Posted on 22 Comments

Sunny Yellows

Long border with 'Lemon Queen' helianthus, Patrinia scabiosifolia, Rudbeckia fulgida, and pennisetums

Over the past week, spring has arrived here in southeastern Pennsylvania. In just a few days, we went from yucky old snow and saturated soil to 70s and perfect digging conditions. It’s tempting to indulge in a “welcome spring!” post, and I may yet do that. But on this rainy day, it seems like a good idea to continue the rainbow series with images of some favorite yellow flowers and foliage.

Hmmm. In just an hour, I ended up pulling well over 100 photos, which would qualify as a book, not a blog post. So, after some agonized editing, here’s a somewhat smaller sampling of the more offbeat yellows and golds, starting with some woodies. (Just to be clear: the name is below each photo.)

Golden hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata 'Aurea') Acer palmatum seedling late June 05

Golden hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’)

'Golden Shadow' paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) Lobelia cardinalis Acer palmatum seedling early August 05

‘Golden Shadow’ paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)

Briant Rubidor weigela ('Olympiade') early June 05

Briant Rubidor weigela (Weigela florida ‘Olympiade’)

'Dwarf Bright Gold' Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata)

‘Dwarf Bright Gold’ Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata)

Southern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia) July 4 07

Southern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia)

Golden wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana 'Aureum') late May 05

Golden wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana ‘Aureum’)

'Goldenvale' bramble (Rubus cockburnianus) mid Sept 05

‘Goldenvale’ white-stemmed bramble (Rubus cockburnianus)

Golden mockorange (Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus') early June 05_edTMP-1

Golden mockorange (Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’)

'Sunshine' red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) Iris pallida 'Variegata' Dianthus 'Rosish One' late June 05

‘Sunshine’ red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)

One golden vine:

'Lemon Lace' silver fleece vine (Fallopia baldschuanica)  June 24 06

‘Lemon Lace’ silver fleece vine (Fallopia baldschuanica)

Now, perennials that are hardy here in mid-Zone 6, roughly in order of bloom:

King's spear (Asphodeline lutea) May 20 07

King’s spear (Asphodeline lutea)

'Susanna Mitchell' marguerite (Anthemis) and 'Screaming Yellow' baptisia (Baptisia sphaerocarpa)

‘Susanna Mitchell’ marguerite (Anthemis) and ‘Screaming Yellow’ false indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa)

Dwarf comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum) May 20 07

Dwarf comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum) – it looks white here but is actually light yellow

'Golden Alexander' yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) June 25 07

‘Golden Alexander’ yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata)

'Isla Gold' tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

‘Isla Gold’ tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

Golden lace (Patrinia scabiosifolia)

Golden lace (Patrinia scabiosifolia)

Golden-leaved raspberry (Rubus idaeus 'Aureus') with Syneilesis aconitifolia

Golden-leaved raspberry (Rubus idaeus ‘Aureus’)

'Summer Sunshine' wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) and golden alpine currant (Ribes alpinum 'Aureum') with Armeria maritima

‘Summer Sunshine’ wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) and golden alpine currant (Ribes alpinum ‘Aureum’)

'Golden Arrow' mountain fleeceflower (Persicaria amplexicaulis) mid Sept 06

‘Golden Arrow’ mountain fleeceflower (Persicaria amplexicaulis)

'Lemon and Lime' sticky germander (Teucrium viscidum)

‘Lemon and Lime’ sticky germander (Teucrium viscidum)

'Aztec Gold' creeping speedwell (Veronica prostrata) and Carex 'Toffee Twist' late June 05

‘Aztec Gold’ creeping speedwell (Veronica prostrata)

Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum') and 'Homestead Purple' verbena June 24 06

Golden oregano (Orignaum vulgare ‘Aureum’)

And finally, an assortment of annuals, biennials, and tender and marginally hardy perennials:

'Lemon Fizz' santolina (Santolina virens)

‘Lemon Fizz’ santolina (Santolina virens)

'Brigadoon' St. John's wort (Hypericum calycinum)

‘Brigadoon’ St. John’s wort (Hypericum calycinum)

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Hare's ear thorow-wax (Bupleurum rotundifolium)

Hare’s ear thorow-wax (Bupleurum rotundifolium)

Ever-flowering gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis) mid August 05

Ever-flowering gladiolus (Gladiolus tristis)

'Sylphid' plumed celosia

‘Sylphid’ plumed celosia (Celosia)

Golden goddess (Bidens ferulifolia) mid Sept 06

Golden goddess (Bidens ferulifolia)

'Big Smile' dwarf sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Sept 15 07

‘Big Smile’ dwarf sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Lantana camara 'Samantha' mid Sept 05

‘Samantha’ lantana (Lantana camara)

'Golden' orach (Atriplex hortensis) early July 05

‘Golden’ orach (Atriplex hortensis)

'Limelight' four-o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

‘Limelight’ four-o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)

'Giant Exhibition Limelight' (Solenostemon) with Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' and Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Purple' mid Aug 05

‘Giant Exhibition Limelight’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

'Australian Yellow' lettuce' with 'Black Pearl' pepper (Capsicum annuum) mid Sept 05

‘Australian Yellow’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

'Gold Wing' tradescantia

‘Gold Wing’ tradescantia (Tradescantia fluminensis)

'Snoopy' begonia

‘Snoopy’ rhizomatous begonia

Text and photos ©Nancy J. Ondra at Hayefield

Posted on 22 Comments

22 thoughts on “Sunny Yellows

  1. How DO you do that? Just one gorgeous photo after another of one gorgeous plant after another of one gorgeous combination after another and on and on… Perfect, Nan. Seriously.

