19 Yellow Flowering Bushes for Lush Gardens and Backyard Decor

Summer is a time for new beginnings – and what better way to celebrate the season than by planting a few flowers? So if you want something that will add a splash of color to your yard, consider planting a beautiful yellow flowering bush.

Yellow flowering bushes like forsythia, St. John’s Wort, azaleas, and cinquefoils are stunning, easy to care for, and produce a lovely pop of bright yellow color to your garden. However, there are many other lesser-known yellow flowering bushes and shrubs out there that are just as easy to grow at home!

So, let’s find out which yellow flowering bush is the best for your homestead decor. We’ve penned a massive list of our favorite shrubs with yellow flowers for you to consider.

Epic yellow dwarf sunshine shrubs growing in the garden.

Which one looks the best?

Let’s look closer!

What’s Inside:

19 Yellow Flowering Bushes to Brighten Your Garden
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Yellow Flowering Bushes
Conclusion: What Yellow Flowering Bush Looks Best to You?

19 Yellow Flowering Bushes to Brighten Your Garden

Let’s explore several types of yellow flowering bushes you can grow! There is forsythia, yellow azalea, roses, the Northern Spice Bush, the Yellow African Iris, mahonia, witch hazel, and more.

Growing yellow flowering bushes is a great way to add a bright yellow color to your backyard garden. Plus, each cultivar has unique benefits!

Below are a few of the best yellow flowering bushes you can grow. Be sure to research growing requirements, yellow flowering bush identification tips, and hardiness zones for each plant to make sure you have chosen the right one for your needs.

With that said, let’s take a closer look at the most beautiful options!

1. Forsythia

bright yellow forsythia bush early spring — Forsythia is one of our favorite yellow flowering bushes. By far! It’s always one of the first yellow flowering shrubs! And it grows and sprawls up to ten feet high – and ten feet wide if given enough time to develop. Forsythia also tolerates moderate pruning – so you can shape and discipline this yellow beauty to your desire. But watch out – don’t let it take over your entire front yard! Well – unless you want a powerful yellow hedge.

Forsythia is an early bloomer! It has bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring. The bush is easy to care for and can tolerate many growing conditions.

Forsythia plants also host all kinds of friendly pollinators and nesting birds. It is a boon to your backyard or front yard hedge.

2. Yellow Azalea

yellow azalea rhododendron flowers — Yellow azalea is a beautiful yellow flowering bush! It also has many wonderful and brilliant family members – including those of the rhododendron family. Many azalea flowers grow natively in South Carolina – and their styles alternate considerably! You’ll find yellow azalea, orange, pink, violet, white, and beige. And we’re sure there are plenty more brilliant azalea cultivars that we’re overlooking.

A yellow azalea shrub is another excellent choice, with its large clusters of fragrant flowers. Unlike many other azaleas, the yellow azalea is resistant to most pests and diseases. As a result, it is a low-maintenance option that will provide years of enjoyment.

If you decide to grow yellow azaleas, look for ones specifically bred to produce yellow blooms. Lemon Lights, developed by the University of Minnesota, is an option. It is hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and grows up to four feet tall. It blooms in the early spring.

3. Yellow Lady Banks Rose

The Yellow Lady Banks Rose is a climbing rose that can reach up to 30 feet tall! The plant’s height makes it ideal for covering walls or fences. In addition, it produces an abundance of tiny yellow roses with a light, sweet fragrance.

4. Japanese Rose

yellow japanese kerria japanese rose — The Japanese rose is another brilliantly yellow flowering shrub. And it’s one of our favorites for homesteaders seeking a rural and earthly paradise. Another name for the Japanese rose is the Japanese kerria tree. These Japanese bushes get pretty big – and you can prune them if they grow out of control. Expect a mature size of roughly six to seven feet. Or taller!

The Japanese rose is a bushier plant that grows only about six feet in height. It produces large, double flowers that are a deep yellow color. The petals of the Japanese rose are also slightly fragrant. Both the Yellow Lady Banks Rose and the Japanese Rose are easy to care for and will bloom profusely in full sun.

5. Northern Spicebush

yellow flowers of lindera benzoin or spicebush plant — Birds aren’t the only garden creatures who love Spicebush plants! Rabbits, possums, deer, and various friendly critters love snacking and feasting on the Spicebush’s woody fibers and leaves. They get attracted to the wonderfully sweet aroma – and stay for the yummy snacks! In addition, the Spicebush produces beautiful red berries in the summer – that many neighborhood birds can’t resist.

The Northern Spicebush is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America. It grows to around six to twelve feet tall and has small, yellow flowers that appear in the springtime.

The Northern Spicebush is relatively low-maintenance and does not require much pruning. It produces lovely clusters of flowers that attract birds. (More than 20 different bird species, in fact!)

