When it comes to flower garden planning, you should not only consider what the plant looks like but also what it can contribute to the environment. We’ve talked about the rarity of blue flowers, and the excitement of red flowers. Now, let’s take a look at yellow flowers that will not only bring warmth and happiness to your garden, but will also provide benefits to your garden and yourself.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is a daisy-like perennial native wildflower. It is also a very important keystone plant that provides a vital habitat for pollinators. The bright yellow blossoms attract native bees, pollinating flies, beneficial wasps, and butterflies. The seed heads of this flower attract finches and other birds. This plant has bright green foliage and blooms throughout the summer. Black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making them an excellent choice for even the beginning gardener.
- Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 2-3 feet tall and spreads about 2 feet
- Days From Seed to Bloom: 60-70 days
- Growing Instructions: Sow Blackeyed Susan seeds directly outside after the last frost date in a sunny spot with soil that drains well, or start indoors 6-8 weeks earlier. Seeds require light for germination; firmly press the seed into the soil. When the seedlings reach 6", transplant them 12-18" apart.
Common Evening Primrose
Common Evening Primrose is a native wildflower that produces fragrant yellow flowers that open in the late afternoon. This hardy biennial is easy to grow, even in poor soil, and is an important food source for pollinators. Because it is biennial, you will not have blooms until the second year. Evening primrose oil has a long history of medicinal use, particularly in skin care, reducing inflammation and soothing menstruation symptoms in women. The roots, shoots, leaves, and seeds are all edible.
- Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-11
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 3-5 feet tall and spreads about 2-3 feet
- Days From Seed to Bloom: Blooms in second year
- Growing Instructions: Sow seeds directly outdoors in the autumn or in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Broadcast seeds in a sunny spot and press in firmly for good soil contact. Do not cover; light is needed for germination. Thin plants to 12-18 inches once established.
Sunflower
When someone says yellow flower, Sunflowers are one of the first plants to come to mind; however, sunflowers come in a wide range of colors from bright yellow to deep burgundy. Sunflowers are a real survival garden all-star because of everything they can contribute to your garden. Not only do sunflowers provide lots of edible seeds, but they also attract pollinators, work as a trap crop to keep pests off your vegetables, make lovely cut flowers, and their deep roots help to improve the soil. Sunflowers come in a range of sizes from adorable Dwarf Sungold Sunflowers that grow 1 to 2 feet tall to giant Mammoth Sunflowers that grow to a towering 10 to 12 feet. They make a great option along borders and fences.
- Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-11
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 3-5 feet tall and spreads about 2-3 feet
- Days From Seed to Bloom: 70-120 days
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Growing Instructions: Sow directly outside after the last frost date in a sunny spot with soil that drains well. Cultivate topsoil and firm over seeds spaced 4-6 inches apart. Keep seeds moist but not saturated. Thin to 36 inches apart. Do not overwater mature plants.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are a tender perennial plant that is native to South America. Nasturtium blooms come in varying shades of yellow, orange, and red. Besides being beautiful, these flowers are edible and tasty, bringing a peppery flavor to salads and other dishes. The seeds can be ground and used like pepper or pickled when green to serve as a substitute for capers. The essential oil from nasturtium flowers and leaves has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, making it a valuable medicinal plant. Nasturtiums are also a valuable companion plant that will repel pests and attract pollinators. They are not picky in terms of soil quality and grow well in full sun or partial shade.
- Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus nanum
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 8-16 inches tall and spreads about 8-10 inches
- Days From Seed to Bloom: 45-60 days
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Growing Instructions: Best sown directly into the soil once soil temperatures reach 65 degrees F. If beginning indoors, peat pots can help prevent root damage during transplanting. Keep soil evenly moist. Once the seedlings are 3 inches tall and have several sets of leaves, thin to 8-12 inch spacing.
Elecampane
Elecampane is a perennial herb that is grown both as an ornamental and a medicinal plant. The plant can grow an impressive 6 feet tall and produces yellow daisy-like flowers. Elecampane blooms will bring hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators to your garden. This is another flower that will grow even in poor soil and will do well in full sun or partial shade; however, it prefers mild summers and cold winters. Elecampane will not do well in hot climates. This plant is a valuable medicinal herb used primarily for its fragrant root that is added to teas and tinctures to support respiratory issues. The root can also be used to create blue dye and the flowers will make yellow dye.
- Botanical Name: Inula helenium
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 4-6 feet tall and spreads about 2-3 feet
- Days From Seed to Bloom: Blooms in second year
- Growing Instructions: 4 weeks of cold stratification improves germination. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant when small to minimize root shock or sow directly in the garden in the fall or in the spring. Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged. Space plants 18-24" apart, taking care not to disturb taproots.
Toothache Plant
Based on its name, one can assume that the Toothache Plant has a use in treating tooth pain, but the unique appearance of this plant will also bring some visual interest to your flower garden. The Toothache Plant, also known as electric daisy, buzz button, and paracress, is native to Brazil. As a tropical plant, it grows as an annual in the United States but can be perennial in warmer climates. The leaves and flowers of this plant contain a compound called spilanthol that creates a numbing sensation. It is either chewed or used in a tincture to apply a numbing effect. This plant prefers rich organic soil and needs lots of sun to produce interesting button-like blooms.
- Botanical Name: Acmella oleracea
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads about 12-18 inches
- Days From Seed to Bloom: Blooms in second year
- Growing Instructions: 4 weeks of cold stratification improves germination. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant when small to minimize root shock or sow directly in the garden in the fall or in the spring. Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged. Space plants 18-24" apart, taking care not to disturb taproots.
Mullein
Besides sunflowers, Mullein is probably one of the most tall and impressive flowers you could add to your garden. This plant produces tall stalks of flowers that can reach 5 to 10 feet surrounded by a low-growing rosette of grey-green foliage. Besides being beautiful to look at, mullein has a long history as a therapeutic herb. It is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties used to provide pulmonary and respiratory support. In addition, the deep taproot of the mullein plant helps it to survive in even the poorest of soil and can improve your soil by preventing erosion and pulling nutrients to the surface. Choose your planting location wisely because mullein seeds can live in the soil for many years. Be aware of this so it does not take over your garden.
- Botanical Name: Verbascum thapsus
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Light: Full Sun
- Plant Size: Grows 2-7 feet tall and spreads about 24-36inches
- Days From Seed to Bloom: 140 days
- Growing Instructions: 4 weeks of cold stratification improves germination. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant when small to minimize root shock or sow directly in the garden in the fall or in the spring. Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged. Space plants 18-24" apart, taking care not to disturb taproots.
Whether you're seeking a natural mood boost, a haven for buzzing pollinators, or a way to enrich your garden's soil, consider planting a patch of sunshine with yellow flowers. From the medicinal evening primrose to the pollinator-friendly sunflower, these bright blooms offer a wealth of benefits beyond their cheerful appearance.
