20 Orange Flowers to Brighten Up Drab Gardens

Orange is one of the warm tones—reds, yellows, oranges, and shades thereof. Warm tones contrast the cooler shades of greens, blues, and purple to add depth and draw attention.

An entire garden of orange flowers might be a visual overload, but strategically placed beds of these vibrant blooms attract the eye and help define garden beds and planters. By planting flowers that bloom in those color ranges as accents, we can add warmth and excitement to an uneventful garden scene. 

Last summer was very rainy, and bright spots of sunny flowers helped heat things up! Want to add some jazziness to your garden? Read on.

What Do Orange Flowers Mean?

Much as the color seems bright and cheerful, orange flowers are interpreted to symbolize joy and energy—quite the opposite of dark, beautiful black flowers.

In the Almanac’s article on Flower Meanings, the orange rose represents enthusiasm; the orange blossom represents purity and loveliness. The orange tiger lily is a symbol of hatred. Hmmm. Better not to read too much into it and just enjoy the flowers!

While there is no shortage of orange flowering plants to choose from, here are some favorites to get your imagination going. 

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

This iconic bloom is California’s state flower. It has four bright orange petals, forming single flowers on long stems. It needs excellent drainage and does well in sandy soils. It’s perfect for rock gardens and along less formal paths. Learn more about growing poppies.

• 12-18 inches tall
• Full sun
• Herbaceous perennial hardy in USDA Zones 6–10
• Blooms in early and midsummer

Flame Lily (Lilium bulbiferum)

This orange-flowering lily is native to Europe. It’s a tall and rapidly growing plant that makes an excellent cut flower. Plant the bulbs in the fall or grow this lily in containers.

• 3–4 feet tall
• Full or partial sun
• Herbaceous perennial hardy in USDA Zones 3–9
• Blooms in spring to early summer

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

Also called spotted touch-me-not, this native plant has uniquely shaped golden-orange flowers loved by pollinators. It self-seeds every year and is often found in damp areas. It frequently pops up in disturbed sites like roadside ditches or floodplains. Learn all about this native wildflower! 

• 2–5 feet tall
• Partial sun to shade
• Self-seeding annual
• Blooms in midsummer until frost

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

This milkweed species is native to much of the U.S. and has large, flat clusters of vivid orange flowers on a bushy, mounded plant. It’s a larval host for the monarch and queen butterflies. It grows well in most soil types as long as drainage is adequate. Butterfly weed draws not only butterflies from far and wide but also a variety of beneficial insects to its yellow and orange blossoms. Learn all about growing milkweed.

• 2–3 feet tall
• Full or partial sun
• Perennial hardy in USDA Zones 3–9
• Blooms early summer through fall

Sunflower

The sunflower we all recognize comes in colors other than yellow. Easy to start from seed and loved by pollinators and birds, sunflowers belong in every flower patch. Check out ‘Autumn Beauty’ or ‘ProCut Orange’ for a pumpkin-like color. Succession-plant sunflowers for a continued bloom season. Learn more about planting and growing sunflowers.

• 3–8 feet tall
• Full sun
• Annual
• Blooms in summer to early fall

‘Maverick Orange’ Geranium (Pelargonium)

The annual geraniums we commonly buy are available in many colors. The selection is even larger if you are willing to start them from seed. ‘Maverick Orange’ is about the color of a new basketball and is sure to draw attention. Learn more about growing geraniums (pelargonium).

• 15 inches tall
• Full sun
• Annual
• Blooms early summer into fall

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

French marigolds are one of the most recognizable flowers in the garden center every spring, and although they are easy to start from seed, a few four-packs always end up in my cart anyway. For more variety, try African marigolds. They grow a baseball-sized bloom with ruffled petals. They’re also tall, commonly reaching 3 feet or more. Read more about growing marigold flowers.

• Varies from 6 inches (Signet marigolds) to 3–4 feet tall for African marigolds
• Full or partial sun
• Annuals
• Blooms summer into fall

Dahlia 

If you’ve forayed into the dahlia world, you know there are varieties in almost every color but blue. Breeders continually work to develop new colors, shapes, and sizes. If you have some dahlia urges, check out the American Dahlia Society’s website, where you’ll find tons of information. Find a dahlia breeder or vendor online, and you’ll find orange dahlias galore.
Learn more about growing dahlias.

• 15 inches to 4 feet
• Full sun
• Tender perennials hardy in USDA Zones 9 and warmer
• Blooms summer until frost

Zinnia 

It’s hard to imagine a flower with more bang for the buck than zinnias. University of Illinois gardeners say, “Zinnias are a must-have for a pollinator garden.” Easy to plant, willing to grow, and they’ll keep blooming even if you forget to deadhead a few. ‘Double Zahara Bright Orange’ is a dwarf zinnia perfect for containers or lining the edge of a flower bed. For zinnias that resemble pumpkins on tall stalks, the most impressive has got to be ‘Benary’s Giant Orange’. Learn how to grow zinnias.

