25 Yellow Flowering Trees and Shrubs For Your Garden

Struggling to find the perfect brigthly colored yellow flowering trees and shrubs to plant in your garden or around your home? In this article, we take a look at our favorite flowering trees and shrubs that have yellow flowers, with pictures and information on each of these beautiful plants!

Yellow Flowering Tree

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Yellow flowering trees and shrubs make a gorgeous addition to any garden. Bright like the sun, yellow foliage will give your outdoor space an energizing, comfortable feel to it. In this article, you’ll learn all about several different yellow flowering trees and shrubs you can plant in your garden or near your home.

Whether you want bright yellow roses, trees blooming with flowers, or more subtly yellow foliage, there is something for just about everyone’s taste. Add bursts of yellow throughout your garden or fill your garden with these bright trees and shrubs; either way, your garden will have a little more eye-popping color.

In this guide, you’ll learn what each tree or shrub looks like, a brief overview on their care, and just about everything else in between. Depending on your growing zone, many of these yellow flowering shrubs or trees can easily brighten up your yard this spring. Let’s take a deeper look at our favorites!

Austrian Briar

yellow flowers in green foliage
These shrubs enjoy full sun and moist soil.
Scientific name: Rosa foetida

The Austrian Briar, or Rose Foetida, will bloom stunning golden flowers early in the summer. Not only is the color vibrant to us, but it draws in bees, butterflies, and birds.

To keep this shrub healthy, you need to place Austrian Briars in direct sunlight all day. We suggest planting them in the sunniest area of your garden to produce their flowers. Moist soil works best for a Rose Foetida, but be sure it isn’t soggy. High draining soil can be helpful to avoid overwatering and root rot.

Austrian briar shrubs should be fertilized every couple of years for optimal health. All-purpose fertilizer will give your shrub extra nutrients, but you may also test your garden’s soil to determine what the nutrient levels currently are.

Brazilian Plume Flower Shrub

tall yellow spiky flower
The unique shape of this shrubs flowers will draw in hummingbirds and butterflies.
Scientific name: Justicia carnea

Brazilian Plume Flower Shrubs are evergreen shrubs that feature dark green leaves and stunning tubular flowers. The Brazilian Plume blooms at the beginning of summer and continues to the fall. Because of their shape, hummingbirds and butterflies flock to these flowers.

To grow a healthy Justicia carnea, you will need to plant this shrub in well-drained soil in a partially shady or fully shaded area. Fertilizing this shrub in early spring, mid-summer, and at the beginning of fall will allow it to grow and blossom.

Bush Cinquefoil

yellow star shaped flower with dark green leaves
These beautiful shrubs are disease and insect resistant, making them easy to grow.
Scientific name: Potentilla fruticosa

Bush Cinquefoil is a gorgeous shrub that has bright yellow flowers from summer to fall. It grows between 1 and 3 feet tall, but don’t let this deter you. If you live in a cold climate, this plant will thrive in areas as cold as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, Bush Cinquefoil has a strong disease and insect resistance, making it easier to care for.

For the best care, Potenillas need partial shade or full sun. Partial shade during a hot day allows the plant to bloom longer. Though it does best with moist, well-drained soil, it can still grow in alkaline, rocky, clay, or dry soil.

Chinese Flame Tree

pink and yellow flowers in tree
These flowering trees love the shade and make a great cover for other shade loving plants.
Scientific name: Koelreuteria bipinnata

The Chinese Flame Tree, also known as the “Golden Rain Tree,” blooms fragrant flowers that turn from yellow to orange or red and resemble Chinese lanterns. This tree makes a perfect shady tree for any garden, and you can even plants that thrive in the shade underneath.

This stunning tree may look a little off if it is planted in an area that doesn’t provide it with plenty of sunlight. Chinese Flame Trees can tolerate various soils but thrives in well-drained soil. For at least 2-3 years, you will need to water moderately regularly until it’s well-established.

Forsythia

tree with bright yellow flowers
With the right amount of sun and drainage, these trees will produce a beautiful bloom.
Scientific name: Genus Forsythia

Forsythia, also known as the golden bell, is is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia and eastern Europe. It is a low-maintenance shrub that grows quickly, making it a great addition to any garden. Golden bell shrubs feature bright yellow flowers that bloom in the spring. 

Ensure that your Forsythia gets a minimum of 6 hours of sun per day. Though it can do okay in moderate sunlight, it may not flower properly. These shrubs require well-drained soil, as wet soil will reduce their ability to grow appropriately.

