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Are you looking for fresh and exciting ways to add a vibrant splash of colour to your garden? Hold on to your gardening gloves because we have just the right thing for you – yellow-flowering shrubs! Yellow is a bright hue that can greatly impact any garden design. So whether you want to create a focal point, draw attention to a shady area, or like some visual interest in your space, these 14 stunning yellow-flowering shrubs will do the trick. From the classic beauty of the Forsythia to the sweet fragrance of the Yellow Butterfly Bush, there’s a yellow-flowering shrub for every taste and preference.
So why not add a touch of sunshine to your garden today? With these beautiful shrubs, you can create a stunning and colourful display that will brighten up your outdoor space and bring joy to all who see it.
Let’s dive in and explore these bold beauties!
1. Forsythia
Forsythia is a popular yellow-flowering shrub that is loved by many! It consists of about 11 varieties of deciduous shrubs native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. It’s usually one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring, and its bright yellow flowers that appear before the leaves will catch your eye. This plant can grow up to ten feet tall and wide if given enough time. They create a cheerful atmosphere, making them perfect for areas in your garden where you want a tree-like shrub, especially in full sun. Pair them with late bloomers for continued interest in the garden. Forsythias are relatively easy to grow and are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. They prefer full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture. These vibrant yellow blooms turn your outdoor space lively.
2. Potentilla / Golden Finger
Potentilla, or shrubby cinquefoil, is a beautiful plant with yellow buttercup-like flowers and lush green foliage. It is a smaller shrub compared to others, making it perfect for borders. You can use them in various garden settings, such as borders, rock gardens, or ground covers. Most Potentilla species have five-petaled flowers and palmate leaves arranged in a pattern similar to the fingers on a hand. The yellow flowering shrub is ideal for those who prefer a more subdued appearance. This shrub spreads easily and reaches a width of 4ft while only growing to a height of 3 feet. Some Potentilla species are used in herbal medicine and are believed to have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Overall, Potentilla is a versatile and attractive group of plants that can add colour and interest to any garden.
3. Oregon Grape / Mahonia
The Mahonia’ Winter Sun,’ also known as Oregon Grape, is a stunning evergreen shrub that boasts yellow and green soft foliage. Its leathery leaves are adorned with fragrant yellow flowers and are followed by purple berries. This upright shrub produces spine tooth leaflets and cup-shaped flowers that can easily fill a large space both in height and width. At full maturity, it can grow up to 4 meters in height and spread, so it is best to plant it in an area with enough room to grow properly. The shrub does well in partial shade or full sun and interests the garden from autumn to spring with its beautiful yellow flowers. This is an excellent choice for homesteaders seeking a low-maintenance plant that still produces stunning blooms. Additionally, it is drought-tolerant, making it an almost-perfect option for hot and dry climates. Finally, these yellow flowering bushes are favoured by native backyard birds as they search for a tasty winter snack!
4. Kerria Japonica / Japanese Rose
The Japanese Rose might be the perfect addition to your landscape if you want to create a beautiful and natural environment. Although it may be called a rose shrub, this plant doesn’t produce roses. Instead, this shrub has stunning deep yellow double flowers with a slight fragrance. The flowers are more delicate than traditional roses, accompanied by soft green leaves that last all year. They can grow to 6-7 feet tall, but you can prune them if they get too big. Thanks to its striking golden yellow blooms, the scrambling deciduous shrub is highly valued as an ornamental plant in gardens, parks, and shopping centres. Additionally, it’s a favourite among birds. However, if you plan to grow it in a seaside garden, it’s worth reconsidering, as it’s known to be invasive in coastal habitats.
5. Cotton Lavender
The Cotton Lavender plant is an excellent choice if you plan to add some yellow touch to your garden. It produces yellow pompom-like flowers along with fine green-grey foliage. These are highly favoured in Mediterranean gardens and bloom in late spring to early summer. It grows up to 60cm tall and 90cm wide, making it perfect for creating dense mounds but not ideal for tall privacy screens. Plus, it’s an evergreen, making it suitable for ground cover. This yellow flowering shrub likes soil that is slightly alkaline and well-drained to tolerate dry conditions. But it still needs to be watered regularly when it’s young to help it establish its roots.
6. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a stunning yellow shrub native to New England that blooms early in the year. It produces unique reddish-brown spheres with long, thin, and curling petals and has a distinct scent that can complement other odours in your garden. Although the branches might look scary, the flowers are beautiful and bloom in late winter or early spring. Witch hazel is also unique because it produces both flowers and fruit simultaneously. This yellow flowering shrub can sprawl over 10 feet, so keep that in mind when planting. It doesn’t need much attention and thrives in the shade. It has a distinct look, with long, spindly petals that respond to temperature changes by extending or curling up. So, the petals will stretch out when it’s warm outside, and when it’s cold, they will curl up.
7. St. John Wort
For those seeking a medium-sized shrub with larger, show-stopping blooms, the Saint John’s Wort may be just what you are looking for. Unlike shrubs such as Forsythias, its yellow flowers don’t have a brassy, golden hue. Instead, they boast a lighter, richer golden-yellow colour that spreads throughout the five petals and delicate tendrils at the centre of the flower. In addition, these yellow flowers have thin tendrils extending from their centre that beckon bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in droves, making them an excellent choice for promoting biodiversity in your garden. So, it’s a low-maintenance, hassle-free option that adds glorious colour and contrast to your garden.
