What Plants Do Well in Full Sun?

Some plants, from prickly cacti to flowering plumosa trees, require full sun to thrive. Others wilt, fade or turn brown in full sun, like impatiens, bromeliads and many types of ferns. One of the keys to determining whether a plant is suited for full sun lies in its tolerance to drought, since the ground tends to dry out quickly if it's constantly getting beamed by the sun.

Flowers

A wide range of flowering plants thrive in the full sun, many of them native to the Southwest, which typically has more days of sunshine than other parts of the country. These plants also tend to be tolerant of both heat and dry soil, two byproducts of constant sunshine. Marigolds and daisies are at the top of the list, but lavender, verbena, Russian sage, butterfly weed, coreopsis, purple coneflower, blanket flower, day lilies, verbena, aster and lamb's ear also are included.

Vines

Many vines thrive in full sun, which isn't surprising since their inherent climbing nature tends to send them skyward toward the sun without interference from other vegetation. Lantana produces clusters of attractive yellow, purple or multicolored flowers and spreads like wildfire in the sun.So does bouganvilla, with its distinctive red, orange or purple leaves. Grape vines add a touch of Italy to any garden and do best in full-sun areas in parts of the country with Mediterranean climates, like Southern California. Other vines suited for full sun include jasmine and honeysuckle.

Larger Perennials

Several larger perennials also thrive in full sun, including daisy trees, hibiscus, Mexican marigold and rock orchids. The two latter plants are fast-growing bushes that erupt in bright bursts of bloom--yellow-orange for the Mexican marigold and purple for the rock orchid.

Cacti and Succulents

Desert plants like cacti and succulents also do well in areas with full sun. And they should--they're certainly used to it. Try a rock garden with aloes, sedums and maybe a barrel cactus or two. Prickly pear also is an unusual-looking addition--the plant can get quite big and yields tasty fruit (be careful when removing the thorns).

Roses

Roses, from climbers to English tea roses and rose bushes, thrive in full sun. Some of the most famous rose gardens in the world feature no shade at all, including Canada's world-famous Butchart Gardens.

References

• Full Sun Plants