Full Sun Plants are a great choice for those gardeners with sunny patches. Check the post for best options for direct sun.
Gardeners with abundant sunlight are quite fortunate. Although every garden space has suitable plants, areas with full sun are the simplest to fill with vibrant flora. Plenty of plants flourish in sunny spots, but what does it really mean when we say “full sun”?
How to Measure Full Sun
To determine how much sunlight your garden receives, observe the light throughout the day after trees have developed their leaves in spring. A spot is considered “full sun” if it receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight during the day. Direct sunlight refers to light that isn’t filtered through leaves or other obstacles.
Plants that thrive in full sun are a great match for these conditions. A wide range of them is available. These plants are often drought-resistant, which makes them easier to care for and more eco-friendly.
Growing plants in full sun has its challenges. A sunny spot can become extremely hot and dry. Watch for signs of heat stress on your plants, especially during the intense afternoon sun, and ensure they receive enough water to stay healthy.
Outdoor Plants That Prefer Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is a gift for plants, offering many options for flowers and vegetables that thrive in full sun. You can check some of the popular full-sun plants grouped into three categories: annuals, perennials, and vegetables.
Annual Plants for Full Sun
Annual flowers that prefer full sun bring dynamic color and energy to garden beds, borders, containers, and patios. Since they last for only one season, you can refresh your garden each year to create new and exciting displays. These flowers are outstanding sun lovers. They are ideal for areas with plenty of sunlight. Here’s a list of some great choices for full sun spots:
1. Sunflower
Sunflowers are simple to grow from seed and offer a lovely display of blooms in late summer and fall.
2. Verbena
Verbena can be a perennial, but it performs best as an annual in hot, sunny areas. It displays delicate, small flowers in a variety of colors in sunny gardens.
3. Marigold
These pretty annuals enjoy full sun and also deter rabbits from your vegetable garden by emitting a spicy fragrance.
4. Petunia
A classic full sun annual with a range of lively colors and consistent blooms, petunias are perfect for containers or as border plants, where they can elegantly spill over the edges.
5. Moss Rose
Native to South America, this full-sun annual plant flourishes in a low mat and produces ruffled petals in many shades.
6. Helenium
Helenium is a beautiful annual that offers yellow blooms constantly with light and feathery leaves.
7. Lantana
Lantana is a lovely annual with rounded clusters of tiny flowers that exhibit beautiful color transitions, resembling a rainbow. These plants have a shrub-like growth pattern and can endure dry conditions.
Vegetables for Full Sun
If you have a spot with full sun, you’re fortunate—it’s ideal for growing many vegetables. While some cooler-season crops like leafy greens, lettuces, radishes, and leeks tend to thrive in partial shade, especially during the summer heat, most vegetables flourish with at least six hours of direct sunlight. For full-sun areas, consider growing:
- Corn
- Peas
- Beans
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Peppers
Perennial Plants for Full Sun
Perennial plants return each year, which makes them a long-lasting addition to your garden. They offer a great chance to incorporate native species and attract pollinators. Here are some perennial plants that thrive in full sun:
Peony
Given the proper conditions, peonies will produce lavish, oversized blooms in hues of pink and white, delighting you year after year.
Lavender
Lavender flourishes as a perennial in warmer climates, thriving in hot, sunny, and even dry conditions. It rewards you with a lovely fragrance and can be harvested as a useful herb.
Hollyhock
Hollyhock is a perfect choice for a tall flowering perennial with a cottage garden vibe, and it thrives in full sun.
Daylily
Daylilies bring plenty of lively colors to your garden starting in early summer. They’re easy to grow, and by regularly dividing them, you can spread their beauty to other parts of your garden.
Coneflower
This tall, daisy-like perennial is native to much of North America. Although traditionally purple, coneflower varieties are now available in a range of other colors.
Pinks
Dianthus, also known as pinks, flourishes in full sun. It produces distinct pink flowers with white edges and a fringed texture, typically growing on short stalks.
Hardy Geranium
This robust variety of geranium forms mounds and offers a prolonged flowering period. Additionally, it has a pleasant fragrance.
Bee Balm
The distinctive flowers not only add dynamic colors to your garden but also attract a variety of pollinators.
