Eye-catching orange colored flower types to plant this spring

John 9 February 2024 Garden Leave a comment 9,199 Views


Not as bright as yellow flowers and not as “in your face” as red flowers, orange flowers still inject plenty of cheer into the landscape, whether solo or in combinations. Orange is thought to symbolize excitement, joy, friendship, and good health—and these virtues always come to mind when the eye lights upon a border garden heavy in plants with orange flowers. Combining orange and blue flowers can be particularly stunning. In addition to flowers of all forms, orange can be displayed via berries and even seed pods.

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    Lantana

    Lantana plant with tiny white and orange flower clusters on end of stem closeup
     

    Lantana flowers bloom from midsummer to the first frost of fall with clusters of tiny bright blooms. The leaves of the plant are dark green and oval with a wrinkled texture. They also have a fragrance to them. These tropical plants are often grown as annuals in areas that experience frost, and the flowers are quite attractive to butterflies. Some varieties are perennial to zone 7.

       

      Orange Lily 

      Orange lily plant with orange trumpet-shaped flowers and buds
      The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

      The orange lily is a vibrant lily species with showy orange flowers that have red accents and brown spots. This lily blooms in the early summer, with mature bulbs sending up around six flowers on average. Once the plants are done flowering, cut back the foliage when it turns yellow.

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      Frizzle Sizzle Orange PansyPansy flower with orange circular and flat petals closeup

       

      Pansies are popular flowers for the garden, coming in a wide range of colors and blooming in the mid spring to early summer. They’re short-lived perennials or biennials most often grown as annuals. Pansies are a popular fall flower in warm climates as well. The flowers stretch around 2 to 4 inches across and have a fairly flat appearance. Remove the spent flowers to promote further blooming.

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      Flowering Maple (Abutilon x hybridum)

      Flowering maple plant with small orange-red bell-shaped flower hanging down
       

      Flowering maple appears like a small maple tree except that it bears bell-shaped flowers that come in several colors. These subtropical plants are sensitive to frost, so they should be moved inside over the winter unless you want to grow them as an annual. In their native climate, they bloom seasonally and are evergreen.

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      Orange Ballerina Tulip

      Orange ballerina tulips closeup
       

      Tulips are spring staples in many gardens, coming in a plethora of colors except for a true blue. There are many vivid orange flowers to choose from that are available in a variety of petal forms and sizes. In addition to ‘Orange Ballerina’, shown here, some other award-winning orange tulips include ‘Orange Princess’, ‘Orange Emperor’, and ‘Princess Irene’.

      Plant your tulip bulbs around 4 to 6 inches deep in the fall, and they’ll pop up in the spring with their vibrant cup-shaped flowers. Don’t remove the foliage until it turns brown—it absorbs energy to feed the bulb.

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      Butterfly Weed

      Butterfly weed with orange flowers and buds closeup
       

      Butterfly weed is native to the eastern and southern United States, growing in small clumps that reach around 1 to 3 feet high. In the summertime, the plants bear clusters of small, bright orange flowers on hairy stems that are highly attractive to butterflies. The flowers give way to seed pods, which should be removed promptly if you want to limit the plants’ spread.

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      Chinese Lantern

      Chinese lantern plant with orange-red seed pods surrounded by leaves
       

      Chinese lantern is a perennial that grows in clumps reaching around 1 to 2 feet in height and spread. In the summer, the plant bears small white flowers that are followed by the plant’s showy feature: its orange-red calyx (a sort of seed pod). The calyces look like small lanterns hanging off the plant, hence its common name. This plant spreads readily in optimal conditions, so consider planting it in a contained area if you want to limit its spread.

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      Prince of Orange Oriental Poppy

      Orange Oriental poppy flowers
       

      Oriental poppies add vivid color to the landscape in the summertime with blooms that have the texture of crepe paper. The plants grow in small clumps with gray-green foliage, which degrades soon after a plant is done flowering. Adding a layer of mulch can help to insulate the plants over the winter.

      In addition to ‘Prince of Orange,’ other good orange poppies include ‘Fireball’, ‘Eye Catcher’, ‘and Champagne Bubbles Orange’.

      • Calendula

        Calendula plant with orange ruffled and radiating petals with brown centers
         

        Calendula, also known as pot marigolds, are popular annuals for the garden. They’re easily grown from seed, which you can start indoors around seven weeks before your last projected frost date or outdoors after your last frost. The chrysanthemum-like blooms can stretch a few inches across, and removing spent flowers can promote additional blooming.

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        Montbretia

        Montbretia plant with red tubular flowers and blooms in sunlight
         

        Montbretia is commonly seen in floral arrangements. Its foliage resembles that of the iris while its flowers are reminiscent of freesias. The plants reach around 2 to 4 feet tall and should be protected with a layer of mulch over the winter in the northern part of their growing zones.

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        Cleopatra Canna Lily

        Canna lily with bright orange and yellow petals on end of stem closeup
         

        Despite its common name, the canna lily is not a member of the genus Lilium and therefore not a true lily. But it has lovely orange blooms that look similar to lilies, and it grows up to 5 feet in height. In cold climates, you can dig up and store canna rhizomes for the winter.

        In addition to ‘Cleopatra’, shown here, there are many orange canna lilies available, including ‘South Pacific Orange’, ‘Orange Punch’, ‘Lucifer’, and ‘Orange Beauty’.