6. Yellow African Iris

yellow african iris flowers — Our homesteading friends also refer to African iris as fortnight lily and butterfly lily. You’ll notice that this yellow flowering bush produces bunches of stunning yellow flowers. However, the flowers wilt and die insanely fast – sometimes overnight! Luckily, the flowers also rejuvenate surprisingly quickly. And the flowers keep bouncing back until the fall.

The Yellow African iris is a rhizomatous perennial that originates from Africa. It has glossy green leaves and fluffy yellow flowers. This plant is slightly more tricky to care for than the Northern Spicebush. However, it is well worth the effort for its beautiful blooms. The breathtaking flowers bloom during summer.

7. Mahonia Shrub

yellow mahonia shrub flowers — Winter Mahonia resembles a feathery fern with soft green foliage. Unlike many other ferns – winter Mahonia produces pretty yellow flowers during winter. Winter Mahonia also produces berries. The berries come at the perfect time when many other plants aren’t producing fruit. For that reason – winter Mahonia bushes are a favorite for your native backyard birds looking for a yummy wintertime snack!

The Mahonia shrub is an excellent choice for homesteaders looking for a low-maintenance plant that still provides stunning blooms. This lovely shrub is also drought tolerant, making it a borderline-genius option for hot, dry climates.

8. Sunshine Ligustrum

sunshine ligustrum or ligustrum sinense bright yellow leaves — You’ll notice the Ligustrum sinense’s breathtaking yellow flowers immediately. Your Ligustrum sinense will likely be one of your boldest yellow flowering bushes. Unlike the forsythia, Ligustrum sinense doesn’t grow out of control without pruning. Mature ligustrum sinense shrubs reach three to six feet – and are only around three and a half feet wide.

Another great choice is the Sunshine Ligustrum. It has brilliant, bright yellow foliage that stays vibrant all year, keeping your garden stunning no matter the weather.

This bush is fast-growing and can reach up to six feet tall. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soils, making it a versatile option for any garden.

9. Sunny Knock-Out Rose

sunny knock out rose shrub flowers yellow — When you glance at a Sunny Knock-Out Rose bush in full bloom – you’ll mark it among your favorite yellow flowering bushes, guaranteed! We love how the soft pastel flowers clash against the dark-green canopy of these plants. Expect flowers ranging from pastel yellow and beige to white. We also see that some Knock-Out Roses are pink. But – we prefer the yellow variety! (Though – all knock-out roses are lovely.)

The Sunny Knock-Out Rose is an excellent (and popular) choice for its abundant blooms and easy care requirements.

10. Witch Hazel

yellow witch hazel flowers — This gorgeous shrub is a delightful yellow flowering bush native to New England. Witch hazel gets its name from the twigs once famous for water-witching or dowsing. Another fascinating nuance about witch hazel is that the flowers and fruit simultaneously occur. They’re also big! Many witch hazel cultivars have reputations for sprawling well over 10 feet. And more! So plan accordingly!

Witch hazel is another brilliant option for its beautiful flowers, which appear in late winter or early spring. But, as our New England friends say, the Witch hazel branches look wicked!

11. Lydian Broom

yellow lydia genista flowers — Genista Lydia or Lydian Broom is a beautiful low-growing yellow flowering bush. Even though these lovely yellow shrubs aren’t that big – they still love growing in full sunlight. Genista Lydia also handles heat and poor soil like a champion.

If you are looking for a beautiful yellow flowering bush to add to your garden, you cannot go wrong with Lydian Broom. This shrub is known for its large, fragrant flowers, which appear in early summer and continue blooming through fall.

12. St. John’s Wort

yellow st johns wort flowers — St John’s Wort is an herb, not just a yellow flowering bush! It’s named St John’s Wort because the breathtaking yellow flowers blossom around June 24th, which is John the Baptist’s celebration day. Many homesteading friends swear that St John’s Wort can help relax sore muscles, treat depression, relieve cramps, and help heal wounds. However, we don’t champion using St John’s Wort as a medicine. But – it’s a lovely and worthy yellow flowering shrub. No doubt!

St. John’s Wort is another excellent yellow flowering bush option, with its small, star-shaped, bright flowers appearing in late spring and early summer. This bush is also relatively low-maintenance, making it a spectacular choice for busy gardeners.

Read More – 13 Beautiful Yellow Flowering Herbs!

13. Bush Cinquefoil

yellow cinquefoil potentilla flower — Cinquefoil is one of our favorite yellow flowering bushes for homesteaders who want spectacular yellow blossoms in a tiny package! Cinquefoil grows without complaint as long as you offer it plenty of sunlight. It grows low to the ground and usually won’t exceed three or four feet.

Bush cinquefoil (Potentilla Fruticosa) is a shrubby perennial native to Europe and Asia. It is a member of the rose family and features five-petaled yellow flowers that bloom in June and July.

The leaves are deeply cut and have a silver-gray color. Bush cinquefoil is tolerant of diverse soil types and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is a low-maintenance plant that does not require pruning.

