Top 10 Orange Blooms

Pick orange flowers for a vibrant garden that will attract flocks of birds and bevies of butterflies.

It’s the color of the setting sun, monarch butterflies and orioles. Orange is everywhere in nature, and lots of flowers bloom in this summery shade as well. Try these 10 orange all-stars to brighten up your garden.

Gazania

(Gazania, annual except in Zones 8-10)

This popular daisy produces a stunning array of colors in less-than-ideal conditions. Gazania is drought-tolerant, but it does need sun; the flower heads close up every day, similar to moss roses. Tiger Stripes (pictured) is a bold variety that grows to just a foot tall.

Why we love it: Often planted as a ground cover, gazania also has gorgeous variegated foliage that spreads.

Mexican sunflower

( Tithonia rotundifolia , annual)

This fast-growing annual, which blooms in late summer and autumn, reaches 6 feet in height. Its hardy orange and red flowers glow in full sun. Try All-America Selections winner Torch, or, for smaller spaces, Fiesta Del Sol, a dwarf variety that grows to just 3 feet tall.

Why we love it: A top choice for luring butterflies with its nectar and finches with its seed, Mexican sunflowers are also drought-tolerant.

Terra Cotta yarrow

( Achillea millefolium ‘Terra Cotta,’ Zones 3-9)

Entice butterflies with this lovely salmon-colored yarrow that turns to a burnt orange in late summer. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall and wide but can quickly outgrow its space if not divided regularly. Try it in your cottage or rock gardens; once established, it’s very drought-tolerant.

Why we love it: A pretty plant through the seasons, it has especially attractive seed heads and makes a good cut or dried flower.

Tiger lily

( Lilium lancifolium Zones 3-9)

This garden heirloom boasts beautiful tigerlike shades of orange and dark brown. Traditional favorites for their reliability and long blooming season, tiger lilies grow up to 6 feet tall, making them a graceful addition to any garden or mixed border. Try Flore Pleno for a spectacular double-flowered variety.

Why we love it: It’s not just beautiful. This backyard favorite also beckons butterflies and bees.

Crown imperial

( Fritillaria imperialis Zones 5-8)

These bell-shaped blooms at the end of 3- to 4-foot stems make a big, colorful statement in spring. The downward-facing flowers are topped by a crown of small leaves, which is probably where the plant got its name. For orange blossoms, look to Aurora and Garland Star cultivars.

Why we love it: Truly an unusual, versatile bulb, crown imperial will look elegant in containers, spring bulb beds and other garden spots.

Zinnia

(Zinnia, annual)

A wide variety of zinnias—ranging from 8 inches to 3 feet tall—boast blazing blooms that persist until the first frost. You’ll love the Profusion Orange hybrid variety and Double Zahara Fire (pictured), both All-America Selections winners.

Why we love it: While their bright colors attract butterflies, zinnias are long-blooming, too, and many varieties are heat- and drought-resistant.

Calibrachoa

(Calibrachoa , annual except in Zones 9-11)

Calibrachoa comes in almost every color under the sun, but its orange varieties deserve special notice. The small flowers will steal the show all season, making fast-growing calibrachoa a hot choice for containers. Try Superbells Tangerine Punch® (pictured) for a low-maintenance plant.

Why we love it: Easygoing calibrachoa, especially the red and orange varieties, is a hummingbird magnet.

Tiki Torch coneflower

( Echinacea ‘Thumbelina Leigh’, ‘Tiki Torch’, Zones 4 to 9)

A showy orange flower hybrid with long petals, Tiki Torch is a growing favorite among coneflower fans. Plant this 3-foot-tall plant in moist, compost-enriched soil with wind protection. A bit of afternoon shade will prolong the vivid color.

Why we love it: Big, long-lasting blooms make coneflowers a hit; this one adds fabulous color to the mix.

Red-hot poker

( Kniphofia Zones 5-9)

Also called torch lily for its rocket-shaped orange plumes, this dramatic flower grows up to 4 feet tall. Bird-watchers love it for its looks and the abundant nectar produced in the orange, yellow and red blooms for hummingbirds to sip. For best results, well-draining soil is important; red-hot poker will rot in boggy or moist ground.

Why we love it: Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds while resistant to deer, this plant welcomes wildlife with its distinctive color and shape.

Oriental poppy

( Papaver orientale Zones 2-9)

This is one dragon you’d welcome in your yard. Grow it in a container and watch it fill out fast with big, bold red -flowers and glossy, dark-green, wing-shaped leaves.

Why we love it: Unlike the fire-breathing kind, this dragon plays well with other flying creatures, such as bees, butterflies and birds.