Are you looking for a lovely yellow-flowering plant to grow in your garden?
If so, you’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, we share sixty(!) plants with yellow flowers that can be used to brighten up your flower beds and bring some sunshine to your garden displays.
From large trees and golden shrubs to small houseplants and herbs, there is something on this list for everyone that will hopefully inspire you to get planting.
Key Takeaways
- 1) Primrose
- 2) Yellow Archangel
- 3) Gold Dust
- 4) Rockrose
- 5) Daffodil
- 6) Carnation ‘Golden Sceptre’
- 7) Giant Knapweed
- 8) Cup Plant
- 9) Yarrow ‘Moonshine’
- 10) Prickly Pear
- 11) Olympian Mullein
- 12) Creeping Buttercup
- 13) Goldenrod ‘Goldenmosa’
- 14) Yellow Daylily
- 15) Drumsticks
- 16) Yellow Flame Flower
- 17) Yellow Snapdragon
- 18) Bear’s Ear
- 19) Evening Trumpet Flower
- 20) Tulip ‘Yellow Purissima’
- 21) Rough Hawkbit
- 22) Bay Tree
- 23) Laburnum
- 24) Chrysanthemum ‘Yellow Starlet’
- 25) Weeping Forsythia
- 26) Mimosa
- 27) Tickseed ‘Early Sunrise’
- 28) Rose Of Sharon
- 29) Yellow Corydalis
- 30) Hyacinth ‘Yellow Queen’
- 31) Double Meadow Buttercup
- 32) Ludlow’s Tree Peony
- 33) Butterfly Bush ‘Honeycomb’
- 34) Yellow Bells
- 35) Marsh Marigold
- 36) Rose ‘Graham Thomas’
- 37) Meadow Rue
- 38) Black-Eyed Susan
- 39) Freesia ‘Fragrant Sunburst’
- 40) Gold Medallion Tree
- 41) Stalked Bulbine
- 42) Yellow Blanket Flower
- 43) Rose ‘Mountbatten’
- 44) Darwin’s Barberry
- 45) Yellow Garlic ‘Jeannine’
- 46) St John’s Wort
- 47) Pansy ‘Sorbet Yellow Delight’
- 48) Fennel
- 49) Hellebore ‘Yellow Lady’
- 50) Fern-Leaved Beggar Tick
- 51) Persian Buttercup ‘Aviv Yellow’
- 52) Mount Omei Busy Lizzie
- 53) Sunflower ‘Sunsation Yellow’
- 54) Kowhai ‘Sun King’
- 55) Glaucous Scorpion-Vetch
- 56) Winter Aconite
- 57) Yellow Honeysuckle
- 58) Night-Blooming Jasmine
- 59) Everlasting Flower ‘Visual Gold Yellow’
- 60) Chinese Witch Hazel
- References
1) Primrose
- BOTANICAL NAME: Primula vulgaris
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0.1-0.3m spread
Often presenting creamy-yellow flowers that flower in the spring, Primula vulgaris or ‘Common Primrose’ is the perfect way to start this list.
These fragrant flowers are often found in UK gardens as they are easy to plant and are a great choice for filling in any space you may have in your garden beds or borders.
2) Yellow Archangel
- BOTANICAL NAME: Lamium galeobdolon
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Native to the UK and other parts of Europe, yellow archangels are wildflowers that are popular with pollinators and wildlife-friendly gardens.
With glossy leaves and hooded yellow flowers that appear in summer, this hardy perennial grows best in a shaded location and can grow up to 50cm in height with double the spread.
3) Gold Dust
- BOTANICAL NAME: Aurinia saxatilis
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another perennial that is great for pollinators, Aurinia saxatilis, also known as gold dust, flowers from early spring until the end of summer.
This evergreen perennial produces clusters of tiny yellow flowers on thin stems and it will thrive in the well-drained conditions of a rock or gravel garden.
4) Rockrose
- BOTANICAL NAME: Helianthemum nummularium
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Rockrose is, unsurprisingly, another yellow flowering plant that is suited to the dry conditions that rock gardens provide.
With long-lasting blooms and delicate evergreen foliage, rockrose is a relatively easy-to-grow plant if planted in a site that receives plenty of sun.
5) Daffodil
- BOTANICAL NAME: Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0-0.1m spread
A UK garden favourite, daffodils are bulbous perennials that are planted in autumn for flowers that appear as early as February.
