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  3. 20 Flowers That Thrive in Full Sun

20 Flowers That Thrive in Full Sun

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated May 11, 2022
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Poppies
Credit: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images

Sunlight is extremely important when it comes to growing plants, whether outside or indoors, because light is necessary for photosynthesis—the process by which light, oxygen, and water are converted into energy. Plants cannot grow or bloom without this energy. Therefore, lack of adequate light will result in plant growth being severely stunted, or even result in plants dying. On the other hand, there is such a thing as plants getting too much sunlight. Exposure to too much sunlight can not only result in your plants becoming scorched, bleached, or otherwise damaged, but it can also result in their death. However, there are some plants that thrive in the light.

The Southern sun is no match for these bright beauties. Southern states are known for intense summer temperatures, and that weather forecast can be a challenge for gardeners. When it comes to cultivating flowers, we look for species that can stand up to the often blistering sun of Southern climates. Here, we've rounded up flowers that thrive in full sun. They look good in the summer, spring, or fall, as long as the sun is shining. Plant them as a part of a container, or put them in a beautiful flowerbed to add some color and personality to the garden. No matter which way you work them, the blossoming blooms are sure to be stunners in the sunshine.

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Angelonia

Purple Serena Angelonia
Credit: Van Chaplin

This beauty is also known as summer snapdragon, and not only does it love the sun, but it also only needs to be watered about once a week. It's a great choice for hot, sunny spots, and it can thrive in a container.

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Calibrachoa

ball-field-trials-007-copy-e1432143840985.jpg
Credit: Steve Bender

Calibrachoa—also known as "million bells" due to its proliferation of beautiful blooms—thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade and even a bit of drought.

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Chrysanthemum

Pink Mums in Vase
Credit: Alison Miksch

Mums are meant for sharing, and they make it easy to do so. Heirloom mums grow in clumps and can be passed along in a pot. Mums grow between two and three feet, and are best for sharing in late fall or spring. Some even look like daisies!

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Coneflower

Rose-Pink Coneflowers
Credit: Ralph Anderson

These Southern natives thrive in heat and humidity. They bloom best in full sun but can tolerate a little afternoon shade. Coneflowers can be drought-tolerant, but should be watered regularly in their first season. The wildflowers attract birds, bees, and butterflies and make excellent cut flowers.

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Cosmos

Cosmos
Credit: Getty Images

These beautiful, many-petaled flowers are easy to grow from seed and aren't picky when it comes to soil and water. They can withstand bright sun, but in extremely hot areas they can tolerate a bit of shade.

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Delphinum

Delphinium
Credit: AndreaAstes/Getty Images

These big, beautiful bloomers send up colorful flowers on tall spikes and can withstand hot climates. They require up to eight hours of sun a day and will repeatedly bloom during the summer.

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Euphorbia

Euphorbia
Credit: Mandy Disher Photography/Getty Images

Most blooming euphorbias love the sun and need six or more hours of it to thrive. These are hardy plants that come in a variety of forms, foliage, and flower shapes.

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Fan Flower

Purple Fanflower
Credit: Van Chaplin

Fan Flower, also known as Scaevola, is a summer annual that will need to be watered about three times a week and does best in containers.

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Foxglove

Foxglove
Credit: Picture Partners/Getty Images

Showy foxgloves thrive in full sun. Though, they are also known to grow well in shady environments. They take to moist soils amended with organic matter, but they're tolerant of most soil types.

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Geranium

Geranium
Credit: YONCA60/Getty Images

These gorgeous, sun-loving plants need bright light to thrive. In shadier environments, they will grow leggy instead of bushy and won't bloom as profusely.

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Impatiens

Variety of Impatiens Colors
Credit: Getty/Coast-to-Coast

Not all impatiens thrive in full sun, but some of them really do. Track down varieties that love sunny spots, and you'll have plenty of flowers on your hands come summertime.

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Lantana

Pink Lantana in Pot
Credit: Hector M Sanchez

It's never too hot or too dry for a lantana planting. A beautifully-potted lantana will give color all summer and fall. The heat-tolerant plant loves full sun, and you only need a few plants to put on a show. Lantana seedlings can be invasive, so plant selections that set little or no seed such as 'Gold Mound' and 'Pinkie.'

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Pansy

Yellow Pansies

Pansies are the easiest way for new and experienced gardeners to bring cheer to a fall garden. So long as they have full sun, pansies will thrive in flowerbeds or containers.

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Peony

Peonies in Vase
Credit: Alison Miksch

We know they make beautiful cut flowers, but while in the garden they love full sun. When cutting from the garden, do so in the early morning and choose buds that are just beginning to open.

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Poppy

Poppies
Credit: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images

Sow some poppy seeds for happy, rainbow-hued blooms come summertime. Poppies need at least six hours of full sun and plenty of well-drained soil to grow their best.

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Salvia

Yellow Sage
Credit: Roger Foley

Hummingbirds and butterflies love these attractive blooms. Cousin to the culinary sage, these plants are grown mostly for show. The blossoms get big, so keep in mind when planting that they need plenty of room to grow.

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Snapdragon

Snapdragons
Credit: Getty Images

Snapdragons thrive in full sun so they're best for the brightest spots in your garden. Their spiky, many-hued blooms bring instant cheer to the garden.

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Sunflower

Sunflower
Credit: picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images

The sunniest flower of all, sunflowers, love full sun. No surprise there. They need at least six hours of direct sun a day to create those big yellow blooms they're known for.

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Viola

Purple Violas in Container
Credit: Ralph Anderson

Violas grow in a range of colors including, white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and even black. Newer selections are cold weather tolerant, making them ideal to plant in the Lower, Middle, Coastal, and Tropical South in the fall.

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Zinnia

Colorful Zinnias
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

You can't ask for a more beautiful addition to your garden than Zinnias. The easiest annuals to start from seeds, these bright buds will bloom in containers until an autumn frost. Snip them just as they are beginning to open for a show-stopping centerpiece.

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    1 of 20 Angelonia
    2 of 20 Calibrachoa
    3 of 20 Chrysanthemum
    4 of 20 Coneflower
    5 of 20 Cosmos
    6 of 20 Delphinum
    7 of 20 Euphorbia
    8 of 20 Fan Flower
    9 of 20 Foxglove
    10 of 20 Geranium
    11 of 20 Impatiens
    12 of 20 Lantana
    13 of 20 Pansy
    14 of 20 Peony
    15 of 20 Poppy
    16 of 20 Salvia
    17 of 20 Snapdragon
    18 of 20 Sunflower
    19 of 20 Viola
    20 of 20 Zinnia

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