Daffodils are perhaps the best-known yellow flower, but it sure ain’t the only one. In fact, there are many popular yellow flowers you can plant in your yard.
We decided to put together a list of our 30 favorite yellow flowers organized alphabetically. This is one vibrant, fun post… not to mention absolutely stunning to look at. Enjoy!
Related: Sun-Loving Flowers | Water-Loving Flowers | Shade-Loving Flowers | Types of Flowers | Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Types of Artemisia Flowers | Types of Flower Colors
A. Shades of Yellow Chart
Let’s kick off with a chart setting out many shades of yellow. Note, this chart does not set out every shade of yellow – just a spectrum.
B. 30 Types of Pretty Yellow Flowers
Next up is our picks for the best, as in prettiest, yellow flowers.
1. Begonia
Begonia is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant that has a yellow flower. The species Begonia rex group are the most well-known begonias. This includes Begonia ixioides and Begonia semperflorens, which are both popular ornamental plants. They have long, narrow leaves with their stems curving upwards at the ends and can reach between twelve and twenty-five inches in height.
Scientific Name: Begonia obliqua
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full sunlight to partial shade, depending on the variety
Water Needs: High – water regularly and keep the soil moist
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.2
2. Bird of Paradise
A bird of paradise flower is a unique type of orchid. It is a pale yellow/orangy-yellow color.
Scientific Name: Strelitzia
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
3. Black-Eyed Susan
The black-eyed susan flower is a type of flower that has leaves, which are purple in color, and bright yellow petals. These flowers have wide flat petals and grow in an upward position on long stalks.
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate – provide enough water to soak the roots
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Soil: pH 6.8 – 7.7
4. Bulbine
Scientific Name: Bulbine frutescens
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High – water regularly but don’t overwater
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.1 – 7.8
5. Carolina Yellow Jasmine (Jessamine)
This flower is a bright yellow color with green and red veins on it. It usually has 5 petals, but can range from 3-9.
Scientific Name: Gelsemium sempervirens
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Soil: pH 4.9 – 8.3
6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, aka “mums” are very popular yellow flowers commonly planted in gardens. Since they do well with full sunlight, they make for a great garden flower.
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: around pH 6.5
7. Coreopsis
I simply love the appearance of the coreopsis flower with the stark contrast of bright yellow petals and dark red center. Stunning.
Scientific Name: Coreopsis
Type: Perennials
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High- water regularly until established
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: < pH 6.8
8. Craspedia
Craspedia flowers look like whispy yellow balls or bulbs on thin stems. A lush garden with these flowers would look like a fluffy bed of yellow.
Scientific Name: Craspedia globosa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 5.8 to 6.5
9. Daffodil
Daffodils are perhaps the most famous yellow flowers. Their three-dimensional blooms along with the fact that they are a sign that spring has sprung makes them popular. I love seeing a yard full of blooming daffodils. It’s too bad the blooms don’t last long.
Scientific Name: Narcissus
Type: Perennials
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: High – need lots of water while growing
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.0
10. Daisy
Daisies are some of the smaller yellow flowers you can plant.
Scientific Name: Bellis perennis
Type: Perennial, but is often treated as an annual flower
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 to 7.0
11. Daylily
The strain of perennial flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis is typically found once or twice a year. It produces large, eight-petalled flowers with showy stamens and usually remains well-hidden in its foliage until just before bloom.
Scientific Name: Hemerocallis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – watering is most important during Spring and Summer
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 to 6.5
12. Dutch Hyacinth
Hyacinths are very easy to grow but they will only bloom once per year in the spring. If you give them the proper care, these beautiful flowers will bloom back again every year.
Scientific Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 10 – 11
Soil: pH 6.6 to 7.5
13. Freesia
These amazing flowers originated from Africa and most of them are can be found in South Africa. They bloom in the spring and need to be under 21 degrees Celsius.
Scientific Name: Freesia spp.
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Moderate – enough water to keep the soil moist
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.5
14. Goldenrod
Goldenrods are mostly found in North America, they are the official state flower of Nebraska and Kentucky.
