Complete Gardening
Brighten your garden with a burst of fiery orange! Whether you’re looking to add some warmth to your outdoor space or attract pollinators, these ten shrubs offer vibrant hues that are sure to make your garden stand out.
From early spring bloomers to tropical wonders, explore the diversity of orange shrubs suitable for different climates and garden styles.
1. Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Flowering Quince, or Chaenomeles speciosa, is an early spring delight. With its vibrant orange-red flowers, this shrub brings a splash of color to any garden. Its thorny branches and glossy green leaves form a beautiful contrast with the blooms.
Hardy and adaptable, Flowering Quince thrives in a variety of soils and conditions. It can be pruned to shape or left to grow naturally, making it a versatile addition.
Its thorny nature also makes it an excellent choice for hedges or barriers, providing both beauty and security in your garden.
2. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana camara, known for its clusters of bright orange blooms, is a tropical shrub that thrives in warm climates. The vibrant flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, adding life to your garden.
Lantana’s robust nature allows it to flourish in poor soils and withstand drought conditions. Its sprawling growth habit can be shaped with regular pruning, making it suitable for borders or container planting.
Whether grown as an annual in cooler regions or a perennial in warmer zones, Lantana’s colorful presence is hard to resist, bringing a tropical vibe to your garden.
3. Orange Rocket Barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’)
Orange Rocket Barberry, or Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’, is a truly ornamental shrub. Its new growth glows with an orange-red hue, maturing to a rich burgundy as the season progresses.
This slender, upright shrub adds vertical interest to your landscape. Its thorny stems provide an interesting texture and can deter unwanted visitors.
Orange Rocket Barberry is low-maintenance and deer-resistant, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Use it as a focal point or plant it in groups for a striking display of color.
4. Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
Add a touch of the tropics with the Mexican Bird of Paradise, or Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Known for its striking orange flowers with red accents, this shrub loves hot, dry climates.
Its feathery foliage adds a delicate texture to gardens, contrasting beautifully with the vivid blooms. This hardy shrub requires minimal care and can thrive in poor soils, making it perfect for desert landscapes.
The vibrant flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds, bringing movement and life to your garden. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance yet dramatic plant.
5. Hummingbird Bush (Hamelia patens)
The Hummingbird Bush, or Hamelia patens, is a magnet for pollinators. Its tubular orange-red flowers are particularly appealing to hummingbirds, making it a dynamic addition to any garden.
This shrub thrives in warm climates and offers a long blooming season. Its dark green leaves provide a lush backdrop to the vibrant flowers. The Hummingbird Bush can be pruned to maintain a desired shape or left to grow naturally, offering versatility in landscaping.
It’s also drought-tolerant, adding to its appeal as an easy-care, attractive shrub for your garden.
6. Azalea (Orange varieties, like ‘Gibraltar’ or ‘Fireball’)
Orange varieties of Azalea, like ‘Gibraltar’ or ‘Fireball’, are known for their stunning spring blooms. These deciduous shrubs offer a burst of color with their vibrant orange flowers.
Azaleas prefer acidic, well-drained soils and a bit of morning sun, thriving best in cooler climates. Their lush foliage and showy blooms make them perfect for woodland gardens or as foundation plantings.
Prune them after flowering to keep them tidy and encourage more blooms in the following season. Azaleas are an elegant choice for gardeners wanting a splash of springtime color.
7. Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)
Cape Honeysuckle, or Tecoma capensis, is a vigorous shrub or vine known for its trumpet-shaped orange flowers. It’s an excellent choice for warm climates, where it can grow rapidly and provide a lush, colorful display.
This plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, adding a lively element to the garden. The Cape Honeysuckle can be trained to climb or spread, offering flexibility in design.
Its evergreen leaves create a dense backdrop, contrasting beautifully with the vibrant blooms. Whether used as a hedge, screen, or focal point, it’s a versatile and eye-catching addition.
8. Trumpet Bush (Tecoma alata / Tecoma hybrid ‘Orange Jubilee’)
The Trumpet Bush, including Tecoma alata and the hybrid ‘Orange Jubilee’, is known for its bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers. This fast-growing shrub adds height and color to any sunny garden.
The flowers attract pollinators, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to encourage wildlife. Trumpet Bushes thrive in well-drained soils and require minimal care once established.
Regular pruning will maintain their shape and encourage prolific blooming. Whether planted as a standalone specimen or in a group, their vibrant presence ensures they are a standout feature in any landscape.
9. Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)
The Cigar Plant, or Cuphea ignea, is a compact shrub with distinctive orange tubular flowers. Its unique blooms resemble lit cigars, adding a playful touch to garden beds or containers.
Often grown as an annual in cooler areas, the Cigar Plant thrives in warm climates. It enjoys full sun and well-drained soil, offering a long flowering season. The plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a lively addition to any garden.
Its compact size makes it suitable for borders, small gardens, or patio containers, providing versatility in planting options.
10. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Though not a true shrub, Butterfly Weed, or Asclepias tuberosa, has a shrubby growth habit. Its vivid orange flowers are a magnet for butterflies, particularly the Monarch.
This perennial is well-suited for sunny gardens and thrives in poor, well-drained soils. It’s a low-maintenance plant, requiring little care once established. Butterfly Weed’s long blooming period and wildlife appeal make it a popular choice for pollinator gardens.
Its hardy nature and drought tolerance add to its charm. Incorporate it into your garden for a pop of color and a boost in biodiversity.