17 Beautiful Yellow Lily Cultivars to Brighten Your Garden

Often selected to convey feelings of happiness and gratitude, yellow lilies deliver a special kind of sunny joy in gardens and flower shops all over the world. A cheerful and friendly sight when planted by the front door, yellow lilies can draw you in and make you feel welcomed. They are also frequently sent as gifts to convey sentiments of thank you or congratulations. 

While yellow is not the most prevalent lily color, most species in the Lilium genus produce at least a few cultivars that flower in shades of lemon, cream, mustard, or canary yellow. Their blooms range in size from 3 to 10 inches, and plant heights typically average between 2 and 4 feet. Most are hardy from zone 3 to 9.

If you’d like to work some of this energizing color into your landscape but aren’t sure which yellow lily cultivar is right for you, read on for a closer look at some of your options. We’ve gathered photos, compiled growing information, and suggested some of our favorites for your consideration.

‘Citronella’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Citronella’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Golden yellow blooms face outward in pendant form on this Asiatic hybrid lily. Stems are slender and multi-stemmed, offering up to 20 flowers per plant once fully established. Petals are golden and recurved with dainty brown freckles. Flower stamens are long and chartreuse-colored with brown anthers to match the freckling.

Citronella naturalizes easily and will take over a large area in time if it has proper drainage and adequate moisture. Foliage is dark green and linear. Though stems are narrow, they are resilient. Staking should be considered only for locations with sustained high winds.

‘Connecticut King’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Connecticut King’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Flowers are large and non-fragrant on this stunning Asiatic lily, so it pairs well with other stronger-smelling lilies and perennials. Its upward-facing blooms are citrine yellow and typically reach widths of 4 to 6 inches across. Petals are long and thin with a slight arch at the tips and a slight incurve at their margins. They have no freckling.

Centers are a darker shade of yellow and have long, upright stamen with greenish anthers. Leaves and early flower buds are a rich, grass-green color that perfectly complements Connecticut King’s citrusy blooms.

‘Brushstroke’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Brushstroke’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Blooms have a creamy yellow-green tint and average 3 to 6 inches wide on this exceptional Asiatic lily. Petal midribs, margins, and centers are slightly darker in color. They face upward and open fully to reveal burgundy streaks and splotches near their centers.

Brushstroke’s flowers are supported by strong stems and waxy, bright green leaves. It has little to no scent and will bloom for an extended period of time after cutting.

For a lovely display, grow this lily in the middle or rear section of a mixed bed with dainty, yellow or white flowers at its feet.

‘Goldsmith’

	botanical name Lilium (Trumpet) ‘Goldsmith’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-5 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

A member of the Trumpet lily class, Goldsmith features buttery yellow blooms with subtle burgundy highlights and a strong, pleasant fragrance. Petals are solid, gently ruffled, and slightly recurved in a classic 6-point arrangement. Throats are deep and have prominent stamens that dangle from the depths of these down-drooping blooms.

Tall in stature at up to 5 feet in height, this cultivar grows stronger each season and blooms more prolifically. Trumpet lilies can be vulnerable to late spring frosts so wrap or cover this one if unseasonable weather is expected after shoots have emerged.

‘Golden Splendor’

	botanical name Lilium (Trumpet) ‘Golden Splendor’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Bronze stems and sepals provide a lovely contrast to this cultivar’s golden blooms, which vary in intensity and are mostly solid. Flowers are strong-smelling and outward facing in a classic trumpet shape. Petals curl gracefully back away from their centers to reveal amber-colored anthers.

Foliage also has hints of bronze, giving this cultivar some depth in the landscape. Golden Splendor will produce between 12 and 20 blooms each season once established, so go ahead and snip a few off for your kitchen table bouquet.

‘King Pete’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘King Pete’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Petals are a soft yellow with tangerine splotching and light brown freckles on this Asiatic beauty. Before opening, buds also have some orange streaks and markings, which provide a striking contrast.

King Pete’s blooms face outward and feature stiff stamens with small, light brown anthers. Leaves are slightly textured and sage-green in color, giving them garden interest even after this lily’s flower cycle is complete.

‘Grand Cru’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Grand Cru’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Flowers are open and up-facing on this bicolor Asiatic lily. Petals are buttery yellow with burgundy splotches and freckles toward their centers. Edges curl inward slightly on blooms that are otherwise mostly flat. 

Flowers are large at roughly 5 inches wide and non-fragrant. Foliage is whorled,  pointed, and bright green. Plant Grand Cru with smaller red perennials and annuals for an excellent coupling. Or work it into a yellow garden with coreopsis and coneflowers.

‘Caucasian Lily’

	botanical name Lilium monadelphum (Species) ‘Caucasian Lily’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-6 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

This Species group lily is native to the mountains of Russia and can spread easily in its natural habitat. Growing it in a controlled garden environment may be a little challenging, especially during its first few seasons. Make sure the soil has plenty of lime and excellent drainage to give your Caucasian Lily the best possible start. And be patient.

Flowers are straw-colored and down-facing in a classic trumpet shape. Petals are recurved and have delicate burgundy freckles. Foliage is hairy and whorled, and stems are very thick.

