25 Types Of Orange Wildflowers Found In The United States

Wildflowers are very common in the United States, and you will find some beautiful orange wildflowers scattered throughout the country.

They are a marvel to look at, and they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Orange wildflowers are bright and exciting, and they will catch the eyes of passers-by! 

There are so many different kinds of orange wildflowers out there that it can be difficult to identify them. That’s where this list comes in! If you see one, and you’d like to hear the backstory, you’ll find the answer here.

We’ve compiled a list of 25 different types of orange wildflowers that you can find in the US. Use this list to refer back to whenever you spot an orange wildflower! 

So, if you want to find out more about orange wildflowers, keep reading. Let’s dive in! 

1. Orange Hawkweed

Orange Hawkweed is a very common flower found in many gardens. It is often planted by gardeners to attract pollinators, as it has black tips that attract them. It is also planted because of its stunning orange-red flowers! 

This wildflower was introduced into the US in the 1800s. Research shows that most of the orange hawkweed plants that you find in North America are direct genetic clones of each other. This means that they all originate from the same single plant!

This plant usually blooms in summer to early fall, and it thrives in full sun or partial shade. Be aware that this plant grows aggressively fast!

2. Spotted Touch Me Not 

The Spotted Touch Me Not is also known as an Orange Balsam, among other names. It usually blooms in the summer, and it thrives in shade or partial sun.

Spotted Touch Me Not’s are famous for their beautiful flowers. They are yellow-orange colored and are covered in brown spots. 

The name of this flower derives from the fact that if the flower is touched, the seed pods will explode.

These flowers make up around one-tenth of the diet of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The long and thin flowers on the plant are very attractive to the birds as their long beaks can collect the nectar easily.

3. Butterfly Weed 

This wildflower will bloom in the summer, and it will thrive in full sun or partial shade. 

The Butterfly Weed (This wildflower is also present in Missouri. Find out more about it.) is very common in gardens in the United States, so keep your eyes peeled for one of these beautiful plants! It is made up of a flat-topped cluster of orange flowers.

You will find that the Butterfly Weed produces a large amount of nectar, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. 

Historically, this plant was used for medicinal purposes. Native Americans would chew the root of the wildflower to cure bronchitis and other pulmonary problems. However, this plant is toxic in large quantities so you should proceed with caution!

4. Wood Lily 

The wood lily is another beautiful wildflower. It has upward-facing petals which draw in the butterflies and hummingbirds that are passing by. The flower is popular in gardens due to its striking color. The petals are red-orange, with purple dots.

The flowers will remain open for up to 11 days as they do not close immediately after they are pollinated. 

5. Michigan Lily 

The Michigan Lily (Also check out Common Types Of Michigan Wildflowers) is distinguishable by the bright orange-red petals of the flower. These petals are usually spotted with shades of brown and purple. 

From planting, the Michigan Lily takes around 4-5 years to bloom. When these plants do bloom, they will attract lots of hummingbirds and butterflies to the area!

6. Crossvine

The crossvine is a very unique wildflower that can be found in the United States. It is a creeping vine that can grow to very impressive heights. It uses fences and trees for support in this growth. 

This wildflower is a very useful one because it blooms during the colder seasons. This makes it an excellent source of food for overwintering birds. 

This wildflower is very flammable, so it is recommended that you keep it away from your house or any other structures that could catch on fire.

7. Blanket Flower 

Blanket flowers have red, orange, and yellow petals. It fits into the sunflower family.

It attracts large numbers of birds and bees which is why many beekeepers use the plant to help with the production of honey. The honey that is produced as a result of this orange wildflower is usually amber in color, mild, and buttery.

8. Carolina Lily

The Carolina Lily has a very strong fragrance. Interestingly, it is the only fragrant lily that you will find east of the Rocky Mountains.

This wildflower is orange with splashes of red and yellow on its petals. It is very attractive to lots of different pollinators, including butterflies, hummingbirds, and insects.

It is often also attractive to mammals, so if you have a problem with deer or rabbits in your garden, it is a good idea to avoid planting this lily. This is because these mammals may eat the leaves and flowers of the plant.

9. Tiger Lily 

The Tiger Lily produces a single flower that has orange petals and a yellow spotted center. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and lots of other pollinators. 

Tiger Lilies are not very easy to grow because of their sensitivity. They do not thrive if they experience a lack of sunlight, high salt levels, or drought.

Tiger Lily bulbs can stay dormant for up to five years, and will only grow in perfect conditions.

10. Orange Milkwort

This is a wildflower that is topped with a large number of tiny, orange blooms! The blooms are very bright and beautiful. You will often find this orange wildflower in hardwood forests and bogs. This is where it gets its nickname: Bog Cheetos! 

When the flowers on this plant dry, they often turn yellow. This is why it is sometimes known as the Yellow Milkwort. 

