For many homeowners in the U.S., especially the Southern U.S., finding plants that can handle 6-8 hours of full sun and still be pretty, hardy, and easy to maintain can be a headache. Throw in the desire to have your house appear at least a small amount different from the house next door, and shopping for plants can be a dreaded occasion. Granted, many of us love plants and the outdoors, but putting a yard together can be stressful, much more so if the yard is bathed in sun all day.
Below I have listed my favorite full sun shrubs, perennials and annuals. These plants are perfect for full sun areas in the Southeast U.S.. They will work in other areas just as well, but be sure to check with your local nursery if you are unsure as to how well they will thrive for your location.
Best Full Sun Plants: Shrubs For Full Sun
The hardest plant in a bed to decide on, for most, is the shrub. This plant will be the backdrop to most of the color, but should provide color as well. It will be there longer, in most cases, than most of the plants in front of it, so you need to like it. And if it is in a full sun area, it must be able to take "the heat" yet stay full and thriving. Here are my favorite "full sun" shrubs:
- Loropetalum- These colorful shrubs have exploded in popularity over the past decade. Not only can they handle full sun or partial shade, they also provide year-round color to any space. Loropetalum come in various different heights, with some that only grow to 3-4 ft, and they also come in different flower colors and leaf size. These shrubs require a low amount of water, are very hardy, and bloom in spring and fall.
- Juniper- Junipers have been used for years as shrubs, borders, and a basic backdrop for a colorful flower bed. Junipers come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors which make them a good choice for almost any bed. Most can handle full sun to a little shade, are drought tolerant, and give a green, bluish, or varigated color year-round. Heights for shrub varieties range from 1 ft to 8 ft.
- Carissa Holly- Many people shy away from Holly bushes due to their "sticky" nature. Carissa Holly, though, are less agressive, having only one point, and only grow to about 4 ft hight, making them great for a low maintenance hedge. They are evergreen, drought tolerant, and can handle full sun.
- Indian Hawthorne- These short shrubs offer great green folliage along with pink or white spring and fall flowers. They grow to about 3.5 ft, are drought tolerant, and offer a much softer green, rounded look for a nice bed.
- Pittosporum- With a deep green or a variegated leaf, these shrubs give a different look than most of the other shrubs. They are very hardy, drought tolerant, can take full sun and are basically hard to kill.
Best Full Sun Plants: Full Sun Perennials
Although perennials are not as large and full as the shrubs listed above, they are expected to put out plenty of color and handle the heat of a full sun placement. The perennials below can handle the heat and will give color, but are, in general, less drought tolerant than the full sun shrubs.- Rudbeckia- Commonly known as 'Black Eyed Susan' these yellow perennials offer a large splash of bright color to any bed. The most popular variety is the Rudbeckia Goldstrum, but other varieties offer a twist on the great flower. Varieties range from 1 ft tall to 4 ft tall, love sun, bloom all spring and summer, and attract plenty of birds.
- Lantana- An extremely sun tolerant plant, these plants rank just below cactus in "full sun" plants. That may be a reach, but Lantana are excellent for a full sun flower bed to give you spring to fall foliage and blooms that last most of their growing season. These plants need to be cut back every year, but are very hardy and you can count on them for color year after year. Lantana are also perfect for bringing in tons of butterflies!
- Verbena- A good full sun plant that can be used in-ground or in planters/hanging baskets, Verbena were long seen as a weed. After having been developed to put out prettier foliage and brighter blooms, these plants are great for a low-growing, full sun perennial.
- Daylilies- Although many of these great plants can handle full sun, be sure to get the right ones as some will not put out much foliage in full sun. These lilies will add a simple splash of foliage and color to any bed. Most Daylilies die back in the winter and will come out again once the ground warms up, so don't despair if you don't see them prior to April.
- Echinacea- Known more commonly as Purple Coneflower, these are perfect to counter a bright yellow Rudbeckia with a dark, smooth purple. The Echinacea puts out plenty of color on flower stalks throughout the summer. Place these in the area that gets a little afternoon shade as they can get a little too hot in the afternoon.
Best Full Sun Plants: Full Sun Annuals
The most colorful and eye-catching part of any flower bed or landscaping area is typically the annual. These plants are flashy and take way too much effort to be dried out and dead within a couple days. Many warm weather annuals can take full or mostly sun, but few will take it as well as the annuals below while giving as much beauty. Some of these plants will come back a year later, but due to their inconsistency at returning, they are listed here. Also, be sure to know the water needs of each of these, as smaller plants means less water holding capacity.- Bronzeleaf Begonias- With oddly rounded leaves, shiny coatings, and different looking blooms (pink, white, and red), Begonias are a great addition to any bed. They grow to 6-8" and provide a good change of pace. Be sure to get Bronzeleaf variety for full sun, however, as the other Begonias will leave you with a sad looking bed.
- Gerber Daisy- Not many full sun annuals have such a fun and pretty look as a Gerber Daisy. These annuals come in many different colors and add pretty green foliage and splashes of bright color all over a full sun bed. They prefer a drier bed than most and grow to 8-10".
- Geraniums- These annuals provide large tufts of blooms that range in color from all shades of red to even purple. Geraniums are one of the larger annuals and grow to almost 18". They also do very well in containers such as hanging baskets.
- Zinnias- With a growing height of 12-18", these colorful annuals put out a large flashy bloom, similar in vibrance to the Gerber Daisy. Their seeds will fall and usually bring back some blooms the following year. Zinnias are good at handling a dry area and have a very long blooming season, typically from mid-spring to the first frost.
- Pentas- Some Pentas are sold as perennials, but those varieties are typically a taller version with less color to foliage ratio. These flowers grow to about 18", are very heat tolerant, and are great for attracting butterflies.
- Marigolds- A favorite of many ladies in the South, this flower has a very distinct smell, has poofy blooms that resemble a carnation, and provide orange flowers all summer. Marigolds are great for dry areas and do not do as well in wet beds. Good draining soil is a must.
- Petunias (Wave)- For full sun areas and hanging baskets, few annuals can provide as much flashy color as the Petunia. This particular variety is more of a trailing type and spread their beauty all over the flower bed. They grow 5-6" high but spread for over 18" when well maintained.
- Vincas- This extremely hardy annual love the hot sun. It prefers good drainage and handles drought well. These annuals will come back in areas that they like. They grow just over a foot tall and provide shiny green foliage along with white, purple, pink, red, and peach blooms.
