17 Yellow Annual Flowers to Plant This Season
Are you thinking of growing yellow annual flowers in your flowerbeds, but aren't sure which to pick? There are many different options, depending on your hardiness zone. In this article, gardening expert Natalie Leiker shares her favorite yellow annual flowers to add to your garden this season, with botanical information and pictures of each!
Whether you’re looking to add a splash of color to those dull garden borders, or need a companion plant to go in a combination planter, yellow will certainly do the trick! There are a plethora of options when it comes to picking out yellow flowering annuals, so it can feel a bit overwhelming without a little bit of help.
While many gardeners jump right into planting perennial flowers they know will return each season, adding some flowering annuals into the mix can open up a much larger world of floral diversity.
Yellow is one of the most eye-catching colors you can plant in your garden and can be used in many settings. Yellow can be added to landscape or garden borders to add a splash of color or planted with complimentary colors such as warm reds and oranges to create an eye-catching combination planter.
If you are interested in planting yellow flowers for bouquets, Zinnias or sunflowers might be your best bet. If you are looking for a simple, low maintenance flower that will stay low to the ground, portulaca or petunias will certainly do the trick. Let’s dig a little deeper and check out some of my favorite annual flowers with yellow blooms, and why any of them will make a perfect addition to your flowerbeds this season!
Contents
Pansies
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botanical name Viola x wittrockiana |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8-12 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
Pansies are one of the first flowers available in early spring due to their ability to withstand cold temperatures. They can tolerate night temperatures as low as 25 degrees, but any lower and the foliage will start to turn a grayish color and the plant will begin to wilt.
These full-sun, frost tolerant annuals do well as potted plants, and will often reseed themselves and come back the following season. Pansies come in all shades of yellow and the most iconic pansy displays a brown blotch, or ‘face’ on its bloom. Be sure to deadhead your pansies to lengthen the bloom time.
Pansies are a great option for early plantings in spring or late fall where night temperatures are unpredictable and might dip below 50 degrees. Once the day temperatures begin to reach above 80 degrees, pansies will start to die back.
Pansies can be a great option for planting in cooler climates or for gardeners at high elevation where lower night temperatures are prevalent.
Bidens
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botanical name Bidens sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 8 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
Bidens are small golden flowers that appear on fine fern-like foliage. These small yellow daisy-like flowers have a trailing habit. They spill over the sides of containers making them a great addition to any hanging basket or combination planter. They can also be planted as ground covers or garden borders.
These sun-loving, heat tolerant plants thrive all season long, and can be paired with other annuals such as purple petunias or calibrachoas for a striking color combination. Deadhead bidens once the blooms begin to die to keep the plant clean and encourage new flowers.
Varieties to note: Goldilocks Rocks, Yellow Charm
Marigolds
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botanical name Tagetes spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 2 to 11 |
Marigolds are one of the most popular annuals for many reasons. Not only are they drought tolerant, but they love as much sun as they can get and are even known to deter pesky garden insects! There are many types of marigolds, which can give you a vast selection in bloom and plant size.
If you are looking for a companion plant in your garden, or simply adding a border to deter insects, I recommend planting French marigolds. French marigolds are known for their chemical potency which will attract beneficial insects and ward off the icky ones.
With that being said, no matter where you are looking to plant, you can’t go wrong when growing marigolds. They are popular for a reason and will certainly add bright cheery colors to any container or garden. Marigolds are a great option for gardeners who are seeking a low maintenance, attractive companion plant in gardens or landscape border.
Varieties to note: Durango Yellow, Bonanza Yellow
Calendula
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botanical name Calendula officinalis |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 12 inches |
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hardiness zones 8 to 10 |
Calendula, also known as a ‘pot marigold’ is a close cousin to the marigolds that were previously mentioned. Calendula is a beautiful, sun-loving annual that flowers in golden or pale yellow.
These plants tend to reach about one foot tall and wide, and make a great addition to small planters or raised bed borders. Their blooms produce a soft yellow color and will continue to bloom throughout the summer into fall.
