25 Orange Flowers for Your Garden

Orange flowers can be a great way to add color and vibrancy to an outdoor space. Our list of 25 orange flowers is designed to highlight some of the most versatile blooms.

Many of our suggestions are suitable for growing in a range of conditions and spaces, from large mixed flower beds to windowsill planters or pots on a patio. Additionally, many of these plants will also draw pollinators, birds and butterflies into your garden while others can be grown as companion plants or to provide herbal remedies.

Not just a quick way to provide a bright splash of color, planting just a few specimens from this list of orange flowers is a great way to enhance your garden.

1 Aloe Vera

The first inclusion on our list of orange flowers, these attractive succulents have a myriad of uses. One of the most common is using the gel found in the fleshy leaves to soothe and heal cuts and burns.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) is also a surprisingly easy plant to grow. When placed in favorable, sunny conditions Aloe Vera plants quickly thrive, producing tall inflorescence or flowering spikes which sit above the rosettes.

A tropical specimen, the plants are hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 11. Remember that your Aloe Vera is a succulent plant. This means that it is best watered sparingly. After watering ensure that all the excess water has fully drained away to prevent root rot.

The upright flowering spikes of the Aloe Vera.

2 Crown Imperial

One of the lesser known plants on our list of orange flowers, Crown Imperial or Fritillaria Imperialis are striking perennials that are at their best in mixed flower beds or planting schemes. Native to the Middle East and Asia, Crown Imperial plants are suitable for growers in USDA Zones 5 to 9.

As they grow the plants develop tall stalks, between 1 and 3 ft in height. On top of these stalks emerge pointed leaves and hanging, bell shaped flowers. As well as orange flowers you can also find red and yellow blooming varieties. Whatever the color, the blooms emit a distinctive musky aroma. A low maintenance flower, these sun loving established plants only require watering during prolonged dry spells.

Crown Imperial blooms reach down to the ground.

3 Ranunculus

Best known for its beautiful, delicate flower the Ranunculus is often described as being a cross between a peony and a rose. These perennials are, despite their delicate appearance, pleasingly low maintenance and easy to grow from bulbs.

Hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 11, water no more than once a week to avoid rot related diseases. In cooler climates grow your ranunculus in pots, a 12 inch pot holds 2 specimens. This enables you to protect them from the harsh winter conditions. A frost blanket or Bell Plant Protector Cloche can also be used if you are unable to move the plants inside.  

Intricately delicate Ranunculus blooms. 

4 Lantana

A showy plant, producing colorful verbena-like blooms. Lantana attracts scores of butterflies, pollinators and even hummingbirds to the garden. During the spring months, green foliage emerges. As spring turns to summer, robust orange flowers follow.

For most varieties of Lantana, when the blooms first emerge they are all the same color. However, as they grow and develop they change into a range of different colors, including bright orange flowers. Easy to grow in baskets or pots, as well as well draining flowerbeds, Lanterns are cultivated as perennials in USDA Zones 9 to 11 and annuals elsewhere.

Lantana blooms are popular with pollinators.

5 Nasturtium

The bright orange flowers of the Nasturtium, varieties that flower in shades of red and yellow are also available, bring a number of benefits to the garden. The bold, open blooms are a great way to attract pollinators to the garden while also acting as trap plants, helping to protect other flowering plants and vegetables from potentially harmful pests. Additionally, these easy to grow plants have a pleasant spreading nature making them a good choice for seasonal ground cover. Finally the leaves, petals and seeds are all edible.

Water regularly and apply a little fertilizer to encourage flowering. In the winter most Nasturtium varieties can survive a light frost but in cooler climates you will need to cut back and mulch or cover the soil with a Plant Blanket to protect the crowns. During warm spells mulch the soil around the base of the plants helps to keep them cool and productive.

Masses of green foliage compliment bright Nasturtium blooms.