Golden Barberry

beautiful small yellow petal flowers in bloom, purple reddish leaves
This shrub will boast different rich colors throughout each season.
Scientific name: Berberis thunbergii

The Golden Barberry Bush is a variety of the Japenese Barberry that produces stunning yellow foliage that you can enjoy year-round. As summer changes to fall, the leaves will turn to a vibrant red-orange and then will lose their leaves in winter.

Until the Golden Barberry is established, regular watering will be necessary. Plant feed isn’t required, and this shrub adapts well to just about any type of soil. It needs plenty of sunshine; otherwise, it will be more of a lime color rather than bright yellow.

Golden Jackpot

little wispy yellow flowers on shrub
This beautiful shrub makes for a good hedge for some extra privacy around your yard.
Scientific Name: Weigela rosea

Golden Jackpots, sometimes referred to as Weeping Weigela, are shrubs that are easy to care for. This shrub features bright, yellow five-petal star flowers during the summer. They grow up to 6 feet tall and make a gorgeous hedge.

Grow the Weeping Weigela in an area that gets a minimum of 4 hours of daily sunlight. Though the Golden Jackpot can adapt to most soil types, it works best with well-drained soil. You will need to water it regularly during its first growing season, sometimes more when extreme heat occurs.

Golden Trumpet

bright yellow trumpet shaped flower on tree
This flowering tree makes a beautiful, shady canopy for any yard with full sun exposure.
Scientific name: Allamanda cathartica

Golden Trumpet Trees can grow to anywhere from 25 feet and up to 50 feet with a rounded canopy. It is a semi-evergreen/semi-deciduous native to Brazil and can be confused with its look-a-like, Tabebuia ochracea.

Avoid overwatering Allamanda trees to allow them to grow and bloom their gorgeous yellow flowers fully. They do best when grown in sunny areas, with fertile soil and moderate watering. Fertilizing in the spring and summer every couple of weeks or so will give it the nutrients it needs to thrive. As winter approaches, you can stop fertilizing Golden Trumpet trees.

Japanese Rose

yellow bushy flower
These beautiful shrubs can become invasive so be sure to check your zone before planting.
Scientific name: Kerria japonica

Japanese rose is a deciduous shrub that features bright yellow flowers with five petals and colorful green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Not only are the flowers bright and eye-catching, but the branches also create visual interest in your garden.

Japanese rose plants can become invasive if grown in the Eastern and Southeastern states. If you live in one of these regions, keep this in mind when choosing your planting location.

Though the Japanese Rose requires regular watering, it is essential to avoid over-watering it. Though it can tolerate some drought, it doesn’t do well in soggy soil. Pruning Japanese rose shrubs are vital to promoting blooming for the next season.

Kousa Dogwood

light yellow flower with bulb like center
This flowering tree will offer different colors in the springtime and during the fall season.
Scientific name: Cornus kousa

Kousa Dogwood trees feature white flowers, or light yellow flowers that bloom in springtime. During the fall, the foliage changes to a red-purple color each fall. These trees not only grow tall but are wide with a rounded canopy. Kousa dogwoods tend to be more insect and disease-resistant than other dogwood trees.

Kousas thrive in areas that are partially shaded or have full sun. Grow Kousa Dogwoods in well-drained, nutrient-rich, and slightly acidic soil. Established Dogwoods are drought tolerant but can benefit from watering once per week during extremely hot and dry periods. For optimal growth, please give them a good watering once per week.

Honey Perfume Rose

cluster of light yellow roses in garden
This particular species will give you that “rose smell” that all gardeners want.
Scientific name: Rosa

As the name suggests, Honey Perfume Rose shrubs have an intense fragrance that will fill your garden with that delicious rose scent. You can find Rosa shrubs blooming in colors ranging from peach, apricot, and yellow. Because of its eye-catching look and powerful fragrance, the Honey Perfume Rose won the 2004 All-American Rose Selection.

These roses grow well with moderate watering in slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Rosa thrives in full sun with regular pruning maintenance to keep flowers blooming each season. Placing mulch can help the roots retain moisture while keeping weeds away.

Lydian Broom

shrub with tons on little yellow flowers
This shrub is beautiful and vibrant and very easy to grow and care for.
Scientific name: Genista Lydia

Lydian broom shrubs feature unique bluish-green foliage and small but vibrant yellow flowers. These shrubs are great for gardeners who want bursts of yellow throughout their beds. When fully grown, they form a rounded mound-like shape.

You can plant these shrubs in just about any soil, as they tolerate all acidity levels and poor soil. These plants aren’t fussy, so you rarely need to fertilize them. They require full sun and regular watering until they are established.