8. Azalea
If you are looking for a vibrant yellow flowering shrub, the Yellow Azalea is a superb choice. It produces fragrant clusters of small, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and add colour to your garden. To ensure that your Yellow Azalea thrives, it’s essential to plant it in acidic soil and give it plenty of sunlight. In addition, the Yellow Azalea is a low-maintenance option, as it is resistant to most pests and diseases. If you grow the Yellow Azalea, look for cultivars specifically bred to produce yellow blooms, like the Lemon Lights cultivar. With a maximum height of four feet, this cultivar can withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The Yellow Azalea will surely be a showstopper in your garden with its stunning yellow flowers and sweet fragrance.
9. Lydian Broom
Lydian Broom is a pretty and short bush with yellow flowers. It grows in sunny places and can survive in hot weather and poor soil. Lydian Broom is a splendid choice if you want a nice yellow flowering shrub for your garden. It has big and sweet-smelling flowers that bloom from early summer until fall. It offers a stunning display of blossoms that almost completely cover the small green leaves behind them if maintained properly. This plant is perfect for small gardens because it doesn’t grow very tall, reaching under two feet. While the shrub generally only grows to around 50 cm, it is an excellent choice for use as a ground cover or in rockeries. The Lydian broom thrives in well-draining sandy soil and does not do well with excess water.
10. Darwin’s Barberry
Meet Darwin’s Barberry! This evergreen bush stands tall and proud with its distinctive shape and striking colour. It’s adorned with clusters of tangerine buds that bloom into vibrant orange-yellow flowers on unique red stems. The dark green foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for the stunning floral display. The flowers grow in bell or urn-like shapes and are small but incredibly shiny. When fully matured, this plant can reach a height of 1.5 meters with a spread of 1.2 meters on average. And the best part? It’s pretty low maintenance! All it needs is full sun or light shade, particularly drought-tolerant once established. So, whether you want to spruce up your garden with a unique, eye-catching plant or attract some lovely creatures, Darwin’s Barberry is an excellent selection!
11. Sun King
The yellow flowering shrub, known as “Sun King,” is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 3-4 feet tall and wide. The Sun King plant features thick stems bearing yellow flowers that face downwards. Its blooms become visible during the winter, providing a burst of colour to brighten up gloomy and rainy days in your garden. This plant thrives in full sun, which is reflected in its name, and is not suitable for shady areas. Its bright yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies to your garden. It is known for its yellow foliage, which contrasts with other plants in your garden. It is also relatively low maintenance and is tolerant of drought and deer. Overall, if you are looking for a low-maintenance, showy shrub for your garden, the Sun King shrub might be a perfect option!
12. Magnolia
The yellow flowering shrub Magnolia is originally from China and is called Fei Huang or Yellow River. This tree is deciduous and sheds its leaves during autumn. However, it can also be pruned into a large shrub with careful trimming. Its upright flowers have a goblet shape and emit a pleasant, sweet scent. They can grow up to 15cm in size and look similar to lilies when they open up. Over time, the tips of the flowers fade to a softer cream colour, but the base stays that rich buttery yellow that looks so good. The tree blooms later in the season, so you don’t have to worry about frost ruining any blossoms. It can get up to 5 meters tall and wide and grows best in slightly acidic, rich soil. All in all, it’s a stunning and unique shrub for your garden.
13. Yellow Rose
Every British garden needs roses. The Golden Wedding rose is a floribunda type that produces plenty of bright golden-yellow flowers. The cool thing about these flowers is that they keep their shape throughout the growing season, so they do not droop over like other plants. If you remove the faded flowers from them, they will continue to bloom throughout the summer. If you love roses but do not necessarily want to use them as a hedge or privacy screen, the Golden Wedding rose is perfect for you. The best thing about roses is that they are low maintenance. By pruning them once a year and providing them with nourishment every spring, you can ensure that they maintain their stunning appearance year after year.
14. Golden Currant
You should check out the Golden Currant shrub if you want a plant to add beauty to your garden. It has everything you could want in a plant – bright yellow flowers that smell amazing, followed by clusters of delicious blackberries that are perfect for making jams and jellies. But that is not all – this shrub is also super easy to care for. It can grow in full sun or partial shade, and it is tolerant of all kinds of different soils. It has a delicate shape that can grow up to 2 meters tall and wide, making it perfect for a mixed border or even as a low hedge. If you are a gardener who wants a low-maintenance plant to add serious visual interest to your space, the Golden Currant is the one. Trust us; you won’t get disappointed with this amazing shrub!
Add Colours to Your Garden With Flowering Shrubs
Adding a pop of colour to your garden is always fun. These eye-catching blooms and bold hues are perfect for livening up your outdoor space. Whether you are looking for an attention-grabbing accent or want to add some cheerful colours to brighten your day, these 14 yellow-flowering shrubs offer various options to suit any garden design.
Adding yellow-flowering shrubs to your garden brings visual interest and vibrancy and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your outdoor space, contributing to a healthy ecosystem. Plus, yellow is a versatile colour that complements a variety of garden designs and can be paired with other colours to create a striking colour scheme.
So, don’t wait any longer; start planting these stunning shrubs today and watch your garden come to life with bold and beautiful colours! So, what are you waiting for? Get gardening!
