Yellow Perennial Flowers – 12 Recommendations to Plant in Your Garden
If you are taking a gander at this post, you’ve been searching specifically for yellow perennials for your garden. I did the same thing a few years back and was challenged by the same recommendations repeatedly. We have some of the “must-have” standard advice in this list of yellow perennial flowers, but we’ve added many plants we rarely see mentioned but deserve a second look.
The list below will have recommendations for environmental needs such as hardiness zone, soil requirements, sunlight, and water. We’ve also added recommendations about where to plant to spark some inspiration. The list also has information on propagating each plant and lists the pest and disease challenges. We also included the bloom season for all these perennial plants so you can plan your garden well!
US readers can check on this interactive map if you aren’t sure which climate zone you live in, and Canadian readers can use these handy maps.
Golden Marguerite (anthemis)
Golden Marguerite (scientific name anthemis) is a lovely single yellow daisy with finely divided fern-like pungent foliage.
Anthemises are quick-growing yellow perennial flowers that form carpets of blooms that you can use to cover a sloping hill. The bright golden yellow blooms last all summer long, and the plant is generally pest-free. We rarely see anthemis mentioned on any growing list, but it is an excellent long-flowering plant in a cottage garden setting. Such a lovely fuss-free flower!
- Perennial zone requirements: Hardy to USDA zones 4-10
- Planting Method: Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost in your area. Plant out once the soil has warmed and all chances of frost have passed.
- Light Needs: Will do best in areas with full sun.
- Water Needs: 1 inch of water a week through rain or manual watering methods. Keep soil evenly moist.
- Soil needs: Well-drained soil of loam or sand that is not too fertile.
- Height: 24-36 inches tall.
- Width: 24-36 inches wide.
- Where to plant: Best located on slopes and banks and in beds and borders within an informal garden setting. Golden marguerite looks lovely in a cottage garden setting.
- Bloom season: Will bloom throughout the summer months so long as it is regularly deadheaded. May-August.
- Propagation: Plants will self-seed readily. It’s a good idea to deadhead the flowers to prevent the plants from spreading.
- Pests & diseases: Generally pest and disease-free.
Wild Columbine (aqulegia Canadensis)
Wild Columbines (common name) are very delicate-looking perennials that make an excellent addition to perennial borders and wild cottage-style gardens. Columbines have bright flowers with five petals ranging from 1 to 2 inches wide. These flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds, hawkmoths, and pollinating insects.
- Perennial zone requirements: Hardy to USDA zones 3-8.
- Planting Method: Seeds can be sown indoors or out. For best results, seeds will require a cold, moist period before germinating. Store the seeds in the refrigerator for three weeks before seed starting in late spring. Seeds can also be planted outside where they are intended to grow.
- Light Needs: Will do well planted in full sun and partial shade. Partial shade will prolong their blooming season.
- Water Needs: 1/2 – 1 inch of water a week through rain or manual watering methods. Keep soil evenly moist.
- Soil Needs: Well drained sandy soil.
- Height: 24-36 inches.
- Width: 18-24 inches.
- Where to Plant: In the perennial border, wild gardens, cottage gardens, or rock gardens.
- Bloom season : 2-4 weeks during late spring and early summer. Deadheading during the flowering season can help extend bloom time.
- Propagation: A. canadensis will self sow right in the garden.
- Pests & Diseases: Aphids, borers, columbine skipper, and leaf miners are pests that can attack columbine plants. Diseases like crown rot, root rot and leaf spot can also be a problem.
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Tickseed (coreopsis grandfloria)
Coreopsis are native American wildflowers that are members of the daisy family. These lovely yellow perennial flowers are easy to care for and make beautiful additions to wildflower gardens.
The flowers attract hoverflies which will help keep aphid populations down in the garden.
- Perennial zone requirements: Hardy to USDA zone 7. The plant will perform as a biennial in the garden. It will dry out after the second year but the plants self seed readily and will continue to propagate year after year.
- Planting method: Sow seeds outdoors in early spring through summer up to two months before the first frost. Or sow indoors 4 weeks before the last frost in your area. Plant out seedlings when the soil warms and chances of frost have passed.
- Light needs: Full sunlight.
- Water needs: Excellent drought tolerance and will not grow in soil that is always moist. Seedlings will require 1 inch of water a week until established.
- Soil needs: Tickseed will grow in almost any soil environment but prefer light, sandy well drained soil.
