Yellow flowers are so bright and cheery, how could you NOT love them? They add little bits of sunshine to any garden area or outdoor pots. You’re sure to find some fabulous ideas in this list of 21 of the best yellow blooming annuals and perennials.
Who doesn’t love yellow flowers? It’s such a happy color, it never fails to brighten your mood, and sometimes even your day.
Plus they really stand out in any garden, and make your outdoor containers pop too. Heck, you could create an entire bed just using these plants, and it would be fantastic – with constant blooms from early spring through fall!
Well, if you’re looking for yellow blooms, either annuals or perennials, to add to your beds or summer containers, then this list is for you!
There are so many to choose from, I won’t even attempt to get close to naming them all here. But, I did wanted to compile a list of some of my favorites.
21 Of The Best Yellow Flowers For Your Garden
Like I said, this list of the best yellow flowers is far from comprehensive. However, there should be something here for everyone who wants to add some stunning yellow blossoms into their gardens.
1. Calibrachoa – These tender perennials with trailing foliage do well in zones 9+ in the direct sun. Calibrachoas are a great plant to mix in your beds, or to put in hanging flower baskets.
2. Dahlia – These beautiful tropical perennials have underground tubers that will survive as long as the ground doesn’t freeze. They can be used as annuals in colder climates.
Dahlia plants grow 36-48” tall in the full sun. There are a few different types with yellow flowers, and the dinner plate varieties have huge blooms that are spectacular in both the ground or in pots.
Yellow tipped white ‘Starsister’ dahlia
3. Cosmos – Cosmos are a fantastic annual flower that makes a great backdrop for shorter plants in your garden.
They love the sun, and will grow 24-48” tall. The varieties with yellow blossoms are very eye-catching against their delicate green foliage.
4. Canna Lilies – Though they are tender perennials, cannas do well in any climate. They will grow 3-8ft high in a sunny spot.
The light yellow varieties are spectacular when paired with dark green foliage, and add a wonderful tropical feel to any garden. Learn how to grow cannas here.
Light yellow tropical canna lily flowers
5. Portulaca (aka: moss rose) – Portulaca, or moss rose, is an annual plant that likes sun to part shade, and is drought tolerant. It makes a super cute ground cover with its succulent looking foliage, and bold, colorful flowers.
6. Marigold – This bright and cheery annual does well in sun to partial shade, and will grow 6-12” tall. Marigolds make an excellent border plant, and attract bees.
With their bright yellow blossoms against the dark green leaves, they add a pop to any area, and command attention!
Little yellow marigold flower
7. Coreopsis (aka: golden tickseed) – These lovely annuals prefer sun to part shade, and will be 18-24” high.
The delicate looking flowers of the coreopsis dance in the breeze, and make your garden come to life. They act like perennials because they reseed themselves, so they are perfect for a wildflower garden.
8. Sunflower – These are probably the best known of all of the annuals with yellow flowers. There’s no doubt that the classic sunflower is cheery and beautiful. They love tons of sun, attract bees, and will grow 4-12’ tall with their large, showy blooms.
Cute bright yellow sunflower
9. Calendula – This yellow annual flower is an aggressive reseeder that does well from full sun to part shade, and will grow to a height of 6-12”.
The gorgeous blooms of the calendula plant are not only beautiful, they are also edible, and can be used in teas and other recipes. They’re often used to make soaps, salves, and medicinal tonics.
10. African daisy (Osteospermum) – The African daisy is a tender perennial, often used as annuals, that grows 12-18” tall. They will do well in zones 9 and up, are drought tolerant, and like lots of direct sunlight.
‘Bright Lights’ yellow African daisy
11. Zinnia – Zinnias are great for cutting, and the butterflies and bees adore them! These annuals thrive in the sun, and they will grow 36-48” tall.
There are different varieties that have yellow flowers, some are solid colored, and others are mixed with white or orange. Learn how to grow them here.
12. Petunia – These tender perennials are often sold as annuals, and can survive year round in zones 9 and up. Petunias have fragrant blossoms that do well in full sun to part shade, and be 18-24” long on their trailing stems.
Pale yellow wave petunias
13. Snapdragon – Commonly sold as annuals, these cute perennials do well from sun to part shade in zones 7 and up.
Snapdragons are wonderful for adding texture and height to your beds or in mixed containers, and the bright yellow blooms especially stand out. The bees like them too!
14. Gerbera (gerber daisy) – Another tropical perennial in zones 9+, and thrives in full sun. Gerber daisies tall flower stems will reach 6-18” high, and are great for pots or in the garden. The flowers are beautiful in any color, but yellow just might be my favorite!
