20 Chartreuse Plants & Flowers for Your Garden

Chartreuse is a combination of green and yellow, a luminous pairing that elicits visual excitement and commands attention. This fresh color evokes the feeling of spring and renewal. Many varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual plants have chartreuse foliage or flowers. One of the most dynamic colors in the landscape, chartreuse pairs well with most other colors. Chartreuse plants can be used in many ways, from brightening up shady spots, to creating repetition in beds and borders.

There are different shades of chartreuse, from nearly gold to pale green. Hues on the yellow end of the color spectrum are brighter and more attention-grabbing, while tones of chartreuse that tend towards cooler shades of green are more subdued. Chartreuse coloring is generally more vivid in full sun than shade. Proper plant placement is essential. Some plants may experience leaf scald with too much sun, while coloring can fade with too little light.

Here are some of the best chartreuse color plants to grow, and how to use them in your yard.

Sun King aralia. Photo by: Proven Winners

ARALIA

Sun King aralia — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Aralia cordata)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Summer

Aralia ‘Sun King’ is an herbaceous perennial with a shrubby habit and large gold or chartreuse leaves that lend a tropical appearance. These chartreuse plants are more intensely gold in brighter areas, or chartreuse in shade. Pair with other shade lovers such as hosta, coral bells, and ferns, and provide moist, well-draining soil.

'Gold Heart' old-fashioned bleeding heart. Photo by: Proven Winners

BLEEDING HEART

'Gold Heart' — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Lamprocapnos spectabilis syn. Dicentra spectabilis)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Habit: Upright arching habit
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Spring

Bleeding heart is a hardy perennial with ferny foliage and charming heart-shaped flowers. ‘Gold Heart’ produces brilliant chartreuse-gold leaves that contrast dramatically with the bright pink flowers. Use to brighten up a woodland landscape or shade border alongside astilbe, brunnera, hosta, and primrose. Find more on how to grow bleeding heart plants.

ColorBlaze® Lime Time® coleus. Photo by Proven Winners

COLEUS

ColorBlaze® Lime Time® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Coleus scutellarioides)

Plant type: Tender perennial
Zones: 10-11, most often grown as an annual
Exposure: Sun to shade
Habit: Mounding bushy habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 40 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer; grown for foliage

This popular tender perennial, grown for the showy foliage, comes in an array of colors and patterns. Color Blaze® Lime Time® produces brilliant lime-green leaves that brighten up shady borders and containers. Pair with other coleus with complementary pink or burgundy foliage, or use as a filler element in a container alongside purple sweet potato vine and caladium for a tropical look. Find more on how to grow coleus plants.

Dressed Up® 'Ball Gown' coral bells. Photo by Proven Winners

CORAL BELLS

Dressed Up® 'Ball Gown' — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Heuchera hybrid)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Habit: Compact mounding habit
Height/Spread: 10 to 12 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer

Grown for the showy foliage, Heuchera come in a wide range of leaf colors and shapes. Dressed Up® ‘Ball Gown’ produces ruffly chartreuse leaves on compact clumping plants. Use this versatile perennial in mixed borders, mass plantings, or containers. Combine this chartreuse variety with blue-flowered ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera and ‘Black Scallop’ bugleweed for stunning contrast. Find more on how to grow coral bells plants.

Chardonnay Pearls® deutzia. Photo by Proven Winners

DEUTZIA

Chardonnay Pearls® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Deutzia gracilis)

Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 36 inches tall and wide
Bloom time: Spring

Deutzia is a deciduous shrub with attractive serrated foliage, bell-shaped flowers, and fall color, adding multi-seasonal interest to the landscape. The bright chartreuse-green foliage of Chardonnay Pearls® is useful for brightening up semi-shaded areas. Pair with complementary colored shrubs such Coppertina® ninebark or Winecraft Black® smoke bush for a compelling display. Find more on how to grow deutzia.

Lemony Lace® elderberry. Photo by Proven Winners

ELDERBERRY

Lemony Lace® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Sambucus racemosa)

Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Zones: 4-7
Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 7 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring

Elderberry lends multi-seasonal appeal to the landscape, with ferny foliage, flat-topped flowers, and brightly colored berries. Lemony Lace® elderberry produces deeply dissected leaves in shades of bright gold edged with red, shifting to chartreuse with age. Use as a background plant to brighten up a mixed border or native landscape. Find more on how to grow elderberry.

