20 Orange Flowers for the Hottest Corner of Your Late-Summer Garden

Orange is the loudest color in the garden. That is not opinion — it is optics. Carotenoid pigments in orange petals absorb light between 400 and 550 nanometers (violet through green) and reflect everything from yellow through red, hitting the peak sensitivity range of both human eyes and pollinator vision simultaneously [9]. Where purple draws bees with ultraviolet cues and red targets hummingbirds, orange splits the difference: it pulls in both groups plus butterflies, hover flies, and solitary wasps. A single drift of orange marigolds or crocosmia can double pollinator visits to an otherwise cool-toned border.

The design case is equally strong. Orange advances visually — it appears closer and larger than it actually is, which makes it the most effective color for drawing the eye across a deep lot or anchoring the far end of a long border. Pair it with purple flowers for maximum contrast, or soften it with cream and chartreuse for a warm-season scheme that glows at dusk. The 20 flowers below span annuals, perennials, bulbs, vines, and shrubs — every USDA zone, every light condition, and bloom windows from March through November.

Annual Orange Flowers

Annuals are the fastest route to orange. Most bloom within 6–8 weeks of transplanting and keep producing until frost. They are ideal for filling gaps in new borders, loading containers, and testing color combinations before committing to perennials.

1. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Marigolds do more than look good. Their roots produce alpha-terthienyl, a compound that suppresses at least 14 genera of plant-parasitic nematodes — a finding documented extensively by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences [4]. French marigolds (T. patula) are the most effective nematode fighters; African marigolds (T. erecta) deliver bigger, pom-pom blooms up to 5 inches across on 24–36 inch stems. Full sun, average soil. ‘Inca II Orange’ and ‘Antigua Orange’ are the deepest, cleanest orange varieties. For companion planting pairings that put this nematode suppression to work in a vegetable garden, see our companion planting chart. More growing details in our marigold care guide.

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2. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnias produce more cut-worthy orange stems per dollar of seed than any other annual. Direct sow after last frost and expect blooms in 60–70 days. Heights range from 8-inch dwarfs (‘Profusion Orange’) to 40-inch cut-flower types (‘Benary’s Giant Orange’). Full sun, average to rich soil. Powdery mildew is the main problem — mitigate it by watering at the base and spacing plants 12 inches apart for airflow. Deadhead weekly for continuous bloom through October. For cut flower techniques, see our cut flower guide.

3. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is the rare annual that prefers cool weather. It blooms best in spring and fall, stalling in midsummer heat above 85°F. That makes it perfect for shoulder-season color when most annuals have not started or have already faded. The petals are edible — Wisconsin Extension notes that the ‘Orange Salad’ cultivar works as a saffron substitute in rice and soups [3]. Height 12–18 inches. Full sun, any well-drained soil. Self-sows reliably without becoming aggressive. Deadhead to extend bloom or let a few heads mature for next year’s free plants.

4. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil — rich soil produces leaves at the expense of flowers. This is one of the few annuals that actually performs better with neglect. Trailing types reach 6–10 feet and are ideal for spilling over walls, scrambling through fences, or cascading from hanging baskets. Bush types stay at 12–18 inches. Both leaves and flowers are edible with a peppery, watercress-like bite. ‘Alaska’ has variegated foliage; ‘Empress of India’ produces the deepest scarlet-orange blooms against dark blue-green leaves. Full sun to part shade.

5. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

California’s state flower opens its silky, cup-shaped blooms only in direct sunlight and closes them at dusk and on cloudy days — a built-in water conservation mechanism that protects the pollen from overnight moisture. Height 12–18 inches. It demands sharp drainage and handles drought, heat, and poor soil without complaint, making it one of the best choices for drought-tolerant borders. Sow seed directly in fall or early spring; it does not transplant well. Self-sows freely in zones 5–10. ‘Orange King’ is the truest deep orange variety.

