Yellow hues can range from pale creamy-yellow to bright lemony-yellow, or cover all the variations between. They all have perfect partnering colours, to either complement them or provide contrast to them. You need only refer to the numerous combinations below for more ideas to spark your imagination.

* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

INULA

There are many species and cultivars available in this genus belonging to the Daisy family, ranging from a 2" dwarf to a 6 foot giant with many garden-worthy forms in heights in between. Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Inula ensifolia:  Swordleaf Inula, 12"x12"

If you only know the 6-foot-tall forms of Inula you'll be surprised by the different effect created by this short-statured form

with:  white Astilbe, silver-foliage plants i.e. Artemisia, pale blue Japanese Iris

IRIS

There are many yellow Iris to choose from, from the shortest early-blooming dwarf to the later-blooming tall bearded forms. Shades of yellow can range from pale and creamy to bright and brassy. They will all perform best if given full sun.

Iris:  unidentified form

I can't wait until this beautiful plant is ready for division and forms a large patch

with:  Anchusa azurea, Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'

behind:  Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'
beside:  Veronica

with:  Tulipa 'Dillenburg' & Viola 'Arkwright Ruby' edging, in front of Allium aflatunense

with:  Veronica whitleyi (a blue, early-spring bloomer)

with:  Phlox paniculata (a white form), Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood', Veronica

combined with:  Veronica teucrium 'Shirley Blue' & Paeonia (single white)

with:  Papaver orientale (to tone it down)

with:  Endymion hispanicus (Scilla campanulata)

with:  Veronica pectinata 'Rosea'

with:  deep purple co-bloomers
combined with:  deep purple Iris ('Dusky Challenger'), pure white Iris ('Ermine Robe')

where:  in constantly moist to boggy soil; standing water
with:  Paeonia, Lilium, annual Papaver
with other moisture-loving Iris:  I. versicolor or I. fulva
with:  large-leaved plants for contrast i.e. Petasites japonicus var. giganteus

seen in the photograph above with purple Aubrieta deltoidea
behind:  Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'

KNIPHOFIA

We usually think of the colour orange in relation to the Torchlily, Poker Plant or Red-Hot Poker as it is variously known. Most show yellow when flowers open from the bottom up for a two-toned effect. And there are even some that are completely yellow.

Kniphofia x pfitzeri:  deep orange

for partnership ideas follow the link to Orange Perennials & Their Companions

with:  a dark purple Delphinium, yellow Hemerocallis
with:  Ornamental Grasses, Artemisia, Oenothera

LAMIASTRUM

Yellow Archangel is perfect when you want a yellow-flowered perennial that will carpet a stretch of ground in part shade. Too aggressive for most borders, it will add a variegated effect with its foliage after blooms have finished. Extra plants can be used as a cascading edger in planters where the variegated foliage can be appreciated up close.

Lamiastrum galeobdolon 'Luteum':  False Lamium, Yellow Archangel, 12-18"x20"

now:  Galeobdolon luteum
foliage:  silver-spotted
flowers:  flowers in whorls along trailing 6-8" stems
where:  groundcover in shade, including dry shade, in containers, in woodland gardens
with:  spring bulbs, early wildflowers, ferns

where:  excellent as edger in shade
note:  this cultivar spreads much slower and keeps a more rounded shape than the plant directly below

image above:  lovely variegated foliage perfect in planter pot with annual Petunias

synonym:  Lamiastrum galeobdolon 'Florentinum'
note:  the foliage lies flat against the ground until just before bloom time, then flattens out again after bloom has finished
where:  groundcover in difficult shady areas (including under trees), covering a rocky slope
with:  spring bulbs, early wildflowers, ferns on moist sites

LILIUM

Yellow is only one of the many colours that inspire us to add plants from this wonderful family of flowers to our gardens. Whether your Lily choices are Asiatics, Orientals, Trumpets, Aurelian Hybrids or the multiple species available, you can have blooms over a long period from early to late. Experiment to find co-bloomers for your own forms or choose from the suggestions below.

Lilium:  yellow

with:  blue Lobelia, Gypsophila, Campanula lactiflora
over:  Viola, Linum, Campanula carpatica (which can act as a living mulch), Dianthus, Geranium

with:  Lythrum virgatum, Gypsophila paniculata & Stachys byzantina

LINUM

Mention perennial Flax and most gardeners will immediately think of the colour blue. But there is a clear yellow form with feathery, narrowly oval, green foliage, perfect in a frontal position in full sun which it prefers to part shade. Give it well-drained, dry, light soil so it will grow well and soon you will have a new favourite in this family of perennials.

