It’s impossible not to notice orange flowers. Even a single, orange-flowered plant in a small pot commands attention. Orange is a bold, energizing color. It’s a color associated with power, confidence, optimism, warmth, and fun!
Orange flowering plants are great for adding a sharp accent or contrast among other flower colors. In combination with bright pinks and yellow, orange flowers can be used to create a festive or tropical vibe. If curb appeal is what you’re looking for, a pathway or foundation edged with orange annual flowers, such as marigolds, is sure to be eye-catching from a distance. Even just a little touch of orange is enough to brighten any outdoor space or flower border.
Perennial orange flowers can be enjoyed year after year and require less maintenance than annual flowers. However, annuals add a pop of instant color, bloom all summer long, and you can easily experiment with new flower varieties every year, or even change your mind in the same season! Climbing plants with orange flowers can make a lovely addition to a trellis or chain-link fence. Many of the orange flowers in our list can be grown in pots for your deck, patio, or balcony.
Here are suggestions for popular orange flowers based on the plant’s size and whether they are annual or perennial. Discover how easy it is to bring the energizing effects of orange into your landscape!
Tall Perennial Orange Flowers
Tall flowering perennials can be used to create a dramatic and colorful background for shorter plants. Use a clump of tall orange flowers to create a strong focal point for a corner or in the center of an “island” planting. Tall plants also have the advantage of bringing the beauty of flowers closer to eye-level.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia hybrid)
Hybrid Gaillardias offer the same rugged performance and long-lasting bloom season that have made this plant a garden favorite for generations. The difference is found in the beautiful array of unique flower forms and color blends that hybrids provide. Plants are low-maintenance and drought tolerant. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens.
Sneezeweed (Helenium hybrid)
Sneezeweed is a familiar source of warm color in the garden. Daisy-like flowers on dependable plant provide a delightful display. Attracts bees to the garden! Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Looks great in rock gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
California Fuchsia (Zauschneria garrettii)
This fast-growing hardy Fuchsia is perfect for cooler climates or high-altitude gardens. Forms a dense mass of low, soft-green foliage that turns into an explosion of color in summer. Orange trumpet-like flowers cover the plant and provide a welcome treat for hummingbirds. Excellent for borders, rock gardens, or mass plantings. Makes a breathtaking specimen plant.
Avens, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ (Geum hybrid)
Vibrant orange flowers held on wiry stems bring fantastic color and movement to the garden. The blooms are held high above a rosette of foliage where gentle breezes stir the flowers into motion. The leaves are so beautiful this plant could be grown for its foliage alone. Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens.
Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis)
Narrow sword-like leaves add texture and a strong vertical element to the garden. Enjoy sprays of tropical-looking blooms followed by interesting seedpods. As the pods dry and split they reveal clusters of black seeds that are the source of this plant’s common name, Blackberry Lily. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Looks great in rock gardens. Makes a breathtaking potted specimen plant. Best planted in groups.
Bird of Paradise, Crane Flower (Strelitzia reginae)
One of the most familiar and beautiful tropical plants around. Bird of Paradise gets its common name from its flowers which are said to resemble the feathers of the tropical bird of that same name. The plant has a strong vertical habit with gorgeous banana-tree-like leaves. The dark, glossy leaves are attractive even when flowers are not present. Perfect for large containers or tropical themed borders. Unbeatable for planting along pool sides and in large containers. Flowers are excellent for cutting.
Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrid)
Daylilies are tough and adaptable, yet their form is elegant and refined. Each trumpet-like bloom of a daylily only lasts for one day. Most varieties offer up daily blooms for several weeks and some rebloom throughout the entire summer. Plant a mix of daylilies with different colors and bloom times to assure a colorful garden for months. Combines beautifully with ornamental grasses.
Spurge ‘Fireglow’ (Euphorbia griffithii)
Spectacular blooms of hot, orange-red on sturdy stems in early summer. Flowers are followed by fresh looking, green fingers of mound forming leaves. Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens. Excellent for use in difficult spots where nothing else can survive.