Scientific Name: Solidago
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low – drought tolerant, needs minimal amount of water
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Soil: pH 5.5 – 7.5
15. Graham Thomas Rose
These beautiful roses are very easy to grow and their blooms will last from spring to frost. They are a great addition to any garden in need of a simple way to get some extra colors added.
Scientific Name: Rosa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Soil: pH 5.6 – 6.0
16. Jungle Geranium
As you can see jungle geranium is made up of small yellow flowers.
Scientific Name: Ixora coccinea
Type: Annual Shrub
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate – water during active growth period
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
Soil: pH 5 – 5.5
17. Marigold
Marigolds are an amazing addition to any garden, they can grow up to 48 inches in height and will bloom in every season except for winter.
Scientific Name: Tagetes
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sunlight to Partial Shade
Water Needs: Low – once per week but more during warmer months
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
18. Prickly Pear (with Yellow Flowers)
Prickly Pears are part of the cactus family. The bloom between Spring and Summer and will typically yield 8-16 fruits with their blooms.
Scientific Name: Opuntia humifusa
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low – once every two to three weeks
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
Soil: pH 6.1 – 7.8
19. Primrose
This beautiful flower can bloom in December on mild winters but will typically bloom in March. These flowers grow in beautiful clusters that would be an amazing addition to any garden.
Scientific Name: Primula vulgaris
Type: Either annual or perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.5
20. Ranunculus
Ranunculus flowers are beautiful flowers, their blossoms look like roses and their petals are extremely thin. They grow in various tones of yellow so you will never get bored of looking at them.
Scientific Name: Ranunculus
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low – once a week until fall comes around
Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11
Soil: pH 6.0 – 6.5
21. Snapdragon
Snapdragons are low growing plants, they can get very bushy if they are taken care of correctly. You can get them to look their best by removing old flowers for new one’s to bloom.
Scientific Name: Antirrhinum
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 8 or 9
Soil: pH 5.5 – 6.2
22. Sunflower
The mighty sunflower is definitely a tall yellow flower, if not the tallest.
Scientific Name: Helianthus
Type: Annual/Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Moderate – drought tolerant but grows better if watered regularly
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0 – 7.5
23. Waterlily
These amazing flowers are perfect for people with bodies of water in their garden that they’d like to decorate. They grow in various shades of yellow in the the form of a cup. Water Lillys are more prominent during the Summer months.
Scientific Name: Nyphaea hollandia
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High
Hardiness Zones: 1 to 11
24. Yarrow
Yarrows are a herb that can grow up to 70 CM tall. They are tall and slender with domed shaped clusters of flowers on the top.
Scientific Name: Achillea
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low – low-maintenance and drought-tolerant
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 4.7 – 8.0
25. Yellow Butterfly Bush
The Yellow Butterfly Bush looks beautiful in any garden. The flowers grow in clusters at the end of the stem, the flowers have an orange center with yellow petals around. They usually grow late in the summer.
Scientific Name: Buddleia davidii
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 7.0
26. Yellow Carnation
Carnations are usually a big flower that surrounds several smaller flowers growing lower on the stalk. Yellow carnations don’t have the best meaning out there but they would certainly look amazing in a garden.
Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Type: Perennials
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Moderate – water once or twice weekly
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Soil: pH 6.7
27. Yellow Hibiscus
Yellow Hibiscus are trumpet shaped flowers, with the center of the flower always having unique colors that gradually turn yellow. These beautiful flowers are the official state flower of Hawaii.
Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – needs large amount of water during blooming stage
Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Soil: < pH 7.0
28. Yellow Pansy
Yellow Pansies usually grow during spring or fall. Each Pansy grows in different shapes, their petals grow indifferent positions and their centers are dark, this gives them a very unique appearance when you have several blooming at the same time.
Scientific Name: Viola pedunculata
Type: Perennial
Sun: Full Sunlight or Partial Shade
Water Needs: High – Needs to be watered regularly
Hardiness Zones: 7 and higher
Soil: pH 5.4 – 5.8
29. Yellow Tulip
Yellow tulips, like all tulips, make great bouquets for inside of your home as well. You may also like: 100+ Plants and Flowers that Start with “B”
Scientific Name: Tulipa
Type: Perennial or Annual depending on the climate
Sun: Full Sunlight
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
Soil: pH 6.0-7.0
30. Zinnia
We would recommend that you grow Zinnias in relatively big numbers, watching this bushy flowers blossom at the same time is a spectacle to witness. They will lighten up any garden with their bright colors.
Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
Type: Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Water Needs: Low
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
Soil: pH 5.5 – 7.5
C. Trees with yellow flowers
There are a good number of trees with yellow flowers. Here are my favorites.
1. Golden chain tree
Laburnum watereri ‘Vossii” – Golden chain tree with yellow flowers
2. Acacia dealbata
Yellow flowers of acacia dealbata
Close up of yellow flowers on acacia dealbata tree
3. Cassia leptophylla tree
The bright yellow flowers of a Cassia leptophylla tree
4. Yellow sibipiruna flowers (Caesalpinia peltophoroides)
Yellow sibipiruna flowers (Caesalpinia peltophoroides) apr24
D. Examples of cacti and succulents with yellow flowers
Pear cactus
Prickly pears cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) with golden flowers
Cactus with a big yellow flower. Acanthocalycium griceum
Hamato cactus
Purple Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus with Yellow Flowers
Yellow petal Astrophytum cactus flower
E. Examples of a hanging basket with all yellow flowers (petunias)
Should you use only yellow flowers in your garden?
Most people don’t. Most people incorporate a variety of colors however, a purely yellow flower garden could be impressive. Here’s an example of a front yard almost all yellow flowers:
What’s the most popular color for flowers?
It’s close; very close. But based on search volume, white flowers are the most popular. Here’s a trend chart for the last five years:
FAQ
What do yellow flowers mean?
Yellow flowers take on a variety of shades that give them different meanings. The yellow roses indicate affection, warmth, and jealousy or infidelity.
Tansies take on hope, health and protection. Sunflowers take on a different tone, which means “false riches” because of a former belief that they contained real gold. Black-eye Susans have a similar appearance, and they signify justice. Daffodils come in a bright yellow that symbolizes “new beginnings.”
Which trees have yellow flowers?
1. The Trumpet Tree
It has golden-yellow blossoms that peak in the spring. This tree holds up well in warm climates.
2. Cassia Tree
The Cassia’s bright yellow flower clusters usually look exquisite in a circular driveway landscape design. The Cassia blooms in both spring and fall.
3. Ylang Ylang
This tree has yellow flowers with long petals. They resemble lilies.
4. Butterfly Magnolias
Canary yellow blossoms usually appear right at the beginning of spring. They bring good cheer to a bare-branched, winter landscape.
5. Kousa Dogwood
This tree has pinwheel-shaped, pale-yellow flowers. It grows best in full sun or partial shade.
6. Golden Chain Tree
The name seems appropriate when you look at its yellow “chains” (or strings) of flowers. They thrive best in moderate temperatures.
7. Golden Rain Tree
Green seed pods show up in the fall, but it grows strings of yellow flowers on branches during the spring and summer.
8. Julia Child Rose Tree
The Julia Child plant has large, bright yellow rose blossoms on it that appear in early to late summer. The flowers have a licorice aroma.
9. Yellow Buckeye
These trees have capsule-shaped flowers. The green foliage turns orange in the fall.
10. Forsythia
This miniature flowering tree has flower petals that resemble small lilies. Unlike lily plants, they cluster in a string that measures about a foot long.
Which flowers complement yellow flowers nicely?
Different shades of purple usually complement yellow flowers. Lavender calibrachoas and yellow Bidens ferulifolia come in the correct opposite shades and similar flower “style.” Yellow lilies and purple clematis pair well together too.
The purple clematis also pairs well with the golden barberry. Bright pink or bright orange colors also would match well with yellow flowers, and so would pastel, medium or dark blue.
Do yellow flowers attract bees?
Yes, yellow flowers attract bees. It’s best to choose flowers that need quite a bit of light where bees hang out.
Are yellow flowers rare?
No, you’ll find dozens of varieties of yellow flowers on trees, bushes and shrubs.
Does aloe vera have yellow flowers?
Yes, aloe vera does have yellow flowers. It’s a common color for this plant.