by Matt Gibson
Yellow is a bright, vibrant, attention-grabbing color that is associated with happiness, positivity, enlightenment, honor, and joy. The color yellow represents sunlight, hope, and warmth. Yellow encourages enhanced memory, increased mental activity and muscle energy and helps to enhance memory and stimulate the nervous system. Bright yellow grabs your eye and forces you to take notice.
However, yellow also carries some negative connotations as well, and if overused, it can have a disturbing effect on the psyche. For this reason, we recommend using yellow flowers in your garden to attract the gaze of those passing by, but not to overuse the color or allow it to dominate your floral palate. A lot of yellow can be a great start, but sprinkle in some other colors here and there to add some variety to the mix. Oranges, blues, pinks, reds, and even purple flowers appear highlighted in a heavily yellow landscape, which allows the yellow blooms to complement the other colors and bring about a pleasant feeling to everyone who looks upon your garden.
The following list is comprised of the best yellow flowers available to garden designers, complete with preferred growing conditions and tips for better care. Go ahead and grab the neighborhood’s attention with a wide array of yellow blooms, just don’t forget to add some balancing colors once you’ve set the mood.
Carnations
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) are available in many different colors, but the bright yellow carnations tend to stand out in a crowd. Their long, narrow stalks are topped with luscious blooms packed with serrated petals reminiscent of beloved Sesame Street character Big Bird’s yellow shag. Remove plummeting blossoms quickly to promote continued blooming throughout the season and grow carnations in between taller, more pronounced flowers to provide shade and companionship.
Carnations enjoy zones 3-10, a mix of full sunlight and partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Daffodils
The starlike base of the daffodil bloom is complemented by a trumpet-like cone that emerges from the center of the blossom. Though many daffodils come in a two color scheme, the all-yellow daffodil is a sight to behold in full bloom. The yellow daffodil symbolizes friendship, and the trumpet bloom announces it proudly to the world. Plant daffodils three times deeper than their bulb height, otherwise they tend to bend after blooming.
Daffodils savor zones 3-10, well-drained soil and full sunlight exposure.
Calla Lily
Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia) are known for their classic bell-shaped blooms and delicate femininity. They grow well both indoors as a houseplant and outdoors in the garden and are wonderful additions to any table arrangement once cut. Plant calla lilies deep and water them well after the last threat of frost has passed. Calla lilies are a low maintenance flower. All they need to thrive is regular watering and occasional fertilization. Plant these lilies in between taller blooms so they can occasionally enjoy a reprieve from the sun.
Calla lilies appreciate zones 8-10, moist, well-drained soil and a mix of partial shade and full sun.
Yarrow
Available with either white or yellow plumage, Yarrow (Achillea) is a hardy perennial with many tiny blooms and fern-like leaves. Believed to protect from negative influences, yarrow makes a great gift for friends who are going through a rough time. That’s a good thing, because you may find yourself with more yarrow than you bargained for, as it tends to be quite invasive. Be sure to give your yarrow plenty of room to expand, and be prepared to cut it back and brighten the spirits of a few friends when the time comes.
Yarrow enjoys full sunlight, well-drained soil and zones 3-9.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a vibrant, daisy-like flower that stands for hope, devotion and cheerfulness, and is often gifted to friends that are experiencing grief or loss, as it is known to bring cheer to those in need of uplifting. Coreopsis comes in yellow or pink varieties, so be sure to choose the yellow ones if you are sticking closely to the yellow background theme this list suggests. Coreopsis blooms are known to outlast every other flower in the garden, as long as dead heads are removed.
Coreopsis is at home in zones 3-9 with well-drained soil and full sun exposure.
Chrysanthemums
Commonly referred to as mums, chrysanthemums are a must-have addition to the fall garden. Select the variety that fits your garden best, as there are many different options, and each comes with its own various size, height, color and bloom time. Chrysanthemum blooms are full-bodied and gloriously unique. The flowers symbolize optimism, hope, and are commonly received from a secret admirer. The most important growing tip is to remove the main stem by pinching it, causing the plant to grow two stems instead of one.
Chrysanthemums prefer zones 3-9, full sunlight and well-drained and fertilized soil.
Yellow Butterfly Bush
The yellow butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is not just a garden beauty. It’s blooms are comely clusters of small, bell-shaped petals, adorned with lance shaped leaves and arching branches that frame the lovely blossoms. But the yellow butterfly bush is not only a stunning flower, it’s also a powerfully fragrant lurer of butterflies, hummingbirds and bees that will help to pollinate your garden and give you some aesthetically satisfying company when lounging in your lawn chair. Buddleia is known to grow into a full-on tree in milder climates so don’t be surprised when it develops a trunk over time. Be sure to provide a generous amount of fertilizer during the winter months to ensure its survival.
Yellow butterfly bush enjoys zones 5-10, full sun exposure and well-drained soil.
These seven yellow belles are far from the only yellow flower options available, but they are some of our favorite flowers to see in modern gardens. Feel free to sprinkle in a few yellow marigolds, tulips, and black-eyed susans as well. We didn’t include these as they are somewhat overused. Another great option that requires little care and towers above the rest of your garden is the sunflower, which not only looks great and grabs your attention, but it also provides you with some delicious seeds to add into culinary creations. Now that you have some yellow flowers setting the scene, fill in the rest of your garden canvas with some color variety to bring the whole picture together seamlessly. You’re a daisy if you do.
Want to learn more about planting and growing yellow flowers in the flower garden?
Don’t miss these resources:
Birds and Blooms covers Top 10 Classic Yellow Flowers
Flower Glossary covers 33 Types of Yellow Flowers and Pictures
FTD by Design convers 30 Types of Yellow Flowers
Style Craze covers Top 25 Most Beautiful Yellow Flowers
ProFlowers covers 33 Types of Yellow Flowers
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