17 Yellow Rose Varieties to Brighten Your Garden

Love a cheerful pop of yellow in your garden but aren’t sure which yellow rose to grow this season? Roses come in an array of yellow shades, from deep gold to bright sunny lemon. In this article, we share our favorite yellow roses to add bright color to your garden, with names and pictures of each!

Nothing adds happiness and warmth to your garden like a yellow rose. Whether you love intense color or prefer soft creamy shades, yellow roses are excellent choices to accompany the other perennial flowers in your garden!

Whether you prefer an invigorating palette of hot, attention-getting colors or a soothing pastel retreat, we’ve simplified the process for you by making a list of the best yellow roses. Here you’ll find award-winners, delicious fragrances, and roses chosen for success in a variety of climates. Let’s jump into our favorite varieties of yellow roses, with names and pictures of each!

‘Graham Thomas’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 10’ – 12’
	hardiness zones 5-8

This gorgeous climber is for those who want yellow as the centerpiece in their garden! Growing up to 12 ft. tall, ‘Graham Thomas’ will be covered in rich, honey-yellow English-style blooms. It was named “World’s Favorite Rose’ by the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2009.

Train ‘Graham’ up a sturdy arbor or trellis in full sun for major impact. This rose blooms in an impressive flush in spring and repeats in smaller cycles throughout the season.

‘Graham Thomas’ looks gorgeous next to blue flowers like flax and perennial geraniums. No matter your style, this rose is sure to be a stunner in your garden.

‘Julia Child’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Julia Child’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 2’ – 3’
	hardiness zones 5-10

With all of the famous energy of its beloved namesake, ‘Julia Child’ is a treasure of a rose. This bestseller was approved by the chef herself and is, appropriately, a delicious buttery yellow.

‘Julia Child’ is a perfect size for growing in containers but will work equally well in a mixed border. It’s a floribunda (cluster-flowering rose) with a bushy habit and full, anise-scented blooms.

‘Julia’ is an easy-care rose variety known for disease resistance and bloom power. An excellent choice for beginners! You can’t go wrong with this All-America Rose Selection winner! 

‘Eternal Flame’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Eternal Flame’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 4’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 5- 10

A memorial rose to honor the sacrifice of veterans, ‘Eternal Flame’ is the color of flickering candlelight. A highly floriferous hybrid tea (large single flowers on long stems), this rose makes beautiful cut flowers to bring inside.

‘Eternal Flame’ has a lovely fresh, lemon scent. It boasts gorgeous waved petals produced in profusion from spring through frost.

 Choose ‘Eternal Flame’ if you love scented bouquets or if you’d like to honor someone special. This mid-sized shrub is resistant to black spot but does not love the heat. Plan to provide some afternoon shade if you choose this beauty.

‘Peace’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Madame A. Meilland’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 4-9

One of the most loved roses for gardens and the floral trade, the unique coloring of ‘Peace’ will be a highlight in your garden. Each exhibition-quality bloom is a light amber-yellow with petals outlined in soft pink.

Named ‘Peace’ to celebrate the end of World War II, this multiple award-winning gem can blend into a variety of garden color schemes. Let ‘Peace’ shine as a specimen plant, or complement it with a variety of pink perennials like dianthus or foxglove.

‘Peace’ has a pleasant fruity fragrance and makes beautiful cut flowers. To ensure maximum bloom, provide a spot with full sun and loamy, well-drained soil.

‘Yellow Lady Banks’

	botanical name Rosa Banksiae ‘Lutea’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 15’ – 20’
	hardiness zones 6-9

If you want a vigorous rose that blooms its heart out with no help from you, ‘Yellow Lady Banks’ might be your perfect match. However, this giant climber is not for the faint of heart! Growing to 20 feet tall, ‘Lady’ can take over your garden in the most breathtaking way.

The white version of ‘Lady Banks’ is the world’s largest rose, found in Tombstone, Arizona. It spreads over 8,000 sq. ft! ‘Yellow Lady Banks’ will be a bit more demure but will still cover your garden with an amazing display of miniature, fluffy buttercream roses each spring.