Their trumpet-shaped blooms add some colour to garden displays in the darker months and are great for growing with other spring bulbs in a lasagne planting scheme.
6) Carnation ‘Golden Sceptre’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Dianthus ‘Golden Sceptre’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Carnations come in a wide range of wonderful colours, but ‘Golden Sceptre’ is a great choice if you’re after a bright yellow summer bloom.
Preferring an alkaline soil, grow this perennial in full sun in a traditional cottage garden planting scheme or your flower beds and borders.
7) Giant Knapweed
- BOTANICAL NAME: Centaurea macrocephala
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
With frilly flower heads that grow on erect stems up to 1.5m tall, the giant knapweed is a summer-flowering perennial that will need to be lifted and divided regularly to stop it from spreading too much in one place.
However, if you’re willing to put in the time, this hardy plant can make a great addition to most garden displays.
8) Cup Plant
- BOTANICAL NAME: Silphium perfoliatum
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
A shrubby plant that can reach up to 2.5m in height, Silphium perfoliatum has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that would look great at the back of a garden border.
The cup plant will need to be planted in a loam-based growing medium, but once it is established, should be fairly easy to care for.
9) Yarrow ‘Moonshine’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Achillea ‘Moonshine’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
‘Moonshine’ is a yellow flowering variety of yarrow that flowers in summer and autumn, producing clusters of tiny blooms that grow on tall stems.
Beloved by pollinators, grow yarrow in an exposed position in full sun in a wildlife garden or a more traditional cottage planting scheme.
The drought tolerance of this plant makes it a great choice for borders which bake.
10) Prickly Pear
- BOTANICAL NAME: Opuntia polyacantha
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: succulent / houseplant / cactus
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
Typically grown as a houseplant here in the UK, the prickly pear plant is a cactus with a spreading habit that bears yellow flowers throughout the summer months.
These succulents will do best in temperatures of around 18°C, but should not be subject to anything cooler than 10°C as then they will not flower.
11) Olympian Mullein
- BOTANICAL NAME: Verbascum olympicum
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
When grown in a suitable position in full sun with chalk or loam-based growing medium that has an alkaline pH, olympian mullein will produce lovely clusters of pale yellow, bell-shaped flowers in the summer months.
I’d recommend growing this perennial against a wall or trellis at the back of a garden bed so it can add ornamental value to your displays whilst still getting the support it needs.
Though it can seed freely, individual plants are only short-lived perennials.
12) Creeping Buttercup
- BOTANICAL NAME: Ranunculus repens
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Ranunculus repens, also known as the creeping buttercup, is a deciduous, summer-flowering plant that is often seen in grassy fields and is considered a weed here in the UK.
Buttercups are great for planting alongside other summer-flowering perennials in a wildflower meadow display where they can spread freely.
13) Goldenrod ‘Goldenmosa’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Solidago ‘Goldenmosa’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Not only does this woody perennial bear clusters of yellow flowers over the summer, but the stems of ‘Goldenmosa’ that grow up to 1m tall are also a vivid shade of yellow.
This plant needs a sand-based growing medium to flower successfully and cannot cope in moist soil that is prone to waterlogging.
“I love the fuzz of yellow this plant adds to planting schemes and its very uniform height works well with taller plants, such as Verbena bonariensis, poking through it,” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.
14) Yellow Daylily
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: SEMI-EVERGREEN
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Daylilies are lovely garden flowers and this yellow variety is no exception.
With sunny blooms that appear at the start of summer growing from stems 1m in height, daylilies are great for planting in moist soil that can often be too damp for other perennials, like goldenrod ‘Goldenmosa’, to survive in.
15) Drumsticks
- BOTANICAL NAME: Craspedia globosa
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: perennial / annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Drumsticks, botanically known as Craspedia globosas, are usually grown as annuals in UK gardens.
Their unique flowers are spherical in shape and can be used as cut flowers around the home – either when they are freshly harvested or after being dried out.
16) Yellow Flame Flower
- BOTANICAL NAME: Tropaeolum ciliatum
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: climber / shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 4-8m in height, 2.5-4m spread
A large climbing shrub, Tropaeolum ciliatum bears star-shaped yellow flowers with long stamens in the summer and autumn.
Growing up to 8m in height with a 4m spread, this deciduous plant would look great at the back of a border and can even be used for garden hedging if you are willing to take the time to prune it as such.
