22 Lovely Biennials for Full Sun Gardens
If your garden boasts abundant bright sunshine throughout the day, these beautiful biennials that thrive in full sun are some of my top picks to consider growing. Many are also heat and drought-tolerant, making them a great option for those looking for low-maintenance color and foliage.
Full Sun Biennials: The Basics
Full-sun biennials complete their life cycle in two years and require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. These plants are perfect for gardens with uninterrupted sun exposure and often provide structure and color to landscapes and open areas in the garden.
For those new to biennial gardening, see our in-depth guide to the various types of biennial flowers to grow at home.
1) Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
This flower adds a sunny disposition to any garden with its golden petals and dark brown center. Known for attracting butterflies, it’s a hardy sun-loving biennial that doesn’t mind poor soil. Plant them, and you’ll have a patch of sunshine smiling at you in the garden.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow, Gold
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Sandy, Clay
- Height/Spread: 2-3 ft / 1-2 ft
2) Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Dame’s Rocket gives off a scent that will have you lingering in the garden longer than you planned. Its purple, pink, or white blooms bring the pollinators rushing in. Be sure to give this one room—it can spread like gossip at a garden party.
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
- Colors: Purple, Pink, White
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 2–4 ft / 1–2 ft
3) Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)
A wild beauty, Queen Anne’s Lace brings a touch of countryside elegance. Its delicate white clusters are like lace doilies on a garden table. Leave it alone, and it’ll happily invite pollinators to come and stay awhile.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Loamy
- Height/Spread: 3–4 ft / 1–2 ft
4) Siberian Wallflower (Cheiranthus allionii)
With flowers in shades of orange and yellow, the Siberian Wallflower provides a warm glow. It’s a tough customer, perfect for adding some zest to a dry, sunny spot. It’s not fussy in the least—plant it, and it’ll do the rest.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Spring to Early Summer
- Colors: Orange, Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1 ft
5) Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
This night owl blooms when the sun goes down, lighting up your garden with its soft yellow flowers. Evening Primrose might look delicate, but it’s built to last in the toughest sunny spots. It’s the friend who shows up when everyone else has gone home.
- Growing Zones: 4–9
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Sandy
- Height/Spread: 3–5 ft / 1–2 ft
- Guide: How to Grow Evening Primrose
6) Purpletop Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Purpletop Verbena is a graceful, sun-loving biennial that brings a delicate touch to garden borders. Its tall, thin stems are topped with clusters of small, lavender-purple flowers that seem to float above other plants. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Growing Zones: 7–11
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Lavender-Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy
- Height/Spread: 3-6 ft / 1-2 ft
7) Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Angelica plants are tall, structured, and elegant. Its greenish-white blooms tower above other plants, attracting bees like they’re old friends. Great for anyone who wants something that reaches for the skies.
- Growing Zones: 4–7
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Greenish-White
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 4–6 ft / 2–3 ft
8) Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
With its spiky flowers, the teasel looks like it came straight from a medieval garden. It’s great for adding an unexpected twist to your sunny, exposed borders. Plus, it attracts birds to your yard for the seed heads—talk about a win-win.
- Growing Zones: 4–9
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 5–6 ft / 2–3 ft
9) Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway is more than just a spice—it’s a hardworking sun-tolerant biennial that offers both flowers and flavor. The white umbrella-shaped blooms are a favorite among pollinators. Keep it near the kitchen garden, and you’ll never run out of uses for it.
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
10) Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Garlic Mustard is a quiet but persistent garden guest. Its white flowers may be understated, but it has a lot of utility in sun-drenched gardens. Just be mindful—once it takes root, it likes to stick around.
- Growing Zones: 4–9
- Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
11) Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum)
Fiery orange flowers make Hawkweed a standout, especially in sunny spots. It’s not demanding—give it full sun, and it’ll thrive on its own. The bees won’t be far behind once these bold blooms show up.
- Growing Zones: 3–7
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Orange
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Dry
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
12) Common Burdock (Arctium minus)
Known for its burrs, Burdock is the sun garden’s unsung hero. Those purple flowers don’t just look pretty—they attract bees like nobody’s business. Plus, its roots are edible.
- Growing Zones: 3–7
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 3–6 ft / 2–3 ft
13) Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
Houndstongue’s purple blooms and velvety leaves have a rugged, wild charm. It’s a bit of a loner but stands out in a full-sun patch. Plant it once, and you’ll be surprised how little maintenance it requires.
