29 Best Annuals for Full Sun Exposed Gardens

Zinnias are a gardener’s best friend: bold, colorful, and happy to thrive in the sunshine. They come in every shade imaginable, from soft pastels to striking reds. Zinnias also handle the heat incredibly well and bloom abundantly throughout the season.

• Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
• Growing Zones: 3–10 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Red, pink, yellow, white, orange
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–4 feet / 1–2 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Zinnias

These sun-lovers thrive with minimal fuss—just plant and watch them grow. Marigolds are bright, cheery, and come in warm oranges and yellows. French and African marigolds are popular picks, and they’re known for keeping pests at bay, making them the bodyguards of the garden.

• Botanical Name: Tagetes spp.
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Frost
• Colors: Orange, yellow, red, gold
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–4 feet / 1–2 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Marigolds

Petunias are crowd-pleasers with their funnel-shaped flowers that spill over containers and garden beds. Grandiflora and multiflora are two favorites, offering plenty of choices in colors and patterns. These sun-loving annuals are also great at dealing with hot temperatures.

• Botanical Name: Petunia spp.
• Growing Zones: 9–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Pink, purple, white, red, yellow
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 6–18 inches / 1–3 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Petunias

Nothing says “summer” like a towering sunflower. With heights ranging from 2 to 12 feet, they can be as big or small as you need. The cheerful blooms follow the sun and add a touch of grace to any garden, plus, birds love the seeds.

• Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Yellow, orange, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 2–12 feet / 1–4 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Sunflowers

Classic and dependable, geraniums handle full sun incredibly well. The flowers bloom in a range of reds, pinks, and whites, and they do wonders in containers or garden beds. A true workhorse in the garden, they’ll keep going even when the thermometer hits the roof.

• Botanical Name: Pelargonium spp.
• Growing Zones: 9–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Red, pink, white, coral
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet

Cosmos are the easy-going, carefree kind of flowers. Their tall, airy stems are topped with daisy-like blooms in pinks, purples, and whites. They’re perfect for gardeners who want flowers that take care of themselves and look good doing it.

• Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Pink, purple, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 2–6 feet / 1–2 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Cosmos

Salvia brings the drama with its tall, spiky flowers in blues, reds, and purples. Varieties like ‘Victoria Blue’ and ‘Scarlet Sage’ make a statement in any sunny spot. They also pull double duty by attracting hummingbirds and pollinators—so it’s a win-win.

• Botanical Name: Salvia splendens
• Growing Zones: 8–10 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Blue, red, purple, pink
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet

These low-growing beauties form a mat of flowers in vibrant clusters, perfect for hanging baskets or along borders. They come in purples, reds, and pinks, and they keep blooming without a fuss. Heat and drought don’t bother verbena, making them an easy choice for sunny spots.

• Botanical Name: Verbena spp.
• Growing Zones: 7–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Purple, pink, red, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 1–2 feet

Nasturtiums are like the overachievers of the garden—edible flowers, colorful blooms, and pretty foliage all in one. They come in hot reds, oranges, and yellows and even trail over edges for a cascading effect. Plus, you can snack on the peppery leaves and flowers!

• Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Frost
• Colors: Red, orange, yellow, cream
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 1–10 feet (depending on variety)

Celosia’s feathery or cockscomb-shaped blooms are anything but ordinary. With vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, they bring texture to the garden. The ‘Dragon’s Breath’ variety looks like it’s on fire, and it keeps blooming even in scorching conditions.

• Botanical Name: Celosia argentea
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Red, orange, yellow, pink
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6 inches–3 feet / 6–18 inches

If you need a flowering annual that genuinely adores the sun, lantana is it. This tough-as-nails plant produces clusters of small, multicolored blooms that change shades as they age. Heat, drought, pests—none of it phases lantana, making it perfect for those hot, dry spots in the garden.

• Botanical Name: Lantana camara
• Growing Zones: 8–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Multicolored (red, yellow, orange, pink)
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–6 feet / 1–4 feet

Portulaca is like a little succulent with bonus flowers. It thrives on minimal water and full sun, opening its bright blooms each morning. If you want a low-maintenance, high-impact ground cover, this one’s a no-brainer.

• Botanical Name: Portulaca grandiflora
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Frost
• Colors: Red, orange, pink, yellow, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–8 inches / 6–12 inches

Alyssum may be small, but it packs a punch with its fragrant, honey-scented blooms. It creates a soft carpet of tiny flowers, typically in white, pink, or purple. Perfect for edging or filling in gaps, it’ll keep blooming even in the heat of summer.

• Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
• Growing Zones: 5–9 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Frost
• Colors: White, pink, purple
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 4–8 inches / 6–12 inches

Cleome gets its nickname from the spidery appearance of its blooms, but don’t let that spook you. With its tall stems and delicate flowers in pink, purple, or white, it adds an intriguing element to any garden. Cleome is a no-fuss choice for sun-soaked spots.

• Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Frost
• Colors: Pink, white, purple
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 3–6 feet / 1–2 feet

Snapdragons are like candy for the garden—bright, colorful, and irresistible. They come in nearly every shade, and kids love pinching the “dragon” blooms. Perfect for sunny borders, these flowers also do well in cool weather as well, stretching their bloom time.

