Yellow flowers always look cheerful as they brighten up garden beds and containers. The range of bloom hues varies wildly, though, from vibrant sunshine yellow to softer, more buttery shades. Whichever yellow flower you choose, it plays well with others. Pair yellows with reds and oranges for a more vibrant display, or with purples and pinks for a cottage-garden look. Here are some of the best yellow flowers to try out in the garden, along with recommendations from the Ⓡ.
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Avens
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With an appearance similar to roses, avens (Geum spp.) bring traditional charm to a garden when they flower in mid-spring. They can be easily propagated by seed or division. Some top BHG Test Garden picks: 'Solid Gold Dancer' and 'Lady Stratheden' (shown).
Growing Conditions: Full sun (though they appreciate afternoon shade) and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 8-24 inches tall and 6-24 inches wide
Zones: 4-9
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Basket-of-Gold
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Basket-of-gold (Aurinia saxatilis) happily grows in the cracks and crevices of the garden. In spring, this groundcover's yellow flowers brighten up the edges of gravel paths and may pop up between stones in a retaining wall. In areas where summers are mild, it grows as a perennial; in locations with very hot summers, consider it an annual.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Zones: 3-7
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Bearded Iris
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Bearded irises need almost no introduction—these romantic, watercolor-like flowers are beloved by both gardeners and floral designers. Sizes range from adorably mini to statuesque. Depending on the type, they can bloom anywhere from early spring to late summer.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 5-48 inches tall
Zones: 3-9
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Begonias
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There are various types of begonias—wax, tuberous, cane, and rhizomatous—each with their own wide range of colors and sizes. These versatile plants are generally easy to grow and will bloom profusely all season long. The 'Eva' hybrid begonia (shown) is particularly striking with its pink-and-yellow petals.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, part sun, or shade, depending on variety; moist, well-drained soil
Size: 6-18 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide
Zones: 7-11
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Bidens
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Bidens may be small, but they work hard in the garden. Use trailing types of this annual or short-lived perennial to fill out containers with their tumbles of yellow flowers. Plant upright varieties as an eye-catching edging for flower beds.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 1-3 feet wide
Zones: 8-11
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Billy Buttons
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These yellow orbs are the closest to a ball of sunshine you can get in the garden. A tender perennial, billy buttons (Pycnosorus globosus) are favorites in floral arrangements either fresh or dried.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Size: 2-3 feet tall and 10-12 inches wide
Zones: 8-11
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Black-Eyed Susan
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Prolifically blooming black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) call to mind summer wildflower fields. They come in both annual and perennial varieties, such as the award-winning 'American Gold Rush' (shown) which is one of the top-performing plants in the BHG Test Garden. Once you've planted them, be prepared to welcome more black-eyed Susans: The plants tend to self-seed.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Size: 1-5 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
Zones: 3-11
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Calibrachoa
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With their cascades of flowers in summer and early fall, calibrachoa are perfect annuals for mixed containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. The BHG Test Garden regularly relies on yellow 'Lemon Slice' to perk up containers with its cheery yellow-and-white flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: up to 6 inches tall; 12-14 inches wide
Zones: annual
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Chrysanthemum
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A late-season garden staple, yellow chrysanthemums can keep the sunshine coming through fall until frost. Most garden mums (distinct from greenhouse-grown florist varieties) are perennials, but if you're planting in the fall when you'll find potted mums for sale everywhere, treat them as annuals because they likely won't survive the winter.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 5-9
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Coneflower
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The birds love them, the bees love them—and so do gardeners. Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are native to North America and are easy to grow. Lots of yellow-hued varieties are available such as 'Leilani' (shown) and 'Sombrero Lemon Yellow,' a newer variety that is one of BHG Test Garden manager Sandra Gerdes's favorites. "It blooms reliably for us all summer," she says.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Zones: 3-9
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Coreopsis
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Coreopsis asks very little of gardeners aside from a sunny spot to grow—in fact, you may have even seen its bright yellow flowers sprouting along the highway. Blooming from summer through fall, coreopsis is available in both annual and perennial varieties. Perennial 'Moonbeam' threadleaf coreopsis (shown) is a favorite in the BHG Test Garden for its pale yellow flowers and fine foliage texture.