6. Celosia (Celosia argentea)

Celosia offers three distinct flower forms in orange: plumed types with feathery spikes, crested types (cockscomb) with ruffled, brain-like heads, and wheat celosia with slim, upright torches. This architectural range means you can use celosia as a thriller, filler, or textural accent depending on the variety. Height 10–36 inches. Full sun, rich well-drained soil. ‘Fresh Look Orange’ is an AAS winner that holds color without fading; ‘Sunday Orange’ produces the tallest plumes for cutting. Heat-loving — do not transplant until nighttime temperatures are reliably above 55°F.

You might also find gardening in North Carolina helpful here.

Perennial Orange Flowers

Perennials are the long game. Plant once and they return each spring, expanding into larger clumps and producing more flowers each year. The seven below cover USDA zones 3 through 11 and bloom windows from April through November.

7. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is the single most important orange flower for wildlife gardens. It is a primary host plant for monarch butterfly larvae — the caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed foliage — and the flat-topped flower clusters produce enough nectar to attract dozens of pollinator species [1]. Unlike common milkweed, butterfly weed has a deep taproot rather than spreading runners, so it stays where you plant it. Zones 3–9. Height 18–36 inches. Full sun, well-drained to dry soil. It is slow to emerge in spring — mark its location to avoid digging it up by accident. Takes 2–3 years to bloom from seed [12]. For more plants that support pollinators, see our pollinator garden guide.

8. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)

Blanket flower delivers nonstop color from June through October on plants that demand almost nothing. It tolerates drought, heat, poor soil, and coastal salt spray while producing 3-inch daisy-like flowers in orange, red, and bicolor combinations [2]. Zones 3–10. Height 8–30 inches depending on variety. Full sun, sandy to average well-drained soil — heavy clay or wet winter soil kills it faster than cold does. ‘Arizona Apricot’ is the most compact pure-orange variety at 12 inches; ‘Mesa Peach’ runs warmer. Cut back by half in late summer to improve winter hardiness.

Spring and fall planting each have advantages — growing mock orange guide covers both.

9. Daylily (Hemerocallis)

The classic orange daylily ‘Primal Scream’ produces ruffled 7.5-inch blooms in vivid tangerine — the largest flowers in this color class. Each bloom lasts a single day, but established clumps produce so many scapes that the display runs 3–4 weeks. Zones 3–9. Height 28–34 inches. Full sun to part shade, adaptable to almost any soil that is not waterlogged. ‘South Seas’ is a coral-orange rebloomer; ‘Bertie Ferris’ stays compact at 20 inches. Virtually pest-free except for occasional rust in humid climates. Divide every 3–4 years when bloom count drops.

You might also find growing sedum guide helpful here.

10. Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

No other perennial matches the drama of an oriental poppy in full bloom. The crepe-paper petals stretch 4–6 inches across with a dark blotch at the base, carried on 2–4 foot stems above ferny foliage. The display lasts only 2–3 weeks in late May or June, but nothing else comes close to the visual impact per square foot [7]. Zones 3–7. Full sun, well-drained soil. The deep taproot makes transplanting difficult — choose your site carefully. ‘Prince of Orange’ is the purest orange; ‘Harvest Moon’ trends toward apricot. Foliage dies back completely by midsummer — plant late-emerging perennials nearby to fill the gap.

11. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

Red hot poker produces dense, torch-shaped flower spikes that open from bottom to top — the lower florets fade to yellow while the upper buds remain orange, creating a two-tone gradient that is unmistakable from 50 feet away. Height 2–4 feet. Zones 5–9 [6]. Full sun, well-drained soil — wet winter soil rots the crown. ‘Orange Blaze’ flowers earlier and stays more compact than the species. Hummingbirds treat the flower spikes as personal feeders. Divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring. In zone 5, mulch the crown heavily after the first hard frost.

You might also find best plants in zone 7 helpful here.

12. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Sneezeweed fills the gap between summer perennials and fall asters with masses of 2-inch daisy flowers on 3–5 foot stems from August through October. The common name is misleading — it refers to colonial-era use of dried leaves as snuff, not allergenic pollen. Native to moist meadows across eastern North America, it handles wet clay soils that defeat most other orange flowers. Zones 3–8. Full sun. ‘Mardi Gras’ is a compact 3-footer with orange-red petals and brown centers; ‘Salud Orange’ stays at 16 inches for front-of-border use. Pinch stems by half in early June to reduce height and prevent flopping.

13. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)

Garden mums deliver orange when little else is blooming — from September through hard frost. The key to getting perennial performance rather than one-season disposables: buy from nurseries in spring, not big-box stores in fall. Spring-planted mums have months to establish root systems before winter. Zones 5–9. Height 18–24 inches. Full sun, rich well-drained soil. ‘Warm Igloo Orange’ and ‘Mammoth Dark Bronze Daisy’ are reliably perennial in zone 5. Pinch growing tips twice — once in late May, again in early July — to promote bushy growth and more flower buds. Full care details in our chrysanthemum growing guide.

Orange Bulbs and Corms

Bulbs and corms store their energy underground, which means dramatic orange blooms with minimal ongoing care. Plant once and many naturalize, spreading into larger colonies each year.

14. Crocosmia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora)

Crocosmia produces arching sprays of tubular flowers on wiry 2–4 foot stems — a silhouette unlike any other orange flower. ‘Lucifer’ is the most widely planted cultivar for good reason: it is the hardiest (zones 5a–9b), the tallest (to 4 feet), and produces the most vivid scarlet-orange blooms [5]. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit it heavily. Plant corms 3–5 inches deep in spring. Full sun, moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Divide every 2–3 years when clumps become congested. In zone 5, mulch heavily or lift corms after first frost.

Getting the soil right makes everything else easier — see flowers care guide.

15. Canna Lily (Canna × generalis)

Cannas bring tropical drama to temperate gardens. The paddle-shaped leaves alone — some solid green, others striped bronze or burgundy — justify planting. Add 4–6 inch orange flowers on 3–6 foot stems and you have an instant focal point. Zones 7–10 as a perennial; in colder zones, lift rhizomes after first frost and store in peat at 40–50°F. Full sun, rich moist soil — cannas are one of the few orange flowers that genuinely like heavy feeding and consistent water. ‘Orange Punch’ has green foliage; ‘Tropicanna’ pairs orange flowers with striped purple-bronze leaves.

16. Asiatic Lily (Lilium hybrids)

Asiatic lilies open in early to midsummer with upward-facing 4–6 inch blooms on sturdy 2–4 foot stems. Unlike oriental lilies, they carry no fragrance — an advantage for gardeners who find lily scent overwhelming or for areas near outdoor dining spaces. Zones 3–8. Full sun to part shade, well-drained soil. Plant bulbs 6–8 inches deep in fall. ‘Orange Pixie’ stays at 18 inches for containers; ‘Brunello’ reaches 3 feet with deep burnt-orange blooms. Stake taller varieties in exposed positions. Deer and rabbits eat the foliage and buds — fence or apply repellent early in the season.

Orange Vines and Climbers

Vines add a vertical dimension to the orange palette — covering arbors, fences, and trellises with bloom where ground space is limited.

17. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

This fast-growing tropical vine reaches 6–8 feet in a single season, covering a trellis or mailbox post with 1.5-inch orange flowers centered by a distinctive chocolate-brown eye. Zones 10–11 as a perennial; grown as an annual everywhere else. Full sun to part shade. Average moisture, well-drained soil. Superstar Orange is the most floriferous variety for containers and small garden spaces where a lightweight climber beats a heavy woody vine. Start seed indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost for earliest bloom.

18. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet vine is a hummingbird magnet — the tubular 3-inch orange flowers are shaped precisely for their long bills, and a single mature vine in full bloom can attract every hummingbird in the neighborhood. Zones 4–9. Height 20–40 feet with aerial rootlets that cling to any surface. Full sun to part shade, any soil. The catch: trumpet vine is aggressive. It suckers from roots, self-sows, and can damage wood siding. Plant it on a sturdy metal arbor away from structures, and remove suckers and seedlings annually to keep it in check. ‘Flamenco’ is a more restrained European selection with darker red-orange flowers.