‘Beau Soleil’

	botanical name Lilium (Longiflorum Asiatic) ‘Beau Soleil’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Flowers can be 6 to 12 inches wide on this show-stopping, hybrid lily. Petals are golden yellow with a satin sheen and have a scattering of delicate brown freckles. Blooms are classic and reflexive, facing upward in large numbers on sturdy, dark green stems.

Throats have green and brown streaks with prominent yellow pistils and stamens. Leaves are ovate, waxy, and dark green. Bau Soleil’s simplicity and subtle scent make it a cutting garden favorite.

‘Conca d’Or’

	botanical name Lilium (Oriental Trumpet) ‘Conca d’Or’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Massive, trumpet-shaped flowers have a light, fruity scent on this Oriental Trumpet hybrid lily. Petals are gently ruffled and recurved, featuring lemon yellow bases and midribs with creamy white margins. A few tiny red freckles dust their surfaces.

Leaves are lanceolate and very dark, adding drama and contrast to this already showy cultivar. Reaching heights of up to 5 feet, Conca d’Or is a natural choice for rear borders and along fences. Stems should be staked if they are exposed to high winds and/or located in an open field.

‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’

	botanical name Lilium (Martagon) ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

This Turk’s Cap lily has an abundance of 2-inch, banana-hued blooms that droop downward. Dark yellow petals are tinged with orange and dotted with crimson as they reflex upward in a traditional hat shape. Stamens are a citrus green color with orange anthers, providing a lovely contrast.

Early buds are pink – a color that remains on the petals’ exteriors in a shade of blush as flowers mature. Stems are very thick and hold up well without staking. Leaves are narrow and spiral-form. Mrs. R.O. Backhouse prefers moist conditions with a bit more shade than your typical lily, so it’s a good choice for sites near the forest’s edge.

‘Pollyanna’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Pollyanna’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Flowers are bowl-shaped with a slight reflex and they face upward on strong stems. Petals are canary yellow with tangerine brushmarks near the midribs and have a scattering of brown flecks. Blooms are lightly scented and have an extra long vase life.

Plant Pollyanna with tropical oranges and reds for an exotic grouping in the garden. This cultivar also grows well in a container and has a very tall, sturdy stature. So it’s a good choice for an urban rooftop or balcony planting.

‘Leichtlin’s Lily’

	botanical name Lilium Leichtlinii (Asiatic) ‘Leichtlin’s Lily’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Flowers have a traditional Turk’s Cap shape and droop downward like lanterns on this vibrant Asiatic cultivar. Blooms are a sunny, golden yellow with rust-colored freckles and anthers. Stamens are bright yellow and quite long, dangling from each flower’s center and attracting beneficial bees.

Leichtlini’s Lily naturalizes quickly and produces up to 20 blooms at maturity. Stems are chocolate brown for a stunning contrast, and leaves are dark intense green.

‘Tiny Bee’

	botanical name Lilium (Dwarf Asiatic) ‘Tiny Bee’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-14 inches
	hardiness zones 3-8

Blossoms are pineapple yellow and mostly solid on this miniature, Asiatic lily with a big personality. Leaves are strappy and dark green with a waxy finish and a raised stripe texture. Bred to be highly resistant to fungus and root rot, Tiny Bee is an excellent choice for areas with less-than-perfect soil conditions.

This cultivar’s upright, spiky personality makes it a great central figure in a mixed container. Pair it with rich purples and dark pinks for a vibrant color palette.

‘Canada Lily’

	botanical name Lilium Canadense ‘Canada Lily’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

You can expect roughly 20 bell-shaped flowers to nod beautifully from 3-5 foot, multi-bract stems in early to mid-summer on this lovely North American lily. Petals resemble small banana peels arching backward to reveal a scattering of red freckles on their interiors. Stamens are long and tipped with extra large, orange anthers to attract pollinators.

Unlike most lilies, which spread underground by clump, this cultivar produces an abundance of seed and disperses it through the wind. Canada Lily has grass-like, whorled foliage and will spread quickly in an environment with soil that is moist but well draining.

‘Cocotte’

	botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Cocotte’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8

Petals are flat, ovate and pineapple yellow in color on this striking Asiatic lily. Their margins and anthers are both cherry red, providing a dash of tropical style. Flowers are numerous on top of finely textured foliage and plants have a more rounded habit than many other lily cultivars, making Cocotte a good choice for border fronts or container gardens.

This is a pollen-free lily, which means it can be brought inside without affecting allergy sufferers. For this reason, you’ll often find this cultivar worked into cutting gardens and floral arrangements.

‘Miss Peculiar’

	botanical name Lilium (Oriental Trumpet) ‘Miss Peculiar’
	plant type Bulb, perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to part shade
	height 4-6 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blooms can be up to a foot wide on this jumbo lily in the Oriental Trumpet hybrid group. They face outward in pendant form and their petals curl back whimsically. Flowers are creamy-white with golden yellow stars on their throats. Stamens are prominent and have rust-colored anthers.

Stems are thick but due to the weight of this cultivar’s blooms, staking is recommended in exposed areas. Plant along a fence or next to the house, and Miss Peculiar should be fine without support.