Linum flavum:  Flax, Golden Flax, 12"x15"

where:  edger, rock gardens
with:  deep-blue or purple flowers i.e. Salvia, Lobelia siphilitica

LYSIMACHIA

The name Loosestrife needn't strike fear in the hearts of gardeners. Unlike Purple Loosestrife which belongs to an entirely different genus called Lythrum, the perennials in the genus Lysimachia are better behaved and pose no threat to our wetlands. You can safely choose from the yellow forms below.

Lysimachia:  Loosestrife

with:  Iris sibirica, Ligularia dentata or stenocephala, Filipendula, Hosta, ferns

synonym:  Steironema ciliata
where:  borders, woodland gardens
use for:  good contrast between yellow flowers and purple-bronze foliage, attracts butterflies

where:  shady sites (to avoid scorching)
between:  different fern species
under:  Pulmonaria (blue)

where:  borders, woodland gardens, waterside
with:  scarlet Papaver orientale, navy Anchusa, white or blue Iris x germanica or Iris sibirica
behind:  Salvia x superba

Try the links below for more information and ideas.

OENOTHERA

Sundrops are showy perennials, sometimes referred to as Evening Primrose, since flowers open in the late afternoon or evening. Blooms are saucer-shaped with 4 overlapping petals. These may spread faster than you'd like when you provide the full sun and adequate drainage that they thrive in. The correct pronunciation for this genus is ee-no-THEER-ruh.

Oenothera fruticosa:  Sundrops

where:  hot, dry sites in full sun & lean soil
with other summer-blooming perennials:  Campanula glomerata 'Superba', Nepeta x faassenii, Iris,
Scabiosa x 'Butterfly Blue (Beauty)', Hemerocallis, Achillea, Lavandula, Yucca

formerly :  Oenothera missouriensis
for partnership ideas follow the link to Edgers & Their Companions - 2

formerly:  Oenothera missouriensis 'Green Court'
with:  Heuchera 'Palace Purple'

formerly:  Oenothera fruticosa youngii

appearance:  similar to spreading Oenothera fruticosa but stays in a neat clump
with:  scarlet Lychnis chalcedonica, Hemerocallis (any colour), Eryngium, Tiger Lily
with:  Tradescantia virginiana (blue or white), Nepeta x faassenii, Iris

PAEONIA

Yellow may be a more common colour in Tree Peony forms, although there are some yellows among Garden Peonies such as the one below.

Paeonia lactiflora 'Primavera':  yellow & white, 20-24"x30", highly fragrant

with:  minor bulbs
with:  Myosotis
with early-summer perennials:  Iris sibirica, Digitalis

The two links below are informative with lots of additional links to numerous Peony sites. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can find your way back soon.

• Canadian Peony Society
• American Peony Society

PATRINIA

A genus of perennials forming neat clumps and grown for their flowers, they prefer partial shade and moist soil. Foliage is bold, a dark emerald green and fiddle-shaped. Small flower buds appear in clusters in July on slender, wiry stalks. In August, buds open to tiny, yellow flowers. Foliage remains green and flowers persist for 3-4 weeks, sometimes to the end of September. Not only is this a long-blooming late-bloomer, but it is also an excellent cut flower specimen. Because of its 3-4' height, this plant should be placed in a mid- to rear-border position. If you decide you like it, you will be pleased to find self-sown seedlings here and there around the mother plant. If you don't, your friends and neighbours would likely be happy to give this different yellow-flowered perennial a try.

Patrinia scabiosifolia:  

with:  Phlox paniculata, Echinacea purpurea, fall-blooming Anemone japonica (Anemone hupehensis)

with:  any of the combinations above
with:  tall Aster novae-angliae or Aster tataricus
wonderful with:   Ornamental Grasses
combined with:  Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' & Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'

PRIMULA

Primrose need consistent moisture, especially during their active spring growth. Mulch by way of chopped leaves or shredded bark will keep soil moist. Division is an easy form of propagation when you want to increase your favourite forms. Many completely yellow forms are available. Most colour forms have yellow centres.