• 15 inches to 4 feet tall
• Full sun
• Annuals
• Blooms summer until fall

‘Bright Lights’ Cosmos 

While most cosmos are shades of pink, purple, white, and red, this species is orange and gold. It’s a tall, open, airy plant that looks best planted in large groupings and is adored by pollinators. Bright, cheerful orange blossoms keep popping up all season. Learn how to plant and grow cosmos.

• 3–4 feet tall
• Full sun
• Annual
• Blooms summer into fall

Rudbeckia

While the typical rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susans, are yellow with a dark brown center, breeders have been working on native cultivars, called nativars, in all sorts of fun colors. ‘Cherokee Sunset’ is one variety with multi-colored blooms on tall stems in all the warm autumn colors. Learn how to grow Black-eyed Susans. 

• 2–3 feet tall
• Full sun
• Perennial hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 depending on variety
• Blooms in summer

Celosia 

Celosia comes in various shapes and colors, including orange. Both feathery plume and cockscomb types of celosia have orange cultivars. Look for ‘Sunday Orange’ for a plume type or ‘Orange Queen Improved’ for beautiful crested blooms. Celosia are flowers that are easy to seed from seed.

• 2–4 feet tall
• Full sun
• Tender perennial in USDA Zones 10–12 but grown as an annual
• Blooms in summer

Lantana (Lantana camera)

One of our favorite flowering shrubs is lantana because of its multi-colored clusters of flowers, including orange. ‘Luscious Marmalade’ is as pretty as it sounds, with loads of bright orange flowers. Hummingbirds adore lantanas, and deer often avoid them. See how to plant and grow lantana.

• Up to 30 inches tall
• Full or partial sun
• Tender perennial in USDA Zones 9 and warmer but grown as annuals
• Blooms in summer

Chrysanthemum 

Garden mums are a fall garden favorite for their willingness to explode with color late in the season when many of our favorites have faded. Orange mums are perfect for blending into the autumn color palette.

• Up to 24 inches tall
• Full sun
• Perennial in USDA Zones 5–9 but grown as annuals
• Blooms late summer into fall

Ranunculus

Why do I love all the hard-to-grow flowers? Dahlias, ranunculus, delphiniums (I struggle with them, don’t judge me). A sherbet-orange ranunculus is quite stunning. They almost look fake; they’re so perfect. Many mixes are available with brilliant orange flowers, or grab a batch of ‘La Belle Tangerine’. Learn how to grow ranunculus.

• 12–30 inches tall
• Full sun
• Tender perennial in USDA Zones 8–10
• Blooms early spring to early summer

Gerbera Daisy

These beauties grab my attention at the garden center every spring. Orange, red, pink, yellow, I can never resist snagging one or two when they’re in bloom. Learn to grow gerbera daisies. 

• 12–18 inches tall
• Full sun (afternoon shade in hot climates)
• Tender perennials grown as annuals
• Blooms summer until frost

Snapdragons

I grow hundreds of snapdragons every year. I love them! Did you know you can make them talk? Grasp the flower between your finger and thumb and gently squeeze. The flower will pop open and say, “Hey, what are you lookin’ at!” Well, maybe you have to say it yourself with a fun accent, but it’s a good time! Check out ‘Potomac Orange’ or ‘Avignon Apricot II’.

• 20–36 inches tall
• Full sun
• Tender perennials grown as annuals
• Blooms spring through fall

‘Be My Main Squeeze’ Calla Lily (Zantedeschia hybrid)

Calla lilies are loved for their funnel-shaped blooms and vivid colors, including orange! They can be grown as potted plants or outdoors and are perfect for the thriller role when planning container gardens or bouquets. They are gorgeous cut flowers.

• 12–24 inches tall
• Full or partial sun
• Tender perennials in USDA Zones 8 and warmer
• Blooms in summer

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

If you like vining plants, enjoy letting them crawl around and go nuts, and want orange blooms, plant climbing nasturtiums. They’re a great companion plant to ward off pests near your vegetable garden. I let them crawl over my cucumber and squash arches to give my garden more of a cottage garden feel. Introduce them to the trellis, and they’ll swarm right up. They’re perfect for trailing from hanging baskets, too. See our Nasturtium Grow Guide.

• Vines can grow 10 feet long or more!
• Full or partial sun
• Tender perennials in frost-free areas
• Blooms summer into fall

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Sunny calendula flowers, which come in shades of orange and gold, serve many uses. They can be excellent cut flowers, add cheer to an herb garden, or be used in culinary and medicinal applications. Learn more about growing calendula and its many uses!

• 2–3 feet tall
• Full sun
• Annual (cold climates) or short-lived perennial in warmer areas
• Blooms in summer into autumn

Final Tips on Orange Flowers

Remember not to overdo the orange. Our eyes need restful colors, too, to enjoy the brights. Foliage colors can help to calm the excitement. Silver leaves, gray greens, purple, and dark green provide contrast, and plants with white or blue flowers have a cooling effect. 

That said, note that “hot” reds, red oranges, oranges, yellow oranges, and yellows are next to each other on the color wheel. This is called analogous color. Since they share some of their color with their neighbor, they connect well in the garden and can actually create a harmonious look.

Use flowers just like paints to create an interesting picture!