Growing Conditions: Full sun (though tolerates part shade) and moist, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Size: 1-4 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
Zones: 3-9
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Crocus
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Sometimes even before the snow has melted, crocus announces that spring is on its way. It's a signal that's even more uplifting when you choose a sunshine-yellow variety of this bulb, like 'Yellow Mammoth,' which "really wakes up the Test Garden in spring with its bold golden color," says Gerdes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 3-6 inches tall and 1-3 inches wide
Zones: 3-8
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Daffodils
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There may be no more iconic spring flower than the daffodil. Some, however, bloom as early as January, allowing you to enjoy daffodils for several months. 'Little Gem' is a classic. "The first daffodil to bloom for us, this small but delightful treasure belongs in every garden," says Gerdes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 4-5 inches tall and wide
Zones: 3-8
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Dahlia
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Dahlias come in an array of sizes, forms, and colors, but the yellow-flowered varieties are especially flashy. Dahlia tubers can be planted in spring; by late summer, you'll have big blooms ready to be shown off in a vase.
Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade
Size: 15 inches to 6 feet tall, depending on variety
Zones: 8-10
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Daylily
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Thank plant breeders for the many shades and shapes of daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) you can find these days. The petals of this summer-blooming perennial take many forms, like the yellow-green 'Green Spider' (shown) or the lightly ruffled 'Happy Returns,' which reblooms throughout summer.
Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and well-draining soil; drought tolerant once established
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3-10
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False Indigo
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False indigo(Baptisiaaustralis) may be best known for its blue-flowered varieties. But other cultivars of this native prairie plant, such as 'Carolina Moonlight' (shown), bloom with spires of yellow flowers starting in spring. "Early to bloom for us, it's a great addition to prairie, meadow, or cottage-style gardens," says Gerdes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 2-4 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3-8
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French Marigold
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Marigolds have long been go-to companions in veggie beds, but these low-maintenance annuals have a beauty that can stand alone. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) come in both pom-pom and single-petal forms, in solid yellow or a mix of fiery colors. There are also other types, including the taller African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), that offer yellow flowers. Growing Conditions:
Size: 6-24 inches tall and 6-18 inches wide
Zones: annual
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Gerbera Daisy
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Gerbera daisies exude optimism in any color, but yellow varieties look especially cheery. These tender perennials can grow year-round in a small number of Hardiness Zones, but can be grown as annuals anywhere.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
Size: 6-18 inches tall and 8-16 inches wide
Zones: 8-10
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Gladiolus
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This old-fashioned flower, originally from South Africa, produces tall flower spikes in mid-summer. Plant gladiolus bulbs in a cutting garden to enhance your homegrown bouquets, or grow them wherever you need a bold splash of color.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 3-6 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Zones: 8-10
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Goldenrod
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A North American native, goldenrod (Solidago spp.) delivers masses of yellow color at the end of summer and fall, just as other parts of the garden may be fading. Each flowerhead is made up of tiny daisy-like flowers, which attract pollinators.
Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 3-5 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide
Zones: 3-9
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Hellebore
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Yellow hellebores bring the sunshine to shady spots. Even better, these perennials bloom in winter and early spring, when there's not much else going on in the garden. Yellow varieties include double 'Sunshine Ruffles' (shown) and BHG Test Garden favorite 'First Dance' from the Wedding Party series.
Growing Conditions: Shade to part shade and moist well-drained soil
Size: 1-3 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4-9
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Lantana
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This plant's tiny tubular blooms, which come in yellow as well as other bright hues, are irresistible to lots of different pollinators. Lantana come in upright varieties, as well as trailing types that are great for hanging baskets.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 16-48 inches wide
Zones: 9-11
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Ligularia
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Got a soggy spot in the garden? Moisture-loving ligularia can handle it, and deliver eye-catching yellow flowers to boot. Depending on the type you choose, the plant may have tall stalks covered in small flowers, such as BHG Test Garden pick 'Midnight Lady,' or looser stalks with larger, daisy-like blooms.
