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Make the most of the sunny spots in your garden with these hardy, sun-loving perennials. These plants are Ideal for areas with plenty of sunlight, bringing color and life to your garden.
From the drought-tolerant yarrow to the sweet fragrance of garden phlox, each plant has a unique story and role in your garden’s ecosystem.
If you’ve been unsure about adding perennials because your garden gets a lot of sun, these options will make a great addition to your outdoor space.
Here are 19 perennials for your sunny garden spaces.
1. Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in colors including yellow, white, pink, and red. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Zones 3-9
2. Agastache
Agastache is a favorite among bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It features tall spikes of fragrant flowers in purple, pink, and orange shades. Agastache requires full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is fairly pest-free and will bloom through summer. Zones 4-10
3. Calamint
With its minty aroma, Calamint produces clouds of tiny, delicate flowers. It’s an excellent choice for attracting bees and creating a low-maintenance, sun-loving ground cover. It is easy to grow, and unlike true mints, it will not spread wildly. It makes an excellent addition to a herb garden. Zones 5-9.
4. Bellflower
Bellflowers boast beautiful bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white. They’re perfect for adding a splash of color to sunny borders and attract pollinators with their nectar-rich blooms.
5. Perennial Foxglove
Foxglove has tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, perfect for adding height to shaded gardens. Blooms late spring to early summer. Zones 4-10
6. Sneezeweed
Its bright, daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer and fall, adding vibrant colors to the sunny garden. The flowers are in shades of yellow, red, and bronze, making them ideal for cutting. Despite its name, it does not cause sneezing or allergies. Zone 3-10
7. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Also known as Echinacea, Coneflower boasts nectar-rich blooms that attract bees. This resilient plant thrives in the sun and requires minimal care, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Flowers will bloom in summer and continue until frost. Zones 4-9
8. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a win-win plant; it keeps mosquitoes at bay and attracts butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Bee balm grows in almost any soil condition but thrives in evenly moist ones. It’s a part of the mint family, so it spreads easily and will give you lots of blooms from mid to late summer. Zones 4-8
9. Columbine
Columbine is a perennial with bright flowers contrasting against dark, clover-shaped leaves. Available in various colors, including two-tone, its unique bell-shaped flowers with five spurs catch the eye. This sun-loving perennial is Ideal for slopes, ledges, or open garden spaces. Columbine adds beauty, attracts wildlife, and deters deer. Zones 3-9
10. Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed, a form of milkweed, is a brightly colored wildflower. It blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. This sun-loving plant thrives in light, sandy soil with good drainage. Zones 3-9
11. False Indigo
Known for its striking spikes of brilliant blue color, False Indigo is a robust plant that thrives in the sun. This plant is practically indestructible, so it is best planted in well-drained soil where you want it to stay for a long time. Zones 3-9
12. Spurge
This diverse genus includes many sun-loving varieties that offer unique foliage and greenish flowers. Spurge is drought-tolerant once established. There are over 2000 kinds of plants that are easy to grow. The milky white sap is a deterrent to deer and other pests. Overall, it makes an excellent addition to any garden, especially a rock garden. Zones 4-10.
13. Geranium
Perennial Geraniums are hardy perennials that bloom in various colors and prefer full sun to light shade. It is easy to grow and flourishes in simple, well-drained, fertile soil. It is pest-free and disease-free and blooms from early summer to fall. Zones 4-7
14. Catmint
Catmint produces lavender-blue flowers throughout the summer. It’s easy to grow, drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun to partial shade. This sun loving plant is not fussy about soil conditions and grows anywhere from 18-24 inches. Zones 3-8
15. Garden Phlox
Phlox blooms is a classic garden plant that has a sweet fragrance that’s irresistible to bees. It comes in many colors, including pink, purple, white, and lavender, with some varieties having a central eye of contrasting color. Zones 4-8
16. Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Sedum varieties are completely maintenance-free and love the sun. They provide late-season blooms and are excellent for attracting butterflies. These flowers are long-lasting and dry well for winter arrangements. Zones 3-9
17. Balloon Flower
Named for its unique balloon-shaped buds, this plant opens into beautiful star-shaped flowers. It prefers full sun to partial shade. This well-behaved plant adds a bright note wherever it is planted. It requires little to no maintenance and will bloom throughout the summer. Zones 3-8.
18. Black Eye Susan
With their striking yellow flowers, Black-Eyed Susans are excellent at attracting butterflies. These hardy, sun-loving plants can thrive in various conditions, making them a versatile choice for any butterfly garden. They are relatively pest-free, blooming in midsummer until hard frost. Use this beautiful plant as a border plant, ground cover for sunny spots, or plant it in large groups in the flower or vegetable garden. Zones 3-9
19. Shasta Daisy
Add charm to your garden with Shasta Daisy. Shasta daisies have simple white flowers. This low-maintenance perennial does best in rich, well-drained soil but needs full sun and regular watering to thrive. Shasta daisies will bloom all summer and reach heights from 12-39 inches. Zones 4-9.
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