- Height: 24-30 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
- Where to plant: In wildflower gardens, in borders, and in a cut flower garden.
- Bloom season : Middle of June to the end of July.
- Propagation: Coreopsis can be propagated by division. Dig the clumps up in fall or early spring and divide them with a sharp knife. Replant where you want them to grow. Coreopsis will also self seed.
- Pests & diseases: Aphids and spotted cucumber beetles can be an issue for tickseed. Crown rot can be an issue if the plant is left to sit in water for extended periods of time.
Learn More: Tickseed loves a dry environment. If you’re looking for more drought-tolerant plants for your garden, check out this list!
Hardy Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are grown for their beautiful flowers. There are many different types of chrysanthemums to grow in your garden, and many of the varieties come in versions of light to bright yellow flowers.
C. X morifolium are known as hardy chrysanthemums, florist chrysanthemums, or garden chrysanthemum.
- Perennial zone requirements: Hardy to USDA zone 5
- Planting method: Many hardy chrysanthemums’ cultivars can only be grown by cuttings or division.
- Light needs: For best blooms grow in full sun.
- Water needs: The plants require 1/2 to 1 inch of water a week.
- Soil needs: Chrysanthemums require slightly acidic soil (6.0-6.5) that is well draining.
- Height: 9-48 inches
- Spread: 12-28 inches
- Where to plant: .Perfect for perennial borders, container gardens, flower beds and meadow gardens. The shorter varieties make excellent edging plants. Chrysanthemums make excellent cut flowers and will be right at home in the cut flower garden.
- Bloom season : Fall.
- Propagation: Divide the yellow plants once a year in early spring. Pull up the entire clump and gently separate strong growing shoots from the outside of the clumps.
- Pests & diseases: Chrysanthemums are affected by aphids, beetles, borers, leaf miners, spider mites, nematodes and gall midges. They can also be infected with leaf spot, rust, and numerous virus diseases.
Learn More: Check out this post on the best flowers to grow in a cut flower garden.
Leopard’s Bane (doronicum)
Leopard’s bane (doronicum) has yellow daisy-like lemon-yellow flowers with heart-shaped toothed leaves. Doronicum does best in cool climates where summers are not hot and humid.
- Hardiness zone: Plants are hardy to USDA zones 4-7.
- Planting method: Sow Leopard’s Bane seeds indoors in late winter. Press the seeds into the soil and cover lightly with a dusting of soil. Keep seeds moist until germination. Transplant outdoors in early spring after all chances of frost have passed.
- Light needs: Sun and part shade. Will grow best sun with afternoon shade.
- Water needs: Ample water is required to keep the blooms looking fresh. 1 – 1 1/2 inches of water a week.
- Soil needs: Leopards bane will tolerate clay soil so long as it is well draining. They like rich soil amended with plenty of organic matter.
- Height: 12-24 inches tall.
- Spread: 15 inches wide
- Where to plant: In beds and edges of the border.
- Bloom season : April -May
- Propagation: Divide plants every 3 years in fall or early spring, Discard old woody growth. Plants will seed aggressively. If you want to avoid the growth of new seedlings, shear leopards bane to the ground after blooms fade.
- Pests & diseases: Leopard’s bane can be attacked by sawflies, thrips, spider mites, and aphids. Excessive overhead watering can cause fungus, white powdery mildew, and root rot.
Blanket Flower (gallardia grandiflora)
Not to be confused with annual gaillardia, perennial gaillardia will come back year after year. The plant has yellow, red, and orange combinations of daisy-like flower heads. Gaillardia is a beautiful yellow perennial flower for anyone who dislikes deadheading, as the flower will continue to bloom regardless of whether it is deadheaded or not.
- Hardiness zone: Hardy to USDA zones 3-10
- Planting method: Blanket Flowers can be direct sown immediately after the first frost, but they may not flower the first year. For year one blooms, sow indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant outdoors once there is no chance of frost.
- Light needs: Full sun
- Water needs: Blanket flower is drought tolerant, and should only require water once or twice a week during dry spells. Try not to wet the leaves.
- Soil needs: Very well draining fertile soil. If the soil is soupy wet during winter the plant will die.
- Height: 2-3 feet.
- Spread: 2 ft wide.
- Where to plant: Blanket flower looks lovely planted in a wildflower garden, or in the back of the border.
