15 Yellow Flowers That Will Help Your Garden Glow
Your garden will look sunnier this spring and summer with one of these yellow-blossoming plants
Yellow flowers are as close as you’ll get to capturing sunlight in the garden, as their petals glow in a sea of greens, purples, pinks or reds. Look to any of these 15 yellow-flowering great design plants to add that ray of sunshine to your garden. Though most of these flowers bloom in spring and summer in sunny gardens, some prefer the shadier edges of the garden.
Largeflower Bellwort
(Uvularia grandiflora)
Gardeners in eastern U.S. woodlands looking for a native alternative to daffodils, or to other imported bulbs, may consider largeflower bellwort. Plant this spring ephemeral on the edge of a woodland garden, and wait for its nodding yellow flowers to emerge in early spring.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7)
Origin: Eastern North American woodlands, from North Dakota eastward to New Hampshire and southward to Oklahoma in the west and Georgia in the east; absent from Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in Canada
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Shade to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow largeflower bellwort
(Uvularia grandiflora)
Gardeners in eastern U.S. woodlands looking for a native alternative to daffodils, or to other imported bulbs, may consider largeflower bellwort. Plant this spring ephemeral on the edge of a woodland garden, and wait for its nodding yellow flowers to emerge in early spring.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7)
Origin: Eastern North American woodlands, from North Dakota eastward to New Hampshire and southward to Oklahoma in the west and Georgia in the east; absent from Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in Canada
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Shade to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow largeflower bellwort
Lady Banks’ Rose
(Rosa banksiae)
Roses don’t come in maintenance-free versions, but Lady Banks’ is as close as you’re going to get — it’s disease-resistant and generally left alone by aphids. Additionally, this is a thornless rose. Every spring, small slightly fragrant white or yellow flowers grow along arching canes 10 to 20 feet long. With a trellis, the canes of this shrub can be trained to climb up a wall or an arbor, or left to grow as an informal hedge or shrub.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade, but avoid areas with hot, reflected sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow Lady Banks’ rose
(Rosa banksiae)
Roses don’t come in maintenance-free versions, but Lady Banks’ is as close as you’re going to get — it’s disease-resistant and generally left alone by aphids. Additionally, this is a thornless rose. Every spring, small slightly fragrant white or yellow flowers grow along arching canes 10 to 20 feet long. With a trellis, the canes of this shrub can be trained to climb up a wall or an arbor, or left to grow as an informal hedge or shrub.
Bloom season: Spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade, but avoid areas with hot, reflected sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow Lady Banks’ rose
California Flannel Bush
(Fremontodendron californicum)
California flannel bush needs a lot of room, eventually reaching heights of 10 to 20 feet, but its abundance of yellow flowers makes it worth it. This plant’s showstopping spring and summer flowers stand out in native California gardens, and gardeners as far as London have made California flannel bush part of their plantings.
Bloom season: Spring into summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (zones 8 to 10)
Origin: California’s mountains, Arizona and northern Baja California, Mexico
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Fall
See how to grow California flannel bush
(Fremontodendron californicum)
California flannel bush needs a lot of room, eventually reaching heights of 10 to 20 feet, but its abundance of yellow flowers makes it worth it. This plant’s showstopping spring and summer flowers stand out in native California gardens, and gardeners as far as London have made California flannel bush part of their plantings.
Bloom season: Spring into summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (zones 8 to 10)
Origin: California’s mountains, Arizona and northern Baja California, Mexico
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Fall
See how to grow California flannel bush
Hartweg’s Sundrops
(Calylophus hartwegii)
A southwestern U.S. native, Hartweg’s sundrops mounds across the arid landscape, contrasting the more architectural plants of the region with its soft texture and golden flowers. This is an evening-opening flower, attracting nighttime pollinators like hawk moths. Each flower lasts for just one day, closing the following afternoon and fading to a pale orange.
