10 Best Flowering Perennial Plants for Full Sun Gardens

Table of Contents

10 Best Flowering Perennial Plants for Full Sun Gardens

If you're looking to add some color to your garden, there's nothing like a beautiful flowering perennial. However, not all plants thrive in full sun, which can make it challenging to design a garden that stays blooming all season long. In this article, we've compiled a list of the best flowering perennial plants that love the sun and will keep your garden looking radiant all summer.

1. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

What is Black-eyed Susan?

Black-eyed Susan is a common name for Rudbeckia hirta, a North American species of flowering plants in the sunflower family. They typically grow to be two feet tall, with bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center cone.

Planting and Care

Black-eyed Susans prefer to be planted in fertile, well-draining soil in full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established, but will benefit from regular watering during their first growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Black-eyed Susans are native to much of the United States and Canada and can be grown in USDA zones 3-9.

2. Coneflower (Echinacea)

What is Coneflower?

Coneflower, or Echinacea, is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. They are perennials that produce large, showy flowers with prominent center cones.

Planting and Care

Coneflowers prefer to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They prefer to be watered deeply but infrequently, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Coneflowers are native to eastern and central North America and can be grown in USDA zones 3-8.

3. Daylily (Hemerocallis)

What is Daylily?

Daylilies are a genus of herbaceous flowering plants native to Eurasia. They produce clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange, red, pink, yellow, and white.

Planting and Care

Daylilies prefer to be planted in fertile, moist soil in full sun. They benefit from regular watering during their first growing season but are drought-tolerant once established. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Daylilies can be grown in USDA zones 4-9.

4. Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

What is Shasta Daisy?

Shasta daisies are a hybrid species of daisy that produce large, white-petaled flowers surrounding a yellow center. They are named after Mount Shasta in California, where the original plants were first cultivated.

Planting and Care

Shasta daisies prefer to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They prefer to be watered deeply but infrequently, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Shasta daisies can be grown in USDA zones 5-8.

5. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

What is Salvia?

Salvia is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the mint family. They are perennials that produce a profusion of spiky flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.

Planting and Care

Salvias prefer to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They prefer to be watered deeply but infrequently, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Salvias can be grown in USDA zones 4-9.

6. Catmint (Nepeta)

What is Catmint?

Catmint, or Nepeta, is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family. They are perennials that produce clusters of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage.

Planting and Care

Catmint prefers to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from regular watering during their first growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Catmint can be grown in USDA zones 3-8.

7. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

What is Russian Sage?

Russian sage is a species of flowering plant native to central Asia. It produces tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic silvery-gray foliage.

Planting and Care

Russian sage prefers to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They prefer to be watered deeply but infrequently, as overwatering can lead to root rot. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Russian sage can be grown in USDA zones 5-9.

8. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

What is Blanket Flower?

Blanket flower, or Gaillardia, is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants native to North and South America. They produce daisy-like flowers with red, orange, and yellow petals surrounding a brownish-red center disk.

Planting and Care

Blanket flowers prefer to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from regular watering during their first growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Blanket flowers can be grown in USDA zones 3-10.

9. Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)

What is Coreopsis?

Coreopsis is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants native to the Americas. They produce yellow, pink, or white daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers.

Planting and Care

Coreopsis prefers to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from regular watering during their first growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Coreopsis can be grown in USDA zones 4-9.

10. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

What is Lavender?

Lavender is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family native to the Mediterranean region. They produce clusters of fragrant purple, blue, or white flowers and are valued for their aromatic foliage.

Planting and Care

Lavender prefers to be planted in well-draining soil in full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from regular watering during their first growing season. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear.

Zone

Lavender can be grown in USDA zones 5-9.

If you are looking for low-maintenance, sun-loving perennials that deliver a burst of seasonal color, then you can't go wrong with the plants mentioned in this article. Personalize your garden design by planting different varieties and colors of these plants for blooms throughout the warmer months.

FAQ

Some frequently asked questions about flowering perennial plants:

What is a perennial plant?

A perennial plant is one that lives for more than two years and can bloom year after year.

What does full sun mean?

Full sun means that an area receives at least six hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day.

How much water do perennial plants need?

Perennial plants have varying water needs, but most prefer to be watered deeply but infrequently. It's best to check the soil moisture level before watering.

Do I need to fertilize my perennial plants in full sun?

Perennial plants benefit from a yearly application of compost or slow-release fertilizer, but it's not necessary to fertilize them more often than that.

When should I plant my perennial plants?

The best time to plant perennial plants is in the spring or fall, when the soil is moist and cool.

How often should I deadhead my perennials?

Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms to appear, so it's a good idea to do this regularly throughout the growing season.

Can I grow these plants in containers?

Many of these plants can be grown in containers, provided that they have adequate drainage and are watered regularly.

Can these