21 Types of ORANGE Wildflowers Found in the United States
Did you find an ORANGE wildflower in the United States?
If so, I’m sure you’re wondering what type of wildflower you found! Luckily, you can use this guide to help you identify it. 🙂
Please be aware that today I’m ONLY listing and focusing on the most common orange wildflowers. There are so many species, varieties, and subspecies that it would be impossible to name them all. But if you want to dive even deeper into the many orange wildflowers in the United States, check out this field guide!
Today, we will look at 21 ORANGE wildflowers you can find in the United States.
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#1. Orange Hawkweed
- Hieracium aurantiacum (synonymous with Pilosella aurantiaca)
Also known as: Orange Hawkbit, Orange Aster, Devil’s Paintbrush, King Devil Hawkweed, Devil’s Weed, Tawny Hawkweed, Red Daisy Flameweed, Grim-the-collier, Fox and Cubs
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 10-24 in (25-61 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Orange Hawkweed is a favorite of many gardeners for its coppery, orange-red to yellow flowers with black tips that attract many pollinators. Did you know the ancient Greeks believed that the milky sap of hawkweeds gave hawks their sharp eyesight?
This orange wildflower was introduced to the United States in the 1800s. Interestingly, research in 2009 revealed that most Orange Hawkweed populations collected in North America are genetic clones of one another. This reveals that they all came from the same original plant!
Beware! Orange Hawkweed grows aggressively fast!
#2. Spotted Touch-Me-Not
- Impatiens capensis (formerly known as Impatiens biflora)
Also known as: Orange Balsam, Orange Jewelweed, Jewelweed, Common Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Snapweed, Spotted Snap Weed, Silver Leaf, and Silver-cap
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-60 in (61-152 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Shade to Partial Sun
Spotted Touch-Me-Not is famous for its yellowish-orange flowers with brown spots. As the name suggests, its seed pods will explode if you touch them!
The Spotted Touch-Me-Not comprises approximately one-tenth of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s diet. The long tubular flowers of the Spotted Touch-Me-Not are especially attractive to hummingbirds who use their slender beaks to collect the nectar.
Plant this orange wildflower in the United States if you want to attract birds!
In addition to hummingbirds feasting on the nectar, the seeds are eaten by birds such as the Ruffed Grouse and the Ring-necked Pheasant.
#3. Butterfly Weed
- Asclepias tuberosa
Also known as: Orange Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Chieger Flower, and Chiggerflower
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 18-36 in (46-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
You will find Butterfly Weed in many home gardens. Look for a flat-topped, bright orange cluster of flowers. Butterflies and hummingbirds are particularly attracted to the Butterfly Weed because of its abundant nectar production.
Traditionally, Native Americans have chewed Butterfly Weed root to cure pleurisy, bronchitis, and other pulmonary ailments. When boiled into tea, this orange wildflower can effectively treat stomach issues. In fact, its genus name Asclepias is a reference to Asklepios – the Greek god of medicine.
If you’re planning to ingest this plant, please note that its root and sap are toxic to humans in large quantities. Proceed with caution!
#4. Wood Lily
- Lilium philadelphicum
Also known as: Red Lily, Prairie Lily, Western Red Lily, Northern Red Lily, and Philadelphia Lily
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-36 in (30-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Summer to Late Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
The Wood Lily has upward-facing petals to catch the attention of passing hummingbirds and butterflies. This helps aid in cross-pollination, which is essential for its reproduction. Its striking red-orange flowers with purplish freckles catch the attention of gardeners as well!
Each flower of the Wood Lily remains open for 8-11 days. Unlike many orange wildflowers in the United States, the petals don’t immediately close or wither after they’re pollinated.
You can eat the bulbs of the Wood Lily! Their flavor is similar to turnips. Unfortunately, Wood Lilies are often picked from their natural habitat by visitors, so this species is not as common as it used to be.
#5. Michigan Lily
- Lilium michiganense
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-7
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 18-48 in (46-122 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Early Summer to Mid Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
You can distinguish the Michigan Lily by its bright red-orange petals spotted with shades of brown and purple. The petals bend back toward the stem.
It takes 4-5 years for the Michigan Lily to bloom from seed, so gardeners prefer bulbs or fully grown plants. Once it blooms, this orange wildflower in the United States will attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Monarch Butterflies to your area.
Unfortunately, this species is threatened or endangered across much of the country. Planting Michigan Lily in its native habitat can help this species rebound!
#6. Crossvine
- Bignonia capreolata (synonymous with Anisostichus capreolata, Anisostichus crucigera, Doxantha capreolata)
Also known as: Trumpet Flower and Quartervine
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 36-50 ft (11-15 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Winter to Early Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
You may notice that the Crossvine is different from the rest of the orange wildflowers found in the United States. For one, it’s a creeping vine that can reach impressive heights as it climbs trees and fences for support. It also blooms in the colder seasons, making it an excellent food source for overwintering birds.
The Crossvine boasts long tubular flowers in gold, orange, and burgundy tones. It’s closely related to the hummingbird trumpet vine.