- Bloom season : June to October
- Propagation: Depending on the type, gaillardia can be propagated by seed, shoot-tip cuttings, or division.
- Pests & diseases: Blanket flower is often attacked by aphids and thrips. Some of the most common diseases of gaillardia include bacterial leaf spots, botrytis, powdery mildew, phytophthora, pythium, rust, septoria, and white smut.
Willow Leaf Sunflowers (helianthus salicifolius)
The willow leaf sunflower has cheerful golden yellow, daisy-like flower heads with long narrow leaves. These yellow perennial flowers are wide-spreading; a single plant can create an impressive display.
The beautiful yellow petals are attractive to bees and butterflies.
- Hardiness zone: Hardy to USDA zones 4-9
- Planting method: Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last possible frost in your zone. Seeds can be directly planted into the ground, but may not flower the first year. Pinch out the plants twice in the summer to create bushier plants with more blooms.
- Light needs: Will perform best in full sun.
- Water needs: Drought tolerant when established, willow leaf sunflowers require moderate moisture. 1/2 of inch a water a week will be sufficient.
- Soil needs: Moist well draining soil.
- Height: 5-6 ft tall.
- Spread: 3 ft wide.
- Where to plant: A great addition to perennial borders or garden beds. Grows exceptionally well in coastal gardens, cottage-style gardens, and flowering meadows.
- Bloom season : Late summer to the first frost.
- Propagation: Propagate by seed indoors in spring. Basal cuttings may also be rooted in the spring. Divide clumps every 2-4 years.
- Pests & diseases: Willow leafed sunflower can be attacked by slugs and snails. If you have a slug and snail problem in your region set out bait early in the season. These plants can also be impacted by powdery mildew and Sclerotinia diseases.
Daylilies (hemerocallis)
Once established, daylilies require no care. They thrive on being left alone! An excellent plant for a yellow perennial flower border or even in a cut flower garden, these lovely flowers are a delight when they bloom.
- Hardiness zone: 3-9.
- Planting method: Dig a hole about a foot deep and create a cone-shaped mound of soil at the bottom of the hole to hold the root. Spread the daylily’s root system over the mound, then fill in around the root with loose soil.
- Light needs: Full sun or light shade.
- Water needs: Water regularly; daylilies should receive 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water a week. They like consistently moist soil but not so wet that the earth is always soggy.
- Soil needs: Like most perennials, daylilies prefer rich, well-drained soil that has good aeration. They prefer neutral to slightly acid soil.
- Height: 1-4ft
- Spread: 1.5 ft
- Spacing: 18-24 inches
- Where to plant: Daylilies put on a show when planted in masses, and are ideal for along home foundations, in front of shrub plantings, or in the perennial garden. They also make wonderful cut flowers and grow quite well in a cut flower garden.
- Bloom season : June & July. There are new daylily varieties that can have a second bloom.
- Propagation: Daylilies are easily propagated by dividing in spring or autumn.
- Pests & diseases: Generally insect and disease free but can be impacted by thrip, and occasional leaf spot.
False Sunflower (heliopsis)
False sunflower is native to North America. The flowers produce paired angular leaves and loose clusters of golden yellow daisy-looking flowers against dark green leaves. Heliopsis is a beautiful yellow perennial flower for gardeners in the North who experience deep cold freezes in the winter.
- Perennial zone requirements: USDA zone 2
- Planting Method: Plant seeds in early spring about 30 days before your last spring frost. Seeds should be planted 1/4 inch deep.
- Light Needs: Full sunlight.
- Water Needs: Drought tolerant
- Soil needs: Will tolerate poor soil.
- Height:. Compact cultivars 2-3 feet, taller varieties can grow as high as 5 feet.
- Width: Spread is 2-3 feet depending on variety.
- Where to plant: Tall cultivars are ideal for the back of a perennial border, the smaller compact false sunflowers can be planted in the mid border. Heliopsis is well suited for the wild flower garden, or cottage style garden.
- Propagation: Heliopsis propagation is usually done by division, but it can also be propagated by seed.
- Bloom season : July- September
- Pests & diseases: Uncommon, although may be occasionally attacked by aphids. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Heliopsis is an excellent addition to any bee or butterfly garden. The flowers are rich with nectar and provide an abundant food source throughout summer.
Learn More: If you’re interested in growing flowers for bees or starting your very own bee garden, we wrote an article list about the best flowers for bees to include in your garden.
