21 Eye-Catching Yellow Flowered Trees for Your Yard
Brighten your landscape with luminous trees adorned with yellow flowers.
These radiant arbors spread sunshine through every season, their cheerful blossoms symbolizing joy and vitality. From the early bursts of forsythia to the late blooms of laburnum, each tree adds a splash of warmth to your garden.
Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia)
Sydney Golden Wattle shines brightly with its cheerful yellow flowers, creating a sunny atmosphere in any garden.
This small tree or large shrub can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet and features smooth grey bark along with slender leaves measuring between 2 to 8 inches. From early winter through early spring, the plant showcases its vibrant blooms before producing long, narrow seed pods.
Parrots enjoy munching on the seeds and pods while bees flock to these lovely flowers for nectar. Low maintenance makes this variety an excellent choice for erosion control and as a natural windbreak.
Yellow Flame Tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum)
The Yellow Flame Tree stands out with its beautiful yellow flowers that create a warm, tropical feel in gardens.
Growing between 40 and 50 feet tall, it also spreads widely, offering ample shade beneath its delicate leaves. Clusters of fragrant blooms fill the canopy from spring to fall, giving off a scent reminiscent of grapes.
Once flowering ends, striking copper-colored seedpods hang from branches for added interest. This tree thrives in USDA zones 10 to 11 and serves as an impressive focal point in larger outdoor spaces.
Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula)
Golden Shower Tree thrives in warm climates, reaching heights of 30 to 40 feet.
This tree produces large clusters of yellow flowers that hang down gracefully. Its dark brown seedpods, measuring about two feet long, remain on the branches during winter and add visual appeal.
Originating from India and Southeast Asia, it flourishes best in USDA zones 10b to 11. With its stunning leaves and bright blooms, this tree serves well as a shade provider or an eye-catching addition to any garden or street setting.
Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
Cornelian Cherry stands out with its bright yellow flowers that emerge in early spring, often before leaves appear.
During summer, the tree showcases dark green leaves which beautifully highlight deep red oval fruits, attracting both birds and squirrels. Edible for humans as well, these fruits have been enjoyed for centuries.
This small dogwood species grows up to 25 feet tall and spreads about 20 feet wide. Known for its unique exfoliating bark during winter months, Cornelian Cherry offers charm through all four seasons while bringing a splash of color to any garden.
Yellow Bird Magnolia (Magnolia Yellow Bird)
Bright and cheerful, the Yellow Bird Magnolia adds a splash of color to any garden.
During spring, pale-yellow flowers bloom before leaves appear, creating a stunning display with their lovely scent. This impressive tree grows up to 40 feet tall and spreads about 30 feet wide.
Dark green leaves follow the blooming season and turn copper or bronze in fall while pink pods emerge as fruit. Thriving in full sun, this magnolia flourishes best in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10.
Yellow Silk Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum religiosum)
Yellow Silk Cotton Tree adds charm with its large, buttercup-like blooms.
Known for its fragrant flowers, this small tree can reach a height of 25 feet and thrives in dry deciduous forests. Originally from Southeast Asia, it works well in palm gardens or along streets.
The fluffy seed capsules give rise to the name "Silk Cotton." In temples, people often use the bright yellow flowers as offerings, showcasing their cultural significance.
Yellow Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)
Yellow Palo Verde stands out with its cheerful, pale yellow flowers that bloom in late May.
This small tree grows 15 to 25 feet tall and prefers full sun, thriving in USDA zones 9-10. Its branches spread widely, creating an inviting look for desert gardens or xeriscapes.
Golden-brown pods appear mid-summer after the flowering season ends. Caution is necessary when handling this drought-resistant tree due to its prickly nature and need for well-drained soil.
Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava)
The Yellow Buckeye tree reaches impressive heights of up to 90 feet, showcasing a beautiful oval crown.
Spring brings large clusters of creamy yellow flowers that can grow as long as 7 inches. Found in the Eastern USA, this native tree thrives in natural areas and near water sources like ponds or streams.
Each flower produces messy fruits measuring between 2 to 3 inches, which require careful handling due to their toxic nature when untreated. Hardy across USDA zones 3 to 8, the trunk can be quite broad at around three feet wide.
Witch Hazel (Hamemelis x intermedia)
Witch Hazel stands out with its unusual, ribbon-like flowers that bloom early in the season.
This tree grows upright and can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet, thriving well in USDA zones 5 to 9. Its sweet fragrance fills the air as winter ends, making it a lovely choice for gardens.
Yellow-flowered varieties like “All Gold” display yellow petals around a deep purple center. Another option, “Arnold’s Promise,” not only boasts bright yellow blooms but also showcases stunning fall colors of orange and red on its leaves.
Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
Sweet Acacia, a small tree reaching heights of 15 to 25 feet, thrives in dry areas with limited rainfall.
Its chocolate brown stems feature long, sharp thorns and are adorned by soft green leaflets that resemble feathers. Clusters of bright yellow globe-shaped flowers bloom year-round, showcasing their most impressive display in late winter.
Birds adore the purplish-red seeds found inside elongated seedpods measuring 2-3 inches long. This tree adds beauty to gardens but may not be suitable for children's play areas due to its thorns.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The Tulip Tree stands tall at heights between 60 and 90 feet, with a spread of 30 to 50 feet.
Magnificent yellow flowers bloom from May to June, each petal featuring an orange band that adds brightness. This tree thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9 and serves as a great shade provider in larger gardens.
