17 Perennials With Yellow Flowers That Will Brighten Your Garden
There’s something magical about in the garden—they just radiate happiness! Whether it’s the soft glow of morning sunlight or the warm hues of a summer sunset, yellow blooms can truly brighten up any outdoor space.
As a passionate gardener, I’ve gathered a list of 17 perennials with yellow flowers that are sure to add a splash of sunshine to your garden. From cheerful daisies to elegant daylilies, these lovely plants will bring joy season after season!
1. Black-Eyed Susan
Ah, the classic Black-eyed Susan! These cheerful little beauties are like sunshine in your garden. With their bright yellow petals and dark, seed-filled centers, they practically scream summer! They bloom from late spring to early fall, attracting all sorts of pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Plus, they’re super easy to care for, making them a favorite among gardeners of all skill levels.
These perennials are quite resilient and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, though they do prefer well-drained dirt. They can grow anywhere from 1 to 3 feet tall, and their bushy habit makes them perfect for filling in gaps in your flower beds or as a vibrant border.
Popular Varieties
- Goldsturm: This variety boasts incredibly sturdy stems and deep golden-yellow flowers, making it a garden standout.
- Indian Summer: Known for its large blooms and long-lasting flowers, this variety adds a bold burst of yellow to any garden.
- Little Goldstar: A compact version with dense clusters of bright yellow flowers, perfect for borders and smaller spaces.
- Early Bird Gold: Blooms earlier than many others and produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers with dark centers.
2. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is another perennial that brings a smile with its bright, daisy-like flowers. These cheerful blooms come in shades of yellow and are perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden. They bloom from late spring through summer and aren’t just pretty – they’re also drought-tolerant, making them a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
These plants tend to thrive in full sun, and once established, they’ll reward you with loads of flowers. They can grow up to 2 feet tall and can spread quite a bit, making them excellent for filling in those empty spots in your garden.
Popular Varieties
- Moonbeam: Features soft, buttery-yellow flowers on airy foliage, blooming continuously through summer with minimal care.
- Zagreb: A compact, clump-forming variety with bright golden-yellow blooms and excellent drought tolerance.
- Early Sunrise: Semi-double, golden-yellow flowers that bloom heavily in early summer and continue with deadheading.
- Golden Sphere: Produces fully double, globe-shaped yellow blooms that add texture and charm to garden beds.
- Sunray: Known for its vibrant, long-lasting yellow flowers and bushy habit—ideal for mass planting or borders.
3. Daylily
Daylilies are a garden staple, and while they’re technically not true perennials in some zones, they’re often treated like one. They bloom in a stunning range of colors, including bright yellows! A unique thing about daylilies is that each bloom only lasts a day, but don’t worry – they’re so prolific that you’ll have plenty of blooms throughout the season!
These plants are incredibly hardy and can thrive in various conditions, making them a favorite for gardeners looking for resilience. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and don’t require much fuss, which is always a bonus!
Popular Varieties
- Happy Returns: A compact, reblooming variety with soft yellow flowers that appear continuously throughout the season.
- Stella de Oro: One of the most beloved varieties, known for its golden-yellow blooms and reliable reblooming habit.
- Going Bananas: Offers fragrant, buttery-yellow flowers on a compact plant that blooms from early summer to frost.
- Lemon Drop: Features pale lemon-yellow blooms with a delicate ruffled edge—ideal for soft, cottage-style plantings.
4. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is often misunderstood, but let me tell you, it is a showstopper! These tall perennials bloom in late summer to fall, offering a burst of golden yellow just when your garden might be winding down. They’re fantastic for attracting pollinators and have a lovely, cascading flower structure that adds height and texture to your garden.
Goldenrod is tough as nails, thriving in poor soils and needing minimal water once established. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to add some wildflower vibes to your landscape.
Popular Varieties
- Fireworks: Features arching stems that burst with bright yellow, star-like blooms—perfect for adding drama and pollinator appeal.
- Golden Fleece: A compact, well-behaved variety with dense sprays of golden-yellow flowers, ideal for borders and small spaces.
- Solar Cascade: Offers gracefully cascading flower clusters that attract and add movement to the garden.
5. Heliopsis
Heliopsis, also known as False Sunflower, is a charming perennial that blooms with bright yellow flowers that look just like little suns! They bloom from mid-summer to early fall, providing a beautiful pop of color when many other flowers are starting to fade.
These plants are pretty easy to care for, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow quite tall, reaching up to 5 feet, making them excellent for the back of a border or a bold statement piece in your garden.
Popular Varieties
- Summer Sun: A classic variety with bright yellow, daisy-like blooms that flower from mid-summer to fall.
- Tuscan Sun: Compact and tidy with golden-yellow blooms and excellent disease resistance—ideal for borders.