17) Yellow Snapdragon
- BOTANICAL NAME: Antirrhinum majus ‘Sonnet Yellow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: perennial / annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Snapdragons are popular choices for traditional cottage gardens, and ‘Sonnet Yellow’ is a lovely variety to choose if it’s yellow blooms you are after.
Slightly smaller than other varieties, this snapdragon only grows up to 1m tall and is commonly grown as an annual here in the UK due to its H3 hardiness rating.
18) Bear’s Ear
- BOTANICAL NAME: Primula auricula
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
A small evergreen, bear’s ears produce dainty star-shaped flowers during the spring that can bring some colour to your garden beds or borders at the time of the year when it can be lacking.
This hardy perennial is easy to grow and care for and bears a wonderful aroma when in bloom.
“‘Old Gold’ is one of my favourite yellow cultivars of this plant,” adds Peter.
19) Evening Trumpet Flower
- BOTANICAL NAME: Gelsemium sempervirens
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Another perennial with fragrant flowers, the evening trumpet flower is a spreading shrub that produces star-shaped, tubular blooms throughout the spring and summer months.
20) Tulip ‘Yellow Purissima’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Tulipa ‘Yellow Purissima’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Tulips are lovely spring-flowering bulbs that are usually planted in autumn for a burst of colour at the start of the new year.
‘Yellow Purissima’ produces yellow bowl-shaped flowers that would look delightful if planted in a container display with other spring bulbs like daffodils.
21) Rough Hawkbit
- BOTANICAL NAME: Leontodon hispidus
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0-0.1m spread
Although often mistaken for a weed, rough hawkbit can actually provide great colourful interest in your flower borders, beds or meadows.
The frilly flowers of this hardy perennial are also great for pollinators, so don’t rule this plant out when considering which yellow flowers might make a good addition to your existing displays.
22) Bay Tree
- BOTANICAL NAME: Laurus nobilis
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: herb / shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 8-12m in height, 8m spread
Bay trees are, in fact, evergreen shrubs, and they are most commonly known for their leaves which can be harvested and used as a culinary herb.1Danahy, A. (2020, March 9). Can You Eat Bay Leaves? Healthline. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/can-you-eat-bay-leaves
However, bay trees also produce clusters of small yellow flowers that can make this large shrub stand out in the spring months.
23) Laburnum
- BOTANICAL NAME: Laburnum anagyroides
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: tree
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 4-8m in height, 4-8m spread
Moving on to an actual tree, Common Laburnum grows up to 8m in height and spread and bears blooms of yellowy-gold flowers that hang from cascading branches.
If you have the space in your garden to grow laburnum, I would highly recommend it, as the sunny blooms this tree produces over the first half of the year are truly one-of-a-kind.
24) Chrysanthemum ‘Yellow Starlet’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Chrysanthemum ‘Yellow Starlet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.6m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
With lots of yellow-flowering chrysanthemum varieties to choose from, I’ve gone with ‘Yellow Scarlet’, as its frilly, often daisy-like blooms help to brighten up autumn displays.
Other yellow chrysanthemums include ‘Golden Cheryl’, ‘Honeybush Yellow’ and ‘Beverly Gold’.
25) Weeping Forsythia
- BOTANICAL NAME: Forsythia suspensa
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
A medium-sized shrub, Weeping Forsythia bears trumpet-shaped flowers that are bright yellow and appear in spring.
This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for hedging and natural screening and will also look great when planted in cottage garden schemes.
26) Mimosa
- BOTANICAL NAME: Acacia dealbata
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
- SIZE: 8-12m in height, 2.5-4m spread
Native to parts of Australia and best suited to warmer regions of the UK, the mimosa tree, Acacia dealbata, is an evergreen shrub that, when grown correctly, is truly a sight to behold.
The yellow flowers are made up of long, thin petals that grow in rounded clusters and the foliage is divided into thin slits, giving it a fern-like appearance.
This shrub is not the easiest to grow and might need extra protection over winter, so make sure you do your research before planting Acacia dealbata in your garden displays.
27) Tickseed ‘Early Sunrise’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial / annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is a yellow flowering tickseed that is sometimes grown as an annual in garden beds with other short-lived plants here in the UK.
Flowering in spring, ‘Early Sunrise’ bears ruffled, yellowy-orange blooms that last up until August that will brighten up your existing displays.
28) Rose Of Sharon
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hypericum calycinum
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen / semi-evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / winter
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Hypericum calycinum, more commonly known as the ‘Rose of Sharon’, is a small shrub that produces star-shaped flowers in summer.