Torch Lily, Tritoma, Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Draws attention like no other garden flower! Unique spikes of red and yellow flowers are produced late in the season. The flowers are loved by hummingbirds. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Excellent for planting along fences and walls. Creates a pivotal accent point in any garden.
Medium Height Perennial Orange Flowers
Medium-height perennial flowers are the perfect filler between taller perennials or shrubs and lower, edging plants. They can also be planted in a row along a wall or fence to create a dense flow of color in an otherwise barren setting. Medium-sized perennials are useful for foundation plantings where you don’t want the view of your home overwhelmed with plantings.
Coneflower ‘Sombrero® Series’ (Echinacea hybrid)
The Sombrero® series of coneflowers are all low-maintenance, compact selections. Plants produce bright, richly colored flowers with petals that stand out stiffly. The vibrant blooms attract butterflies to the garden! Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings.
Digiplexis® ‘Illumination® Flame’ (Digitalis hybrid)
A fascinating cross between common foxglove and its cousin, Canary Island foxglove. Tall spikes of pink and orange bicolor blooms add a strong vertical element to the landscape. Produces flowers over a long season, right into autumn. A good choice for beds and borders. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings and woodland gardens. Terrific plant for hummingbird gardens.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed’s brilliant orange flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. The only Asclepias species to have clear sap and alternate leaves. Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings. Best planted in groups.
Crocosmia (Crocosmia hybrid)
Clusters of bright blooms bob on slender stems that rise up amongst sword-like leaves. Provides vertical interest, movement and color over a long season. Makes a stunning accent in cut flower bouquets. Effective in borders and cutting gardens. Nice for larger patio containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets. Best planted in groups.
Asiatic Lily (Lilium hybrid)
Asiatic lilies are hybrids originating from six Lilium species native to Asia and generally have unscented blooms. They are available in a wide range of flower colors and plant heights, making them perfect for tucking into multiple places for random bursts of color. Be sure to plant extra for cut bouquets. An excellent choice for mixed borders and and large patio containers. Best planted in groups.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow brings soft texture and long lasting color to the perennial garden with a minimal care. The Achillea millefolium species includes many of the deep red, pink, and orange hued varieties. Regardless of color they all attract butterflies and admiring eyes. An ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens.
Short Perennial Orange Flowers
Short flowering perennials bring color and interest along the edges of a large flower border. Use short perennial orange flowers as an edging plant along pavement or gravel paths, walkways, or a patio. Many are appropriate for use in containers, either solo or mixed with other plants.
Sun Star, Orange Star Plant (Ornithogalum dubium)
This cheerful South African native is easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained garden location or container. The bright orange, star-shaped flowers are long lasting and produced over a long season. Like many other spring bulbs, the foliage turns brown and the bulbs go dormant in mid summer. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Plant in groups for best effect.
Avens, Geum ‘Koi’ (Geum coccineum)
This selection forms compact rosettes of evergreen foliage. Cheerful, bright orange flowers with yellow stamens are held on strong, wiry stems. Blooms from late spring to late summer. Wonderful for mixed borders and rock gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Threadleaf Coreopsis ‘Sienna Sunset’ (Coreopsis hybrid)
A sport of Coreopsis ‘Crème Brulee’ with blooms in shades of burnt sienna. A familiar source of warm color in the garden. Adds a touch of class to any garden planting. Perfectly suited to informal, naturalized settings. Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Combines beautifully with ornamental grasses.
Hardy Hybrid Ice Plant ‘Jewel of Desert Ruby’ (Delosperma hybrid)
‘Jewel of Desert Ruby’ brings long-lasting, brilliant color to the most challenging of hot, dry locations. The fleshy, mat-forming foliage sparkles in the sunlight and softens harsh surroundings. This is a carefree, low-maintenance selection. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. A reliable groundcover for any location. Tumbles beautifully over rocks, slopes, and banks.
Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri)
Wallflowers are a classic favorite for cottage gardens because of their uplifting, brightly colored flowers, which have a sweet fragrance. The flowers are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The plants bloom early in the season and they partner nicely with spring-blooming bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips. Wonderful for mixed borders, rock gardens, and containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets. Best planted in groups.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
This flower is so abundant and beloved in California that it was designated the State Flower. The beautiful, finely-textured foliage is incredibly heat and drought tolerant. Flowers have the interesting habit of closing at night and on cloudy days. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Wonderful for rock gardens and containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Tall Annual Orange Flowers
Tall annual flowers are a great way to bring consistent color to a perennial flower garden. As the perennial plants go in and out of bloom, annuals continue to fill the space with color. Tall annual orange flowers are also perfect for creating a central focal point for a mixed planter or add height and dimension to large or small garden spaces.
Tall Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
A must-have for gardeners who enjoy creating their own cut flower arrangements. The long-lasting blooms add great height, texture and fragrance to mixed arrangements. In the garden they make a great background plant. Also effective planted in small groups to create dramatic focal points throughout the landscape. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Suitable for container plantings but may require staking.
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
A great selection for hot, dry locations. Mexican sunflowers are native to the arid regions of Central and South America. This is one of the best flowers available for enticing a steady stream of butterflies to the garden. Plant near a patio or porch to enjoy these lovely visitors up close. Ideal choice for beds, borders, rock gardens, and cutting gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Heliconia ‘Choconiana’ (Heliconia psittacorum)
Heliconia transforms the landscape into a tropical paradise with the big, bold foliage and striking orange blooms. Place plants in large patio containers to enjoy the hummingbirds that are drawn to the nectar of the tubular flowers. Grows well as an indoor plant if given a bright location. Makes a breathtaking specimen plant. Nice for larger patio containers. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Lantana (Lantana )
Lantana are native to several tropical regions and popular as heat tolerant annuals for gardens and containers. Their clusters of tiny blooms come in a good range of colors and are loved by butterflies. They may be upright or trailing, depending on variety chosen, but all have nicely textured foliage and good drought tolerance. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Looks great in rock gardens.
Common Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
A favorite of gardeners and butterflies alike, Zinnias bring long-lasting, bright color and rich texture to any planting. Removal of spent blooms will assure the most prolific and ongoing floral display. Use in beds, borders, containers and window boxes. Provides long lasting cut flowers.
African Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
African Marigolds sport large blooms and sunny bright colors. Their texture is the perfect compliment to broad leaf and trailing companion plants. Removing spent blooms will assure the most prolific flowering. African marigolds are a perfect choice for beds and borders. Also superb for baskets, containers, and window boxes. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Medium Height Annual Orange Flowers
Medium-height annual flowers are popular for using as a filler in a mixed flower garden, hanging basket, combination planters or grown solo in a decorative pot.
French Marigold (Tagetes patula)
French Marigolds have a smaller plant habit and flowers than African marigolds making them the perfect size for containers and edging pavement, a patio, or flower border. They offer outstanding color and performance with minimal maintenance, even in hot weather. Marigold’s deeply cut foliage offers great contrast and texture when planted near plants with broad leaves or grassy foliage. Remove faded flowers to keep plants tidy and encourage more blooms. A great choice for beds, baskets, and window boxes.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Daisy-like blooms atop sturdy stems make gerbera daisies an excellent choice for bringing color and definition to plantings. The blooms are incredibly long-lasting whether growing in the garden, a pot, or using as cut flowers. Color selection ranges from pastel to sunny bright.
Zinnia, Mexican Zinnia (Zinnia haageana)
Brilliant color for hot, sunny locations. This zinnia’s spreading habit makes a great seasonal groundcover and it’s also ideal in containers with the bright flowers spilling over the edge of the planter. Blooms all summer long, right up to frost. Carefree and a great choice for novice gardeners or those who just want maximum color with minimal effort. Adapts to just about any sunny location. Use in beds, mixed borders, patio planters, hanging baskets and window boxes.