- Bleeding Hearts: Unique for its yellow petals with deep red bases, offering striking contrast and butterfly appeal.
- Sunstruck: Known for its variegated foliage and golden-yellow flowers—adds brightness even before it blooms.
- Ballerina: Semi-double blooms with a cheerful yellow hue and a long blooming period, perfect for sunny spots.
6. Yarrow
Yarrow is one tough cookie! This perennial is not only resilient but also boasts clusters of small yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Yarrow is often used in and naturalistic landscapes because it attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while being super easy to care for.
Growing up to 3 feet tall, yarrow can spread easily, so it’s perfect for filling in gaps or creating a lovely ground cover. Plus, it’s drought-resistant, which is a huge bonus for those of us who might forget to water sometimes!
Popular Varieties
- Moonshine: A beloved variety with soft, sulfur-yellow flower clusters and silvery foliage that blooms all summer.
- Coronation Gold: Features tall stems topped with large, flat golden-yellow blooms that make great cut flowers.
- Cloth of Gold: Produces bold, deep yellow flower heads and has a stately, upright form perfect for back borders.
- Little Moonshine: A compact version of Moonshine, ideal for small spaces and containers while still drawing pollinators.
- Gold Plate: Tall and striking with large, mustard-yellow flower heads that bloom late into the season.
7. Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers are a vibrant addition to any garden, with their sunny yellow and red blooms that look like they’ve been splashed with color! These perennials bloom from late spring to early fall and are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for those hot, dry spots in your garden. Plus, they’re pretty low-maintenance, so you can enjoy their beauty without too much fuss.
Popular Varieties
- Mesa Yellow: A compact, bushy variety with bright, solid yellow blooms that flower over an extended season.
- Arizona Sun: While typically red and yellow, some selections lean more yellow and provide vibrant, sunny color.
- Goblin: A dwarf variety with yellow-tipped petals and a reddish center—great for borders and .
- Mesa Peach: Often includes soft peachy-yellow tones that blend beautifully in mixed plantings and appeal to pollinators.
- Lemon Blanket: Bright lemon-yellow petals and a tidy growth habit make this a standout in sunny, dry spots.
8. Butter Daisy
Butter daisy is a cheerful little perennial that brings a warm, sunny vibe to your garden with its bright yellow flowers. These plants bloom from spring to fall and are fantastic for filling in borders or creating a colorful ground cover.
They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them easy to care for. Plus, they’re great for attracting bees and butterflies, adding extra buzz to your garden!
Popular Varieties
- Million Gold: A prolific bloomer with masses of small, bright yellow daisy-like flowers on compact, bushy plants.
- Showstar: Compact and heat-tolerant, this variety is covered in golden-yellow blooms all season long.
- Derby: Offers continuous flowering with vivid yellow blooms and a tidy growth habit—ideal for borders or containers.
- Gold Dust: Low-growing with a dense, mounded shape and non-stop yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
- Lemon Delight: Features cheerful lemon-yellow blooms and lush green foliage, thriving in hot, sunny conditions.
Popular Reads
9. Evening Primrose
Evening primrose is a unique perennial known for its delicate yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. They have a sweet fragrance that attracts nighttime pollinators like moths. These charming flowers bloom from late spring to early fall, adding a lovely soft glow to your garden.
They’re super easy to grow, thriving in various soil types, and are quite drought-tolerant. Plus, they can spread quite a bit, creating a beautiful carpet of yellow in your garden.
Popular Varieties
- Sundrops: A cheerful, low-growing variety with bright yellow blooms that open in the morning and glow in the sun.
- Lemon Drop: Compact and long-blooming with soft yellow flowers and a tidy habit—perfect for borders and containers.
- Fireworks: Offers vibrant yellow blooms with red-tinged stems, adding extra visual interest to wildflower-style gardens.
- Gold Drop: Dwarf and floriferous with sunny yellow blooms that open in early evening—ideal for and edges.
10. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is known for its bright yellow flowers and medicinal properties. These bloom in summer and can grow in a variety of soil types, making them quite versatile in the garden. They’re also great for attracting bees and butterflies, adding life to your landscape.
These plants can tolerate some shade, making them perfect for those tricky spots under trees or shrubs. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and can thrive with minimal care.
Popular Varieties
- Hypericum Calycinum: A trailing variety perfect for ground cover, with bright yellow flowers that can brighten up any space.
- Hypericum Perforatum: Known for its medicinal uses, this variety has lovely yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
11. Yellow Coneflower
Yellow coneflower is a delightful addition to the garden, with its stunning yellow petals and prominent seed heads. These perennials bloom in summer and are fantastic for attracting butterflies and other pollinators. They’re pretty hardy and can thrive in various soil conditions, making them a favorite among gardeners.
