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16 Stunning Yellow Flowering Trees to Brighten Your Garden

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Home » Flowering Trees » 16 Stunning Yellow Flowering Trees to Brighten Your Garden

Yellow flowering trees are not as popular as other colors but they sure do stand out!

Take a look at our sixteen favorite trees and shrubs with stunning yellow flowers.

16 Trees With Stunning Yellow Blooms

1. Yellow Trumpet Tree

Yellow Trumpet Tree

The Yellow Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia caraiba) is a captivating addition to any landscape, boasting bright yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms that herald the arrival of spring.

Originating from South America, this semi-evergreen tree offers not only stunning tropical blooms but also an asymmetrical form that adds unique visual interest.

Ideal for attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, the Yellow Trumpet thrives in heat and drought conditions, making it perfect for streetscapes or driveways in warmer climates.

For those in cooler regions, it can be grown in a large patio container and brought indoors during colder months, ensuring year-round tropical flair.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-11 patio / 10-11 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 15-25 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 10-15 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow blooms in early spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Tabebuia caraiba

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2. Golden Raintree

Golden Raintree

The Golden Raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) is a stunning spectacle throughout the year, beginning with unique pink-red foliage in early spring that transitions to a lush deep green.

Its most captivating feature is the vibrant yellow flowers that blanket the canopy in midsummer, resembling golden shoji lanterns, followed by deep orange seed pods that add another layer of visual interest.

This hardy tree is not only a source of year-round beauty but also stands up to urban pollution and harsh climates, making it an excellent choice for both city streets and landscape focal points.

Carefully nurtured to ensure a robust root system and healthy growth, the Golden Raintree is a resilient and dazzling addition to any outdoor space.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 30 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 30 ft.
  • Flowers: Vibrant yellow flowers in midsummer
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Koelreuteria paniculata

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3. Cassia Tree

Cassia Tree

The Cassia Tree, also known as the Scrambled Egg Tree, is a spectacular addition to any landscape with its bountiful bright yellow flowers that dazzle in both spring and fall.

Ideal as a centerpiece for circular driveways or as a magnificent yard specimen offering ample shade, the Cassia Tree is a true garden treasure.

Its slender trunk and deep green leaves serve as the perfect backdrop for the clusters of vibrant yellow blooms that attract butterflies in abundance.

Fast-growing and salt-tolerant, this tree fits seamlessly into various garden or landscape settings, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both beauty and functionality in their outdoor spaces.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 10-12 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 10-12 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow blooms in spring and fall
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Senna polyphylla

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4. Columnar Goldenchain Tree

Columnar Goldenchain Tree

The Columnar Goldenchain Tree is a stunning addition to any garden, renowned for its densely packed clusters of vibrant yellow flowers that dangle elegantly in the spring.

Reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet and spreading 10 to 15 feet wide, it maintains a columnar form, making it an ideal choice for areas where space is at a premium.

While the tree’s beauty is undeniable, it’s worth noting that all parts of the plant are toxic to both humans and animals, necessitating caution in its placement.

Despite this, its compact size and non-invasive root system make it suitable for close-to-house planting or container cultivation, offering flexibility in garden design.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 15-20 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 10-15 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow in late spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
  • Botanical Name: Laburnum anagyroides ‘Fastigiata’

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5. Sunny Knock Out® Rose Tree

Sunny Knock Out® Rose Tree

The Sunny Knock Out® Rose Tree brings the effortless beauty and resilience of Knock Out® Roses to a versatile tree form.

Boasting vibrant yellow blooms for up to nine months without the high maintenance typically associated with roses, this plant sets new standards for disease resistance and ease of care.

Ideal for container planting, it can be positioned to enhance entryways, porches, or even indoors when cooler weather hits.

Known for its robust growth, this rose tree promises a stunning display of yellow flowers, offering all the benefits of the Knock Out® Rose family, including disease and pest resistance, in a convenient and eye-catching tree form.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-11 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 3-4 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 3-4 ft.
  • Flowers: Rich yellow blooms for up to nine months
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Rosa ‘RADsunny’

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6. Ylang Ylang Tree

Ylang Ylang Tree

The Ylang Ylang Tree, known for its intoxicating fragrance reminiscent of jasmine and sweet custard apple, is a standout addition to any landscape.

Its alluring scent is highly sought after for use in perfumes, making it a treasure for those interested in homemade fragrances.

This tropical beauty showcases a year-round display of evolving blooms that transition from light green to vibrant yellow, ensuring a continuous spectacle unlike any other.

While it thrives in zones 9-11, its adaptability to container living allows those in cooler climates to enjoy its fragrant blossoms indoors during colder months.