Arctotis, African Daisy (Arctotis hybrid)
Don’t let the dainty beauty of this plant fool you, this is a rugged selection perfect for novice gardeners or anyone seeking a low-maintenance landscape. Arctotis originates in the hot, dry regions of South Africa and brings the benefits of its tolerance to harsh conditions to the home gardener. Thrives in sunny beds, borders, rock gardens and containers. Plant a number of plants closer together for bold color impact.
Annual Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chrysanthemums offer a burst of color for containers or in the garden bed. Foliage forms a dense bushy mound covered with flowers over a long period of time. Excellent for adding fresh color to the landscape in late summer and fall when many other plants may be getting tired and leggy. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. They may be used to liven porches and patios.
Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)
Tuberous begonias are available in upright growing and pendulous varieties in a wide range of flower forms and colors. The bloom types also vary from single to double and tiny to large, but all are complimented by attractively asymmetrical foliage. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Nasturtium, Indian Cress, Monk’s Cress (Tropaeolum majus)
A tasteful and tasty choice! The colorful and edible trumpet blooms of nasturtium are excellent for brightening annual combinations, and for spicing up salads with their peppery bite. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. The perfect choice for beds and borders, and planting in a vegetable garden.
Calendula, English Marigold, Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Masses of sunny yellow or orange blooms are produced well into autumn. Calendula is an excellent backup for your garden favorites that have shorter bloom times. Calendula often self-seeds, providing you with bonus plants that are easily enjoyed, or easily removed for sharing. An ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrid)
Blooms resembling miniature petunias cover an abundance of trailing stems in a lush and colorful display. A tender perennial most commonly grown as an annual. Easy care and heat tolerant. Many botanical authorities consider Calibrachoa to belong to the genus petunia. Perfect for all kinds of containers, including window boxes, hanging baskets and combination planters. Looks great in rock gardens.
Short Annual Orange Flowers
Short flowering annuals can be used to create a colorful edging for a large border planting, along a garden path, or to add color and definition to a paved walkway. They’re great for mixed flowering containers, individual pots, or in a vertical wall planter. Plant a few orange flowering annuals in your vegetable garden to add beauty and entice even more pollinators to your vegetable flowers.
Creeping Zinnia, Narrowleaf Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia)
Brilliant color for hot, sunny locations. This zinnia’s spreading habit makes a great seasonal groundcover and it’s also ideal in containers with the bright flowers spilling over the edge of the planter. Blooms all summer long, right up to frost. Carefree and a great choice for novice gardeners or those who just want maximum color with minimal effort. Use in beds, mixed borders, patio planters, hanging baskets and window boxes.
Dwarf Cockscomb, Crested Celosia (Celosia cristata)
Cockscomb gets a lot of attention for its unique flowers that resemble the comb on the head of a rooster, otherwise known as a “cock”. The dwarf version has a compact habit perfect for garden beds or containers. Like all celosia, the flowers are available in a range of vibrant colors and a single bloom can last up to eight weeks. The dwarf habit is a good size for window boxes. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh or dried arrangements.
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Pansies have been a garden favorite since the first hybrid varieties were developed from wild Viola species back in the 1800’s in England. The charming flat-faced flowers and array of colors continue to make pansies a popular choice for garden beds or container plantings. Pansies enjoy cooler temperatures and can be planted earlier in the spring than most other flowering annual plants. Also a good choice for baskets, pots, and window boxes. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Dwarf Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
The same fun flowers as taller snapdragon varieties but on a charming, compact plant. A perfect size for containers or edging the garden bed. Snapdragons actually prefer cooler temperatures, so this is a great plant for early spring or late fall enjoyment. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Looks great in rock gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Garden Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Garden purslane provides carefree color for poor soil and hot, dry situations. The trailing stems produce fleshy, succulent leaves and vibrantly colored, cup-shaped flowers. The blooms close in the evening and on dark, cloudy days but reopen with the sunshine. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Nemesia (Nemesia hybrid)
Nemesia bring color and a light, airiness to the garden or patio with their dainty blooms and leaves floating about on slender stems. These loose, open plants are softening companions to those with more broad, stiff or upright foliage. Generous watering during hot spells is the key to continuous blooms. The perfect choice for beds and borders. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Dahlia (Dahlia hybrid)
Native to the mountains of Central America, Dahlias are a garden favorite throughout the world. The huge selection of varieties provides for a multitude of flower forms and colors to choose from. Dahlia tubers can be dug and stored for reuse, but careful attention to timing, moisture and potential fungal infection is needed. Ideal choice for beds, borders, and cutting gardens. Perfect for all kinds of containers. Cut flowers are long-lasting in fresh bouquets.
