Top 10 Native Yellow Perennial Flowers

Want to smile every time you look out at your garden? Fill it will sunny yellow perennial flowers that are native to your local area. Not only will they brighten your garden, they will bring it alive with pollinators!

Below are 10 awesome yellow perennial flowers to add to your flower beds. Incorporate a variety of these to have pops of yellow throughout your garden from early spring until late summer.

These perennial plants are all native to North America. Each plant profile below includes a link to a map of its native range. The next time you head to the nursery, I encourage you to choose some of these beautiful flowers over non-native varieties from other parts of the world!

Why It is Important to Grow Native Plants

If you add any new plant to your yard, make it a native! Native plants are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. These plants have evolved in your local area, while non-native plants were introduced from other parts of the world. Native plants:

• Are important food source to plant-eating insects
• Serve as host plants to butterflies and moths
• Require less water and maintenance
• Support more species than non-native plants

If you are new to native plants be sure to read the Top 6 Benefits of Native Plants in Your Yard. The majority of our yards are currently filled with non-native plants so there are lots of opportunities to swap in some natives and help the environment.

Tall Yellow Perennial Flowers

Try these tall yellow perennials at the back of your garden bed. Each plant profile includes both its common name and scientific name (in parentheses).

Make sure to look for its scientific name at the nursery to make sure you are purchasing the right plant!

1. Maximillian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani)

This perennial sunflower is a late summer bloomer that can grow up to 6 ft. tall!

It makes a stunning backdrop to a fall garden and provides important fall nectar for insects and seeds for birds. Purchase seeds at Native American Seed.

• Native to: Most of United States and Canada
• Bloom period: Aug-Nov.
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Height: 4-6 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Host plant to the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly. Nectar and pollen for pollinators. Seeds for birds.

2. Giant Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus)

Even though it includes the word “giant” in its name, the blooms of the Giant Sunflower are actually quite small. However, this plant can grow to be 10 feet tall!

This is a great tall yellow perennial flower to add to your garden if you live in the Eastern U.S. It prefers moist soil.

• Native to: Eastern United States and Canada
• Bloom period: July-Sept.
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Height: Up to 10 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for pollinators, seeds for birds.

3. Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

If you love Purple Coneflower like I do, why not try Yellow Coneflower in your garden too?

This herbaceous perennial with unique drooping petals grows up to five feet tall. It also makes a pretty cut flower!

• Native to: Eastern United States
• Bloom period: May to Sept.
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Height: Up to 5 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar and pollen for pollinators. Seeds for birds.

4. Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa)

This spring-bloomer also known as “Bush Pea” is native to the South Central U.S. It is a bushy plant that is covered in unique yellow blooms starting in April through June. Purchase seeds at Native American Seed.

• Native to: South central United States
• Bloom period: April – June
• Sun requirements: Full sun – part shade
• Height: 2-3 feet
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar for butterflies.

5. Shrubby St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum)

Looking for a pretty shrub to add to your garden? Try Shrubby St. John’s Wort. This yellow flowering shrub grows up to 4 ft. tall and wide. It is covered in pretty yellow blooms during the summer.

• Native to: Eastern half of United States
• Bloom period: June-Aug
• Sun requirements: Full – part sun
• Height: 3-4 feet tall and wide
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar and pollen for bumblebees and other pollinators. Birds eat seed heads.

Small Yellow Perennial Flowers

6. Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)

Live in California? Give Golden Yarrow a try! Also known as Yellow Yarrow, this flower grows in large clumps to make a bold yellow statement in your garden. It will bloom throughout the summer.

• Native to: California
• Bloom period: Apr – Aug.Sun requirements: Full sun – part sun
• Height: 1-2 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Moth host plant. Great nectar plant for pollinators.

7. Golden Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha)

Unlike the other yellow flowers on this list, Golden Columbine prefers shade to sun. It is also a spring bloomer, fading out as temps rise in the summer. Add this to a shady part of your yard for some bright spring color!

• Native to: Southwestern U.S.
• Bloom period: Mar-May
• Sun requirements: Part Shade – Shade
• Height: 2-3 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Host plant for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly. Nectar plant for pollinators.

8. Tickseed (Coreopsis species)

There are several Tickseed (Coreopsis) species native to the United States. Find one native to your area to add a bright pop of yellow to your garden.

Coreopsis is easy to grow from seed. Purchase seeds at Native American Seed.

• Native to: Throughout the U.S. (varies by species)
• Bloom period: Spring-Summer
• Sun requirements: Full sun – part sun
• Height: 1-3 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Nectar and pollen for pollinators.

9. Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea)

Also called Golden Ragwort, this pretty plant likes moist soil in part shade. It can create a pretty groundcover in a shadier part of your yard when planted en masse.

• Native to: Eastern half of U.S. and Canada
• Bloom period: Mar-Aug
• Sun requirements: Sun – Shade
• Height: 1-2 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Butterfly and moth host plant. Great source of nectar and pollen for pollinators.

10. Golden Aster (Chrysopsis mariana)

This is a pretty fall bloomer to add to your garden if you live in the Eastern United States. It thrives in full sun paired with moist to wet soil.

• Native to: Eastern United States
• Bloom period: Aug.-Oct.
• Sun requirements: Full sun – part sun
• Height: 1-2 ft.
• Wildlife benefits: Fall nectar and pollen for pollinators.

BONUS! Top 5 Texas Yellow Perennial Flowers

Do you live in Texas like I do? Then this extra list of yellow perennials is for you! Each of these plants in native to Texas (and sometimes surrounding states).

1. Chocolate Daisies (Berlandiera lyrata)

This plant really does smell like chocolate! Native to West Texas, Chocolate Daisies bloom from April – November in sun to part shade. Deadheading helps produce more blooms.

2. Sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri)

This bushy plant that likes moist soil and sun to part sun. It is a pretty shrub that grows around 2 ft. tall and can bloom between March and November. You’ll always find pollinators visiting its flowers!

3. Damiantia (Chrysactinia mexicana)

This drought tolerant evergreen shrub is native to Edwards Plateau region of Texas. It blooms profusely in the spring and occasionally throughout the summer. It thrives in dry, well-drained soil.

4. Englemann Daisy (Engelmannia peristenia)

This happy flower is a great addition to a wildflower bed. In the right conditions, it can create a gorgeous mound of sunny yellow flowers! Pollinators enjoy the nectar will birds enjoy eating the seeds.

5. Four Nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)

This drought-tolerant plant is perfect for rock gardens. Four Nerve Daisy has a long bloom period, occasionally blooming during the winter months.

Pin this list of yellow perennial flowers!