Complete Gardening
Gardening enthusiasts know that choosing the right plants for your garden can make all the difference. For those sun-drenched spots in your yard, full-sun perennials offer beauty and resilience year after year.
Here’s a detailed look at the 20 best full-sun perennials, handpicked by gardening pros, to bring vibrant color and life to your garden.
1. Daylily
Daylilies are a gardener’s dream, offering stunning blooms in a kaleidoscope of colors. Known for their hardiness, these perennials thrive in full sun and adapt well to various soil types.
Their trumpet-shaped flowers are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. While each flower lasts only a day, a well-established plant can produce an abundance of buds for long-lasting color.
Ideal for borders or mass plantings, daylilies require minimal maintenance. Ensure they receive adequate water during dry spells, and they will reward you with vibrant blooms.
2. Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a striking perennial with aromatic, silvery foliage and spires of lavender-blue flowers. It’s perfect for adding texture and color to sunny borders.
This drought-tolerant plant flourishes in poor, well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. It reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet, creating a visually appealing backdrop.
Prune in early spring to promote bushy growth and remove any dead stems. Russian Sage attracts pollinators and offers a long blooming season, from midsummer to fall.
3. Shasta Daisy
Shasta Daisies are classic garden perennials known for their cheerful blooms. With their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers, they bring a fresh look to any garden.
These flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from early summer to autumn. Their sturdy stems make them excellent for cutting gardens.
Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooms. Shasta Daisies are deer-resistant and attract butterflies, making them a favorite for wildlife-friendly gardens. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
4. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susans are beloved for their bright, golden-yellow petals and dark centers. They create a stunning display in sunny gardens.
These perennials are easy to grow, preferring well-drained soil and full sun. They bloom from midsummer to early fall, offering a long season of color.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming and prevent self-seeding. Black-Eyed Susans attract butterflies and other pollinators, adding lively movement to the garden. Their hardy nature makes them suitable for various landscapes.
5. Lavender
Lavender is cherished for its fragrant purple flowers and calming scent. This sun-loving perennial is ideal for borders, rock gardens, and herb beds.
Plant lavender in well-drained soil and full sun to ensure healthy growth. Once established, it requires minimal watering, making it perfect for drought-prone areas.
Prune annually after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Lavender attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in your garden. Its aromatic leaves can be harvested for culinary and aromatic uses.
6. Coneflower
Coneflowers are a must-have for any sun-filled garden, known for their daisy-like blooms and prominent conical centers. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, orange, and white.
These hardy perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds. Coneflowers are drought-tolerant and bloom from summer to fall.
Deadhead spent blooms for extended flowering and consider leaving some to go to seed for winter interest. They are excellent for cutting gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
7. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, offers bright, sunshine-yellow blooms that light up any garden space. It’s a versatile perennial, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
These plants are perfect for borders, containers, and wildflower gardens. Coreopsis is drought-tolerant once established and requires little maintenance.
Deadheading promotes prolonged blooming and keeps the plant tidy. Coreopsis attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees, making it a valuable addition to eco-friendly gardens. Its cheerful flowers add warmth and charm to any landscape.
8. Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy perennial known for its feathery foliage and clusters of small, flat-topped flowers. It thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil.
This versatile plant is ideal for borders, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows. Yarrow is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care once established.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming, and divide clumps every few years to maintain vitality. Yarrow attracts beneficial insects, making it a great choice for organic gardens. Its flowers are also excellent for drying and crafting.
9. Salvia
Salvias are known for their vibrant flower spikes and aromatic foliage. These sun-loving perennials add a splash of color to any garden.
Plant them in well-drained soil and full sun for the best results. Salvias are drought-tolerant and bloom from late spring to fall, providing long-lasting beauty.
Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Salvias attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. They’re great for borders, containers, and even as ground cover. Prune in spring to maintain shape and vigor.
10. Catmint
Catmint is a delightful perennial with soft, gray-green foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It’s a favorite for sunny borders and cottage gardens.
This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil. Once established, it requires little maintenance, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
Catmint attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding life to your garden. Prune after the first bloom to encourage a second flowering. Its aromatic foliage is deer-resistant, making it a great choice for wildlife-friendly landscapes.