They can grow quite tall, adding height and interest to your flower beds. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and can handle drought conditions, so they’re perfect for a low-fuss garden.
Popular Varieties
- Yellow My Darling: A vibrant variety with golden-yellow petals that hold their color well and bloom through late summer.
- Cleopatra: Compact with soft yellow blooms and a tidy habit—great for borders and pollinator gardens.
- Now Cheesier: A bold variety with rich, cheddar-yellow petals and a prominent cone, offering a fun twist on traditional coneflowers.
12. False Sunflower
Another one that’s often mistaken for its relative, the sunflower! False sunflower has golden yellow flowers that bloom in summer, providing a burst of color in your garden. They’re great for attracting bees and butterflies, making them a wonderful addition.
These perennials are quite hardy and can thrive in different soil types. Plus, they can grow quite tall, which helps create visual interest in your garden.
Popular Varieties
- Summer Sun: A tall, robust variety with classic bright yellow, daisy-like blooms that flower from mid to late summer.
- Tuscan Sun: Compact and well-behaved, this variety offers golden-yellow blooms and is perfect for smaller spaces or borders.
- Ballerina: Features semi-double yellow flowers with a charming, layered look and a long blooming season.
- Bleeding Hearts: Distinctive for its yellow petals with deep red bases, adding extra visual interest to pollinator gardens.
- Sunstruck: Notable for its variegated foliage and bright yellow flowers, making it a standout both in and out of bloom.
13. Sneezeweed
Sneezeweed is an interesting perennial known for its eye-catching yellow and orange flowers. These beauties bloom in late summer and are a magnet for pollinators, adding life to your garden.
These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they can grow quite tall, making them great for the back of borders. Plus, they’re relatively low-maintenance, so you can enjoy their beauty without too much fuss.
Popular Varieties
- Autumnale: The classic sneezeweed, known for its vibrant blooms.
- Mardi Gras: A stunning variety with unique color combinations that add interest to your landscape.
14. Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel is a charming little perennial that blooms in late spring with lovely yellow flowers. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for ground cover, as it spreads nicely and can tolerate some shade.
These plants can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making them versatile in the garden. Plus, they’re great for attracting bees and other pollinators!
Popular Varieties
- Herman’s Pride: Features striking silver-veined leaves and upright yellow flowers—more clump-forming and less aggressive than others.
- Yellow Beacon: A spreading ground cover with bright yellow flowers and attractive green-and-silver foliage—great for shady areas.
- Florentinum: Known for its vigorous growth and vivid yellow blooms, ideal for covering large shady spaces quickly.
- Variegatum: Offers golden-yellow flowers and silvery variegated leaves, providing both bloom and foliage interest.
15. Golden Samphire
Golden Samphire is a unique addition to any garden, with its succulent-like leaves and bright yellow flowers. This perennial thrives in coastal areas and prefers sandy soils, making it a bit different from the usual suspects.
These plants love the sun and are quite drought-resistant once established. Plus, they’re great for attracting pollinators, making them a fun and functional choice for your landscape.
Popular Varieties
- Limbarda Crithmoides: The most widely known form of golden samphire, with fleshy green leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers—commonly found along European coasts.
- Sea Aster Mix: Sometimes cultivated alongside golden samphire for coastal diversity, enhancing the visual appeal and habitat value.
- Crithmoides Compacta: A compact form grown for ornamental use and culinary interest, with tight foliage and bright yellow blooms.
- Rock Samphire Companion Blend: Not a variety itself, but often sold as part of salt-tolerant blends that include golden samphire for edible or decorative use.
- Wild Coastal Form: Naturally occurring selections found in the wild, sometimes cultivated for restoration or specialty culinary use.
16. Yellow Loosestrife
Yellow loosestrife is a cheerful perennial that blooms with clusters of bright yellow flowers in summer. It thrives in wet conditions, making it perfect for rain gardens or near ponds.
These plants can spread quite a bit, so they’re excellent for filling in those water-loving spots in your garden. Plus, they’re great at attracting butterflies and beneficial insects!
Popular Varieties
- Lysimachia Vulgaris: The classic variety, known for its tall spikes of yellow flowers.
- Lysimachia Punctata: A shorter variety that’s perfect for borders, with clusters of bright yellow blooms.
17. Perennial Sunflower
Perennial are absolute showstoppers in the garden! With their bright yellow blooms and large stature, they bring a burst of cheerfulness from late summer to fall. These plants are fantastic for attracting pollinators and providing a striking backdrop in your garden.
They’re quite hardy and can thrive in various conditions, making them perfect for many gardens. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and can handle some drought, which is always a plus!
Popular Varieties
- Helianthus Maximilianii: A tall variety known for its gorgeous yellow flowers and ability to attract butterflies.
- Helianthus Angustifolius: A more compact option with deep yellow blooms, ideal for smaller spaces.