Beautiful yellow gerbera flowers
15. Gladiolus – Glads have tall, spiky blooms that thrive in the sun, and will grow 6-18” in height. These tropical bulbs are excellent for cutting, and make a bold statement at the peak of summer in any garden. The bright yellow blossoms often steal the show!
16. Pansies (viola) – This popular perennial plant is hardy in zones 7-10, but is often used as an annual in other climates. These cute little cold-loving flowers will grow to a height of 6-12”.
Yellow flowering pansies have always been my favorite, and they come in lots of different shades. You can find them in solids, or mixed with other colors, and they make a fantastic early spring or fall addition to your beds or outdoor planters.
Small frilly yellow pansy
17. Ranunculus – These tender perennial bulbs are 6-18” tall, and do well in a sunny spot in zones 8-11. Ranunculus are wonderful for containers or your garden, and have delicate rose-like flowers that look like they’re made out of tissue paper.
18. Celosia (cockscomb) – If you’re looking for some unique flowers, then this one’s for you. Celosias come in lots of varieties – from soft, rounded, puffy flowers, to tall spiky plumes.
They are annuals that enjoy lots of sun, and will grow to be anywhere from 12-36” high in either pots or the garden.
Low growing ‘Celosia Armor’ yellow
19. Gazania – This drought tolerant perennial thrives in zones 8-10, and the blooms will reach 6-12” tall. The bright yellow daisy-like flowers are great for borders in hot, sunny gardens or pots.
20. Bidens – Many gardeners use them as annuals, but bidens are perennials in zones 8-11. They are drought and heat resistant, attract both bees and butterflies, and will bloom year round in containers or the ground. The dainty yellow flowers will reach a height of 6-18” tall, and really pop against the dark, lacy foliage.
Bidens ‘Popstar’ yellow annual flowers
21. Prickly Pear Cactus – The hardiness of these desert perennials varies by variety. Some will survive down to zone 4, while others only live in 8 or higher.
Prickly pears can also be grown as annuals in pots or your garden. They have show-stopping yellow flowers that the bees love, and grow 6-48” tall. Just take care not to touch the prickly leaves.
Yellow flowers in the garden bring so much cheer and sunshine, even on a gloomy day. Adding some of these yellow annuals and perennial blooms to your beds or planters will really make them stand out, and give you constant color all summer long.
Recommended Books
- The Flower Gardener’s Bible
- Annuals, Perennials, and Bulbs: 377 Flower Varieties for a Vibrant Garden
- The Perennial Matchmaker
- Annuals and Perennials: A Gardener’s Encyclopedia
- Perennial Combinations
More Posts About Flower Gardening
- 29 Rain Garden Plants For Sun Or Shade
- 21 Of The Best Red Flowers (Perennials & Annuals)
- How To Create A Pink Garden Theme Design Using Pink Annual Flowers
- Tips For Creating A Butterfly Friendly Garden
What yellow flowers would you add to this list? Add your top picks in the comments section below.
Sherry Nappa says
Love the flowers. It’s time here to start putting together a fall garden. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yep, it’s getting to be that time of year here too. Thanks for stopping by!
Ivory says
I am trying to obtain pinks and yellows flowers in my garden for a big bold pop of beautiful colors.
I love the flowers you selected in your post. Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds beautiful! Glad you like that post, thanks!
Vanessa says
These are beautiful. I have a thing for yellow flowers. They are just so warm and happy to me. I am so happy I found your lovely blog and would love it if you would link up your post at a link party I am co-hosting. Hope to see you. Enjoy your day.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks, glad you like them! 🙂
Tom @ Raise Your Garden says
Great list of yellow flowers. When I buy my wife flowers which probably isn’t often enough, she asked for pink and yellow. And then I do and buy the grocery store flowers that are dyed with artificial colors and it doesn’t go over well. She keeps asking me to create a sunflower garden. Maybe next year.
Amy Andrychowicz says
It sounds like you need to start a pink and yellow themed annual flower garden next year! That would be amazing, and you’d get lots of bonus points. 😉
Ivory says
Thank you for sharing these beautiful flowers with us. I love them. I have a shady/sunny area the I’ve turned into my flower garden. However, I am not sure if I like my placement of some of my “sun only” flowers. Our house sit at the coner of a busy and not so busy street. My flower garden is located on the side of our house nearby those two streets.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, glad you like it! The great part about gardening is that you can always change it until you love it again. 🙂 Have fun!