Its native range stretches from Massachusetts through Wisconsin down to Florida and Mississippi. Known for attracting birds and hummingbirds, the Tulip Tree also withstands wet soil conditions while deterring deer and rabbits effectively.
Yellow Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba Speciosa)
The Yellow Silk Floss Tree, standing tall at 50 feet, adds beauty to gardens and streets in California and Florida.
Blooming with eye-catching yellow flowers from October to November, this tree thrives in warmer climates. Its large petals resemble those of hibiscus or daylilies and attract bees and hummingbirds.
Thick prickles protect the mature trees while fluffy cotton-like material surrounds their black seeds inside long capsules that can be collected for stuffing. Other notable trees featuring bright yellow blooms include the American Basswood, Tulip Tree, Sweet Acacia, Golden Trumpet Tree, and California Flannel Bush among many others across different regions like North America and Florida’s tropical zones.
Linden Tree American Basswood (Tilia americana)
The American Basswood, also known as the Linden tree, shines with its fragrant yellow flowers in June.
This native North American tree supports birds and butterflies while providing a habitat for various wildlife. Cold-resistant and thriving in USDA zones 2 to 8, it serves beautifully as a flowering shade option.
Rich woodlands and stream banks are common homes for this lovely species, which stretches from southern Canada down to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Conservation projects often utilize this remarkable tree due to its ecological benefits and sturdy nature.
Yellow Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Yellow Oleander stands out as a lovely small tree, reaching heights between 10 to 18 feet.
This drought-resistant variety thrives in warmer climates, specifically USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. Evergreen leaves grow opposite each other and range from 2 to 8 inches long, enhancing the beauty of its fragrant flowers.
Blossoms appear throughout the year but are most abundant in spring and fall. For more blooms, removing seedpods that develop after flowering is beneficial since they do not attract attention on their own.
California Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron californicum)
California Flannel Bush stands out with its bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.
This evergreen tree thrives in sunny spots and reaches heights of 8 to 18 feet, making it a lovely addition to gardens in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10. Found naturally in California, western Arizona, and northern Baja California, this tree attracts butterflies while being drought tolerant.
Its leaves have three lobes and measure around four inches long; they give off a flannel-like texture but can irritate some skin upon contact. Large saucer-shaped blooms appear from May to June, adding warmth and cheerfulness wherever planted.
Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Cootamundra Wattle, also known as Golden Mimosa, flourishes in New South Wales, Australia.
This evergreen tree shines with bright yellow flowers during winter and spring. Silvery grey leaves add to its beauty while it grows 20 to 30 feet tall and wide in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11.
Drought-resistant qualities make this plant suitable for gardens on banks and borders. The Royal Horticultural Society recognizes it with the Award of Garden Merit for its impressive blooms that can spread beyond native areas if not managed carefully.
Yellow Tabebuia / Golden Trumpet (Handroanthus chrysotrichus)
Golden Trumpet trees, also known as Yellow Tabebuia, can reach heights of 25 to 35 feet.
In spring, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in clusters that stretch up to 8 inches long. The tree sheds its silver-colored leaves during this period but showcases stunning yellow blooms against bare branches.
After flowering, the blossoms give way to furry golden-red seedpods. Once established, this fast-growing tree thrives even in dry conditions and serves well as a street or specimen tree for any garden setting.
Yellow Chain Tree (Laburnum)
The Yellow Chain Tree, also called the Bean Tree, grows beautifully in gardens with its vibrant yellow blooms.
This tree reaches heights of 15 to 25 feet and spreads out between 9 to 12 feet wide. In spring, fragrant clusters of flowers hang down like delicate curtains against lush green leaves.
Originating from Europe, it thrives in sunny areas and is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. Caution is necessary since this tree’s parts are poisonous for both people and pets; however, its long pods eventually reveal black seeds when dry.
Blue Paloverde (Parkinsonia Florida)
Blue Paloverde thrives in dry areas of California, Nevada, and Arizona.
This medium-sized desert tree reaches heights of 30 feet and spreads wide with its rounded shape. During blooming from March to May, clusters of bright lemon-yellow flowers cover the branches.
Bees love these blossoms, while birds and small animals enjoy the seeds that follow in brown pods later on. Most of the year, this tree remains spiney and nearly leafless but grows small bluish-green leaves during wetter periods or when water is available.
Golden Raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
Golden Raintree, known for its bright yellow flowers, brings cheer to any garden.
This tree grows in summer and produces lovely clusters of small star-shaped blooms. A carpet of golden petals falls when the flowers fade, adding beauty to the ground below.
Pollinators flock to it for nectar during blooming season. Resilience marks this tree; it withstands drought, pollution, heat, and wind while also providing shade or serving as a stunning focal point in landscapes.
Native to Asia but introduced in the USA and Europe, Golden Raintree thrives best from USDA zones 6 through 9 and can grow up to 40 feet tall and wide.
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
Ylang Ylang, a small tree from the Philippines and surrounding areas, captivates with its sweet scent.
This lovely plant thrives in USDA zones 10 to 12 and prefers damp evergreen forests. Flowers begin as green before maturing into yellow and eventually browning.
Clusters of four to twelve droop gracefully, each flower measuring around three inches long. The tree also produces elongated green fruit that grows up to one inch in size, showcasing nature’s beauty throughout your garden.