Royal Hawaiian® 'Maui Gold' elephant ear. Photo by Proven Winners

ELEPHANT EAR

Royal Hawaiian® 'Maui Gold'
(Colocasia esculenta)

Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual
Zones: 8-11
Exposure: Sun to shade
Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 40 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

This bulbous tender perennial is grown for the huge heart-shaped foliage resembling elephant ears, adding bold tropical appeal to borders and containers. The chartreuse-green leaves of Royal Hawaiian ‘Maui Gold’ can be paired with purple-leafed elephant ear such as ‘Illustris’ or ‘Tea Party’ for dramatic contrast. Plant near a water feature, in a tropical-themed border, or container. Find more on growing elephant ear plants.

Shadowland® 'Echo the Sun' hosta. Photo by Proven Winners

HOSTA

Shadowland® 'Echo the Sun' — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Hosta hybrid)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 19 inches tall, 42 to 48 inches wide
Bloom time: Mid-summer

Grown for the showy leaves, Hosta come in a wide range of sizes, foliage colors and shapes. This hardy perennial makes a versatile addition to beds, containers, and mixed borders. The bright chartreuse-yellow foliage of Shadowland® ‘Echo the Sun’ pairs well with other shade lovers such as Japanese painted fern, Dolce® ‘Cherry Truffles’ coral bells, and purple-leafed ‘Othello’ ligularia. Find more on growing hosta plants.

'All Gold' Japanese forest grass. Photo by Proven Winners

JAPANESE FOREST GRASS

'All Gold' — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Hakonechloa macra)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Habit: Mounding arching habit
Height/Spread: 9 to 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

Japanese forest grass is one of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in shade. ‘All Gold’ has bright chartreuse foliage and an elegant cascading habit. Use this herbaceous perennial in a woodland border or Asian-style landscape. ‘All Gold’ pairs well with blue flowered ‘Heaven Scent’ Jacob’s ladder, purple foliaged Dolce® ‘Wildberry’ coral bells, or black mondo grass. Find more on growing Japanese forest grass.

Glow Pop® Japanese holly. Photo by Proven Winners

JAPANESE HOLLY

Glow Pop® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Ilex crenata)

Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

Japanese holly is an evergreen shrub with small leaves and a dense, structural habit that is often used as a substitute for boxwood. Glow Pop® is a dwarf variety with bright lime-green coloring and a compact habit. Use to add contrast to mass plantings and mixed borders, or as edging for pathways and beds. Find more on how to grow holly bushes.

'Aureum', syn. Golden Full Moon Maple. Photo by Marianne Majerus

JAPANESE MAPLE

'Aureum', syn. Golden Full Moon Maple
(Acer shirasawanum)

Plant type: Deciduous tree
Zones: 5-7
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Spring; flowers are inconspicuous

One of the most popular landscape trees, Japanese maples come in a wide array of sizes, shapes and foliage colors. The fan-shaped leaves of ‘Aureum’ emerge bright yellow in spring, fading to chartreuse in summer, before turning brilliant shades of orange and red in fall. Showcase as a focal point in a woodland shade border or Asian-style garden. Find more on growing Japanese maple trees.

Lady's mantle. Photo by Janet Loughrey

LADY'S MANTLE

(Alchemilla mollis)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early fall

Lady’s mantle is a cottage garden favorite, with scalloped foliage and loose clusters of bright yellow-green flowers. This low-maintenance perennial is versatile as edging along pathways and borders, in mass plantings, and containers. Combine with purple allium, pink roses, or blue veronica for complementary contrast.

'Goldcrest' lemon cypress. Photo by knelson20 / Shutterstock

LEMON CYPRESS

'Goldcrest'
(Cupressus macrocarpa)

Plant type: Evergreen tree
Zones: 7-10
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright pyramidal habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide

Lemon cypress is an evergreen conifer commonly sold as a potted tree during the holidays. The chartreuse-yellow needles exude a lemony scent. This decorative tree can be grown indoors as a houseplant, or outside in containers. In colder regions, plants will need to be overwintered indoors. Showcase in a houseplant display, or in a decorative container outdoors.

'Hearts of Gold' Eastern redbud. Photo by Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia

EASTERN REDBUD

'Hearts of Gold'
(Cercis canadensis)

Plant type: Deciduous tree
Zones: 5-9
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 20 to 25 feet tall, 18 feet wide

Eastern redbud is a popular deciduous tree with prolific clusters of rose-purple flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves. ‘Hearts of Gold’ produces orange-red new growth that changes to bright gold, fading to chartreuse in summer. Use as a stunning focal point in a mixed border or woodland setting. Learn more about how to grow redbud trees.

