13 Orange-Flowering Plants to Set Your Garden Glowing

Outside, nothing makes a garden glow like orange flowers. Here are 13 favorites, each bringing sunshine to the landscape. Most prefer full sun in warm climates, but some wildflowers and annuals thrive widely.

1. Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) – 3 ft shrub, spring flush of orange/red/pink/white mini-hollyhock flowers; intermittent rebloom. Butterflies love it. Well-drained soil, spring/fall planting. Cut to 1 ft after flowering. Hardy to -10°F (zones 6–9). Native to arid Southwest. Low water, full sun.

2. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) – Southern vine, orange-yellow tubular flowers spring–fall. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Full sun, ground or container near climb structure to 40 ft. Hardy to -10°F (zones 6a–9b). Native SE U.S. Consistently moist soil, sun to part shade.

3. ‘Hallmark’ Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens ‘Hallmark’) – Succulent clumping foliage, orange flower spikes spring–fall (year-round in mild climates). Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Full sun, well-drained soil, containers OK. 2 ft tall/wide. Hardy to 15°F (zones 8–10). Native South Africa. Low water once established.

4. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – State flower, happy in backyard or wild hillside. Quick from seed, thrives in tough spots (barren, rocky). Pull after bloom or let reseed. Spring–fall bloom (summer annual in cold zones). All zones as spring annual; mild climates sow fall. Native CA to WA, NV, NM. Light-moderate water, full sun.

5. Red Bird-of-Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) – Fiery flower clusters on medium green foliage, spring–late summer. Hummingbird magnet. 6–10 ft, screen/hedge in hot deserts. Full sun, well-drained soil. Hardy to 10°F (zones 8–11). Native West Indies, Mexico. Medium water.

6. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Monarch larval host, also draws bees/butterflies. Vibrant orange late spring–summer, 1–2 ft tall, 2–2.5 ft wide. Well-drained soil. Hardy to -40°F (zones 3a–10b). Native most N. America except Canadian Atlantic and NW. Low water, drought-tolerant, full sun.

7. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) – Colorful summer–frost blankets coast to coast. Birds, bees, butterflies. Self-seeds for return. Hardy to -40°F (zones 3–10). Garden hybrid from N. American natives. Drought-tolerant once established, part shade to full sun.

8. Canna Lily (Canna ‘Pretoria’) – 3 ft orange blooms atop 3 ft striped foliage, summer. Showy, tropical. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Warm climates: ground year-round; cold: container, move inside or dig bulbs. Winter hardy zones 7–11. Garden hybrid. Regular water, full sun to part shade.

9. Sneezeweed (Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’) – Vivid orange petals, dark brown center, summer. 3 ft tall/wide. Butterflies, bees. Propagate by division. Hardy to -40°F (zones 3–9). Garden hybrid. Low water, full sun/part shade.

10. Red-Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.) – Yellow to orange to red. ‘Ember Glow’ (zones 6–9): clumping, quick, 16 in., profuse summer–fall color. Hummingbirds. Sunny, rich well-drained soil. Hardy to -20°F (zones 5–10). Most garden species from South Africa. Moderate water.

11. California Fuchsia (Zauschneria californica / Epilobium canum) – Small tubular flowers, late summer–early fall, hummingbird favorite. 1 ft tall, 4 ft wide, tumbles over hillsides/planters/boulders. Hardy to -10°F (zones 6–9). Native western U.S., northern Mexico. Regular to establish, then light. Full sun.

12. Slipper Plant (Pedilanthus macrocarpus / Euphorbia lomelii) – Sculptural tapered foliage year-round, delicate orange blossoms late summer/fall (sometimes spring). 3–6 ft clumps. Well-drained soil, narrow raised beds/planters. Hardy to 25°F (zones 9–10). Native Mexican deserts. Monthly water, full sun to light shade.

13. Blue Elf Aloe (Aloe ‘Blue Elf’) – Toothed gray-green foliage, orange flower spikes late winter–spring. Hummingbirds, gardeners. Hot reflected sun, well-drained; also handles shade (flowers more in sun). Hardy to 15°F (zone 8). Garden hybrid. Drought-tolerant; ideally deep water monthly summer, every 3 weeks spring/fall. Spring/fall from division.

Region by region: What to Do in Your Garden This Month