Here are 18 great choices for bulbs, annual, perennials, and shrubs with gorgeous yellow blooms. Daffodils are sometimes naturalized in lawns, creating drifts of color in the early spring before turf grasses take over.
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8Color Varieties: Yellow, white, pink, orangeSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist
If you have planted a named cultivar of this plant, the many volunteer seedlings may not come true to the parent plant. Over time, this may cause the look of the plants to degrade.
USDA Growing Zones: 4–8Color Varieties: Yellow blooms, flecked with brownSun Exposure: Part shade to full shadeSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained
These plants do not do well in hot, humid weather, so in hot climates, some gardeners find it easiest to grow this plant as an annual, removing old plants as they fade in late summer and planting new ones in late fall or early spring.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–7Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to average moisture, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 5–7Color Varieties: Golden yellow flowersSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, rich, well-drained
One popular form is ‘Arnold Promise’ (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’), which has fragrant yellow flowers and yellow-to-orange-to-red fall color. There are other types of witch hazel plants that bloom in late fall, though the blooms are not as spectacular.
USDA Growing Zones: 5–9Color Varieties: Yellow (sometimes orange or red) bloomsSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained, acidic
This plant flowers on previous year’s wood, so if pruning is needed, do it immediately after flowering is finished.
USDA Growing Zones: 4–9Color Varieties: Yellow blooms; greenish-yellow barkSun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 5–9Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Loose, medium moisture, well-drained
USDA Growing Zones: 3–7Color Varieties: Yellow blooms; dark green foliageSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Damp
Care needs differ widely depending on the type, but one common denominator is that all iris need soil that drains well. Even the moisture-loving forms do not do well when planted in dense soils high in clay content.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 Color Varieties: Yellow, blue, purple, lavender, white Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Needs: Varies, depending on variety
‘Stella’ has other admirable qualities. It is a short-statured plant that doesn’t require staking to support the flower stalks. It is not at all fussy about its soil conditions and usually thrives without feeding and with little water other than available rainfall.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9Color Varieties: Golden yellowSun Exposure: Full sun; tolerates some afternoon shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained; tolerate poor soils
Yarrow can spread somewhat uncontrollably when growing in an ideal location so be prepared to remove self-seeded volunteers.
USDA Growing Zones: 5–8Color Varieties: Yellow, pink, redSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained
Be wary about allowing these plants to go to seed if you live in one of the regions where it is considered invasive. In some areas of the Midwest, for example, common sunflower is considered a noxious weed.
USDA Growing Zones: Grown as annuals in all zonesColor Varieties: Yellow, orange, mahogany, bi-colorsSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Average moisture, well-drained; good tolerance for dry soils
The main selling feature of the black-eyed Susan is that it is very easy to grow and has one of the longest bloom periods of any perennial flower—from early summer into mid-autumn. Growing to a height of 2 to 3 feet, the flowers resemble yellow daisies or small sunflowers—which is no surprise, since all of these flowers are members of the huge Asteraceae (daisy) family of plants.
Because it will flower in its first year when grown from seed, this short-lived perennial is often grown as an annual. It will also self-seed readily, perpetuating itself with new plants.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–7Color Varieties: Yellow to orange-yellow; brown centersSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained; good tolerance for dry conditions
USDA Growing Zones: 3–8Color Varieties: YellowSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Dry to medium moisture, well-drained; good tolerance for arid soils
Arctic poppies grow 1 to 2 feet tall and bloom in late spring and early summer. The slender leafless flower stalks extend up from low-growing foliage, causing the papery flowers to seemingly float.
USDA Growing Zones: 2–7; usually grown as annuals or biennialsColor Varieties: Yellow; some variations are orange, salmon, rose, pink, cream, or white Sun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Rich, evenly moist, well-drained
Narcissiflora azalea (Rhododendron ‘Narcissiflora’) is a Ghent hybrid azalea that bears yellow flowers in June. It is hardy in zones 5-8. Rhododendron ‘Golden Oriole’ starts orange but then develops a yellow color. It is grown in zones 5-8. Golden Lights azalea (Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’) is hardy in zones 3-8. The flowers are golden yellow. Solar Flare Sunbow azalea (Rhododendron ‘Solar Flare Sunbow’) is hardy in zones 5-9. The flowers have an unusual honeysuckle fragrance. Admiral Semmes Native Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Admiral Semmes’ ) is a native North American azalea with bright yellow fragrant flowers. It is hardy in zones 6-9.
Although the hardiness range depends on the variety, all azaleas have similar cultural needs:
USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 (depends on variety)Color Varieties: Yellow, red, purple, pink, whiteSun Exposure: Part shadeSoil Needs: Humusy, well-drained, acidic
This is a very hardy plant, thriving as far north as zone 3. If you wish, you can cut it right down to the ground in early spring to keep it compact. This hard pruning does not affect flowering, as this plant blooms on new growth. Potentilla is a good candidate where you’re looking to create a low shrub border. Its leaves have a fine texture, useful for creating contrasts with plants of a coarse texture.
USDA Growing Zones: 3–7Color Varieties: Yellow; pink, white, and orange cultivars are also available.Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
The most common species for gardening are the African marigolds (T. erecta), and French marigolds (T. patula). The African marigold cultivars can be much larger plants, growing as high as 4 feet with large double flowers up to 4 inches across. French marigolds are more petite, growing no more than 1 foot tall with single or double flowers 1 to 2 inches across. Both types have fragrant foliage and flowers that are said to deter destructive garden insects. Marigolds are often planted among vegetables in organic gardens. Deer are also repelled by the scent of marigolds.
USDA Growing Zones: Grown as annuals in all zonesColor Varieties: Yellow, orange, mahogany red, whiteSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Evenly moist, well-drained