11. Orange-Fringed Orchid

The Orange-Fringed Orchid is very beautiful, large, and robust! It has a huge number of densely clustered orange flowers. They are very attractive to pollinators, often attracting large numbers of butterflies.

This wildflower is considered to be rare in 13 states and endangered in 7! This is because the natural habitat of this wildflower is being destroyed.

If you want to help with the survival of this wildflower, you can plant its seeds in your garden! It is fairly easy to grow from seed and will bring some beautiful color to the garden.

12. Berlandier Flax 

This wildflower is a beautiful yellow-orange color. The flower will only bloom for one or two days before it begins to wilt. 

While the lifetime of this flower is very short, it creates beautiful blossoms. This plant is native to the US, and it grows in a large variety of different habitats.

13. Texas Lantana 

This is a very important flower when it comes to supporting wildlife. Lots of different insects feed on parts of this plant and the nectar that it produces. The Lantana Scrub Hairstreak Caterpillar relies on this plant as a source of food.

This wildflower produces berries that are poisonous to livestock and humans. For this reason, you should avoid this plant if you have pets or children in your garden. 

14. Texas Paintbrush

The Texas Paintbrush is a wonderful wildflower. It is characterized by bright red spikes that fan outward from the stem at the center. The red-hued petals are the leaves of the plant, and the flowers are the small white tubes in the middle.

This can be misleading as the petals are often mistaken for the flower! This wildflower grows well in gardens and it will entice butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

15. Standing Cypress 

The Standing Cypress is a hardy orange wildflower. It is found in fields and gardens across the US.

The flowers on this plant are tubular and are a stunning red color. They have yellow and orange spots inside them. This plant is very easy to grow. The hummingbird is very fond of this flower.

16. Few-Flowered Milkweed

This is a beautiful plant that has a long blooming season. This means that it fills a garden that is coming to the end of the season with beautiful red-orange flowers! 

This wildflower is moderately poisonous and should be handled with care. A large number of grazing animals avoid this Milkweed because it is poisonous to them, too.

17. Tropical Milkweed

Tropical Milkweed is hard to miss due to its distinctive blossom. It consists of 5 orange petals that have a yellow star-shaped crown on top of them. 

This wildflower is not native to the United States, but it has become a very popular sight across the country.

This plant can be harmful to wildlife, however. This is because it carries a parasite that largely affects Monarch butterflies, causing defects in their wings. 

18. Firebush 

The Firebush is a beautiful bright orange wildflower. The flowers are small and tubular. In warm climates, this wildflower can produce flowers and fruit all year round! 

This flower produces large amounts of nectar, making it very attractive to hummingbirds. Songbirds love the berries that this wildflower produces. These berries are safe for human consumption, too.

19. Flame Azalea 

The Flame Azalea is a stunning orange plant that you will often find in home gardens. The flowers are showy and fragrant, and they come in yellow, orange, and red. 

This beautiful wildflower will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and lots of pollinating insects. 

This wildflower will grow well from seed, and it is one of the easiest rhododendron species to care for. It is native to the United States.

20. Orange Agoseris 

This wildflower is part of the sunflower family. The flowers are a copper-orange color, and they are often used to make Dandelion wine or beer.

Once this wildflower has been pollinated, the flower head will turn into a white, puffy ball. The wind then carries the seeds to create new plants. 

21. Wholeleaf Paintbrush

The Wholeleaf Paintbrush wildflower grows in pine forests and mountain oak forests. It has a very vivid orange color that comes from the leaves and not the flower. The flower is green.

If you are looking to identify this beautiful wildflower, take a look at its stems and leaves. You will find that the plant is covered in small white hairs.

22. Indian Paintbrush 

The Indian Paintbrush is a beautiful wildflower that you will find in the US. This plant can be difficult to grow and transport, and it is more commonly found in fields alongside other wildflowers.

Again, the red-orange coloring on this plant is found on the leaves rather than the flowers. 

23. Columbine 

The Columbine wildflower is a native flower to the United States. The plant is identified by its drooping, bell-like orange flowers. They are usually located near woodlands or in gardens. 

These plants attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds! 

24. Spotted Coralroot

The Spotted Coralroot is found in wooded areas. It doesn’t have any leaves, instead just clusters of flowers form on the plant. 

Mining bees are attracted to this wildflower, and they pollinate the plant. However, this plant also can self-pollinate as it transfers its pollen as the flower opens.

25. Trumpet Honeysuckle 

This wildflower has red-orange flowers that are in the shape of a trumpet. It attracts lots of different birds as they eat the red berries that the plant produces.

Purple Finches, Goldfinches, and American Robins are just a few of the visitors that this wildflower attracts. This plant will fit very well in your garden, and it will not grow too wildly. It is fairly easy to tame.

Final Thoughts 

This article has compiled a detailed list of the different types of orange wildflowers that you can find in the United States. These flowers are all very beautiful and individual, bringing lots of beauty to the US!

Keep an eye out for some of these wonderful plants as you should now be able to confidently identify them!