    Thanks, Kylee. I’m glad to know that these photo galleries aren’t totally boring. I certainly have fun putting them together – except for having to cut them down to a reasonable size.
    -Nan

  2. Wow … your garden is beautiful … such variety in foliage and colour. I do just love your long border, the patch of marguerites and false indigo, the golden lace and coneflowers … just too much to mention. Lovely photos.

    I’m glad you visited today, Bernie. The yellow options certainly are abundant, aren’t they?
    -Nan

  3. I feel like the sun is blazing in the windows on this overcast day. Wow.

    It does have that effect, doesn’t it? It’s a good thing I cut out a bunch of images; you may have gotten sunburn!
    -Nan

  4. Your post gave me a Big Smile, Nan. It looks like if it’s yellow, you have it, and not only have it, used it to the best advantage in the garden setting. Asphodeline is going on my list, but really they all should. Brigadoon might sneak on there as well, we have seen it at nurseries and the Hypericums do well here. Thanks!
    Frances

    Hi Frances! The Asphodeline *is* very cool for spring flwoers and foliage; then it goes summer-dormant. Digging Dog has it available. I love ‘Brigadoon’ too, now that I’ve finally accepted that it acts like an annual here. I imagine it’ll be much more dependable for you.
    -Nan

  5. Wow! You have an amazing collection of plants! A trip through your garden would take a gardener hours or even days to see everything. Do you have a favorite of any of the above plants?

    Oh, Dave – that’s hardly fair to ask. Figure that this group is the top 30 percent of all the yellows around here. And of these, the foliage plants are even more dear to me than the yellow flowers. Beyond that, I can’t narrow down the list any more!
    -Nan

  6. I’m pea green with envy that you are so far ahead of us, and every one of your beautiful yellow photos is like a little ray of sun. Spring!

    Consider it a sneak preview, Nancy. I hope spring arrives for you soon.
    -Nan

  7. A wonderful tour of yellows! The marguerites with the indigo is my favorite– WOW!

    My husband and I were just looking at your Perennial Care Manual where you show a gravel path with timbers to hold the gravel in place. We’ve been building French drains here lately and made one wide enough for a one-person path. BTW, I use that book all the time!

    I really appreciate you saying that, Cameron; it means a lot to me. And thanks for the idea of using a French drain as a path. You made me realize that I have the reverse situation: my path intercepts the water from the front garden (which slopes a bit toward the house) and keeps it from reaching the foundation, so it works as a drain too.
    -Nan

  8. I used to think I didn’t like yellow – hah! This is my favorite of your color posts so far. I love it, especially the chartreusey yellow paired with dark purple/black. I’m drooling over all the shrubs, but I absolutely must find a home for the Persicaria.

    Heh – yellow (in flowers, at least) isn’t a color I would have counted as my favorite, either. But I have an area of the garden to redo, and putting this post together made me seriously consider making it a yellow garden. Then, I found the photo of the long border and realized that I already have a yellow-theme planting, even though that wasn’t my original intent. But maybe a yellow, purple, and black theme for the new area? Hmmm.

    At the risk of sounding like a salesperson for Digging Dog Nursery (I have no connection with them, other than loving their plant selection), they carry the ‘Golden Arrow’ persicaria too.
    -Nan

  9. I´m desperate, you have so many plants that I´ve never seen before! Now I have to check out if there are some of them which we can grow here in cold Scandinavia. And if there are, if I can find them somewhere in Europe(EU)and import them.
    I love yellow leaves because we are in the middle of a little pineforest and it can be rather dull. Especially when the sun isn´t up. But if you have a lot of yellow and variegated leaves everything looks much brighter.
    Susie at Stjarnarve at Gotland

    Hi Susie! I wish I could help you with plant sources in your area. Do you know of Ken and Carina at Tradgardsdrommar? They have many beautiful foliage plants in their garden, and I’d bet they’d be able to give you some leads for sources in Sweden, at least.
    -Nan

  10. Nan, I’m off home to rip up my flower beds!! Joking aside these are truly inspirational photos. I do want to add more yellow foliage to my garden. Back to your book (foliage) – its still by my bed and the most looked at book I have.

