Yellow flowers are among some of the most popular flowers in the world. Their bright and cheery disposition is reminiscent of the sun, giving people the urge to smile whenever they see one.
Unless you’re a passionate gardener, you might struggle to identify a yellow flower. Everyone knows of the most popular yellow flowers, such as sunflowers or daffodils, but what about the ones that you don’t recognize?
If you want to expand your knowledge of flowers, or if you can’t think of the name of a particular cultivar, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 10 beautiful types of yellow flowers you may not have seen!
1. Bulbine (Bulbine)
Named after the bulb-like tubers, bulbine is a genus of flowering plants found in Southern Africa, Australia, and Yemen. Interestingly, this is a succulent plant that produces yellow flowers.
These flowers appear in summer and are varying shades of yellow, orange, and often white.
All bulbine cultivars feature a bright yellow bearded stamen and darker outer petals. They like to grow in full sun and work well to fill in gaps of a flower bed. These flowering plants grow best in dry climates that aren’t prone to frost.
When growing bulbine cultivars in your backyard, keep in mind that these are rapidly growing species that will often cover a lot of ground. They will need regular pruning to train them to your chosen size.
2. Carolina Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium Sempervirens)
Also known as the Carolina Jasmine, Carolina Yellow Jessamine is the state flower of – you guessed it – South Carolina.
This charming perennial is a twining vine that is often grown on fences, walls, and trellises to create a blanket of dark green foliage and happy yellow flowers.
The flowers produced are fairly small, bright yellow, and have an early blooming period from February to May.
For this reason, the Carolina Yellow Jessamine is popular amongst gardeners who are keen to kick-start their gardening hobby shortly after winter.
Despite the name, the Carolina Yellow Jessamine is not a true Jasmine. You can grow this flowering plant against a trellis or upright structure, or it can grow as ground cover in the form of bushy growth.
3. New Gold Lantana (Lantana Camara “New Gold”)
Native to Mexico, the West Indies, and the tropical Americas, the New Gold Lantana is a large shrubby ornamental plant that is ideal for landscaping purposes.
There are several Lantana cultivars, but the New Gold species is particularly stunning for its clusters of golden yellow flowers.
The flowers consist of around 5 round petals, which create a stark contrast against the dark green foliage. While the New Gold Lantana starts off with white flowers, they gradually turn into a burning gold color.
The changing of colors is what makes this cultivar such an exciting species for gardeners.
These hardy plants might be perennials, but they grow best when treated like annuals. So, they need to be replaced each year to prevent the plant from dying over winter. During summer, it will attract a range of pollinating wildlife.
4. Yellow Ranunculus (“Delano Yellow”)
Also known as the Persian Buttercup, the Yellow Ranunculus is a stunning bright yellow flower that is often mistaken for a yellow rose.
These flowers are typically found in floral arrangements thanks to their uniform structure and bright coloration.
While these flowers grow naturally in the Mediterranean, the yellow color tends to be duller. Brightly colored Yellow Ranunculus flowers are typically bred selectively by nurseries to achieve such intensity.
Though they are mostly used as cut flowers, you can also grow this cultivar in your backyard. They love moist, well-drained soil, and flowers best in full sun – except for some afternoon shade in the heat of summer.
5. Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium)
Possibly one of the most interesting unknown yellow flowers is the Dancing Lady Orchid. This orchid species is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
It is aptly named after the shape of the yellow petals, which resemble a dancing lady.
Despite being native to tropical regions, it is possible to grow a Dancing Lady Orchid in your own home. As with most orchids, they grow best in an indoor container.
They require a warm, humid environment, with access to morning sun and frequent watering.
While they thrive in a somewhat niche environment, these orchids are surprisingly easy to take care of. You may struggle to grow them outdoors, however, unless your backyard can resemble the adequate climate.
6. Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Often mistaken for daisies, Tickseeds are a charming flower that come in a variety of cultivars and colors, including white, pink, orange, and red.
The yellow variety is a particularly cheerful cultivar, with bright yellow semi-double petals and a center to match.
Not only is it beautiful, but the Tickseed flower is remarkably hardy and easy to grow.
They like to receive up to 6 hours of sunlight a day, they’re tolerant with soils (as long as it’s well-draining), and they work equally well in a flower border and a container.
Partial shade is only tolerated in the height of summer, otherwise they will droop.
Plus, the vivid color of the yellow Tickseed will help to bring pollinating wildlife into your backyard. You can expect to see hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and more around this charming little flower.
7. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum Majus)
Also known as the “Bells Yellow”, the snapdragon is a mid-sized annual that consists of bell-shaped yellow flowers surrounding a tall, thick stem.
These plants come in every color available, except for blue, and the yellow variety is a real standout for those wanting a splash of sunshine in their backyard.
With a blooming period between summer and fall, this is a cheerful flowering plant that works well to add some dimension to borders.
They prefer to grow in full sunlight, unless the sun is hot enough to damage the delicate petals, as well as well-drained soil. Due to their height, they require some shelter to prevent damage from harsh winds.
Snapdragons are really easy to care for, and only require minimal maintenance in the form of regular dead-heading to promote new flower growth.
8. Yellow Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium Parviflorum)
Also known as the Moccasin Flower, the Yellow Lady’s Slipper is a particularly rare type of orchid native to North America. In the wild, it grows on shorelines, wetlands, and woodlands.
While a fairly widespread cultivar, the Yellow Lady’s Slipper is actually considered endangered or threatened in some states.
To say this is a unique looking flower in an understatement. The flower consists mostly of two petals. The bottom petal is almost completely curved but hollowed out at the top, like a shoe (hence the name).
The top petal is typically green with purple variegation, and trails down the side of the bottom petal like shoelaces.
These orchids don’t like direct sunlight and prefer to live in moist soil to mimic their native environment. As with most orchids, they grow best in an indoor container.
9. Craspedia
Also known as Woollyheads or Billy Buttons, the genus Craspedia produces rosette-forming flowers that are native to Australia and New Zealand.
While they are technically herbs, people will often grow them for their spherical heads made of tiny yellow flowers. They’re a statement piece, that’s for sure!
These flowers are incredibly hardy and work well in a floral arrangement, in a backyard, or even dried. They prefer warm and sunny environments, though they tolerate partial shade, and well-drained soil.
These flowers grow best in small groups as they are light germinators, which means you’ll have to press the seed into the soil to germinate.
If anything, Craspedia thrives off of neglect. They would much rather have little water than too much, particularly in a drought, where the water can cause water-logging issues.
10. Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla)
Lastly, we have the Creeping Cinquefoil. This herbaceous perennial is native to the grasslands or the UK, and works well to fill in the gaps of a flower bed.
Interestingly, these flowers belong to the Rosaceae (rose) family, even though they look nothing like roses.
The charming little flowers on Creeping Cinquefoil are bell-shaped, open-faced, and bright yellow. Because of their natural habitat, this cultivar is surprisingly hardy and can withstand warm summer and cold winters.
Depending on where you live, however, they might struggle in the heat of summer afternoons. They benefit from partial shade.
One thing to keep in mind with the Creeping Cinquefoil is that this is an invasive species, which will need to be trained and pruned regularly. Still, it’s a good creeping plant for large flower beds.
Summary
So, there you have it! Hopefully, this list has taught you about some types of yellow flowers that you may not have heard about before.
There are countless yellow flower species and varieties, each with their own wonderful quirks and care requirements.
Next time you’re exploring the woods or your local garden center, keep an eye out for these yellow flowers!
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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