‘Lady Banks’ can tolerate some shade but does prefer 6 hours of direct sun per day. It is highly disease and pest-resistant. Once trained up a support (try a tree!), ‘Lady’ will thrive for years with minimal care. Plant this antique rambler for major impact and delightful perfume.

‘Golden Celebration’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Golden Celebration’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4.5’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 5-11

With the scent of sweet strawberry wine and old-fashioned, globe-shaped blooms, ‘Golden Celebration’ will win your heart. A nicely rounded, mid-size shrub, ‘Golden’ fits beautifully among the other flowers in your garden borders.

Winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, ‘Golden Celebration’ is a reliable repeat bloomer. True to its name, each fully double flower is a warm golden shade.

Plant ‘Golden Celebration’ next to lavender for a delightful and fragrant garden combination.

‘Dream Come True’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Wekdocpot’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun to Part Shade
	height 5’ – 7’
	hardiness zones 5-10

If you like a bit of variety in your yellow, this standout might be your ‘Dream Come True’. Growing up to 7 ft. tall, ‘Dream’ has full tangerine blooms, edged in cherry red. It’s a Grandiflora, meaning it combines the bloom power of a clustering Floribunda with the classic hybrid tea flower shape.

This variety will bloom from June through frost and is resistant to pests and disease. It thrives in a wide range of climates. ‘Dream Come True’ is a joy to watch, as each bloom is unique and unfurls in a multicolor show of pink and yellow.

‘Dream Come True’ will bloom more if you keep it deadheaded (remove spent blooms). A good excuse to make bouquets from its tea-scented flowers all season! 

‘Teasing Georgia’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Teasing Georgia’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 10’ – 12’
	hardiness zones 5-10

Cottage gardeners, this one’s for you! Surround this rosette-bloomed climbing rose with deep purple salvia, and you’ve got instant cottage charm. ‘Teasing Georgia’ has darling  apricot centers with pale cream outer petals.

 Guaranteed to elicit compliments, this rose will need to be trained on a trellis or support of your choosing. Plant ‘Teasing Georgia’ in full sun to benefit from maximum repeat bloom all summer.

Another Award of Garden Merit winner, ‘Teasing Georgia’ is a great choice for those looking for disease resistance in an old-fashioned style rose.

‘SunbeltⓇ South Africa’

	botanical name Rosa ‘South Africa’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 6-10

From Kordes Sunbelt Ⓡ collection comes this head-turner in vibrant, Tuscan gold. Pick this rose if you want your yellow to be visible from down the street! ‘South Africa’ is perfect for gardeners in hot climates. It will stand up to hot sun and high temps.

A striking floribunda, ‘South Africa’ is a healthy, upright shrub that will repeat flower in clusters from spring through frost. Gardeners in rainy climates report that its fragrant blooms can handle the wet season with ease, too!

If you love vivid color, go for a bold look by planting this radiant rose with annuals and perennials in intense shades of hot pink or orange. You could also provide contrast by pairing ‘South Africa’ with calming, light green sedums.

‘Mellow Yellow’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Mellow Yellow’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 6-10

If you want true,classic yellow, look no further! ‘Mellow Yellow’ has formal florist style blooms in clear yellow with no tints of orange.

‘Mellow Yellow’ is a hybrid tea variety with long stems supporting lovely single blooms. It makes uplifting, fruity-scented bouquets.

‘Mellow’, like many other hybrid teas, is somewhat susceptible to black spot. Keep an eye out for discolored leaves with brown or black splotches, and be ready to remove them to prevent spread. This true yellow beauty is worth the extra care.

‘Charlotte’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Charlotte’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5- 11

‘Charlotte’ is a romantic little rose, with cupped blooms opening up to an adorable button eye. If you want a cottage garden feel without the hassle of training a climber, a hedge of ‘Charlotte’ will do the trick nicely.