Bloom season: Late spring to early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (Zone 5)
Origin: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow Hartweg’s sundrops
(Calylophus hartwegii)
A southwestern U.S. native, Hartweg’s sundrops mounds across the arid landscape, contrasting the more architectural plants of the region with its soft texture and golden flowers. This is an evening-opening flower, attracting nighttime pollinators like hawk moths. Each flower lasts for just one day, closing the following afternoon and fading to a pale orange.
Bloom season: Late spring to early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 29 degrees Celsius (Zone 5)
Origin: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow Hartweg’s sundrops
Rocky Mountain Zinnia
(Zinnia grandiflora)
Low-growing Rocky Mountain zinnia scrambles along dry slopes and mesas where other flowering plants may struggle. This Southwest native may not be one of the region’s most popular plants, but gardeners might want to consider it for its airy appearance, which softens arid gardens, and for its tough demeanor that stands up to the extreme conditions.
Bloom season: Early summer to frost
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 7)
Origin: Southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow Rocky Mountain zinnia
(Zinnia grandiflora)
Low-growing Rocky Mountain zinnia scrambles along dry slopes and mesas where other flowering plants may struggle. This Southwest native may not be one of the region’s most popular plants, but gardeners might want to consider it for its airy appearance, which softens arid gardens, and for its tough demeanor that stands up to the extreme conditions.
Bloom season: Early summer to frost
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 7)
Origin: Southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow Rocky Mountain zinnia
‘Redshift’ Tickseed
(Coreopsis ‘Redshift’)
Plant ‘Redshift’ tickseed, a Coreopsis cultivar, alongside red-flowering plants to really make it pop. This daisy-like flower is pest- and disease-tolerant and will stand out in the xeriscape garden.
Bloom season: Summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Origin: Garden cultivar; Coreopsis is native to North America
Water requirement: Minimal once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow ‘Redshift’ tickseed
(Coreopsis ‘Redshift’)
Plant ‘Redshift’ tickseed, a Coreopsis cultivar, alongside red-flowering plants to really make it pop. This daisy-like flower is pest- and disease-tolerant and will stand out in the xeriscape garden.
Bloom season: Summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 8)
Origin: Garden cultivar; Coreopsis is native to North America
Water requirement: Minimal once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow ‘Redshift’ tickseed
Black-Eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan might be the country’s most popular native yellow flower, with its daisy-like blooms appearing in gardens from coast to coast every summer. From highway roadsides to cottage-style cutting gardens, black-eyed Susan draws admiration from gardeners and native wildlife alike.
Bloom season: Mid to late summer, often into early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: U.S. and Canada
Water requirement: Regular at first; drought-tolerant once established
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; does best in full sun
When to plant: Put nursery plants in the ground from late spring through midsummer; sow seeds in fall or spring
See how to grow black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan might be the country’s most popular native yellow flower, with its daisy-like blooms appearing in gardens from coast to coast every summer. From highway roadsides to cottage-style cutting gardens, black-eyed Susan draws admiration from gardeners and native wildlife alike.
Bloom season: Mid to late summer, often into early fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37.2 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: U.S. and Canada
Water requirement: Regular at first; drought-tolerant once established
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade; does best in full sun
When to plant: Put nursery plants in the ground from late spring through midsummer; sow seeds in fall or spring
See how to grow black-eyed Susan
Blanketflower
(Gaillardia aristata)
Blanketflower, with its yellow disk flowers, is also a sunny addition to the summer garden. Its maroon center and colorful red-edged petals distinguishes it from other daisy-like flowers. This Plains and prairie native thrives in heat and also attracts pollinators and songbirds.
Bloom season: Summer to frost
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7)
Origin: Both sides of the Rocky Mountains, south to eastern Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Kansas; in Canada, native from British Columbia to Saskatchewan
Water requirement: Needs water only in prolonged dry spells once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Seeds in spring; potted plants in fall or late spring
See how to grow blanketflower
(Gaillardia aristata)
Blanketflower, with its yellow disk flowers, is also a sunny addition to the summer garden. Its maroon center and colorful red-edged petals distinguishes it from other daisy-like flowers. This Plains and prairie native thrives in heat and also attracts pollinators and songbirds.