A shade-loving plant, this shrub makes a great ground cover and is good for underplanting larger shrubs that would benefit from a living mulch.
29) Yellow Corydalis
- BOTANICAL NAME: Corydalis lutea
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another plant that grows best in the shade, yellow corydalis is an evergreen perennial that flowers from spring to autumn, with clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms appearing from as early as March.
This plant is great for garden beds and borders and will also work well in rock or gravel gardens as it can tolerate drier conditions than many other similar plants.
30) Hyacinth ‘Yellow Queen’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Yellow Queen’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / houseplant
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0-0.1m spread
Hyacinth ‘Yellow Queen’ produces creamy-yellow blooms that grow on erect stems around 20cm tall that would look great in an informal cottage garden.
With fragrant flowers, this plant would also be a lovely addition to a patio display, where you could enjoy its fresh aroma whenever you step outside.
31) Double Meadow Buttercup
- BOTANICAL NAME: Ranunculus acris ‘Flore Pleno’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
With rounded, ruffled flowers that appear in the summer, the double meadow buttercup is a fully-hardy deciduous perennial that works well in traditional cottage garden planting schemes on heavy or damp soils.
32) Ludlow’s Tree Peony
- BOTANICAL NAME: Paeonia ludlowii
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
Ludlow’s Tree Peony is a medium-sized shrub with frilly flowers that open to 12cm in diameter at the end of spring.
This shrub is great for planting near and around roses as it likes similar conditions, but make sure it is positioned somewhere where it will be protected from any strong wind.
33) Butterfly Bush ‘Honeycomb’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Buddleja × weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Buddleja, more aptly named the ‘Butterfly Bush’, is a deciduous shrub that is known for its flowering clusters that are frequented by butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.
‘Honeycomb’ is a stunning yellow variety that you can grow in your wildlife-friendly displays.
34) Yellow Bells
- BOTANICAL NAME: Tecoma stans
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- PLANT TYPE: shrub / tree
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
- SIZE: 6-10m in height, 4-8m spread
With large, trumpet-shaped blooms appearing in winter, the shrubby trumpet flower brings an abundance of sunny flowers that will brighten up even the darkest of days.
I’d recommend growing this frost-tender shrub in a container so you can bring it inside over winter once temperatures start to drop below 5°C.
35) Marsh Marigold
- BOTANICAL NAME: Caltha palustris
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial / aquatic
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Best grown in waterlogged, boggy soil or at the edge of a garden pond, marsh marigold is a small aquatic perennial that is easy to care for once established.
Just make sure you can provide the right growing conditions in your garden for this plant to flower successfully before attempting to grow it.
36) Rose ‘Graham Thomas’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
A climbing shrub that goes up to 1.5m in height and spread, the ‘Graham Thomas’ rose bear cup-shaped, frilly yellow flowers throughout the summer and autumn months.
You can plant several of these shrubs side by side to create some natural screening for privacy in your garden, or, my favourite option, you can also grow this shrub against a trellis for dramatic displays.
37) Meadow Rue
- BOTANICAL NAME: Thalictrum flavum
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Thalictrum flavum, or meadow rue, is a fully-hardy deciduous perennial that bears small fluffy clusters of lemony-yellow flowers from May onwards.
Try growing this plant, which can grow up to 1.5m in height, in mixed perennial displays in your flower beds and borders.
38) Black-Eyed Susan
- BOTANICAL NAME: Rudbeckia fulgida
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
A commonly spotted flower in UK gardens, Black-Eyed Susan is a daisy-like perennial with yellow flowers that have dark brown circular centres.
This low-maintenance plant has long-lasting blooms and can be added to existing garden displays for a splash of colour, while other plants are fading in early autumn.
“My advice – if you’re thinking of growing this plant – is to go big and have a vast swathe, in true prairie garden style,” recommends Peter.
39) Freesia ‘Fragrant Sunburst’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Freesia ‘Fragrant Sunburst’
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This frost-tender perennial will need some added winter protection, particularly in the colder regions of the UK, but if cared for correctly, will reward you with clusters of trumpet-shaped yellow flowers throughout spring and summer.
F. ‘Fragrant Sunburst’ is a delightful bulbous plant that could be grown with daffodils and tulips in a classic container display.
40) Gold Medallion Tree
- BOTANICAL NAME: Cassia leptophylla
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: tree
- FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 4-8m in height, 8-12m spread
Cassia leptophylla, commonly known as the gold medallion tree, is a half-hardy plant that bears bright yellow flowers that grow on drooping stems to create a cascading effect.