Primula:  soft yellows

with:  Phlox stolonifera

with:  Tulipa, Galanthus nivalis, Narcissus

with:  Narcissus (small types), Muscari (sky-blue)

RANUNCULUS

Ranunculus, Buttercup or Creeping Buttercup, at least the form hardy to Zone 3, is under two feet tall with shiny yellow flowers. There is even a double-flowered form. Best for rich, moist soil in full sun to light shade. Keep them out of formal gardens because of their rapid spread.

Ranunculus

with:  Hosta, ferns

RUDBECKIA

Mid to late summer would not be the same without all the bright cheerfulness of the Coneflowers. There are many forms to choose from, in a variety of sizes and colour combinations. All do best in full sun to light shade, with somewhat moist well-drained soil. Butterflies are not drawn to all forms in this genus.

Rudbeckia:  Coneflower

with:  Echinacea purpurea, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Monarda spp, Sedum, Phlox paniculata
with native prairie grasses:  Panicum virgatum, Andropogon scoparius, Sorghastrum nutans
with tall Ornamental Grasses:  Miscanthus sinensis spp, Pennisetum alopecuroides
with:  Hemerocallis, Achillea, Asclepias tuberosa, Solidago, later- blooming forms of Coreopsis
with:  Aster novae-angliae or Aster novi-belgii, Liatris
combined with:  Phlox 'David' (white), Aster 'Hella Lacy' & Coreopsis 'Goldfink'

for partnership ideas follow the link to Orange Perennials & Their Companions

generally with :  other summer blooming perennials
with :  Echinacea purpurea, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Phlox paniculata, Sedum, Monarda spp,
Ornamental Grasses

this is like a short version of the much-too-tall 'Golden Glow' cultivar
with :  Achillea 'Gold Plate', Phlox paniculata (white), Echinops ritro, Heliopsis, Echinacea purpurea,
Perovskia atriplicifolia, Sedum, Monarda, tall Ornamental Grasses

with Ornamental Grasses:  Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'

combined with :  Perovskia atriplicifolia & Solidago 'Peter Pan'

combined with :  Perovskia atriplicifolia & Solidago 'Peter Pan'

combined with:  Perovskia x atriplicifolia & Solidago 'Peter Pan'

SALVIA

There are Sages in a variety of colours, including many purple-toned ones. Some are grown for their foliage while others are grown for the flowers. There is even a yellow-flowered form as you will see below. Provide well-drained soil in full sun. Sages are generally drought-tolerant once established.

Salvia glutinosa:  pale yellow

with:  Geranium 'Ann Folkard'

SCABIOSA

Pincushion Flower has many purple, blue and white forms. There is even a yellow-flowered species which, like the others in the genus, prefers well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil, as well as full sun to light shade.

Scabiosa ochroleuca:  Yellow Scabious, pale creamy-yellow, 36"

with :  Knautia macedonica

SEDUM

While many of the taller Sedums, or Stonecrops, have pinkish-toned blooms, there are several shorter choices with tiny star-shaped yellow flowers and fleshy foliage. Give them full sun to light shade and well-drained soil for best results. Most are drought-tolerant once established. Only the Border Varieties in this genus are a draw for butterflies.

Sedum:  unknown form;  if you can identify this species, please let me know

available in both pale yellow and bright yellow, this blooms at the ends of upright stalks, in July
with:  mounding perennials, for perfect contrast to the upright stalks
soft yellow form with:  soft blue or pale purple flowers
bright yellow form with:  dark blue or purple flowers

combined with :  Iris (for its strappy foliage) & Hemerocallis

in front of :  Kniphofia

SOLIDAGO

Sometimes rather coarse perennials, the Goldenrods, especially the many available cultivars, add late summer yellow colour to the garden. Note that Goldenrod does not cause hay fever.

Solidago:  Goldenrod

where:  prairie or meadow gardens, formal and informal border
with:  Anemone hypehensis 'September Charm', Boltonia asteroides, Chelone lyonii, Chelone obliqua,
Garden Mums, Eryngium including E. amethystinum, Eupatorium coelestinum, Gentiana asclepidea, Helenium autumnale, Physostegia virginiana, Platycodon, Lavandula angustifolia, Liatris, Salvia, Ornamental Grasses
with other butterfly magnets:  Asclepias tuberosa, Aster (especially blue or purple forms), Aster (Michaelmas Daisy),
Aster novi-belgii 'Benary's Composition Mix', Echinacea purpurea, Eupatorium coelestinum, Helianthus, Phlox paniculata, Rudbeckia, as a yellow echo with:  Eriophyllum lanatum & Hemerocallis (a yellow co- bloomer)

