Every gardener dreams of a landscape bursting with nonstop color from the first signs of spring to the last days of fall. While many long-blooming perennials help you achieve that, the true secret lies in choosing the right plants for the right conditions—and planting them in a way that ensures continued interest.
For example, selecting a mix of shade and sun perennials allows you to create a succession of blooms that thrive as the seasons change. That way, your garden never has a dull moment.
From Spring Shade to Summer Sunshine
In early spring, flowering shade perennials take the spotlight. These cool-weather plants, including hellebores, columbine, violas, and bleeding heart, provide a stunning burst of color just when we need it most. As temperatures rise, however, the garden begins to shift.
Soon enough, these spring stars begin to fade, making room for the bright, heat-loving sun perennials to take over. By thoughtfully layering your garden, you can ensure that when one group of plants starts to fade, another begins to shine.
Hellebore
Bleeding Heart
Why Choose Sun Perennials?
Sun perennials are the backbone of summer gardens. Thriving in full sunlight, they offer impressive flower power even during the hottest months of the year. Moreover, many of them are drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and require very little maintenance.
Whether you’re filling a sunny border, planting a pollinator garden, or starting a new bed from scratch, sun perennials give you long-lasting beauty season after season. Not only that, several of the best-known varieties have been recognized by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year™, making them reliable choices for gardeners of every level.
Daisy
Coreopsis
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
Russian Sage
Coneflower
Catmint
Our Top 10 Perennials for Sun
Here are ten of our favorite sun perennials, several of which are award-winning, tried-and-true performers. Each one brings color, texture, and resilience to the sunny garden.
1. Becky Shasta Daisy
With crisp white petals and sunny yellow centers, Becky is a cheerful bloomer that lights up any garden bed. Because of its sturdy stems and long vase life, it’s a favorite for cut flower arrangements. (2003 winner)
2. Moonbeam Coreopsis
This soft butter-yellow variety is a delicate addition to the garden and shines particularly well in the evening light. Even better, it pairs beautifully with other summer bloomers. (1993 winner)
3. Rozanne Geranium
Rozanne is a garden workhorse. Its vibrant blue-violet flowers bloom for months, while its foliage turns a striking red in fall. As a result, it adds multi-season interest. (2008 winner)
4. Russian Sage
Silver-gray foliage and spires of tiny lavender-blue flowers make Russian Sage a standout. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also deer-resistant and tolerant of dry soil. (1995 winner)
5. Magnus Coneflower (Echinacea)
Tall and bold, Magnus boasts rosy-pink blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and birds alike. In addition to its good looks, it’s a powerhouse for pollinator gardens. (1998 winner)
6. Walker’s Low Nepeta (Catmint)
Fragrant, velvety foliage is topped with clouds of purple-blue flowers that just keep coming. Because it blooms repeatedly, it’s perfect for edging sunny walkways. (2007 winner)
7. May Night Salvia
Known for its striking deep blue-purple flower spikes, this sun perennial mixes well with daylilies and coreopsis. Furthermore, it reblooms if trimmed back after flowering. (1997 winner)
8. Goldsturm Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Bright golden petals with contrasting dark centers make this a cottage garden classic. Even better, it’s easy to grow and performs well in a variety of soils. (1999 winner)
9. Autumn Joy Sedum
With succulent-like foliage and soft pink blooms that mature to rust red, this sun perennial shines in late summer and fall. It’s also excellent for attracting butterflies and resisting drought.
10. Stella D’Oro Daylily
Compact, low-maintenance, and loaded with golden yellow blooms, this little daylily punches above its weight. Plus, it reblooms throughout the season, adding value and color.
May Night Salvia
Black Eyed Susan
Stella D’Oro Daylily
Autumn Joy Sedum
What Is a Perennial Plant of the Year™?
The Perennial Plant Association awards this honor each year to a perennial that stands out for its performance, adaptability, and beauty. To be chosen, a plant must thrive across many growing zones, resist pests and disease, and offer multi-season interest.
Therefore, if you’re unsure where to start when building your list of sun perennials, choosing past award winners is a great first step. Not only are they reliable, but they also bring proven beauty and resilience to the garden.
To explore the full list of winners, visit www.perennialplant.org
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