Johnny's Selected Seeds

Photo By: Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries

Photo By: Image courtesy of Felicia Feaster

Allium

These lollipop-like blooms instantly draw children's attention. 'Globemaster' (pictured) can reach 5 feet, making any garden resemble a real-life Candyland. Just warn the kids that these onion family members don't taste as sweet as they look!

Chenille

Kids love to "pet" the fuzzy, red, catkin-like blooms of the chenille plant, in both its trailing and shrubby forms. Whether you choose to grow chenille indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in-ground, this lovable plant will attract the interest of your garden visitors.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

The fragrant, unusual blooms of this Southern wildflower open up on a rapidly-growing vine in midsummer, attracting butterflies, bees and curious children, of course. Fruits, called maypops, follow the flowers and can be eaten fresh or used to make jelly.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are easy to grow and children will love plucking petals from the towering blooms. Sunflower seeds are an added bonus. Try growing 'Sunforest Mix', which can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet, for a living playhouse.

Lotus Flower

Lotus flowers are beautiful and large, about 6 to 8 inches across. After the blooms are spent, the seed heads dry, forming pockmarked holes in which the seeds rest. When shaken, the seed heads sound like maracas. The leaf is waxy to the touch and has hydrophobic properties; when water drops hit the leaf, they roll around like beads of mercury. Kids love to play with this plant.

Dandelion

Sure, the dandelion has a bad rep, but we can't imagine a childhood without making wishes on dandelions' fuzzy seed heads.

'Bees Jubilee' Clematis

'Bees Jubilee' clematis features pink petals with dark pink striking the center of each petal. Brown anthers with yellow bases add an incredible contrast to this perennial. Kids love to touch the soft petals.

Sedum 'Autumn Fire'

Don't be surprised if you see your kids plucking the succulent foliage or brushing the blooms of this easy-to-grow, low-maintenance sedum. ‘Autumn Fire’ which appears in late summer and thrives in arid climates. The blooms of rosy pink flowers age to a salmon bronze and finish with a deep coppery red.

Scadoxus

The giant globe-like blooms of Scadoxus make you stop in your tracks. Each flower is a red spectacle of fireworks attached to a stem.

Hyacinth

Deep color and a burst of miniature blooms make spring-blooming hyacinth a hit in a children's garden.

Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

The fuzzy stems and leaves of Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) complement its creamy-yellow flowers. In warmer climates, the foliage can be enjoyed year-round.

Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima)

Of the many ornamental grasses that are fun to touch, there's one that truly stands out: The threadlike blades of Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima) feel like hair. You simply can't help running your fingers through this grass.

Verbascum

With its thickness and pubescence, this large-leafed perennial feels like the fuzzy ear of a puppy. Several varieties of verbascum offer pastel-colored flowers that contrast nicely with the silvery leaves, making it a showier alternative to the popular lamb's ear.

'New Day Rose Stripe' Gazania

Bold color makes this gazania an attention-grabber.

Snapdragon

Kids love anything with bright colors, plus the sturdy snapdragon blooms are fun for children to pinch to make the "mouth" open and close.