Bloom season: Summer to frost
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7)
Origin: Both sides of the Rocky Mountains, south to eastern Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Kansas; in Canada, native from British Columbia to Saskatchewan
Water requirement: Needs water only in prolonged dry spells once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Seeds in spring; potted plants in fall or late spring
See how to grow blanketflower
Upright Prairie Coneflower
(Ratibida columnifera)
It’s easy to see why upright prairie coneflower’s other common name is Mexican hat, with its dramatic seed heads popping up above feathery yellow petals. Plant this adaptable and resilient prairie native in a sea of grasses or a more naturalistic border, and it will attract a variety of wildlife while it competes against less-desirable plants.
Bloom season: Summer through fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: Primarily the Great Plains, from western Minnesota south to Arkansas and eastern Texas, and west to Montana in the north and Arizona in the south; it is naturalized in California, as well as in areas in several states east of the Mississippi River
Water requirement: No supplemental water needed once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in spring to midfall; sow seeds in late fall through midwinter
See how to grow upright prairie coneflower
(Ratibida columnifera)
It’s easy to see why upright prairie coneflower’s other common name is Mexican hat, with its dramatic seed heads popping up above feathery yellow petals. Plant this adaptable and resilient prairie native in a sea of grasses or a more naturalistic border, and it will attract a variety of wildlife while it competes against less-desirable plants.
Bloom season: Summer through fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)
Origin: Primarily the Great Plains, from western Minnesota south to Arkansas and eastern Texas, and west to Montana in the north and Arizona in the south; it is naturalized in California, as well as in areas in several states east of the Mississippi River
Water requirement: No supplemental water needed once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in spring to midfall; sow seeds in late fall through midwinter
See how to grow upright prairie coneflower
Red-Hot Poker
(Kniphofia spp.)
The flowers of red hot poker glow in shades of orange and yellow as they project above their strappy foliage like flickering torches. You’re most likely to see hybrids and cultivars at the nursery, available in a range of colors and sizes. This drought- and heat-tolerant plant attracts hummingbirds and resists deer.
Bloom season: Summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 10), depending on species
Origin: Africa
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow red-hot poker
(Kniphofia spp.)
The flowers of red hot poker glow in shades of orange and yellow as they project above their strappy foliage like flickering torches. You’re most likely to see hybrids and cultivars at the nursery, available in a range of colors and sizes. This drought- and heat-tolerant plant attracts hummingbirds and resists deer.
Bloom season: Summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 10), depending on species
Origin: Africa
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow red-hot poker
Lavender Cotton
(Santolina chamaecyparissus)
Yellow button flowers top lavender cotton’s gray-green foliage every summer, adding a burst of bright color to the late-summer garden. This heat-loving Mediterranean native can handle just about anything, including deer, drought, wind and coastal conditions. It’s also considered a fire-wise planting.
Bloom season: Mid to late summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 9)
Origin: Mediterranean
Water requirement: Regular to establish; occasional once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Plant seedlings in early summer; divide in spring or fall
See how to grow lavender cotton
(Santolina chamaecyparissus)
Yellow button flowers top lavender cotton’s gray-green foliage every summer, adding a burst of bright color to the late-summer garden. This heat-loving Mediterranean native can handle just about anything, including deer, drought, wind and coastal conditions. It’s also considered a fire-wise planting.
Bloom season: Mid to late summer
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 9)
Origin: Mediterranean
Water requirement: Regular to establish; occasional once established
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Plant seedlings in early summer; divide in spring or fall
See how to grow lavender cotton
Maximilian Sunflower
(Helianthus maximiliani)
Late-blooming Maximilian sunflower shines among the native prairie grasses as they turn copper, bronze or gold in late summer or fall. Its large flowers stand atop tall flower stalks, filling the garden with beautiful blooms that also provide important forage for pollinators and other beneficial insects at a time when not much else is blooming.
