Looking for some yellow perennials to try beyond the standard daffodils and tulips? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite yellow perennial flowers for you to consider. They’re a great way to add a cheerful pop of color to any gardenscape. Many of them have added bonuses, too, such as being deer-resistant or able to handle summertime droughts. (We've also included several flowering shrubs — if you have the space, they can make a truly lovely addition to any gardenscape.) If you want to see cheerful blooms popping up in your garden year after year, we think yellow perennial flowers are the perfect option! Check out our top picks below and start growing!
#1 Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) is one of our favorite yellow perennials and is perfect for adding a pop of color to your garden. The 'Goldsturm' variety is especially popular for its pretty yellow blooms (and it’s drought-tolerant, too!). Black-Eyed Susan does best in full sun and is hardy in Zones 3 – 9.
#2 Yellow Azalea
If you have the space to for a medium-sized flowering shrub, we highly recommend considering Yellow Azalea (Rhododendron spp.). It is a cheery addition to any garden! 'Lemon Lights' is a great cultivar to try. It offers stunning yellow blossoms that pop in early spring (usually April). Bonus? The leaves are evergreen, so you can enjoy their color even in the dreariest of winter weather. They can handle cold temps down to -30 degrees and are hardy in Zones 4 – 9.
#3 Meadow Rue
Meadow Rue (Thalictrum selections) is another of our most-loved yellow perennials. It offers soft, frothy blooms in a delicate shade of yellow (you can also get them in purple, pink, or white). Depending on the variety you choose, these plants can handle anything from full sun to partial shade. They are generally low-maintenance and prefer moist, well-draining soil. Bonus? Deer tend to steer clear of these pretty plants. Meadow Rue is hardy in Zones 5 – 9.
#4 Coreopsis
Yellow Coreopsis (Coreopsis 'Moonbeam') offers happy, bright yellow blooms and green, fern-like foliage throughout most of the summer. Bonus? These blooms will attract plenty of butterflies and bumblebees to your garden! Coreopsis is hardy in Zones 3 – 8.
#5 Forsythia
Looking for a pretty flowering shrub that deer won’t be interested in? Forsythia is a great choice. This deciduous shrub offers a spate of cheery yellow flowers in early spring and pretty green leaves all through the summer that may turn burgundy in the fall. Forsythia can handle full sun to partial shade and is hardy in Zones 4 – 9.
#6 Weigela
Weigela (Weigela middendorffiana) offers gorgeous blooms in shades of creamy yellow set against glossy green leaves. Bonus? It is unpopular with deer and most other pests. Weigela is also drought-tolerant once established and is hardy in Zones 5A - 8B.
#7 Paperbush
Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) offers creamy yellow flowers that bloom on its bare branches in late winter. These unique-looking early bloomers do not only offer a welcome splash of color when its needed most, they’re also very fragrant. Paperbush grows slowly and tops out around 7 ft. tall and wide. (The cultivar “Gold Rush” is a little more compact, topping out at around 5 ft. tall.) Paperbush does best in partial shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil. It is hardy in Zones 7 – 10.
#8 Siberian Iris
Siberian Iris is available in a number of cultivars, but we recommend Iris sibirica 'Sugar and Butter' — it is a truly stunning yellow perennial that features blooms that are gorgeous enough to be used as a garden focal point. The visually impressive, two-toned white and yellow flowers will generally bloom from late spring to early summer. Siberian Irises are hardy in Zones 3 – 8 and borderline to Zone 9.
#9 Bush Honeysuckle
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla spp.) is great for attracting pollinators, including the fawn sphinx moth. Unlike Lonicera japonica, which it is often confused with, it is not invasive. This native shrub grows 3 – 5 ft. tall and wide and sports pretty yellow blooms in the middle of summer. Bush Honeysuckle is hardy in Zones 4 – 7.
#10 Yellow Dahlia
Dahlias come in a variety of hues, shapes, and sizes, making them a fantastic option for adding color and visual interest to your garden. There are plenty of cultivars available in yellow. The 'Yellow Star' variety (Dahlia 'Yellow Star') is particularly sunny and cheerful, with blooms that resemble miniature suns. This particular variety flowers in midsummer and will continue to bloom until the fall frost. (Tip: Deadheading will keep the prolific blooms coming all season long!) 'Yellow Star' Dahlia is generally considered hardy in Zones 8 – 11.
#11 Compass Plant
Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) offers large yellow flowers that bloom from late June through September. Slow to grow but extremely long-lived, these plants will eventually become quite tall and absolutely thrive in full sun. The flowers don't only offer a cheery yellow hue that's lovely to look at, but they also help attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators to your garden. Another bonus? These prairie flowers are deer-resistant! Compass Plant is hardy in Zones 4 – 9.
Want more colorful blooms? Check out our favorite blue flowers to grow!