14. Potentilla

yellow potentilla fruticosa flowers — Potentillas are beautiful yellow flowering bushes with a wide range of characteristics. They usually grow anywhere from two to four feet – but remember, there are countless cultivars! (Every source we find discussing potentilla flowers lists several dozen varying cultivars – so nailing down a precise number of variations has proven tricky!)

Potentilla (Potentilla spp.) is a genus of about 500 species in the rose family commonly used as ground covers. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Potentillas have five-petaled yellow, white, or pink flowers. They bloom from June to September. The leaves are simple, and the fruit is a cluster of small achenes. Some potentilla species are used as ornamental plants, while others are grown for their edible fruits.

15. Camellia Japonica

white and yellow camellia flower blossom — These flowers are excellent yellow flowering shrubs for homesteaders who love various colors – not just yellow! Camellia flowers come in red, violet, pink, white, and yellow.

Another option is camellia, or camellia japonica, an evergreen shrub that produces large, showy flowers in shades of yellow, gold, and orange.

These flowers thrive in shady areas with moist, well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

16. Bush Honeysuckle

purple and yellow honeysuckle flowers — We love honeysuckle plants and think fondly of these yellow flowering bushes! They emit a pleasant sweet-smelling odor. They also have beautiful blooms of yellow, pink, or white flowers. They also attract bees and other pollinators like crazy – bonus points for homesteaders and gardeners.

Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) is a compact shrub that produces small yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. It is a low-maintenance plant tolerant of many growing conditions, including full sun or partial shade. It prefers moist or dry soil.

17. Austrian Briar

austrian-briar-rosa-foetida — This gorgeous species rose (or wild rose) grows up to six feet tall and presents large, cup-shaped, golden-yellow flowers every summer. It’s also known as Austrian Copper due to each petal’s warm, coppery tones.

Rosa foetida, or Austrian Briar, is a wild rose that produces striking golden flowers in early summer. It is native to the Caucasus mountains and can tolerate temperatures as low as – 20 °F! So, no matter your zone, this rose can thrive.

It needs full sunlight and consistently moist soil to grow to its fullest extent.

18. Barberry

golden-common-barberry-bush — Common barberry (berberis vulgaris) isn’t just a beautiful shrub with bright yellow colored flowers – it’s also a fruit bush! It produces small, red, bitter berries every fall. Unfortunately, you can’t grow it in some states, such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Michigan, because it can carry wheat rust fungus.

Common barberry’s small, bead-shaped yellow flowers make it a gorgeous addition to your hedges. It loves full sun exposure and a chilly to temperate climate, growing best in USDA zones three to seven.

After the summer blooms, wait for the fruit to ripen in the fall and make some tart jam or syrup from the berries!

19. Yellow Elder

yellow-elder-bush — Tecoma stans (yellow elder) is one of the largest shrubs that made this list, reaching sizes of over 20 feet tall and wide in some cases! So, if you are looking for an organic privacy fence, a yellow elder might be just what you need.

Yellow elder is a warm-climate shrub with bright colors, growing best in USDA zones eight through twelve. It loves full sun and doesn’t need much water, making it the ultimate low-maintenance plant.

While it is a shrub, it can quickly grow, and after a few years, it looks more like a tree than a bush! For that reason, it’s a great plant to grow in areas where you could use a little shade but don’t have the room for a large-trunked tree.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Yellow Flowering Bushes

There are so many fantastic yellow flowering bushes and shrubs out there it can be challenging to decide on just one!

If you still aren’t sure what to pick, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions on the topic (and their answers):

What Bush Has Yellow Flowers in Winter?

The mahonia bush has yellow flowers in winter, usually blooming between March and April. After their blooming period, they produce fruits that attract birds and other wildlife.

How Long Do Forsythias Stay in Bloom?

Forsythias stay in bloom for around two weeks during their flowering period in late summer or early fall. However, some forsythias have a second blooming period in spring if they are mature, well-pruned, and healthy.

What Bush Stays Yellow All Year?

Sunshine ligustrum stays yellow all year round since it has evergreen foliage that tolerates the cold. It generally grows no larger than six feet tall and six feet wide, making it an excellent border plant.

Conclusion: What Yellow Flowering Bush Looks Best to You?

If you seek a plant that will add color and life to your garden this spring, consider adding a yellow flowering bush.

These plants come in several shapes and sizes, so at least one is sure to fit your needs. As with any new addition to your garden, take the time to do your research before selecting the perfect yellow flowering bush for you.

Consider all of your options! And make sure to ask questions about the care and maintenance of these plants before making your purchase. Then, with a little effort, you can have a beautiful addition to your landscape that will last for years. Or decades!

Let us know which yellow flowering bush you like the most! Or – maybe we missed a beautiful yellow flowering shrub on our list?

We would love to hear from you!

Thanks again for reading.

Have a great day!