6 Butterfly Weed

If you want a bright perennial that attracts scores of butterflies and pollinators to the garden then look no further than the Butterfly Weed. These plants are a great way to introduce warm color to the garden. Easy to care for, planting in full sun encourages lots of orange flowers to form. A good cut flower, in late summer equally attractive seed pods form.

Butterfly Weed grows as a perennial plant in USDA Zones 3 to 9 and once established is drought tolerant, requiring little regular watering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__NPWUwllPQ 

7 Chrysanthemums

A classic way to bring color to the fall garden, the Chrysanthemum, or Mum for short, is a pleasingly straightforward addition to the garden, as long as you select the right variety. While Garden or Belgium Mums are hardy and resilient, Florist Chrysanthemums are more delicate and should only be grown in pots, undercover.

Most Garden Chrysanthemum varieties are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9. Water regularly and plant in well draining organic soil. Plant in full sun to encourage more blooms to form. Pinching back also helps to prolong the flowering period. If your Mums don’t receive enough light they may become leggy.

Chrysanthemums bring color to fall gardens.  

8 Iris

Typically grown from bulbs, a mixture of Iris varieties can fill sunny spots with a steady stream of intricate blooms from spring until the start of winter. These low maintenance plants produce blooms in shades or purple, white, blue and yellow as well as bright orange flowers.

A particularly attractive variety is the dainty Siberian Iris, mass plantings of which are a great way to introduce some early season color into the garden. Here, the long lasting orange flowers sit above narrow foliage. A low maintenance addition to the garden, water well after planting the bulbs in full sun. Perennial in USDA Zones 3 to 10, growers in cooler areas must protect their Iris bulbs during the winter months.

Be careful when handling Iris bulbs, they can be toxic.

The intricate and long lasting blooms of the Iris.

9 Cosmos

Flowering from late spring until the first frosts of fall, Cosmos is an easy to grow, colorful way to add a little height and soft structure to a mixed flower bed. Smaller specimens are ideal for growing in pots and planters.

The large frilly Cosmos blooms, coming in a range of colors including white, pink and orange flowers, help to add texture as well as color to the garden. Another good cut flower, taller specimens, which can be used to introduce soft privacy to a space may require supporting with Plant Stakes to keep them upright.

Plant in full sun and water regularly to encourage lots of buds to form. Classified as an annual plant, most varieties of Cosmos are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10.

Tall and open Cosmos blooms.

10 Zinnia

Colorful and long lasting, the orange flowers of the Zinnia are a vital source of nectar to a range of pollinators. Ideal in mixed flower beds, pots and cut flower gardens, these showy annuals are pleasingly easy to grow. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10, Zinnias only require watering during dry spells. A staple of the garden center, Zinnias are also one of the easiest orange flowers to grow from seed.

Quick and easy to grow, Zinnias are popular with pollinators.

11 Begonias

A popular bedding plant that can also be used in hanging baskets or container gardens, the Begonia comes in a range of sizes and shapes, including varieties that produce bright orange flowers. One of the most commonly grown types of Begonia, thanks to its rich, variegated foliage, is the Rex Begonia. Others, such as the Cane Begonia with its upright growth habit or the Wax Begonia are equally attractive and easy to grow.

To make the most of these perennial plants, position in full sun or partial shade and water regularly.

Large and colorful Begonia blooms.

12 Marigolds

A staple of the flower and vegetable garden, the bright orange flowers of the Marigold are both a reliable companion plant and trap plant. This means that they draw potentially destructive garden pests such as aphids away from your vegetables.

A gardener’s favorite, grow in full sun to encourage more blooms to emerge. Once established, you need only water your marigolds during particularly dry spells or warm periods.

Marigolds are famously easy to grow, making them a great choice for novice gardeners who want to introduce a bright pop of color to their garden.

Marigolds have a range of uses, including providing a valuable food source for pollinators.

13 Gerbera Daisy

Daisies are one of the most recognizable plants that you can grow in a garden. The Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii) is one of the most popular daisy varieties. Originating in South Africa, Gerberas bloom in a myriad of jewel tones including pink, yellow, white and orange flowers.