11. Gaillardia
Gaillardia, or blanket flower, is a vibrant perennial known for its bright red and yellow blooms. It’s perfect for adding a splash of color to sunny gardens.
These flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from early summer to fall. Gaillardia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Gaillardia attracts bees and butterflies, supporting your garden’s ecosystem. It’s an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers, providing cheerful color throughout the season.
12. Bee Balm
Bee Balm is a showy perennial with striking red, pink, or purple tubular flowers. It’s known for attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
Plant Bee Balm in full sun and moist, well-drained soil for the best results. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, adding a burst of color to your garden.
Deadhead for continuous blooms and divide clumps every few years to maintain health. Bee Balm’s aromatic leaves can be used in teas, offering an extra benefit beyond its beauty. It’s a favorite for wildlife-friendly gardens.
13. Sedum
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a versatile perennial with fleshy, succulent-like leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. It’s ideal for sunny rock gardens and containers.
Sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little care once established. It’s drought-tolerant and can withstand poor soil conditions.
These plants attract pollinators and add interest with their unique foliage. Sedum’s flowers bloom from late summer to fall, providing a late-season nectar source. It’s an excellent choice for low-maintenance and water-wise gardens.
14. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a stunning perennial known for its large, tropical-looking flowers. It’s perfect for adding a touch of the exotic to sunny gardens.
These plants thrive in full sun and require rich, well-drained soil. Hibiscus blooms from midsummer to fall, offering continuous color and charm.
Regular watering and fertilizing promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. Hibiscus attracts pollinators and adds a tropical flair to borders and containers. Prune in early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
15. Peony
Peonies are cherished for their lush, fragrant blooms, available in shades of pink, white, and red. These perennials add timeless beauty to sunny gardens.
Plant peonies in full sun and well-drained soil, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow. They bloom in late spring to early summer, providing a stunning display.
Peonies require little maintenance, with regular watering during dry spells. Their flowers attract pollinators and are excellent for cutting. Remove spent blooms to keep plants tidy and divide clumps every few years for vigor.
16. Agastache
Agastache
Agastache, commonly known as hummingbird mint, is a favorite among gardeners for its vibrant, nectar-rich flowers.
These plants thrive in full sun, offering tall spikes of purple, pink, or orange blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Their aromatic foliage adds an extra sensory layer to any garden.
These perennials are drought-tolerant and easy to care for, making them ideal for novice gardeners. Plant them in well-drained soil and watch them flourish. Agastache also works well in containers, making them versatile for various garden designs.
17. Penstemon
Penstemon, or beardtongue, features tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. It’s known for attracting hummingbirds, adding lively movement to gardens.
Plant penstemon in full sun and well-drained soil for vigorous growth. These perennials bloom from late spring to early summer, offering long-lasting color.
Deadhead regularly to extend the flowering season, and prune in early spring to maintain shape. Penstemon is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens. Its unique flowers add charm and elegance to any landscape.
18. Liatris Spicata
Liatris Spicata
Liatris Spicata, also known as Blazing Star, captivates with its tall, spiky purple blooms. These striking flowers grow upright, adding architectural interest to garden spaces.
Liatris is a favorite among pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it a lively addition to any sunny spot.
Ideal for prairie-style gardens, Liatris thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its drought-tolerant nature means it requires minimal care once established. Use it in mass plantings for a bold statement or mix with grasses for textural contrast.
19. Veronica
Veronica, also known as speedwell, features spires of blue, pink, or white flowers. It’s a colorful addition to any sunny garden.
Plant veronica in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. These perennials bloom from late spring to late summer, providing long-lasting beauty.
Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Veronica attracts pollinators and adds vertical interest to borders and containers. It’s a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens, offering charm and elegance with minimal effort.
20. Buddleia
Buddleia, or butterfly bush, is celebrated for its long, cone-shaped clusters of fragrant flowers, which attract butterflies and bees. It’s a must-have for wildlife gardens.
These sun-loving shrubs thrive in well-drained soil and bloom from summer to fall. Buddleia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care once established.
Prune in early spring to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Buddleia adds height and color to borders, making it a striking focal point. Its attractive blooms provide a continuous nectar source for pollinators.