Fast-growing and low-maintenance, the Ylang Ylang Tree is an effortless way to bring a touch of the tropics and a continuous floral aroma to your garden or home.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 40-60 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 30-50 ft.
  • Flowers: Light green to bright yellow blooms all year
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to Partial Sun
  • Botanical Name: Cananga odorata

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7. Yellow Tropical Hibiscus Tree

Yellow Tropical Hibiscus Tree

The Yellow Tropical Hibiscus Tree (Hibiscus brackenridgei) stands out with its stunning golden blooms, offering a tropical flair to any setting.

This tree shines as a patio plant and can be used to enhance the beauty of entryways, flower beds, and driveway borders with its striking yellow flowers.

Blooming from July to October, it provides long-lasting visual interest.

Adaptable to most climates and soil types, the Yellow Tropical Hibiscus is low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and disease-resistant, making it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking beauty without the hassle.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 6-8 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 2-3 ft.
  • Flowers: Eye-catching golden blooms
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to partial sun
  • Botanical Name: Hibiscus brackenridgei

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8. Julia Child Rose Tree

Julia Child Rose Tree

The Julia Child Rose Tree presents an exquisite display of buttery-yellow roses from June through September, creating a stunning contrast against its dark green foliage.

This variety is renowned for its ability to bloom and re-bloom, providing a continual show of fragrant, vibrant flowers throughout the summer.

Not only does this tree boast beauty, but it’s also hardy and easy to maintain, thriving in a wide range of climates (zones 4-9). It’s disease and pest-resistant, asking only for sunshine and modest moisture.

Whether planted in your garden or as a striking patio feature, the Julia Child Rose Tree enhances any space with its lively color and sweet fragrance.

It’s also perfect for indoor décor, offering an endless supply of long-stemmed roses to brighten any room.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 6 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 3 ft.
  • Flowers: Rich yellow roses from June through September
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to Partial Sun
  • Botanical Name: Rosa floribunda ‘Julia Child’

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9. Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ Tree

Magnolia 'Butterflies' Tree

Magnolia offers a unique twist on traditional spring blooms with its vibrant yellow hue.

Unlike the common white or pink Magnolia flowers, ‘Butterflies’ stands out with its rare and eye-catching color, bringing an early splash of warmth to the garden.

Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of climates, from the cold winters of the north to the heat and drought of the south, making it an ideal choice for nearly any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 20-30 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 10-15 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow blossoms in early spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to Partial Sun
  • Botanical Name: M. acuminata x M. denudata

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10. Tulip Poplar

Tulip Poplar

The Tulip Poplar Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) stands out with its astonishing growth speed and uniquely beautiful spring blooms that transform from a few small flowers to a full, vibrant display in a day.

This tree offers dual-season appeal, with richly-hued flowers in spring and bright yellow foliage in fall, ensuring the brightest tree in the neighborhood.

Highly resistant to diseases and pests, the Tulip Poplar is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including wet soils, making it a versatile and attractive choice for any landscape.

With meticulous care from planting to nurturing, this tree promises to bring a lifetime of beauty and enjoyment.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 70 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 30-40 ft.
  • Flowers: Richly-hued blooms in spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Liriodendron tulipifera

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11. Kerria Golden Guinea

Kerria Golden Guinea

The Kerria Golden Guinea is a striking flowering shrub that adds a splash of vibrant yellow to any landscape.

This hardy plant boasts masses of bright yellow flowers that illuminate gardens from April through May, offering a cheerful display in both sun and shade.

The Golden Guinea exhibits a tidy, upright rounded form, with stems that remain green throughout winter, providing year-round interest.

Also known as Easter Rose, this variety is tolerant of alkaline soil and thrives in a wide range of sunlight conditions, making it a versatile choice for various garden designs.

With its prolific blooms and minimal care requirements, the Golden Guinea Kerria is a treasure for any gardener seeking to brighten up their outdoor space.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
  • Growth Rate: Medium
  • Height: Mature height of 4 – 5 feet
  • Width: Mature width of 4 – 5 feet
  • Flowers: Bright yellow blooms in spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun, Full Shade, Partial Shade
  • Botanical Name: Kerria japonica ‘Golden Guinea’

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12. Lynwood Gold Forsythia Shrub

Lynwood Gold Forsythia Shrub

The Lynwood Gold Forsythia is a captivating shrub that heralds the arrival of spring with its stunning bright yellow blooms, transforming any landscape with a splash of vibrant color.

Not just a one-season wonder, it offers a second act in fall when its foliage turns a brilliant yellow with touches of orange and red.

Ideal for creating eye-catching hedges, ornamental displays, or privacy screens, the Lynwood Gold Forsythia is a fast grower, adding 2 to 4 feet to its stature each year.

This variety stands out for its ease of care, adaptability, and disease resistance, making it a worry-free choice for gardeners looking to add lasting beauty to their outdoor spaces.

