Yellow is often described as the happiest colour in the garden. Its vibrant hues symbolise warmth, optimism, and joy, reminding us (subconsciously) of the glow of sunshine. Yellow is a colour that lifts the spirits, sparks creativity, and has even been said to encourage friendly conversation. With that in mind, it would be remiss not to add a yellow-flowering plant to your garden! Here are five beautiful plants with yellow flowers that will brighten any outdoor space.
Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood’
One of the earliest heralds of spring, the deciduous shrub Forsythia Lynwood bursts into life with masses of bright, golden-yellow flowers. Blooming in early spring before its leaves appear, Forsythia Lynwood provides a cheerful signal that warmer days are coming. Its leaves are simple, oval-shaped, medium green, and appear after flowering. Forsythia thrives best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. It can be planted on a border of an aspect (e.g north, south etc), and will grow up to about 2.5 metres in height. You can of course prune this shrub to keep it lower.
Crocosmia
The perennial Crocosmia brings a tropical flair to any garden, especially the yellow varieties like ‘George Davison’, ‘Paul’s Best Yellow’, ‘Citronella’, ‘Sunglow’ and ‘Hot Spot’. Their sword-like, slender leaves are bright green, creating an elegant backdrop for the sprays of striking yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. Crocosmia loves full sun and will perform best when planted in south or west-facing beds. These lively plants typically grow to heights of around 60cm to 90cm.
Note that some varieties of crocosmia are considered invasive, so do keep them under control and do not allow them to spread out of the garden. You may prefer to plant them in a pot rather than risk any hassle. Do not put them in your compost bin, as they may spread to where the compost is later used.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Winter Jasmine is a cheerful sight during the colder months, flowering from late winter into early spring. Its tiny, star-shaped blooms adorn bare stems, offering a much-needed splash of colour in the garden’s quiet season. Winter Jasmine’s small, glossy green leaves emerge after flowering. This tough plant is adaptable to most aspects but flowers best when grown in full sun to partial shade. It happily tolerates north and east-facing positions, making it highly versatile. Its sprawling growth reaches around 1.5 to 3 metres tall and wide.
Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ (St. John’s Wort)
Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ is a wonderful shrub valued for its abundant, sunny-yellow, cup-shaped flowers that bloom generously from mid-summer to early autumn. It features dark-green, oval-shaped leaves, which beautifully complement its vibrant blooms. Preferring full sun to partial shade, it thrives in south or west-facing positions but can adapt reasonably well to east-facing gardens. This robust plant grows to approximately 1.2 to 1.5 metres tall, making it ideal for borders or as an ornamental highlight.
Genista maderensis (Madeira Broom)
Genista maderensis is a stunning, evergreen shrub native to Madeira, known for its vivid clusters of pea-like, bright yellow flowers that bloom profusely from late spring to early summer. Its slender, linear leaves are a deep green, providing an elegant contrast to its vibrant blossoms. Preferring full sun and well-drained soils, Genista maderensis thrives best in south or west-facing aspects. Typically, it reaches a height and spread of about 1.5 to 2 metres, making it an excellent choice for adding Mediterranean charm and vivid colour to borders or coastal gardens.
Adding yellow-flowering plants like these to your garden can transform it into a brighter, more uplifting space. Whether it’s the early blossoms of Forsythia or the summery charm of Hypericum, these plants promise to bring cheerful, sunny hues that enrich your garden—and perhaps your mood—throughout the seasons.
