27 Perennials That Thrive in Full Sun Gardens
If your backyard basks under the radiant sun for most of the day, these beautiful perennial flowers for full sun gardens are some of our top picks to consider. Not only will these perennials bloom repeatedly year after year, but they’ll also happily tolerate bright, direct sunlight and extended periods of hot and humid weather.
Full Sun Perennials: The Basics
In gardening, full sun refers to a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. These conditions are ideal for many sun-loving perennials. Full sun areas typically have little to no shade during the day, and the exposure can vary from morning to afternoon sun.
For those new to perennial gardening, see our in-depth guide to the various types of perennial flowers to grow at home.
1) Coneflower (Echinacea)
This prairie native is tough as nails, with large, daisy-like blooms that bring wildflower meadow vibes to your garden. Known for its purple petals and prominent center cone, it’s a flower that attracts beneficial insects each season. It stands tall even in sweltering heat and humid weather.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Purple, Pink, White
- Zones: 3–9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 1-2 feet
2) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susans are as American as apple pie, with their sunny yellow petals and dark centers. These perennials spread easily and can create a cheerful meadow vibe. Give them full sun, and they’ll bloom endlessly through summer and into fall.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow with Dark Center
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-3 feet / 1-2 feet
3) Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)
The Shasta Daisy is your classic “white picket fence” flower. Its bright white petals and yellow center make it feel like the garden’s happy-go-lucky friend. Shastas love the sun and are easy to grow, making them a must for any sunny spot.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: White with Yellow Center
- Zones: 5-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 1-2 feet
4) Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender brings more than just good looks; it brings scent and serenity. Its soft purple spikes wave in the breeze, giving your garden a Mediterranean touch. Lavender adores sunny, dry spots, and once established, it thrives with minimal water.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Purple, Pink, White
- Zones: 5-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-3 feet / 1-2 feet
5) Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
With spiky blooms in shades of blue, purple, and pink, Salvia adds structure to your sunny garden. Bees and hummingbirds love it, and the deer won’t touch it—a win-win! It’s a “plant it and forget it” kind of perennial, which is music to a busy gardener’s ears.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Blue, Purple, Pink
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
6) Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
Coreopsis brings golden-yellow cheer to any flower bed, and its fine, feathery foliage is a bonus. Hardy and sun-loving, it’s the garden’s overachiever, blooming longer than most perennials. You’ll get loads of flowers for little effort.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow, Orange, Red
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-3 feet / 1-2 feet
7) Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies come in so many colors that you’d think they’re running their own fashion show. Their blooms last just a day (hence the name), but don’t worry—new ones pop up right behind them. They also love the summer heat, thriving in full sun all season long.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Red, Yellow, Pink, Orange
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-4 feet / 2-3 feet
8) Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is like a magnet for pollinators—hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies can’t resist its spiky blooms. The reds, pinks, and purples bring bold color to any garden. Give it room in the sun and watch it thrive; just be ready for some buzzing company.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Early Fall
- Colors: Red, Pink, Purple
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 2-3 feet
9) Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
With its red and yellow blooms, Blanket Flower looks like it’s been kissed by fire. Tough as nails, this wildflower loves the sun and can handle poor soil like a champ. It’s the kind of plant that brings a little desert flair to your backyard.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Red, Yellow, Orange
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
10) Sedum (Sedum spectabile)
Sedum’s fleshy leaves and pink flowers make it both eye-catching and drought-tolerant. It’s a great “last hurrah” plant for late summer into fall. Perfect for those dry, sunny spots where other plants might throw in the towel.
- Flowering Season: Late Summer to Fall
- Colors: Pink, Red, White
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
11) Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage offers an airy cloud of silver foliage and lavender-blue flowers. It thrives in full sun, providing a lovely haze of color all summer long. Think of it as the cool, unbothered plant that doesn’t need much from you but still looks stunning.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Lavender, Blue
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 3-5 feet / 2-4 feet
12) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow’s flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers come in a range of colors, from yellow to pink to red. It’s tough, drought-resistant, and loves basking in the sun. A no-nonsense option that brings texture and color without the need for fussing.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow, Pink, Red, White
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 1-2 feet
13) Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Phlox is like that friendly neighbor who’s always around in the summer. Its sweet fragrance and big clusters of blooms make it a favorite. This plant thrives in full sun and puts on a show of pink, purple, or white flowers that last well into late summer.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Pink, Purple, White
- Zones: 4-8
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 2-3 feet
14) Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is as carefree as they come, with soft, gray-green leaves and spikes of blue flowers. It’s the plant that cats might love a little too much, but it’s also a treat for bees and butterflies. Perfect for full-sun borders, and it reblooms with just a little trimming.
- Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
- Colors: Blue, Lavender
- Zones: 3-8
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 2-3 feet
15) Hollyhock (Alcea)
Tall, majestic hollyhocks are like the skyscrapers of cottage gardens. Their towering spikes of blooms can reach up to 8 feet, so they need plenty of sunlight to shine. The variety of colors is endless, and they’ll give your garden an old-fashioned charm.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Pink, Red, Yellow, White
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 6-8 feet / 1-2 feet
16) Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri)
Gaura’s delicate, butterfly-like flowers float above the foliage in pink and white. It’s a low-maintenance perennial that thrives in full sun and poor soil. If you like a wild, whimsical feel in the garden, Gaura’s your flower.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Pink, White
- Zones: 5-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-3 feet / 2-3 feet
17) Speedwell (Veronica)
Speedwell’s tidy spikes of blue, purple, or white blooms add a touch of refinement to sunny borders. This perennial is like the punctual guest who arrives just as the garden’s other flowers are fading. Easy to care for, just give it sun and a little space to spread.
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
- Colors: Blue, Purple, White
- Zones: 3-8
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
18) Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)
Tickseed offers a burst of yellow or orange blooms that just keep coming. It loves the sun and can handle dry conditions with grace. It’s a bit of a self-starter, so you’ll get repeat blooms without much coaxing.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Yellow, Orange, Red
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
19) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed is bright, bold, and exactly what monarch butterflies are looking for. Its orange blooms stand out in any sunny garden, and it’s drought-tolerant to boot. Plant it once, and you’ll get flowers and butterflies for years to come.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Orange, Yellow
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-3 feet / 1-2 feet
20) Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)
Penstemon has tubular blooms that bees and hummingbirds find irresistible. It’s a native plant that thrives in full sun, with colors ranging from white to deep purple. Once you see those bees zipping around, you’ll understand why it’s a garden favorite.
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
- Colors: White, Purple, Pink
- Zones: 3-8
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-3 feet / 1-2 feet
21) Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
The cousin of Gaillardia, this perennial also sports fiery red and yellow blooms that last through summer. It thrives in full sun and poor soil, making it a go-to for gardeners with hot, dry conditions. Plus, its long bloom time makes it a true workhorse in the garden.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Red, Yellow, Orange
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 1-2 feet / 1-2 feet
22) Liatris (Liatris spicata)
Liatris, with its tall purple spikes, adds vertical interest to any sunny garden. It’s drought-tolerant and easy to grow, and butterflies love it. Think of it as the plant that brings a little drama in the best way possible.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Early Fall
- Colors: Purple, White
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 1-2 feet
23) Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
The Ice Plant may sound chilly, but it loves basking in the sun. Its low-growing, succulent leaves and bright magenta flowers are perfect for hot, dry spots. It is a great choice if you want a ground cover that blooms all summer long.
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Colors: Magenta, Pink, Purple
- Zones: 5-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 0.5-1 foot / 1-2 feet
24) Foxglove (Digitalis)
Foxglove’s tall spires of bell-shaped flowers are show-stoppers in any sunny garden. The bees can’t get enough of them, and you’ll love the cottage garden feel they bring. Just keep in mind that all parts of this plant are toxic—so it’s more for looking than nibbling!
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
- Colors: Pink, Purple, White
- Zones: 4-10
- Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Height/Spread: 3-6 feet / 1-2 feet
25) Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft is a low-growing perennial with small, delicate white flowers. It loves full sun and is great for rock gardens or borders. The name may sound sweet, but this tough little plant can handle heat like a champ.
- Flowering Season: Spring to Summer
- Colors: White
- Zones: 3-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 0.5-1 foot / 1-2 feet
26) Peony (Paeonia)
Peonies are the grand dames of the flower world, with huge, fluffy blooms that steal the show. They adore the sun and, once established, they’re surprisingly low-maintenance. A little patience is required, but boy, are they worth the wait.
- Flowering Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
- Colors: Pink, White, Red
- Zones: 3-8
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-3 feet / 2-3 feet
27) Agastache (Agastache foeniculum)
Agastache’s fragrant, minty foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers make it a standout in any sunny spot. Hummingbirds can’t resist it, and you’ll love its carefree nature. This plant thrives on neglect—just plant it in full sun and watch it flourish.
- Flowering Season: Summer to Fall
- Colors: Lavender, Pink, Blue
- Zones: 4-9
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Height/Spread: 2-4 feet / 1-2 feet
Resources and Further Reading
Want to learn more about perennial flowers? Here are some of my favorite resources:
Books:
- “Essential Perennials” by Ruth Rogers Clausen and Thomas Christopher – A comprehensive guide to over 2,700 perennials, this book is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge about different varieties and growing conditions.
- “The Well-Tended Perennial Garden” by Tracy DiSabato-Aust – Focused on planting, pruning, and maintaining perennials, this is a must-have for those who want to understand how to care for their gardens season after season.
- “The Flower Gardener’s Bible” by Lewis and Nancy Hill – Offers detailed advice on how to create a beautiful flower garden that includes perennials, annuals, and garden design tips. Great for beginners.
- “The Encyclopedia of Perennials” by The American Horticultural Society – This is an excellent reference book for plant identification, care, and placement. It covers a wide range of perennials with detailed care instructions .
- “Color in Your Garden” by Penelope Hobhouse – Known for its insights into perennial 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 perennial flowers, with tips for planting and maintenance.
Try these apps:
- PlantSnap (plant identification)
- GardenTags (gardening community)
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 perennials.
YouTube Channels
For visual learners, channels such as Garden Answer offer practical video tutorials. They cover everything from planting techniques to seasonal care tips for perennials.
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.