This orange wildflower is one of the most flammable plants in the United States! Most gardening resources recommend keeping it at least 30 ft. (9 m) away from your house or other structures.
#7. Blanket Flower
- Gaillardia pulchella
Also known as: Indian Blanketflower, Beach Blanket-flower, Indian Blanket Flower, Firewheel, Sundance, Girasol Rojo, and Gaillardia
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-24 in (30-61cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Early Fall; Year-round in some areas
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Light Shade
Blanket Flower is a type of sunflower with an impressive display of red, orange, and yellow petals. Don’t be surprised if you spot many bees and birds where these flowers grow!
Many beekeepers use Blanket Flower in the production of honey. The honey made from this orange wildflower in the United States is mild, buttery, and amber-colored.
Goldfinches enjoy the seeds of Blanket Flower, so don’t forget to leave some seedheads after the flowering season!
#8. Carolina Lily
- Lilium michauxii (formerly known as Lilium carolinianum)
Also known as: Michaux’s Lily
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-48 in (61-122 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
You can easily identify the Carolina Lily by its strong fragrance. It’s the only fragrant lily east of the Rocky Mountains!
This orange wildflower also has red and yellow splashes on its petals, which bend back toward the stem.
The Carolina Lily is attractive to pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and insects. Unfortunately, mammals like deer and rabbits also eat their leaves and flowers. So, if mammals are a problem in your area, you may want to avoid this lily.
#9. Tiger Lily
- Lilium lancifolium
Also known as: Catesby’s Lily, Red Pine Lily, Southern Red Lily, Leopard Lily, and Pine Lily
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 7b-10a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-36 in (61-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer and Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Light Shade
Each stem of the Tiger Lily produces a single flower with red-orange petals and a yellow spotted center. It can attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators within your area.
Tiger Lilies can be quite difficult to grow. They’re sensitive to high salt levels, drought, or lack of sunlight.
In the wild, its bulbs can stay dormant for up to 5 years, only becoming active in favorable growing conditions. As a result, this orange wildflower grows abundantly after forest fires when other competitor plants have been eradicated.
#10. Orange Milkwort
- Polygala lutea
Also known as: Candy Weed, Bog Cheetos, Bog Bachelor’s Button, Red-hot Poker, and Yellow Milkwort
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Life Cycle: Biennial or Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 8-20 in (20-51 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Orange Milkwort is topped with a dense cluster of tiny, brilliant orange blooms. Look for this orange wildflower in the United States growing in wet sand, hardwood forests, and bogs.
Although its flowers are bright orange when they’re fresh, they turn yellow as they dry, which is why this plant is sometimes called Yellow Milkwort.
One look at a huge gathering of this orange wildflower, and you’ll understand its nickname, Bog Cheetos!
#11. Orange-fringed Orchid
- Platanthera ciliaris (synonymous with Habenaria ciliaris)
Also known as: Yellow-fringed Orchid, Orange Plume, Bobwhite’s-mocassin, and Owl’s Head
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-35 in (61-90 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer and Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
The Orange-fringed Orchid is large, robust, and showy. It has dense clusters of striking yellow-orange flowers attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies.
Because of the destruction of its natural habitat, it is considered rare in 13 states and endangered or extirpated in seven.
You can help this orange wildflower thrive in the United States by planting its seeds. The Orange-fringed Orchid is easy to grow from seed and can be purchased from local nurseries!
#12. Berlandier Flax
- Linum berlandieri (formerly known as Linum rigidum Pursh berlandieri)
Also known as: Stiff-stem Flax and Yellow Flax
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 2-16 in (5-41 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Early Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
The yellow-orange Berlandier Flax flower blooms for only one or two days before wilting. Although short-lived, the blossoms are beautiful. The leaves are long and tapered with a grayish-green color.
This orange wildflower is native to the United States. It grows in a variety of habitats.
#13. Texas Lantana
- Lantana urticoides (synonymous with Lantana horrida)
Also known as: Calico Bush, Wild Lantana, West Indian Lantana, and West Indian Shrub Verbena
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 8-10
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 36-72 in (91-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring to Early Winter
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Light Shade
Texas Lantana is an important flower for wildlife. Many insects feed on the nectar and plant parts of this wildflower. Specifically, the Lantana Scrub Hairstreak caterpillar primarily relies on Texas Lantana leaves as a food source.
The green and purple berries of the Texas Lantana are poisonous to humans and livestock. If you have pets or small children, this may not be the best plant for your garden.
But the good news is that hummingbirds can eat the fruit! So you may notice more hummingbirds in your area when this orange wildflower is in full bloom.
#14. Texas Paintbrush
- Castilleja indivisa
Also known as: Texas Indian Paintbrush, Entireleaf Indian Paintbrush, and Scarlet Paintbrush
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-11
- Life Cycle: Annual or Biennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-18 in (30-46 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Texas Paintbrush boasts a wonderful display of bright red spikes that fan outward from the central stem. Interestingly, the red-hued “petals” are the bracts (or leaves), while the flowers are the small white tubes in the middle.