with :  Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Platycodon grandiflorus, Liatris, Eupatorium coelestinum, Lavandula angustifolia,
Salvia, Aster (esp. blue or purple forms), Phlox, Helianthus, Liatris
with:  Ornamental Grasses, Garden Mums

behind :  Erigeron 'Prosperity' (a lavender-blue semi-double)
beside :  Veronica (blue), Hosta fortunei 'Picta'

combined with :  Rudbeckia nitida 'Autumn Glory', 'Golden Glow' or 'Autumn Sun' & Perovskia atriplicifolia

where :  massed as a groundcover
with:  Iris x germanica
with :  Crocus, Colchicum, Iris (for a spiky contrast)

x SOLIDASTER

A cross between two different genera, Solidago and Aster, resulted in this summer-flowering perennial of a much softer yellow shade than its Goldenrod parent. It may therefore be much easier to blend into a garden in sun or shade in fertile soil where it will thrive.

x Solidaster luteus:  Aster + Solidago

with :  violet-blue flowered plants
with :  Coreopsis verticillata

STYLOPHORUM

Celandine Poppy, or Wood Poppy, is a spring wildflower that grows best in evenly moist soil. Foliage is deeply lobed and long-lasting. The leaves and stems exude a yellow sap that was once used by Native Americans as a dye.

Stylophorum diphyllum:  Celandine Poppy

note:  this woodland plant can be seen in the border around this page, at the top of the page and directly above
with :  Iris cristata, Phlox stolonifera

TANACETUM

Common Tansy with aromatic, ferny, divided and somewhat glaucous foliage and golden-yellow flowers needs full sun for peak performance. Prevent self-seeding by removing spent flowers.

Tanacetum vulgare

with:  Achillea, Artemisia, Aster, Limonium latifolium, Salvia, Ornamental Grasses

THERMOPSIS

Spring-flowering Thermopsis, sometimes called False Lupine or Carolina Lupine, grows best in full sun and rich, somewhat acidic, soil. A stately 3-5 foot perennial it will grace the mid to rear sections of your borders. Lemon-yellow flowers appear atop upright stalks and gray-green foliage.

Thermopsis caroliniana:  Carolina Lupine

synonym:  Thermopsis villosa
where :  rear border position; meadows; with shrubs; in lightly shaded gardens
generally with :  rounded or mounding plants
with :  Amsonia tabernaemontana, Campanula, Geranium, Paeonia

TROLLIUS

Globeflower grows in both sun and shade, provided that soil remains moist. It is available in a number of yellow or yellow-orange shades.

Trollius:  Globeflower

for a profile of this plant, follow the link to Trollius
where:  near water's edge, in a moist site
generally with:  any shade of blue or purple
with:  Alchemilla mollis, Myosotis, Hosta, Primula, Ferns
with water-loving plants:  Iris pseudacorus and other water-loving forms of Iris, Filipendula, Ligularia, Rodgersia

with:  white Astilbe

UVULARIA

A spring-blooming perennial for moist woodsy soil, Merrybells has long, drooping yellow blooms and foliage that continues to grow long after flowering has finished.

Uvularia grandiflora:  Bellwort, Merrybells, Great Merrybells, 18-24"

where:  woodland gardens
with other shade lovers:  Hosta, ferns, Tiarella cordifolia, Asarum, Sanguinaria canadensis, Dicentra eximia

VERBASCUM

The Mulleins are summer-flowering perennials that thrive in full sun and very well-drained soil. Watch for self-sown seedlings.

Verbascum chaixii:  Nettle-Leaved Mullein

with:  fine-textured perennials, mounded plants
with:  Coreopsis verticillata, Geranium, Thalictrum, Nepeta, Geranium psylostemon, Ornamental Grasses

with:  Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'

TO RETURN TO THE FIRST PAGE OF YELLOW PERENNIALS & THEIR COMPANIONS, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW.

• Achillea to Hypericum

All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

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THE GARDENS

CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |  CORNER GARDEN PLANTING  |  LONG GARDEN

EAST GARDEN  |  HOSTA GARDEN  |  NORTH GARDEN  |  WINTER GARDENS

PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

FERTILIZATION

BULBS  |   ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  |   PERENNIALS  |   SHRUBS  |   VINES

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