Yellow is the color of the season

Popular Yellow Flower And Foliage For 2021

By Abigail Blonigen

Spring is finally here, and this year, it’s all about that yellow! Yellow flowers and foliage are a perfect way to make your gardens, flower beds or hanging baskets pop among all of the green.

Petunias are a classic for hanging baskets and come in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes. Pair yellow petunias with purples and reds for a “wine and cheese” mix, or go with oranges and pinks for a bright, summery feel.

“They have some new petunia varieties that are a really nice yellow this year,” said Boyd Maranell, owner of Rice Lake Gardens.

Calibrachoas, or trailing petunias, are another great option for hanging baskets, pots and window boxes, along with early yellow bidens.

Marigolds are a garden staple that come in a number of sizes and varieties, and — bonus — they may help with pest control.

“Marigolds are good around vegetable gardens,” said Maranell. “They can help deter rabbits and deer a little bit. It’s not guaranteed, but it helps.”

Pansies are popular for early spring, and snapdragons will bloom all season long. Sunflowers, black-eyed susans and yellow daisies are well suited for those who want more of a wildflower feel.

Tokyo Sun succulents are a vibrant yellow-green, perfect for a fun planter or fairy garden.

“Those are all good hardy annuals for up here, are very common, and do well in our area,” Maranell said.

Since annuals tend to have shallow roots, it is important to amend the soil they are in with compost, especially if the native soil is full of clay.

“If you do raised beds and add compost, it’s a night and day difference,” Maranell said.

For perennials, Maranell recommends yellow columbines, ligularias and coreopsis. For those looking to incorporate some yellow foliage into their gardens and landscape edging, try Gold Edge Duranta with its bright yellow and green variegated leaves. With so many options, varieties and shades, there is a yellow flower out there for everyone. Happy planting!