Growing up to 8m in height with a 12m spread, make sure you have the room to plant this tree before you purchase it.
“Its hardiness is very much borderline, so only grow it outdoors, without protection, in the south of the UK,” says Peter.
“Having said that, it’s an absolute stunner if you can nurture it through winter.”
41) Stalked Bulbine
- BOTANICAL NAME: Bulbine frutescens
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
With clusters of yellow flowers that unusually are in bloom all year round, the stalked bulbine plant is an evergreen perennial that can spread up to 1.5m – three times its height!
To keep its bright blooms in flower throughout the year, you will need to grow stalked bulbines in an alkaline, loam-based growing medium in a sheltered spot in your garden that gets plenty of sun.
Alternatively, treat it as a houseplant which is moved outdoors over summer.
42) Yellow Blanket Flower
- BOTANICAL NAME: Gaillardia × grandiflora ‘Mesa Yellow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Gaillardia × grandiflora ‘Mesa Yellow’, or just the yellow blanket flower, produces daisy-like flowers on stems that can grow up to around 0.5m in the summer and autumn months.
This plant will look great in your flower borders and beds, and you can also use the cut flowers in your home for stunning displays.
43) Rose ‘Mountbatten’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Rosa ‘Mountbatten’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Another variety of rose, ‘Mountbatten’ is a slightly smaller shrub than ‘Graham Thomson’ but its creamy-yellow blooms are just as beautiful.
44) Darwin’s Barberry
- BOTANICAL NAME: Berberis darwinii
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
A small fruiting shrub, Darwin’s barberry produces orangey-yellow flowers in spring that are followed by black and blue berries that last until August.
This lovely shrub would be great at the back of a garden bed and can also be used as a hedge if you have the time to prune it.
45) Yellow Garlic ‘Jeannine’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Allium moly ‘Jeannine’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Yellow garlic ‘Jeannine’ produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in the summer that are shaped like stars.
This bulbous perennial has unique green foliage that is tinged with a silvery hue, adding more to your garden than just its bright blooms if you decide to grow it.
46) St John’s Wort
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hypericum perforatum
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another star-shaped flower, St John’s wort produces small yellow blooms in the summer months that would be a beautiful addition to a wildflower meadow or another low-maintenance planting scheme.
47) Pansy ‘Sorbet Yellow Delight’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Viola ‘Sorbet Yellow Delight’
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Pansies are a common sight in UK gardens due to their ease of cultivation and their distinct flowers which bring a burst of colour to wherever they are planted.
‘Sorbet Yellow Delight’ is no exception to this and, with deep yellow flowers that are highly fragrant, this evergreen perennial could be perfect for those who are looking for a new variety to try.
48) Fennel
- BOTANICAL NAME: Foeniculum vulgare
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: herb / perennial / biennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 0.1-0.7m spread
With stunning clusters of tiny yellow flowers growing from stems that can reach up to 2.5m tall, fennel is a perennial herb that has lots of culinary uses if you are interested in planting something that will give you more than just a splash of sunny colour.
“Foeniculum vulgare is one plant I can’t live without,” shares Nicola Macnaughton, a Garden Blogger and Designer.
“The umbel-shaped yellow flowers are so striking in summer and the foliage is a fantastic contrast to other leaves.
“It is also culinary and moves so beautifully in the wind – there is so much to love about this plant.”
However, fennel can be invasive if it is allowed to go to seed, so keep that in mind before planting.
49) Hellebore ‘Yellow Lady’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Helleborus × hybridus ‘Yellow Lady’
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Hellebore ‘Yellow Lady’ bears creamy-yellow flowers dotted with red which grow from arching stems up to 50cm in height.
This lovely hybrid variety will brighten up your displays from as early as February and can flower for a few months.
Make sure you grow ‘yellow lady’ in a sheltered position with alkaline soil, as it will not cope well with acidity or strong winds.
Some hellebores will freely seed, but seedlings are rarely the same colour as their parents and can be a less appealing off-white.
50) Fern-Leaved Beggar Tick
- BOTANICAL NAME: Bidens ferulifolia
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: perennial / annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Most commonly grown as an annual here in the UK, Bidens ferulifolia produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that stand out against their thin, silvery-green leaves.
Bidens is best used in your garden beds or borders and it can create a wonderful ground cover, sometimes spreading 3 times its height!