    Best wishes Sylvia (England)

    Thanks so much, Sylvia – I’m glad to know you’re still enjoying Foliage. I pick it up myself every so often just to enjoy Rob’s photos.
    -Nan

  11. Nan, A jaw dropping collection of yellows, and the contrasting foliage of the other plants is to be admired as well! So many wonderful ideas…I’ve been jotting them down as I looked…gail

    Thanks, Gail – always happy to provide ideas.
    -Nan

  12. I’m drooling over your combinations, Nan. Your picture gallery of yellows is inspiring to say the very least.
    Those Four-O’clocks are eyecatching, and the Verbena with Golden Oregano…lovely. Is that Alternanthera by the wonderful Persicaria? Which variety?
    Is there a secret to keeping Marguerite blooming well?
    Your photo with the s. bush honeysuckle is gorgeous…but they all are.
    I too have been reading and enjoying your Perennial Care Manual…a Christmas present from our daughter. Wonderful book!
    Thanks for this gorgeous post.
    Happy spring!

    Hi Kerri! That’s Alternanthera reineckii with the four-o’clock. I wish I could tell you a secret for the Anthemis. It should hate it here (damp soil, especially in winter), but it’s been great for three years now. (I’ve probably doomed it to die any day now, having said that.)

    So glad to hear that you’re enjoying the book!
    Nan

  13. Ok, that’s it, you’re my hero. This spread is too, too lovely !

    You’re funny, Miss M. The yellows sure were pretty, though. It’s going to be tough to make the green post look as good.
    -Nan

  14. Whatever is that cute little hairy-looking plant that serves as interesting background for the Rubus idaeus? What zones can it be grown in, what are its characteristics and growth requirements? I think I NEED it!

    Thanks

    That’s Syneilesis aconitifolia; I just call him Neil. You can read all about him in this post. I hope he’ll work for you!
    -Nan

  15. Wonderful post, thanks so much for compiling these great photos. The golden-leaved woodies are stunning. With a small, zone 10 garden, I don’t include a lot of deciduous shrubs, so of course they’re my favorite. I do grow that lemon lace/silver fleece vine, and the P. amplexicaulis is a good plant here, though ‘Golden Arrow’ was trickier, burning in half sun and not flowering in shade. Will have to hunt for the golden teucrium. Thanks again.

    Hi Denise. I’m glad you found some of the plants of interest, even though we’re in very different zones. Here’s a possible source for ‘Summer Sunshine’ teucrium: Lazy S’s Farm Nursery.
    -Nan

  16. Nan, I saw santolina ‘Lemon Fizz’ in our local nursery at the weekend and bought 3 plants – now I see them here I know why I wanted them! I would like to put some pittosporum Tom Thumb for its purple foliage with them into a bed I am redoing. Just wish it stops raining over Easter so I can get busy.

    Thank you so much for all your help. Best wishes Sylvia

    That sounds like a fantastic combination of both colors and textures, Sylvia. I hope you ended up with good planting weather. It’s like late May here in Pennsylvania!
    -Nan

  17. amazing variety of plants – and such nice specimens! thank you for sharing your pics.

    I’m glad you stopped by to take a look. Thanks for the comment!
    -Nan

  18. Gorgeous, Nan;-) I enjoyed each and every photo! It’s going to be wonderful in your gardens this year ;-)

    And in yours too, I’m sure, Jan. Though my goodness, with this sudden spell of abnormally warm and dry weather, I’m a little nervous about what the summer’s going to be like.
    -Nan

  19. Spectacular and eye-poppingly gorgeous. What an array of lovely golds for the garden.

    I once photographed a golden garden at Western Hills Nursery in Occidental, California and I still use that slide in talks. It was great. Also, Dan Crow’s garden in Michigan had a golden area filled with delectables.

    Thanks a zillion,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    I’m honored that you visited, Sharon. I doubt I showed you anything new, but I appreciate your kind comment.
    -Nan

  20. I’m loving the yellows… yellow, tangerine, rust, burnt red are my fav’s.

    Thanks, Girl! After doing reds, oranges, and yellows (which are my favorites too), I’m not so eager to tackle the greens, but maybe I can come up with something interesting there too.
    -Nan

  21. Here I am at the end of a long day, Nan. I was getting a little weary, but THIS POST woke me up and has given me a fun jolt! What beautiful weather you’ve been enjoying. Everything looks wonderfully healthy and lush. Happy Spring to you! :-)

    I doubt I need to ask why you are weary, Shady – it’s a condition that seems pretty common in the garden-blogging community at this time of year. I’m glad you enjoyed the jolt of yellows. Now, if I could just find time to write a new post!
    -Nan

  22. This truly brightened my day. You never disappoint and I love that large stand of Rudbeckia in front of the barn with the Diervilla in the foreground. The Diervilla is not a common plant but I know where I can get one or two. Great choices of pictures. It must have taken you hours to compile this one.

    That’s one of my favorite shots too, and the diervilla is one of my favorite plants. It’s not a traffic-stopper, but it’s easy, dependable, and quietly pretty.
    -Nan

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