The 14 Best Full-Sun Perennials, According To Gardening Pros

American Beautyberry

Want a plant that has white flowers before producing stunning purple-hued round berries? Plant American Beautyberry. "Small clusters of white flowers bloom in the late spring and early summer and the bright berries encircle the stems from August through October," says Nicole Dillon, micro-flower farmer and owner of Breemar Flower Farm based in Ashland, Virginia. The berries are an important food source for many bird species, especially in the colder months when there is less available. "The fruit(s) will remain on the stems through winter and are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals," she says. As long as you grow them in a sunny area, these hardy plants will grow well in most types of soil so long as it drains well. 

Bee Balm

If you want to grow natives well-suited to the South, Bee Balm or Oswego Tea is a wonderful choice. "Known for its vibrant red, tubular flowers arranged in dense clusters atop sturdy stems, it attracts pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies throughout the summer months," says Laura Root, a horticulturist for Jackson & Perkins. This herb can manage in a variety of soil conditions and is drought-tolerant, too, after it's established. "Monarda didyma thrives in sunny garden beds and provides both ornamental beauty and ecological benefits as a native plant species," she says.

Black-eyed Susan

Native plants are important to grow for biodiversity and for creating habitat and food sources for wildlife, such as birds, bees and butterflies. "Black-eyed Susans are hardy, easy to grow, and excellent for attracting pollinators," says Root. "It produces cheerful yellow flowers with dark centers that bloom from summer to fall."

Cardinal Flower

Consider the Cardinal flower if one of your goals is to plant more native plants in your landscape. "Cardinal flowers send up tall red spikes that when planted in mass, attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their sweet nectar," says Dillon. "This plant is native to almost all of the United States (with the exception of the Northwest) meaning it should thrive when given the right conditions," explains Dillon. 

Eastern Blue Star

Looking to add more flowers to your garden space to attract pollinators? "Eastern Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) bursts full of baby blue star-like clusters that appear as large flowers in spring," says Dillon. "Then in fall, the foliage transitions to a beautiful golden color." This can grow in a variety of conditions and is drought-tolerant, so if you forget to water your plants or live in a drier area, this is a good option. 

Hardy Hibiscus

If you're wanting to add a stunning tropical flower that grows well in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, grow hardy hibiscus. Dillon says it's her favorite full-sun perennial to grow, and neighbors frequently ask her about this flower. "I grow ‘Midnight Marvel’ hibiscus paired with ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Red Switchgrass, and Ginger Wine NineBark, all of which are perennial," says Dillon. Be patient for it to bloom, which is typically around the start of summer. "Hardy hibiscus are some of the last plants to break dormancy, so make sure you give it time to do so," she says. "Because of its indeterminate bud nodes along the stems, this plant continues to flower from June through the first frost."

Lantana

Lantana have striking pom-pom style blooms made up of smaller flowers that can look like mini suction cups. "Lantana is a beautiful, floriferous summer perennial [and] is loaded with blooms all summer and brings the tropics to your backyard with its blended orange, hot pink, and yellow petals," says Dillon. Hummingbirds love these flowers, so grow them if you want to attract them to your yard. These grow well in zones 7-11. "If you’re in the lower zones, give them a thick mulch layer for extra protection during the winter," Dillon adds. 

Torch Lily

“Kniphofia, commonly known as ‘red hot poker’ or ‘torch lily,’ is prized for its striking, torch-like flower spikes in shades of red, orange, and yellow," shares Root. This is a favorite among hummingbirds, who enjoy the blooms in late spring through the summer months. Deer typically leave this plant alone, so you don't have to worry about them munching on it.