Oregon Grape

tiny yellow flowers clustered on green spikey leaves
This shrub offers not only beautiful flowers, but edible tiny grapes as well.
Scientific name: Mahonia aquifolium

Aptly named, the Oregon Grape is the state flower for Oregon. Oregon Grape shrubs feature colorful foliage all year round with green and purple leaves, vibrant yellow flowers, and purple or blue fruit no matter the season. Surprisingly, the fruit is not a grape; it is edible with a tart flavor.

Well-drained soil is ideal for Oregon Grape trees and promotes the best growth. These trees thrive when grown in neutral to acidic soil in full sun areas. Water the ground regularly, at least weekly, to keep the soil moist and well-maintained.

Palo Verde

tree with small yellow flowers on it
The green trunk and bright yellow contrasting flowers make these trees very unique to any garden.
Scientific name: Parkinsonia praecox

Palo Verde trees are breathtaking, semi-evergreen trees with bright yellow flowers that contain orange in the center. The tiny flowers fill the tree, contrasting beautifully with the bluish-green leaves and branches. In addition to all of the pretty flowers, the trunk and branches themselves offer an eye-catching look.

The trunk contains distinctive smooth green bark, and each of the branches has twists and turns that elegantly weave as they continue to grow. You can grow Palo Verde trees just about any time of the year, aside from cold winter months. Grow this tree in deep, well-drained soil and avoid shallow watering. You only need to water Palo Verde trees biweekly in the summer and only monthly in the winter.

Perforate St. John’s Wort

yellow flowers on a branch
This tree is well known for its therapeutic effects on certain medical conditions.
Scientific name: Hypericum perforatum

This showy shrub features two-toned foliage and bright yellow flowers throughout. It’s a yellow perennial flower, meaning it will return year over year. The foliage is green or blue-green and changes to yellowish-green in the fall. Each yellow 5-petaled flower contains many stamens and tiny black dots.

Grow St. John’s Wort in sunny areas in northern areas, though southern plants enjoy a little shade. It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and is regularly watered no matter where you live. Adding compost once a year will allow optimal growth.

Pontic Azalea

small star shaped flowers in a cluster
This shrub will give off a beautiful sweet smell to your spring garden.
Scientific Name: Rhododendron luteum

Pontic Azaleas, also known as honeysuckle azaleas, are famous for their sweet scent and colorful foliage in springtime. It is a medium-sized bushy shrub with clusters of vibrant funnel-shaped yellow flowers. Not all honeysuckles have edible, including the Pontic Azalea, which is poisonous. It has been said that Yellow Azaleas can symbolize friendship or represent family relationships.

Rhododendrons tolerate sunny areas in cool, moist areas. Plant them shallowly in an area that protects them from strong winds for optimal health. Adding annual mulch will help retain its moisture and keep the soil nice and cool.

Spindle Bush

small yellow berry shaped flowers in a tree
This bush offers a variety of different features throughout the year.
Scientific name: Euonymus europaeus

The Spindle Bush is a deciduous-evergreen shrub that has an eye-catching structure. Euonymus shrubs have yellow-green flowers in the spring and feature Fushia-colored fruit with orangish-red seeds in the fall. They make great decorative bushes because of their unique, colorful appearance.

Spindle shrubs thrive in full sun areas and will bloom the best when showered in the sunshine. However, these shrubs can tolerate partial sun. They handle all soil types and can adapt to all acidic levels. These shrubs require regular watering until they are established.

Sweet Acacia

round fluffy yellow flower on tree branch
This unique shrub is not only eye catching but its fragrance will be sure to draw in all sorts of pollinators as well.
Scientific name: Vachellia farnesiana

Sweet Acacia is another evergreen that is adored for its fragrant flowers. It is a semi-evergreen shrub that resembles the shape of a vase. This eye-catching shrub features fuzzy, yellow flowers that bloom in clusters during springtime.

Grow Sweet Acacia shrubs in sunny, warm areas with full sun for optimum health. During summertime, especially times of extreme heat, these shrubs will require heavy watering. You can expect ideal flowering and foliage by giving it plenty of water.

Tipu Tree

green tree with small yellow flowers on it
For a fast growing, easy to maintain tree, this is your tree.
Scientific name: Tipuana tipu

Tipu trees, or Tipuana trees, are stunning legume trees native to Bolivia. Tipu trees are large trees that appear flat on top and provide a good amount of shade. They grow pretty quickly, with maximum growth around 15-20 feet tall. Each winter, this tree features a canopy of bright green foliage before shedding its leaves in the spring.

You can grow Tipu trees in most soil types, including dry or moist soil, clay, and sand. Though they do best with acidic soil, they can also grow in alkaline soil. Tipu trees require lots of regular watering to look their best but are somewhat drought resistant.