Orange Shrubs

Shrubs provide permanent structure and multi-year bloom without annual replanting. These two heat-lovers excel where summer temperatures stay high.

19. Lantana (Lantana camara)

Lantana is nearly indestructible in heat. It shrugs off 100°F days, extended drought, poor soil, salt spray, and deer browsing while producing dome-shaped flower clusters nonstop from late spring through frost. Zones 8–11 as a perennial; treated as an annual in colder zones. Height 2–4 feet. Full sun. ‘Dallas Red’ starts orange and ages to deep red; ‘Spreading Sunset’ stays low at 18 inches. One caution: lantana is classified as invasive in Florida, Hawaii, and parts of the Gulf Coast — choose sterile cultivars in those regions.

20. Lion’s Ear (Leonotis leonurus)

Lion’s ear produces whorled clusters of fuzzy, tubular orange flowers stacked at intervals along 4–6 foot stems — an architectural form no other shrub matches. Originally from South Africa, it blooms heaviest in fall when little else in the garden is orange. Zones 8–11 as a perennial; zones 5–7 as a die-back perennial or annual. Full sun, well-drained soil, drought-tolerant once established. Hummingbirds find the tubular flowers irresistible. Cut back to 12 inches in late winter to promote dense new growth. Pairs well with ornamental grasses and late-season asters.

Design Tips for Using Orange Flowers

Orange is a warm advancing color — place it at the far end of a border or garden to make the space feel shorter and more intimate. At the near end, it can feel overwhelming. For maximum contrast, pair orange with deep purple (salvia, catmint) or true blue (agapanthus, delphinium). For a harmonious warm scheme, blend orange with gold, cream, and burgundy foliage. Silver-leaved plants like artemisia and lamb’s ear cool orange down without dampening it. If you are working with a compact space, our small garden ideas guide covers layout strategies that maximize impact per square foot.

For season-long orange, plan a relay: California poppies and calendula in spring, marigolds and zinnias through summer, chrysanthemums and lion’s ear into fall. Interplant with sunflowers for a late-summer crescendo of warm color that draws every pollinator within range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest orange flower to grow?

Marigolds. They germinate in 5–7 days, tolerate heat, drought, and poor soil, bloom within 8 weeks of sowing, and continue until frost with minimal care. Direct sow after last frost in any sunny spot.

Which orange flowers attract the most pollinators?

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is the top choice — it is a primary monarch host plant and produces nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Lantana, trumpet vine, and crocosmia are also heavy pollinator attractors.

Can I grow orange flowers in shade?

Most orange flowers require full sun, but nasturtiums, impatiens, and tuberous begonias tolerate part shade. Nasturtiums are the most versatile shade-tolerant option and also work in containers.

What colors pair best with orange flowers?

Purple and blue create the strongest contrast. Cream and chartreuse produce a warm, harmonious scheme. Silver foliage (artemisia, lamb’s ear) softens orange without cooling it. Avoid pairing orange with pink — the warm and cool tones clash.

Are orange flowers good for cutting?

Zinnias, Asiatic lilies, marigolds, and crocosmia are all excellent cut flowers. Zinnias are the most productive — the more you cut, the more stems they produce.

Sources

[1] University of Wisconsin Extension — Butterfly Weed

[2] University of Wisconsin Extension — Blanket Flower

[3] University of Wisconsin Extension — Calendula

[4] University of Florida IFAS — Marigolds for Nematode Management

[5] NC State Extension — Crocosmia Lucifer

[6] Clemson University Extension — Red Hot Poker

[7] NC State Extension — Oriental Poppy

[8] Garden Design — Top 25 Orange Flowers

[9] Frontiers in Plant Science — Carotenoid Accumulation and Flower Coloration

[10] Let’s Talk Science — Plant Pigments

[11] Utah State Extension — Calendula in the Garden

[12] Iowa State Extension — Butterfly Weed