The Gerbera Daisies’ large orange flowers can reach between 2 and 5 inches in size, sitting on top of tall stems above a mass of fuzzy foliage. Also known as the Transvaal Daisy, the plants are suitable for gardens in USDA Zones 9 to 11. In cooler climates they grow best in containers. While tall specimens are particularly eye-catching, the stems of more compact varieties are less likely to snap or fall over.

The large bloom of the Gerbera Daisy.  

14 Carnations

A popular choice for a cut flower garden the Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) can be grown as either an annual or perennial, depending on the variety. Coming in a range of colors, the orange flowers are particularly eye-catching. Older heirloom varieties are particularly prized for their fragrance.

Ideal for pots and planters, Carnations require lots of sun and a drink of water a couple of times a week. Most varieties of Carnation are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9. Regularly cutting Carnations for use in displays or deadheading spent blooms encourages more orange flowers to form, helping to prolong the flowering season.

Carnations are reliable bedding plants.

15 Lily

An orange Lily (Lilium) can bring vibrant color to your garden with its showy floral display.

Flowering throughout the summer, a mature bulb can produce up to 6 blooms each year. Best planted in full sun, water regularly to prolong flowering. Like many bulbs, you should always plant your lilies in well draining soil to prevent waterlogging and root damage. If your soil is poor and can’t be amended prior to planting you can also grow lilies in pots.

Most varieties of Lily are perennial plants, hardy in Zones 3 to 9. In cooler climates, or if you have poor soil, the bulbs can be planted in pots filled with well draining potting soil. Placing the pots on a Planterhoma Metal Plant Caddy enables you to easily move them from your garden to your home or greenhouse as temperatures start to fall.

Vibrant Lilies bring color and fragrance to a space.

16 Dahlia

Flowering from the summer into the fall, the Dahlia is a popular annual tuberous plant which is available in a range of eye-catching colors.

Easy to grow in a full sun position from tubers, taller varieties or those planted in open positions may require staking. Once established these plants are pleasingly low maintenance requiring water only during dry spells. Most Dahlia varieties are only hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 11. Growers in cooler climates should either grow the plants in pots or lift the tubers in the fall and carefully store them over the winter before replanting the following spring.

One of the most show stopping plants that you can add to your garden, Dahlias look particularly attractive when planted alongside Primroses and Geraniums.

The Dahlia is an elegant, old fashioned favorite.  

17 Bulbine

A member of the Asphodelaceae family, Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) is a full sun loving perennial. The plant’s attractive star shaped orange flowers bloom during the spring and summer months. In warmer areas Bulbines bloom throughout the year.

Native to South America, these low maintenance plants thrive in a range of conditions and soil types. Water your Bulbine regularly, particularly during dry or warm periods. Like the Aloe Vera plant, the sap of the Bulbine leaf can be used to treat burns. Bulbine is also a good choice if you want to add a little color to a herb garden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0nVJaVHiag 

18 California Poppy

For many people, when they think of poppies they think of the red blooms of remembrance. But in my opinion, the bright orange flowers of the California Poppy are just as attractive. At their best in the early summer these low maintenance plants happily flourish in almost any sunny spot.

Fast growing plants, while these orange flowers may be relatively short lived, their presence, providing attractive pops of color, are a great way to brighten up flower beds and containers. If grown as a houseplant the fragrant scent of the California Poppy makes it a good choice for the bedroom, helping you to get a good night’s sleep.

The California Poppy is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 12, while they are perennial plants they are typically grown as annuals.

The large open blooms of the California Poppy. 

19 Canna Lily

An attractive, tropical specimen, the showy orange flowers of the Canna Lily may seem like a high maintenance plant. However nothing could be further from the truth, as this guide to growing Canna Lilies shows.

As long as they are kept warm enough, Canna plants are hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 11. Placed in a light, sunny position and watered regularly these plants happily thrive. They are particularly suited to growing in containers. To reduce maintenance even further, plant in self watering pots. In cooler climates grow indoors and move outside during the summer months. The long lasting orange flowers are complemented by equally resilient rich green leaves.