With its promise of low maintenance and spectacular color, the Lynwood Gold Forsythia is an excellent addition to any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5-8 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 8-10 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 8-10 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow in early spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to partial sunlight
  • Botanical Name: Forsythia x intermedia

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13. Meadowlark Forsythia

Meadowlark Forsythia

The Meadowlark Forsythia is a vibrant harbinger of spring, renowned for its brilliant display of bright yellow flowers that bloom earlier than most other shrubs.

This cold-hardy hybrid, developed in North Dakota, ensures a reliable bloom even in Zones 3 to 5, where late frosts often pose a threat. Its flower buds withstand temperatures below zero, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of climates.

With its lush, compact foliage that reaches all the way to the ground, the Meadowlark Forsythia maintains an attractive appearance without becoming leggy.

This fast-growing deciduous shrub is a low-maintenance, pest, and disease-resistant addition to any landscape, offering a spectacular burst of color in early spring.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Height: Mature height of 8 – 10 feet
  • Width: Mature width of 8 – 10 feet
  • Flowers: Bright yellow in early spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: Forsythia x ‘Meadowlark’

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14. Common Witch Hazel Shrub

Common Witch Hazel Shrub

The Common Witch Hazel Shrub, also known as Ozark Witch Hazel, is a remarkable and resilient plant native to parts of the Midwest.

This striking shrub is celebrated for its unusual red-copper flowers that bloom in the heart of winter, adding warmth and color to the garden during the coldest months.

As the seasons change, so does the Witch Hazel, with its foliage transitioning from light green with reddish-bronze hints in spring to a vibrant golden-yellow in autumn.

This shrub is not only tough, thriving in challenging environments like gravelly stream beds and rocky slopes, but it is also virtually carefree, thanks to its resistance to pests and diseases.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-8 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 6-10 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 8-15 ft.
  • Flowers: Red-copper in mid to late winter
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to partial sunlight
  • Botanical Name: Hamamelis vernalis

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15. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Tree

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Tree

The Cornelian Cherry, a relative of the American Dogwood, stands out as a versatile and hardy plant. Adaptable as both a dense shrub for screening and a stunning small tree, it offers year-round appeal.

One of the earliest spring bloomers, it boasts clusters of bright yellow flowers, followed by shiny green leaves and striking bright red berries in late summer.

Come fall, it transforms again with mahogany red foliage, and in winter, its exfoliating bark adds texture with shades of gray to brown.

Not only does it attract wildlife with its ruby-red berries, but these berries are also edible, offering a tart flavor ideal for preserves and syrups.

Thriving in full sun to full shade, the Cornelian Cherry can reach heights of 15 to 30 feet, with a lifespan that can exceed 150 years, making it a lasting addition to any landscape.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Height: Mature height of 15-30 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 15-20 ft.
  • Flowers: Bright yellow in early spring
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full to partial sunlight
  • Botanical Name: Cornus Mas

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16. Camille Pissarro™ Rose

Camille Pissarro™ Rose

The Camille Pissarro™ Rose dazzles with its unique, full double blooms, artistically striped in shades of yellow, red, pink, and white.

This rose variety stands out for its extraordinary palette, offering a visual feast in any garden setting. Its striking appearance is complemented by a delightful fragrance, making it a sought-after choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and aroma in their landscapes.

With its compact growth habit and dark green foliage, the Camille Pissarro™ is not only a showstopper in terms of blooms but also adds lush, vibrant greenery to your garden year-round.

Suitable for zones 6-9, this rose thrives in full sun and promises moderate growth, reaching 3-4 feet in both height and width, making it an ideal selection for a variety of garden spaces and containers.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6-9 outdoors
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Height: Mature height of 3-4 ft.
  • Width: Mature width of 3-4 ft.
  • Flowers: Striped double blooms in yellow, red, pink, and white
  • Sunlight Requirements: Full Sun
  • Botanical Name: DELstricol

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Want More?

Explore the enchanting allure of blue or purple flowering trees, where each bloom carries a hint of mystery and royalty, transforming your garden into a majestic sanctuary.

Dive into the serene elegance of white blossoming trees, symbolizing purity and peace, and watch as your garden becomes a tranquil haven for reflection and relaxation.

Succumb to the romantic whispers of pink flowering trees, evoking feelings of love and gentleness, and envelop your outdoor space in a soft, inviting embrace.

Let the fiery spirit of orange or red blooming trees ignite your garden with their bold and dramatic presence, creating a landscape filled with intensity and passion.

For those with spatial considerations, discover the charm of small flowering trees that offer the same dazzling array of colors and benefits, perfectly suited for more intimate gardens or structured designs.

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Fern Berg - Founder

Expert Gardener & Horticulturist in Training

Fern is an IARC certified horticulturist and has planted and currently cares for over 100 different native and exotic fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. She also cultivates an extensive vegetable garden, several flower gardens and cares for an ever-growing happy family of indoor plants. Fern has a special interest in biodynamic farming, food production and closed loop agriculture. Fern founded Tree Vitalize to help guide others with an interest in tree planting, identification and care.

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