51) Persian Buttercup ‘Aviv Yellow’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Aviv Yellow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
The large ruffled blooms of the Persian buttercup are truly a sight to behold.
I’ve chosen one of my favourite yellow-flowering varieties for this list, ‘Aviv yellow’, because its cup-shaped blooms are long-lasting and can be used for planting in a wide range of schemes.
Other than in the sunniest areas of the south, it is safer to lift these plants or move containers indoors over winter.
52) Mount Omei Busy Lizzie
- BOTANICAL NAME: Impatiens omeiana
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
With unusual flowers that often grow in clusters, Impatiens omeiana is a shade-loving plant that is quite particular about its growing conditions.
This evergreen perennial needs to be planted in a sheltered, shady position that has a loam-based growing medium that does not get waterlogged.
However, if you can meet these demands, it is surprisingly an easy plant to care for once established.
53) Sunflower ‘Sunsation Yellow’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Helianthus annuus ‘Sunsation Yellow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
‘Sunsation Yellow’ is a cultivar of sunflowers that produces flowers that do have the traditional brown centre but also bear more yellowy petals than the most common variety.
With its flower heads reaching nearly 20cm wide, it would make a great patio container display and might need some support so that its tall stem can grow without breaking.
However, this annual is also delightfully compact, so a good choice for containers too.
54) Kowhai ‘Sun King’
- BOTANICAL NAME: Sophora ‘Sun King’
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
A winter-flowering shrub, kowhai ‘Sun King’ bears bell-shaped yellow flowers that stand out against its evergreen foliage that is made up of tiny silvery-green leaves growing, drooping on long branches.
This half-hardy plant would make a really beautiful addition to a traditional cottage garden and would also look great at the back of garden beds.
55) Glaucous Scorpion-Vetch
- BOTANICAL NAME: Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Glaucous Scorpion-Vetch is also a half-hardy evergreen, but this shrub flowers from late spring, producing clusters of bright, fragrant, yellow flowers that last well into summer.
Grow this small shrub in a sheltered location where it will receive plenty of sun.
56) Winter Aconite
- BOTANICAL NAME: Eranthis hyemalis
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: bulb / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter / spring
- SIZE: 0-0.1m in height, 0-0.1m spread
Probably the smallest plant on this list, winter aconite grows to only 10cm in height and spread and produces cup-shaped flowers from late winter that will bring a bit of colour to the bottom of your garden displays.
Plant this bulbous perennial underneath larger shrubs or use it as ground cover at the base of a particular plant.
57) Yellow Honeysuckle
- BOTANICAL NAME: Lonicera flava
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SIZE: 4-8m in height, 2.5-4m spread
Honeysuckle is a stunning UK favourite and this yellow variety is perhaps one of the best.
With tube-shaped blooms that are in a fiery shade of yellowy-orange, this spring-flowering shrub is a great choice for growing against a wall or trellis to add some colour to the back of your borders.
“I love enjoying the heady fragrance of honeysuckles just as the evenings begin rapidly elongating in April,” Peter shares.
58) Night-Blooming Jasmine
- BOTANICAL NAME: Cestrum aurantiacum
- HARDINESS RATING: H3
- PLANT TYPE: shrub / climber
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Another shrub with a climbing habit, night-blooming jasmine produces slender, tubular blooms in large clusters from March through to August.
With fragrant flowers that are most aromatic at night, this plant could be a good choice for a container that can be situated near your home and garden paths.
It will likely need bringing undercover over winter.
59) Everlasting Flower ‘Visual Gold Yellow’
- BOTANICAL NAME: XEROchrysum bracteatum ‘Visual Gold Yellow’
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Although it may look like a sunflower, Helichrysum bracteatum is actually more commonly known as the everlasting flower, producing small sunflower-like blooms during the summer and autumn.
‘Visual Gold Yellow’ is a yellowy-orange variety that would make a great addition to an annual planting display in your flower beds or containers.
60) Chinese Witch Hazel
- BOTANICAL NAME: Hamamelis mollis
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
I’m ending this list with one of my favourites – Chinese Witch Hazel.
This shrub, which can grow up to 4m in height and spread, produces yellow flowers with crinkled petals that resemble paper confetti throughout the winter months.
Its show-stopping blooms are not the only attraction, as its leaves also turn yellow in the autumn before falling off in the winter.
Hopefully, this guide has given you plenty of yellow flowering plants that would be a great option for you and your garden.
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