Texas Paintbrush grows well in garden settings. It will entice hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators that like nectar.
#15. Standing Cypress
- Ipomopsis rubra (synonymous with Gilia rubra)
Also known as: Texas Plume, Red Texas Star, Red Gilia, Scarlet Gilia, Flame Flower, Indian Spur, and Spanish Larkspur
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Life Cycle: Biennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-72 in (61-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
The Standing Cypress is a hardy orange wildflower that decorates fields and gardens in the United States.
Its upturned tubular flowers have a stunning red color with orange and yellow spots inside.
You will find that this plant is remarkably easy to grow and is resistant to common pests and diseases. Plant some of its seeds in your backyard, and the hummingbirds will soon thank you!
#16. Few-flowered Milkweed
- Asclepias lanceolata (synonymous with Asclepias lanceolata paupercula)
Also known as: Red Milkweed, Cedar Hill Milkweed, Lanceolated Milkwort, and Purple Silkweed
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-11a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 36-72 in (91-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
The Few-flowered Milkweed may produce fewer flowers than other milkweed species, but it has a longer blooming season. As a result, it fills the landscape with vibrant red-orange flowers.
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When handling this orange wildflower in the United States, consider that it is moderately poisonous.
Grazing animals typically avoid Few-flowered Milkweed. When ingested by humans in large quantities, symptoms include vomiting, spasms, and muscle weakness.
#17. Tropical Milkweed
- Asclepias curassavica
Also known as: Scarlet Milkweed, Bloodflower, Cotton Bush, Sunset Flower, Swallow Wort, Silkweed, Indian Root, Curassavian, Cancerillo (Spanish); Bloodflower, and Mexican Milkweed
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b-11
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 24-48 in (61-122 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Tropical milkweed’s distinctive blossom has five orangish-red petals that bed backward, with a yellow star-shaped crown. Although it isn’t a native orange wildflower, it has become invasive across much of the country.
Unfortunately, Tropical Milkweed planted in the United States may do more harm than good.
It carries a parasite that affects Monarch Butterflies called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, or OE, which can cause defects in the wings of Monarchs. Since it doesn’t die back and can bloom late, the plant may also confuse Monarchs by signaling a breeding season when it’s time to migrate.
You can help reduce the spread of OE by cutting back Tropical Milkweed plants at the end of summer. Cut them all the way to the ground and dispose of the cuttings to get rid of the parasite.
To ensure you’re planting milkweed that will help your local ecosystem and attract native pollinators, always choose a native species!
#18. Firebush
- Hamelia patens (synonymous with Hamelia erecta)
Also known as: Hummingbird Bush, Scarlet Bush, Polly Red Head, Mexican Firecracker, Texas Firecracker, Firecracker Bush, Coloradillo, and Corail
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 36-180 in (91-457 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Early Summer to Late Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
The Firebush has bright red-orange flowers that are small and tubular. You most likely won’t have problems keeping this hardy plant alive. In warm climates, it even produces flowers and fruit all year round.
This orange wildflower in the United States is often called Hummingbird Bush.
Its tubular red flowers produce lots of nectar and are exceptionally attractive to hummingbirds. Songbirds also like to eat firebush berries, which are edible for humans too.
The Mayan name of this plant translates to “Guardian of the Forest.” The name fits perfectly for this large and hardy plant!
#19. Flame Azalea
- Rhododendron calendulaceum
Also known as: Orange Azalea, Yellow Azalea, Honeysuckle Azalea, Southern Yellow Azalea, Florida Flame Azalea, and Florida Azalea
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-9
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 72-120 in (183-305 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
You can find many different cultivars of Orange Azalea in home gardens. It’s prized for its showy, fragrant flowers that grow in clusters. They come in yellow, orange, and red. This orange wildflower will attract many hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinating insects.
Native to the United States, the Orange Azalea is one of the easiest rhododendron species to care for. It grows well from seed and thrives as a transplant.
#20. Orange Agoseris
- Agoseris aurantiaca
Also known as: Orange-flowered False-dandelion and Mountain Dandelion
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: Unknown
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-36 in (30-91 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
The Orange Agoseris belongs to the Sunflower family, which includes asters, daisies, and sunflowers. Its coppery-orange flower heads can be used to make Dandelion beer or wine. You can even eat the leaves!
Once this orange wildflower in the United States has gone to seed, the flower head turns into a white, puffy ball. The wind carries each seed to create new plants.
#21. Wholeleaf Paintbrush
- Castilleja integra
Also known as: Wholeleaf Indian Paintbrush, and Squawfeather
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 6-16 in (15-41 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Wholeleaf Paintbrush grows in mountain oak and pine forests between 3,000 and 7,500 ft (914-2,286m) above sea level.
The vivid red-orange color that you will see on the Wholeleaf Paintbrush is not its flower, but a part of the leaves called bracts. The actual flower is a small green tube protruding from the center.
To identify this orange wildflower in the United States, look at its stems and leaves. Small white hairs cover the entire plant except for the blossoms.
Which of these orange wildflowers have you seen before in the United States?
Leave a comment below!