Varieties to note: Pacific Beauty, Lady Godiva Yellow
Petunias
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botanical name Petunia spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 36 inches (depending on type and variety) |
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hardiness zones 8 to 10 |
Petunias are one of the most popular plants in the gardening world. They are available in just about every color you can think of, yellow being one of those colors.
Petunias can withstand the hottest and driest of climates and are even resistant to critters such as deer and rabbits! Be sure to deadhead your petunias to encourage new growth and flowers throughout the season.
Pair yellow petunias with other trailing plants to make a bountiful hanging basket for your patio or add them to spaces of the bare landscape to add a pop of color.
Varieties to note: Easy Wave Yellow, Mini Vista Yellow
Calibrachoa
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botanical name Calibrachoa sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 10 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
Very similar to petunias in habit, shape, and growing preferences, Calibrachoas have become more and more popular amongst gardeners. These small trumpet shaped flowers grow to about 10-12 inches wide, and have a habit of trailing, which means they fill out and spill over patio containers.
Calibrachoas bloom prolifically throughout the season, which is probably how they got their nickname “million bells”. Deadheading million bells can encourage new flowers although it is not entirely necessary.
Calibrachoas will appreciate frequent fertilization throughout the growing season, be sure to plant them near plants with similar nutrient requirements such as petunias or vinca.
Varieties to note: Aloha Kona Yellow, Superbells Yellow
Cannas
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botanical name Canna sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 12 to 36 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
If you are looking for an upright flowering plant to add to a patio pot, cannas might be just what you are looking for. Cannas grow to about 3 feet tall, depending on their variety, and stay compact in doing so, meaning they won’t take over your other plants.
Cannas come in warm shades of reds, oranges, and yellows, and make a great addition to tropical themed plantings or vibrant containers.
Keep in mind that cannas grow best in warm climates, and are very sensitive to cooler temperatures. It is best to plant these in mid to late summer, when night temperatures stay warm. They will bloom throughout the heat of the season, up until the first frost.
Varieties to note: Canova Yellow, Toucan Yellow
Lantana
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botanical name Lantana sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 12 inches |
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hardiness zones 8 to 11 |
Perennial in warmer climates, Lantana is a great annual flower for those of us in cooler zones throughout North America. Lantana tolerates heat, drought, and is slightly sticky, making it unattractive to deer and other popular garden critters.
Lantana flowers are small round clusters that appear on the ends of trailing stems. Also available in orange, red, and pink, this plant makes a great groundcover or addition to patio planters and thrives in arid climates.
Lantana will produce small purplish berries towards the end of the growing season. Let the berries dry on the plant, and then pluck them off to harvest the seeds for the next season.
Varieties to note: Bandana Yellow, Luscious Citron
Purslane
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botanical name Portulaca sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 7 to 11 |
Portulaca is a great option for gardeners who live in areas that have hot and dry summers, or struggle with poor soil quality. The plant produces thick, waxy leaves and small dainty flowers.
Portulaca, sometimes referred to as “purslane” is a low maintenance trailing plant that can grow just about anywhere. Perennial to warmer climates, purslane will withstand periods of drought and is known to reseed itself even in cooler climates.
Purslane can be planted almost anywhere and it will grow, but it does best as a low maintenance ground cover or in hanging baskets.
Nemesia
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botanical name Nemesia sp. |
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sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
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height 10 to 12 inches |
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hardiness zones 2 to 10 |
Nemesia, often referred to as cape snapdragon, hosts small, dainty flowers that look very similar to snapdragons. Cape snapdragon grows to about 10 inches tall and wide, making it a great addition to containers or small spaces in the garden.
Nemesia can withstand hot and dry climates, however if you live in warmer zones these plants will benefit from a little shade.
Varieties to note: Sunsatia Lemon, Spicy Yellow
African Daisy
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botanical name Osteospermum spp. |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 10 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
Native to South Africa, hence the name, African Daisy is such a great option for all gardeners. These daisies bloom all season, and appreciate frequent deadheading, which in turn makes them a great cut flower.
African daisies require full sun to bloom, so be sure to plant these in areas that aren’t shaded by surrounding buildings or other plants. African daisies make great potted plants and can be grown in cut flower gardens. Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage growth of new blooms.