An Instagram favorite for its packed, buttery yellow blooms, ‘Charlotte’ will look lovely in bouquets with blue forget-me-nots. Lean in closer to inhale her delicate tea-rose fragrance.

Plant ‘Charlotte’ in full sun. She will tolerate a variety of soil types and repeat bloom throughout the season.

‘Rainbow Sunblaze’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Chewallbell’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 2’– 4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you want a rose that packs yellow punch in a tiny package, take a look at the delightful ‘Rainbow Sunblaze’! This mini rose only grows 12-18 inches tall but draws the eye with bright dandelion yellow blooms outlined in raspberry red.

The Sunblaze Ⓡ series are bushy, vigorous miniature roses that thrive in containers and patio gardens. You can also plant 3-5 ‘Rainbow Sunblaze’ together in a border for a cute low-growing pop of color!

Treat ‘Rainbow Sunblaze’ as you would any other rose, with infrequent deep watering and some deadheading throughout the season. Provide extra winter protection in cold climates if you choose to keep your mini rose in a pot. 

‘The Poet’s Wife’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Meitonje’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’-5’
	hardiness zones 4-11

What’s that heavenly perfume, luring your guests further into the garden? None other than the dreamy ‘Poet’s Wife’, another beautiful English rose with a deep lemon fragrance. 

‘The Poet’s Wife’ is the best of both worlds, in color and shape. Each flower has a center of relaxed, loose petals cupped by a tidy outer ring. Initial blooms are warm daffodil yellow but fade to soft buttercream.

Hardy in almost any zone, ‘The Poet’s Wife’ is sure to be a hit in your garden. This gorgeous variety will get you to stop and smell the roses!

‘Sunsprite’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Sunsprite’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5- 10

Another must for fans of bright, zesty yellow, ‘Sunsprite’ glows in the garden. It will put a smile on your face with its beaming, ruffled blooms, and matching citrus scent.  

‘Sunsprite’ would stop traffic planted en masse. You could also place it in pots near your front porch for instant sunny curb appeal.

The blooms of ‘Sunsprite’ do not last long, so go ahead and cut them right as they begin to open for a cheerful bouquet that will perfume your whole room!

‘Tupelo Honey’

	botanical name Rosa ‘KORflusamea’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5-10

Looking for a strong yellow rose that can survive your hot, humid climate? ‘Tupelo Honey’, another excellent choice from the Sunbelt Ⓡ collection, might be just right for your garden.

‘Tupelo’ is a sturdy shrub with excellent repeat bloom. Each goldenrod-yellow flower has a mouthwatering honeysuckle scent. Plant Tupelo in the hot sunny spots of your garden where more delicate yellows have failed. This toughie can handle it!

‘Oso Easy Lemon Zest’

	botanical name Rosa ‘CHEwhocan’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 24’ – 36’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Attention, lazy gardeners! If you have minimal time but still want beautiful roses, check out  ‘Oso Easy Lemon Zest’!  These easy-care roses do the work for you by blooming all summer long, no extra work needed.

‘Lemon Zest’ is a joyful, low-growing landscape shrub. It has sunny yellow, semi-double flowers that bloom in abundance in flushes all season. Plant several of this easy-grower as an adorable low hedge, or welcome guests by planting them in pots on either side of your entry.

‘Oso Easy Lemon Zest’ is self-cleaning, meaning it doesn’t need to be deadheaded to rebloom. However, it will do best with a bit of pruning in early spring to maintain a tidy shape.

‘Elina’

	botanical name Rosa ‘DICjana’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Last, we have a sophisticated, creamy yellow for lovers of soft palettes. ‘Elina’ is an elegant, non-stop bloomer, claimed by many gardeners as their top-performing yellow rose.

Elina is characterized by soft chiffon double blooms that fade to a delicate ivory. It has a lavish classic rose fragrance. The pale colors of ‘Elina’ go well with everything and make beautiful bouquets.

Though it has a delicate appearance, ‘Elina’ is a powerhouse in the garden. This vigorous shrub is sturdy and will produce armfuls of blooms to decorate your home and garden from early spring ‘til fall!