Cannas can add height and soft structure as well as color to a space.

20 Daylily

An old fashioned favorite, Daylilies bloom in a range of colors including varieties that produce eye-catching orange flowers. Today there are over 35,000 different hybrid varieties to choose from.

While older varieties tend to die back in the fall, newer cultivars can be evergreen or semi-evergreen. Once established the Daylily has a vigorous flowering habit. A mature clump can produce over 200 blooms in the space of one month, which makes up for the orange flowers’ relatively short life span. The flower lasts, as the name suggests, for just one day.

A low maintenance choice, some hardy varieties even seem to thrive on neglect. Plant in a full sun position and water regularly during the spring and summer months when growth is active to promote flowering. Most varieties of Daylily are hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10.

Daylilies come in a range of shapes, sizes and colors.

21 Helenium

Helenium, also known as Sneezeweed, produces attractive daisy-like orange flowers. These long lasting blooms emerge during the summer and fall, sitting above tall mounds of foliage.

Helenium are striking plants, providing a reliable way to fill your garden with color and interest as other plants start to fade. Hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8, these plants do best in full sun positions. Once established they need only be watered when the soil starts to dry out.

Helenium’s alternative name Sneezeweed, is not a reference to hayfever but the fact that Native Americans used to dry the Helenium’s foliage to make snuff.

Daisy-like Sneezeweed blooms.

22 Mexican Sunflower

An attractive annual, the Mexican Sunflower is a great way to attract butterflies to the garden. Also known as Tithonia Rotundifolia, these are one of the quickest flowers to grow from seed.

Best planted at the back of a flower bed, in favorable conditions these sun loving annuals can reach up to 6 ft in height and achieve a spread of between 2 and 3 ft. Regularly deadheading the spent blooms encourages more blooms to emerge. Annual plants, Mexican Sunflowers tolerate both heat and drought conditions well.

Mexican Sunflowers attract pollinators to the garden.

23 Crocosmia

Also known as Coppertips, Crocosmia is a tall, elegant addition to the flowerbed. Despite bearing a striking resemblance to Gladioli, these bright plants are actually members of the Iris family. The showy blooms, which emerge in the summer months, attract pollinators and hummingbirds to the garden.

Crocosmia is a low maintenance perennial plant, grown from corms or bulbs. Once established the plants require little regular watering. Avoid overwatering or planting in poorly draining soil. Either of these can cause the corms to rot. Hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9, for the best floral displays, plant in a full sun position.

Long lasting, frilly Crocosmia blooms. 

24 Trumpet Honeysuckle

The Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle is an attractive, fragrant vine that is native to the United States. A great way to soften privacy measures such as fences the flowering vines can easily be trained to grow along a trellis.

Suitable for planting in USDA Zones 4 to 11, if well looked after these sprawling plants can reach between 15 and 25 ft in length. During the summer months, trumpet shaped orange flowers emerge in aromatic clusters, drawing butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. As the orange flowers fade in the fall small red berries emerge. These provide a valuable food source for songbirds as well as introducing a little late season color to the garden.

Distinctive Trumpet Honeysuckle blooms.  

25 Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is an exotic, ornamental plant that can be grown either indoors or outside in warmer areas. Native to South Africa these plants are hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. The name Bird of Paradise is inspired by the plant’s distinctive orange flowers which are thought to resemble a bird in flight.

Despite their exotic appearance these plants are actually quite easy to grow and maintain. The more light the Bird of Paradise receives the more blooms the plant produces. In cooler areas, grow the plants in containers undercover. During the warmest summer months the plants can be moved outside. Be careful when selecting your Bird of Paradise, some varieties can reach upto 5 ft in height.

The distinctive flower of the Bird of Paradise.

Orange flowers are a great way to introduce color and energy to a garden. Brightening up even the dullest space, many of these eye-catching orange flowers are also popular with pollinators, butterflies and even hummingbirds.