Zinnia
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botanical name Zinnia elegans |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 8 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 3 to 10 |
My personal favorite, Zinnias, are such a versatile plant and flower for home gardeners. Need a garden border? Zinnias. Want some easy-to-grow cut flowers? Zinnias. Have space in that combo planter but aren’t sure what to pick? These popular flowers tolerate heat, drought, humidity, deer, you name it.
Zinnias come in all different sizes and colors, making them a great choice for practically everyone. They require full sun to bloom prolifically and will do best in areas of the yard or garden that see the sun all day long.
Zinnias don’t require deadheading to encourage new flowers, but the spent blooms can be plucked off to keep a tidy plant.
Creeping Zinnia
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botanical name Sanvitalia procumbens |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 10 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
Although I am a bit biased with my love for all Zinnias, creeping zinnia is one of the most underrated annual plants out there. It produces tiny yellow blooms on dark green foliage, spreading to about 10 to 12 inches wide.
Creeping Zinnias are a low maintenance ground cover that love all the sunlight they can get. They are super drought tolerant, and make a great addition to patio pots and fairy gardens.
Varieties to note: Sunbini, Sunvy Super Gold
Black Eyed Susan
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botanical name Thunbergia |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 3 to 8 feet |
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hardiness zones 9 to 11 |
You might have seen or heard of black-eyed Susans, those gorgeous golden flowers that grow wild along highways in midwestern and southern regions. But have you heard of the black-eyed susan that climbs and fills trellises but displays that same bold yellow color?
Black-eyed Susan vines are warm weather annuals that never fail to impress. These low maintenance climbing flowers fill trellises or fences and display prolific yellow blooms throughout the season.
Annual black-eyed Susan vines are fairly low maintenance but appreciate frequent fertilization.
Sunflowers
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botanical name Helianthus annuus |
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sun requirements Full sun |
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height 3 to 9 feet |
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hardiness zones 4 to 9 |
We’ve all seen and experienced the beauty of sunflowers in roadsides, gardens, or maybe even fields. But are they the right plant for you?
Sunflowers require warm days, warm nights, and full sun. They do not like to be transplanted, meaning you should sow sunflower seeds directly into the ground or pot where you want them. Another thing to consider when planting sunflowers is the height of the plants.
Most sunflowers grow to about 7 feet tall. There are some dwarf sunflower varieties available that reach about 2 to 3 feet tall. Consider your planting area when choosing which variety of sunflowers, you want to plant, ensuring that they will receive full sun and not shade out any of your other crops/plants.
Sunflowers make great garden or yard borders, and brilliant cut flowers! They are known to reseed themselves in the right climate or can even be harvested to use for plantings next season.
Begonia
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botanical name Begonia spp. |
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sun requirements Shade to partial sun |
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height 10 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 2 to 8 |
If you are looking to add color to shady areas of your patio or garden, begonias might be a great option for you. Begonias, while generally planted in full shade, can actually tolerate some sun, which makes them a versatile option for many home gardeners.
They are annuals in hardiness zones 2 to 8 but can be overwintered indoors in these zones to be grown in the next season.
Begonias can be planted in hanging baskets, patio pots, and make great landscape borders with their striking foliage and vivid blooms. They provide a subtle splash of color on their green waxy leaves, which makes for an eye-catching display in any area.
Torenia
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sun requirements Shade |
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height 8 to 24 inches |
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hardiness zones 2 to 11 |
Torenia is a shade loving annual that produces small bell shaped flowers. These plants fill out and trail, making them great hanging basket components.
Torenia can tolerate a small amount of direct sunlight, but too much will result in light brown, sun-bleached leaves and can cause the plant stress. There are varieties of torenia that bloom in purples and blues as well, planting all of these colors together can make a great patio plant.
Final Thoughts
There are a plethora of options when it comes to picking the perfect yellow flowers for your garden. This makes it tricky to find the perfect plant for your space. Many of the annuals mentioned in this article are low maintenance, so figure out which varieties speak to you and get to planting!
Keep in mind that most of the plants mentioned in this article are available in other colors and varieties. Perhaps if one of these plants speaks to you, but you’re not sold on yellow – keep an eye out for the other colors!