- Growing Zones: 3–8
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
- Colors: Reddish-Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 1–3 ft / 1–2 ft
14) Oxtongue (Picris echioides)
Oxtongue brings bright yellow flowers to the garden, and its leaves add texture. It’s easy to grow in sunny spots and quite content even in poor soil. Think of it as the garden’s low-maintenance sunshine.
- Growing Zones: 5–9
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Dry
- Height/Spread: 1–3 ft / 1–2 ft
15) Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
This one’s not for the faint of heart—it’s huge, towering over most plants. Giant Hogweed offers striking white flowers in a massive cluster, and bees absolutely love it. Just keep your distance, as its sap can irritate the skin.
- Growing Zones: 3–7
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 8–14 ft / 4–5 ft
16) Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare)
This tough, sun-loving biennial plant is all about resilience. Its spiky blue flowers will brighten up a sunny corner, and it’s as happy as a clam in dry soil. You’ll find the bees buzzing around, as they can’t resist its charm.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Blue, Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Dry
- Height/Spread: 2–3 ft / 1–2 ft
17) Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Wild Parsnip is a gardener’s paradox—beautiful but needs respect. Its yellow flowers are eye-catching, but handle it with care, as the sap can cause irritation. Despite this, it’s a great fit for naturalizing sunny areas.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 3–4 ft / 1–2 ft
18) Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Mullein is your go-to for drama, with its tall spires of soft yellow flowers. It thrives in poor, dry soil and seems to get better with a bit of neglect. You could say it’s the plant equivalent of ‘no fuss, no frills.’
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Dry
- Height/Spread: 4–7 ft / 2–3 ft
19) Silver Ragwort (Jacobaea maritima)
Silver Ragwort, with its silvery foliage and bright yellow blooms, gives your garden a metallic touch. It’s perfect for those tricky dry spots where not much else will grow, and it offers a long season of interest.
- Growing Zones: 7–10
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Yellow
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Sandy
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
20) Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa)
The bright purple thistle-like flowers of Greater Knapweed attract pollinators by the dozen. It’s a good option for anyone wanting to add a touch of wildflower charm. This colorful biennial thrives in full sun and doesn’t mind poor soil.
- Growing Zones: 3–7
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Purple
- Sunlight: Full Sun
- Soil: Well-drained, Dry
- Height/Spread: 3–4 ft / 1–2 ft
21) Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Cow Parsley brings airy, white blooms that make any garden look like it’s straight out of a meadow. It grows quickly and will take over if you let it, so keep an eye on it. Otherwise, it’s a great filler for sunny spots.
- Growing Zones: 3–9
- Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
- Colors: White
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 3–5 ft / 2–3 ft
22) Great Masterwort (Astrantia major)
Great Masterwort is a conversation starter with its intricate, pincushion-like flowers. It might be a bit more compact, but it still packs a punch in a sunny garden. You’ll find that bees and butterflies can’t resist it.
- Growing Zones: 4–7
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
- Colors: White, Pink, Red
- Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-drained
- Height/Spread: 1–2 ft / 1–2 ft
Resources And Further Reading
There’s a lot to learn and love about sun-tolerant biennial plants. Here are some of my favorite books and resources:
Books:
- “The Complete Garden Flower Book” by Lewis Hill and Susan Hill – A comprehensive guide covering over 600 plants, including sun-loving biennials, with practical growing tips and troubleshooting advice. This book is ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- “From Seed to Bloom: How to Grow over 500 Annuals, Perennials & Herbs” by Eileen Powell – This book includes detailed instructions on growing biennials that thrive in full sun.
- “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden” by Erin Benzakein – This beautifully illustrated book provides a detailed guide to growing cut flowers, including biennials like foxgloves and sweet William. It’s a favorite among gardeners for its practical advice and inspirational photography.
- “Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening” by Matt Mattus – This book is ideal for gardeners looking for a deeper understanding of flower cultivation, including how to grow and manage biennial flowers that thrive in bright, direct sunlight.
- “Color in Your Garden” by Penelope Hobhouse – Known for its insights into biennial planting designs and color schemes, this book is ideal for gardeners who want to add an artistic touch to their gardens.
Online Resources:
- National Gardening Association (NGA) – The NGA offers practical advice for growing and caring for biennial flowers, with tips for planting and maintenance.
Forums and Communities
Getting advice from fellow gardeners can be incredibly useful. Websites like GardenWeb and The National Gardening Association have forums where people share their experiences and tips for growing sun-loving biennials.
Wrapping Up
These biennials are an excellent way to bring variety, pollinators, and eye-catching blooms to your full-sun garden. Whether you want bold colors, fragrant flowers, or something resilient for tough spots, there’s a perfect biennial here for you.
Happy gardening!
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.