Winter Jasmine

small yellow flowers on tree branch
This beautiful bloom is known to welcome in spring.
Scientific name: Jasminum nudiflorum

At first glance, you may mistake Winter jasmine for Forsythia because of their winter-blooming yellow buttercup flowers. Because it blooms after the winter, it is referred to as “Yingchun” in Chinese, which translates to “the flower that welcomes spring.”

Winter jasmine thrives when grown in well-drained soil in sunny areas that offer full sun. It requires the most water in springtime and summer, about 2-3 times per week. You can gradually reduce watering in fall and winter to about once per week.

Witch-Hazel

tree with yellow spikey looking flowers
These tress have long been know for its medicinal uses.
Scientific name: Hamamelis

Witch-Hazel trees feature unique flowers with pastel petals that bloom in mid-autumn. Its branches grow upward, somewhat resembling an upside-down triangle shape. Many gardeners grow witch-hazel for its skincare benefits, including sunburn and bug bite relief.

These stunning trees grow to around 30 feet tall and spread up to 15 feet wide on top. You can use Witch-Hazel trees for borders and hedges, as well as decorative trees.

Grow Witch-Hazels in sunny locations or partial shade in hotter regions. They grow best in nutrient-dense soil and require regular watering.

Yellow Buckeye

red and yellow tube shaped flowers in a bunch on a tree
Although beautiful, these trees are poisonous, so be mindful of where you plant them.
Scientific name: Aesculus flava

Yellow Buckeyes grow in an oval shape and offer gorgeous fall shades. It features dark green leaves that change from bright yellows and oranges in autumn. The flowers that produce the nuts are a pastel yellow color. Keep in mind that the buckeyes on the Yellow Buckeye tree are poisonous.

These trees thrive in full sun areas and need plenty of water. Grow Yellow Buckeyes in moist, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil for it to grow best. You can find Yellow Buckeyes in soils in coves and river bottoms, so they can tolerate brief flooding. Dry soil, however, can destroy the look of its foliage.

Yellow Camellia Shrub

delicate yellow flower with yellow stamen
This shrub can be a bit finicky, but its blooms are worth the trouble.
Scientific name: Camellia nitidissima

Yellow Camellia Shrubs have gorgeous pastel flowers that are a creamy yellow color, with some flowers having a tinge of pink. Its colors become deeper soon after the flowers are fully bloomed. Some varieties of Camellia shrubs feature bright yellow flowers as well.

Depending on the variety, grow Camellias in either full sun or partial shade during the spring or fall. Yellow Camellia Shrubs need some shade to protect them from intense sunny days when they are younger. However, you do not want to put these shrubs in full shade areas as they may not flower. As the plants grow, their foliage will offer coverage from the sun, keeping it from penetrating the roots. Water Camellias regularly once planted and continue throughout the season.

Yellow Chain Tree

tiny yellow flowers hanging in bunches from tree
Make sure to smell this tree before you plant. Its fragrance is known to be a bit overwhelming.
Scientific name: Laburnum

This spectacular tree features golden flowers that droop in clusters up to 20 inches in length, giving your garden a bright and unique look. Keep in mind the fragrance; they have an intense scent that can take some getting used to. Young trees will need stakes for support for their trunks.

Plant Golden Chain Trees during autumn or early in the spring. These trees grow best with full sun and well-drained soil that’s alkaline or acidic. They grow pretty quickly at nearly 2 feet per year. Water your Yellow Chain Trees weekly, but avoid puddling at its base.

Yellow Oleander

yellow trumpet shaped flowers
This plant is poisonous so be not to plant them near any children or pets.
Scientific name: Cascabela thevetia

Yellow Oleander shrubs have thin green leaves and stems and feature bright yellow flowers. Although this shrub makes a stunning plant for your garden, its branches and leaves are poisonous. Be sure to plant them in areas where young children or pets cannot accidentally ingest them.

This tall shrub needs an open area for it to grow to its full potential. Water these shrubs regularly from spring to fall to keep them nice and healthy. Dry soil during the flowering season can cause the flowers to wither early. Because Oleanders like humid environments, mist them at least once per week or more if you live in a dry region.

They require well-drained soil with compost for optimal drainage and to encourage healthy roots.

Final Thoughts

The color yellow is said to promote optimism and happiness more than other colors. So, it’s no surprise that yellow flowers can not only add pops of vibrant color but can inspire joy in your garden. With so many plants that feature yellow flowers, there’s likely something here in this list, no matter your hardiness zone. While we didn’t cover obvious yellow flowering trees like the cassia, any one of these trees should add some additional color to your home or garden.

If you prefer bright bursts of yellow, we suggest the Lydian Broom shrub. For pastel flowers, you can’t go wrong with a Japanese rose. Japanese rose shrubs also offer a delicious fragrance that will fill your garden. Good luck, and happy planting!

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