You’ve likely seen some plants whither in direct sunlight, but many flowering perennials plants thrive when in a full day of sun. What exactly is “full sun?” A planting location is considered to be in full sun if it receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight on most days. 

Here are Tami’s favorite 10 perennials that thrive in full sun conditions and be sure to see photos of the entire collection below!

1 – Geum Red Dragon

Low mounding leaves with flower stems topped with many 1” flowers that dance in the breeze. Height 16-20”, width 12-18”. Blooms early to late summer.

2 – Sedum Thunderhead

Darker gray-green foliage, strong sturdy stems hold up large dep rose flowerheads. Height up to 27”, width up to 24”. Blooms July-August.

3 – Sedum Sunsparkler Series

Dazzleberry, Firecracker, Lime Twister, Lime Zinger, Sedoro Blue Elf. The name says it all! Beautiful foliage and bright flowerheads. Low mounding. Height 6-8”, width 10-12”.

4 – Nepeta Purrsian Blue

Compact mounding plant with periwinkle blue flowers from May to September. Foliage has a pleasant fragrance and attracts bees and butterflies. Deer and rabbit resistant. Height 12-18”, width 18-24”.

5 – Agastache Blue Fortune

Great pollinator plant, bee & butterfly magnet. Flowers from July-September. Beautiful lavender blue flowers. Height 2-3’, width 1.5-2’.

6 – Lychnis Orange Gnome

Low busy mounds of bronzy-purple foliage with orange-scarlet flowers. Great boarder plant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Height 12-26”, width 10-12”.

7 – Baptisia American Goldfinch

A great specimen plant to take up space and be noticed! Yellow flower spikes against blue-green foliage. Blooms late spring to early summer. Height 3-3.5′, width 4.5-5′. 

8 – Gaillardia Arizona Apricot

Compact plant with medium green foliage and flowers that are yellow with a touch of apricot in the center. Long blooming if dead headed weekly. Attracts butterflies and bees. Height 10-12″, width 10-12″. 

9 – Rudbeckia Triloba Prairie Glow

Orange-red and yellow blooms with a chocolate eye. New this year with an exciting change of color for black eyed Susans! Deer resistant. Height 3-4′, width 2-2.5′. 

10 – Little Blue Stem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Beautiful upright, narrow habit of blue-gray foliage turning to burgundy-red in fall. Flower stems appear in July-August, appearing as delicate seed heads. Clump grass. Height 2-4’, width 1.5-2.5’