Bearded Iris (iris germanica)
Iris germanica (Bearded Iris) are showy yellow perennial flowers with attractive swordlike leaves and gorgeous showy blooms. Irises come in a wide range of colors, but the bright yellow blooms always seem to be the most eye-catching.
- Perennial zone requirements: USDA growing zones 3-10
- Planting Method: Plant rhizomes at the top of the soil, leaving about 1/3 of the rhizome above soil level. Plant at least 1- 2.5 feet apart depending on variety requirements. (Bulbous Irises have different planting requirements! Check out this article on how deep to plant iris bulbs for more info.)
- Light Needs: Full sun – most will tolerate light shade but will not bloom as profusely.
- Water Needs: All irises require an abundant amount of water just before and during the blooming season but can be quite drought tolerant during the rest of the growing season. Newly planted irises should receive at least 1 inch of water a week. Established irises only need to be watered during dry, hot spells.
- Soil needs: Large range of soil and pH requirements so be sure to verify what requirements your particular variety requires. All irises require well-draining soil to help protect them from rot.
- Height: 1-4 feet tall
- Width: 1-2 feet wide
- Where to plant: Plant irises in the border, garden beds, rock gardens, edging, and as ground covers. Irises make wonderful cut flowers so be sure to include them in your cut garden plans.
- Propagation: Best done through division in early spring or fall.
- Bloom season : May – June
- Pests & diseases: Irises can be attacked by iris borders, iris weevils, and thrips. They can also be infected by crown rot and bacterial soft rot, but those diseases can be reduced by avoiding overwatering and ensuring the soil is very well draining.
Black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia)
Black-eyed Susan, or ox-eyed daisies, bear 2-3 inch flowers with a deep golden yellow hue often marked with bronze. These yellow perennial flowers have brown centers and leaves that are somewhat hairy and deep green.
Rudbeckia is one of my favorite yellow perennial flowers. It’s a must-have in the garden. Once established, the plants mass together and produce a massive display of showy flowers.
- Perennial zone requirements: Rudbeckia are perennial flowering plants that are hardy in USDA Zones 4–9.
- Planting Method: For flowers in the first year from seed, sow seeds indoors in late winter about 8-12 weeks before the last frost in your growing area.
- Light Needs: For best blooms, plant in full sun.
- Water Needs: Drought-resistant, but keep the soil lightly moist for best blooms. The plants should receive 1 inch of water a week through rainfall or manual watering.
- Soil needs: Black-eyed Susans will tolerate poor soil but will bloom best in soils with lots of rich organic material.
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 2-2.5 feet spread
- Where to plant: Summer borders, garden beds, in the vegetable garden, and cut flower garden.
- Propagation: Plants self-seed readily. Deadheading can prevent the excess spreading of seed in the garden.
- Bloom season: Summer- early Fall.
- Pests & diseases: Rudbeckia are virtually pest-free, although aphids can occasionally attack them. The plants are generally disease resistant.
Related: Black-eyed Susans are perfect flowers for use for dry arrangements. If you want to learn more about drying flowers, we have an entire post dedicated to the best and worst methods for preserving your summer blooms. If you do dry your flowers for display, be sure to check out our guide to keep your dried flowers looking fabulous for as long as possible.
Learn More: See our guide on growing Black-Eyed Susans from seed to flower.
Yellow Coneflower (echinacea paradoxa)
Did you know that coneflowers also came in yellow? So, if you are looking for a beautiful, long-lasting flower that has a bit of uniqueness to it, I suggest you check out the echinacea paradoxa; it’s the only species of echinacea that is yellow.
Yellow coneflowers are also referred to as Yellow Echinacea and Ozark Coneflower.
- Perennial zone requirements: USDA zones 3-9
- Planting Method: Start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, or place them directly into the garden once the threat of heavy frost is gone.
- Light Needs: Full sun.
- Water Needs: Can tolerate drought conditions, but will do best if kept moist, especially during bloom time.
- Soil needs: Well drained alkaline soil. Will grow best in poor soil.
- Height:. 2-3 feet tall.
- Width: 1-1.5 wide
- Where to plant: Plant at the back of perennial borders, in a wild flower or cottage garden, in the cut flower garden.
- Bloom season : July to September
- Pests & diseases: Generally pest and disease free. Yellow coneflowers are also deer and rabbit resistant.
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