• Botanical Name: Antirrhinum majus
• Growing Zones: 7–10 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Red, pink, yellow, orange, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 6 inches–3 feet / 6–18 inches

Gaillardia doesn’t just tolerate the heat—it thrives in it. With its fiery red and yellow petals, this flower brings a desert vibe to any sunny spot. It’s also a long bloomer, making it perfect for adding color all season long.

• Botanical Name: Gaillardia x grandiflora
• Growing Zones: 3–10 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Red, yellow, orange
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet

You might know impatiens for the shade, but newer varieties like ‘SunPatiens’ are sun-loving stars. They’re tough, heat-tolerant, and bloom continuously in a wide range of colors. If you need dependable flowers for bright areas, this is a safe bet.

• Botanical Name: Impatiens hawkeri
• Growing Zones: 10–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Frost
• Colors: Red, pink, orange, purple, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet
• Guide: How to Grow Impatiens

Think of calibrachoa as the petunia’s energetic little cousin. It produces tons of small, petunia-like blooms that cascade over the sides of containers or hanging baskets. ‘Million Bells’ keeps blooming through the hottest days of summer, so it’s perfect for those full-sun spots.

• Botanical Name: Calibrachoa spp.
• Growing Zones: 9–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Pink, purple, yellow, orange, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 1–2 feet

Tithonia brings the heat with its tall, fuzzy stems and bright orange flowers. It’s like having little pockets of sunshine in your garden. Pollinators, especially butterflies, flock to them, so they’re not just for show—they’re the life of the party.

• Botanical Name: Tithonia rotundifolia
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Orange, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 4–6 feet / 2–4 feet

Most begonias prefer shade, but sun-tolerant varieties like wax begonias can handle full sun without a hitch. Their glossy leaves and constant blooms in reds, pinks, and whites make them a great filler for beds and containers.

• Botanical Name: Begonia x semperflorens
• Growing Zones: 10–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Red, pink, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 6–18 inches

These small, globe-shaped flowers are heat and drought champions. Gomphrena is easy to grow and adds a fun, playful texture to the garden with its clover-like blooms in pinks, reds, and purples. They’re also great for dried arrangements, giving them extra staying power.

• Botanical Name: Gomphrena globosa
• Growing Zones: 2–11 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Frost
• Colors: Purple, pink, white, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–2 feet / 1–2 feet

Vinca is the definition of tough. These little guys adore heat, drought, and poor soil. Their glossy leaves and bright flowers make them an excellent choice for borders or ground cover in the sunniest of gardens.

• Botanical Name: Catharanthus roseus
• Growing Zones: 10–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Pink, white, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–18 inches / 6–18 inches

Though often grown for its silvery foliage, dusty miller can really shine in the sun. It adds a soft, cool contrast to bold, colorful flowers. Heat and drought are no problem, so it’s perfect for those sunny garden corners.

• Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria
• Growing Zones: 7–10 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer
• Colors: Silver foliage (flowers are yellow but rarely bloom)
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–2 feet / 1–2 feet

Gazania’s daisy-like flowers open wide in the sun, showing off their bold patterns and bright hues. They’re great for containers, beds, or ground cover. And the best part? They close up at night and re-open with the morning sun.

• Botanical Name: Gazania rigens
• Growing Zones: 9–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Frost
• Colors: Yellow, orange, red, white, pink
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 6–12 inches

Coreopsis is a sun worshipper that brings cheerful yellow (or sometimes red) blooms. These flowers are great for filling gaps in sunny beds, and they attract butterflies while resisting deer. The ‘Tickseed’ variety is particularly popular for its long bloom season. Coreopsis is low-maintenance and a favorite for sunny garden beds or wildflower gardens.

• Botanical Name: Coreopsis spp.
• Growing Zones: 4–9 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Yellow, red, pink
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet

Dianthus adds a sweet fragrance and pops of pink, red, or white to any sunny spot. The serrated edges of the petals give it a charming, old-fashioned look. It’s great for borders or rock gardens where you want a little extra color and scent.

• Botanical Name: Dianthus spp.
• Growing Zones: 3–9 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
• Colors: Pink, red, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Height/Spread: 6 inches–2 feet / 6–12 inches

Rudbeckia is the go-to for that classic summer look. With their golden-yellow petals and dark centers, they brighten up any garden. They’re tough, low-maintenance, and attract pollinators, so they’re perfect for sun-drenched spaces.

• Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
• Growing Zones: 3–9 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
• Colors: Yellow, orange, red
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet

Brachycome, also known as Swan River Daisy, is a charming, low-growing annual that produces a sea of delicate, daisy-like flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white. It’s a great filler for borders or containers, thriving in sunny conditions without a fuss.

• Botanical Name: Brachyscome iberidifolia
• Growing Zones: 9–11 (Annual in others)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Fall
• Colors: Blue, pink, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 6–12 inches / 6–18 inches

Clarkia adds a delicate, cottage-garden charm with its pastel blooms. It loves full sun and thrives in less-than-perfect soil, making it a great option for sunny, dry spots. Ideal for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, cheerful addition to their borders.

• Botanical Name: Clarkia amoena
• Growing Zones: 2–10 (Annual)
• Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
• Colors: Pink, purple, white
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Height/Spread: 1–3 feet / 1–2 feet