Portulaca, Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
The colorful blooms of a portulaca plant open when the sun shines bright and close at night or during periods of heavy cloud cover. The stems of succulent-like foliage may be upright or spreading, and the blooms single or double, depending on the variety. Portulaca offers carefree color for poor soil and hot, dry situations. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes either alone or used in combination with other plants.
Gazania (Gazania hybrid)
Durable plants for poor conditions! Compact plants produce bright, daisy-like flowers held on short stems. The blooms close at night, or on heavily cloudy days, and reopen with the sunshine. Perfectly sized for rock gardens and border fronts. Superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Climbing Vines with Orange Flowers
Climbing vines with orange flowers are an easy way to “drape” brilliant color along a fence, privacy trellis, or trained to a wall. Climbing plants can also be grown in a large pot with a cage or trellis for support to grow on a deck or patio. Use climbing vines on a privacy trellis to add color and an extra layer of screening and noise control.
Mexican Flame Vine (Senecio confusus)
Mexican flame vine is a vigorous climber. Orange flowers fade to an attractive deep red. Dependable color and texture looks great all season. Easy to grow and very rewarding. Beautiful trained to fences, posts, latticework and trellises. Outstanding display when allowed to trail over stone walls. Excellent for hanging baskets and containers.
Honeysuckle ‘Mandarin’ (Lonicera hybrid)
A classic garden favorite with deliciously fragrant blooms. Provides clusters of brilliant flowers all season long. Flowers are loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Plant near a patio or deck where the fragrance and the variety of visitors to this vine can be enjoyed close up. Commonly used to climb fences or walls. Beautiful trained to posts, latticework and trellises. Great for privacy screening on decks or blocking unsightly views.
Cross Vine ‘Tangerine Beauty’ (Bignonia capreolata)
A durable vine which produces trumpet-shaped orange blooms. The flowers are loved by hummingbirds! Grows well under a wide range of conditions, but full sun is ideal. Great for privacy screening on decks or blocking unsightly views. Commonly used to climb fences or walls. Terrific plant for hummingbird gardens. Best used for large scale plantings.
Thunbergia, Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
A fun, twining vine with dark-eyed blooms on most varieties. An evergreen perennial in its native habitat of tropical Africa, it makes a wonderfully heat tolerant annual elsewhere. Works well as a trailing or climbing selection. Beautiful trained to fences, posts, latticework and trellises. Makes a breathtaking potted specimen plant. Looks great spilling over container edges.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
A vigorous woody vine that adds year round texture and interest to the landscape. Large trumpet-like blooms bring a burst of warm color to the late season garden. Lush, dark green foliage provides the perfect backdrop for mixed plantings. Great for privacy screening on decks or blocking unsightly views. Commonly used to climb fences or walls. Terrific plant for hummingbird gardens. Best used for large scale plantings.
More Ways to Use Orange Flowers
Orange is a versatile flower color. Use it in combination with white or pink flowers for a softer, low-key look. The complementary color to orange is blue, so this is a good combination if you like a distinct color contrast. Planting orange with other warm tones, such as red and yellow, results in one of the most vibrant flower color combinations. Bright, warm colors work especially well for small plantings, such as a planter, window, or balcony box that you want to really stand out. Whatever your design scheme or mood, there’s an orange flower to suit your needs. For more ideas on plant selection and how to design your outdoor spaces see our article, Garden Design: Planning a Beautiful Garden.
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