Bloom season: Late summer and fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 8)
Origin: North America except Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Vermont and New Hampshire in the U.S.; in Canada it does not occur on Prince Edward Island or in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or the Canadian territories
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow Maximilian sunflower
(Helianthus maximiliani)
Late-blooming Maximilian sunflower shines among the native prairie grasses as they turn copper, bronze or gold in late summer or fall. Its large flowers stand atop tall flower stalks, filling the garden with beautiful blooms that also provide important forage for pollinators and other beneficial insects at a time when not much else is blooming.
Bloom season: Late summer and fall
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 8)
Origin: North America except Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Vermont and New Hampshire in the U.S.; in Canada it does not occur on Prince Edward Island or in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or the Canadian territories
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Spring
See how to grow Maximilian sunflower
Winter Jasmine
(Jasminum nudiflorum)
Neither frost nor snow can stop winter jasmine from blooming in the midst of winter. Bees appreciate this early source of nectar, and birds may make their home in its twiggy branches. This scrambling plant can fill many garden roles and is often grown as a gound cover, planted over retaining walls or tied and used as a climber. Its delicate yellow flowers also make great cut flowers.
Bloom season: Late fall and winter
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 9)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow winter jasmine
(Jasminum nudiflorum)
Neither frost nor snow can stop winter jasmine from blooming in the midst of winter. Bees appreciate this early source of nectar, and birds may make their home in its twiggy branches. This scrambling plant can fill many garden roles and is often grown as a gound cover, planted over retaining walls or tied and used as a climber. Its delicate yellow flowers also make great cut flowers.
Bloom season: Late fall and winter
Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 9)
Origin: China
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow winter jasmine
‘Charity’ Oregon Grape
(Mahonia x media ‘Charity’)
This hummingbird favorite produces clusters of fragrant yellow flowers each winter. ‘Charity’ Oregon grape has more to offer than its flowers, as it also features stiff, holly-like leaves and purple winter berries. This architectural shrub makes a great garden specimen in a container or planted border.
Bloom season: Winter
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9)
Origin: Garden hybrid
Water requirement: Drought-tolerant once established
Light requirement: Full sun to dappled shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow ‘Charity’ Oregon grape
Tell us: Do you have a favorite yellow flower growing in your garden? Share a photo in the Comments.
More
See more Houzz guides to colorful flowers
4 Ways to Perk Up Your Outdoor Spaces With Color
(Mahonia x media ‘Charity’)
This hummingbird favorite produces clusters of fragrant yellow flowers each winter. ‘Charity’ Oregon grape has more to offer than its flowers, as it also features stiff, holly-like leaves and purple winter berries. This architectural shrub makes a great garden specimen in a container or planted border.
Bloom season: Winter
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 15 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9)
Origin: Garden hybrid
Water requirement: Drought-tolerant once established
Light requirement: Full sun to dappled shade
When to plant: Spring or fall
See how to grow ‘Charity’ Oregon grape
Tell us: Do you have a favorite yellow flower growing in your garden? Share a photo in the Comments.
More
See more Houzz guides to colorful flowers
4 Ways to Perk Up Your Outdoor Spaces With Color
Carolina Jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens)
As winter winds down, Carolina jessamine’s golden blooms announce spring’s arrival. This native southern U.S. vine can often be seen climbing and scrambling on fences and along porch railings in the South, as its fragrant, long-lasting blooms and easy-to-manage growth make it a popular plant.
Caution: This plant is toxic to humans if ingested; wear gloves when pruning, because the sap may irritate sensitive skin.
Bloom season: Late winter or early spring
Cold tolerance: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 10)
Origin: Southeastern U.S.
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun
When to plant: Fall
See how to grow Carolina jessamine