Growing Conditions: Sun to part sun and moist soil
Size: 3-8 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide
Zones: 4-9
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Moss Rose
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Moss rose (Portulaca spp.) may be most recognizable in bright jewel tones, but for a sweet surprise, try a yellow variety. The rose-like flowers of this annual grow on trailing, succulent stems that are drought-tolerant. Growing Conditions:
Size: 4-12 inches tall and 6-16 inches wide
Zones: annual
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Pansies
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Pansies pop up in spring, and then often bring a second round of color in fall. The diminutive size makes these Viola hybrids an ideal filler in a cool season container, especially in an easy accent color like yellow.
Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and well-draining soil
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 4-12 inches wide
Zones: 3-11
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Petunias
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Producing mounds of flowers for months, but also holding up well in tough conditions, petunias have earned their popularity. Breeding work produces ever-more interesting varieties of this annual, such as yellow-flowered options in the Supertunia or Wave collections.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
Size: 6-12 inches tall and 1-4 feet wide
Zones: annual
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Primroses
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The dainty flowers of primroses (Primula spp.) can grow in tight clusters, in a type known as "drumstick primrose," or a candelabra shape. There are more than 400 species of the flower in a rainbow of colors, including every shade of yellow.
Growing Conditions: Part sun or shade (some will tolerate full sun) and well-draining soil
Size: 6-24 inches tall and 6-18 inches wide
Zones: 2-8
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Roses
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A symbol of friendship, yellow roses bring happy energy to the garden too. There are tons of varieties to choose from, such as rambling, thornless 'Yellow Lady Banks' (shown), and more vibrantly hued and strongly fragrant 'Radiant Perfume'.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-draining soil
Size: 2-9 feet tall and 2-15 feet wide
Zones: 3-10
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Sunflower
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Watching a single seed produce a skyscraping sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a garden wonder that never gets old. These summer bloomers come in a huge number of cultivars, including petite branching types and others with two-tone flowers.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-draining soil
Size: up to 10 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide, depending on variety
Zones: 3-11
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Tropical Hibiscus
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To make a backyard feel like a sun-soaked exotic getaway, plant a yellow tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). The big-blooming shrubs thrive in the warmer climates (and even in colder ones, you can make them work by overwintering them indoors).
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
Size: 8' to 15' tall; 4' to 8' wide
Zones: 9-11
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Tulips
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Planting tulip bulbs in the fall is like a gift to your future self: By spring, you'll be rewarded with some of the most joyful flowers around. You can choose from the more traditional Darwin type of tulips, or go with something more unusual like 'Yellow Spider' lily-flowered tulip (shown). Gerdes likes the multi-colored effect of 'Antoinette' tulip, which opens pale yellow, white, and green, and becomes streaked with pink over time.
Growing Conditions: Full or part sun and moist, well-draining soil
Size: 4-30 inches tall
Zones: 3-9
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Violas
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Sweet little violas (Viola tricolor) are irresistible when they start showing up in nurseries along with pansies at the beginning of spring and fall, especially in upbeat shades of yellow. Thriving in cool temperatures, they can be placed in beds or containers for early-season color. Edible violas can be used as garnishes in salads or desserts.
Growing Conditions: Full sun, part sun, or shade and moist, well-draining soil
Size: 2-12 inches tall and 4-10 inches wide
Zones: 2-11
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Wishbone Flower
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The yellow varieties of shade-loving wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) light up darker spots in the garden. Hailing from southeast Asia, the plant is named for the wishbone shape its stamens form. The compact plant is a tender perennial, but typically grown as an annual, blooming reliably from spring until frost.
Growing Conditions: Shade or part sun and moist, well-draining soil
Size: 6-16 inches tall and 6-24 inches wide
Zones: 10-11
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Yarrow
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Gardeners with tougher conditions such as drought, cold temperatures, and poor soil will still be able to grow yarrow (Achillea spp.), a tough, flowering perennial. Yellow varieties like 'Moonshine' (shown here) work well in both cottage gardens and more naturalistic landscapes.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and average soil
Size: 6-24 inches tall and 2-3 feet wide
Zones: 3-10
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Zinnia
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One of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, zinnias are a go-to plant for beginning gardeners. For yellow hues, you can opt for a tall double variety such as 'Benary's Giant Golden Yellow', or a more dainty, daisy-like one, such as BHG Test Garden pick, 'Profusion Yellow' (shown here). Whichever type of zinnia you choose, it will attract tons of pollinators.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-draining soil
Size: 1-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
Zones: annual
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