'Golden Delicious' pineapple sage. Photo by Proven Winners

SALVIA

'Golden Delicious' pineapple sage — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Salvia elegans)

Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual
Zones: 8-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Bloom time: Late summer to fall

This shrubby perennial adds late-season color to the landscape, with tubular flowers and scented foliage. The vivid golden-chartreuse foliage of ‘Golden Delicious’ contrasts dramatically with the lipstick-red blooms. Combine in a fall border with purple aster, Russian sage, or ‘Black and Blue’ salvia. Find more on how to grow salvia plants.

Lemon Coral® sedum. Photo by Proven Winners

SEDUM

Lemon Coral® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Sedum mexicanum)

Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 7-11
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Low compact habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 10 inches tall, 10 to 14 inches wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

Sedum is a perennial succulent with fleshy leaves that adds late season color to the landscape. Lemon Coral® has a trailing habit that is grown for the spiky golden-chartreuse foliage. Use this drought-tolerant ground cover to brighten containers, rock gardens, or as edging. Find more on how to grow sedum plants.

Winecraft Gold® smokebush. Photo by Proven Winners

SMOKE BUSH

Winecraft Gold® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Cotinus coggygria)

Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Summer

This low-maintenance deciduous shrub is grown for the colorful leaves and long-lasting flower panicles with a hazy, smoke-like appearance. Winecraft Gold® has foliage that emerges orange, fading to gold before maturing to chartreuse. Combine with complementary-colored shrubs such as ‘Midnight Wine’ weigela, Sunjoy Todo® barberry, or Summer Wine® ninebark. Find more on how to grow smokebush.

Double Play® Candy Corn® spirea. Photo by Proven Winners

SPIRAEA

Double Play® Candy Corn® — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Spiraea japonica)

Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Zones: 4-8
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Compact bushy habit
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Spiraea is a popular deciduous shrub with colorful leaves, long-lasting flower clusters, and fall foliage for multi-seasonal interest. Virtually carefree, spirea is versatile in borders, mass plantings, or as hedging. Double Play® Candy Corn® has new red foliage that fades to chartreuse-yellow, with bright pink flowers for stunning contrast. Learn more about how to grow spirea.

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime sweet potato vine. Photo by Proven Winners

SWEET POTATO VINE

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime — Buy now from Proven Winners
(Ipomoea hybrid)

Plant type: Annual vine
Zones: 11; grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Vining habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 16 inches tall, 20 to 36 inches wide
Bloom time: Grown for foliage

Sweet potato vine is an annual grown for the colorful vining foliage that lends tropical appeal to containers, hanging baskets, and mass plantings. ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime’ is a chartreuse variety with heart-shaped leaves and a vigorous growth habit. Use in combination with lantana, petunias, coleus, or verbena. Learn more about how to grow sweet potato vine.

'Green Envy' zinnia. Photo by Janet Loughrey

ZINNIA

'Green Envy'
(Zinnia elegans)

Plant type: Annual
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Upright habit
Height/Spread: 24 to 30 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide
Bloom time: Summer to fall

Zinnia is a beloved warm-season annual, with prolific multi-petaled blooms in an array of colors. ’Green Envy’ produces 3-inch chartreuse-green flowers that pair well with most other hues. Use this versatile variety in a cottage-style border, container, or cutting garden. Learn more about how to grow zinnias.

DESIGN TIPS FOR USING CHARTREUSE IN THE GARDEN

Here are some design ideas for using chartreuse plants in your yard:

Pair with plants in complementary colors: Plants with chartreuse foliage can be used as a backdrop for complementary plants in shades of blue, purple, or pink. The contrast of the chartreuse backdrop will make the other colors pop.
Create visual excitement: Hot colors such as yellow, orange, and red are harmonious with chartreuse. Plant a vibrant border using bright-colored plants such as lantana, zinnias, and canna lily, and punctuate with splashes of chartreuse for a compelling visual effect.
Tone it down: In garden design, green is regarded as a neutral color. Other neutral colors include black, white, cream, beige, brown, and grey. Use neutral colors to tone down chartreuse for a sophisticated look.
Create a focal point: Use a tree or shrub with chartreuse foliage as a compelling focal point to lead the eye through the landscape.
Add contrast: Lime-green plants can be used to break up larger swaths of monochromatic green foliage.
Create a powerful color scheme: Purple and chartreuse are one of the most popular garden color combinations. Alternate purple or burgundy plants with chartreuse plants for compelling contrast.
Unify the landscape: Add chartreuse plants throughout the yard to create repetition and unity.
Brighten shady areas: Use shade-loving chartreuse or bright green plants such as hosta, coral bells, and Japanese forest grass to brighten up darker areas of your yard.
Coordinate with other garden elements: Chartreuse plants can be used to contrast or harmonize with hardscape such as pathways, patios and fences, as well as accessories including garden furniture and water features.

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