Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space And Add More Color To Your Garden With These 10 Beautiful Full-Sun Annuals
If you want to bring a splash of color to your garden that lasts from spring to fall, full-sun annuals should be your go-to choice.
These plants thrive in direct sunlight for at least six hours per day, making them perfect for those sunny spots where other plants might shy away.
And not only do full-sun annuals bring vibrant colors and varied textures to your landscape, but they’re also generally easy to care for and can withstand the kind of bright, baking sun that would wilt other flowers.
So, here are our top ten full-sun annual picks to brighten up your outdoor space and transform your garden’s appearance.
1. Angelonia
Often referred to as “summer snapdragon” because of its resemblance to snapdragons, Angelonia is native to Mexico and the West Indies.
This robust plant sports spiky flowers that come in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue. It’s also a standout for its ability to withstand high heat and humidity.
Growing Angelonia is pretty straightforward as well. Simply plant in well-draining soil and ensure it gets full sun. It’s drought-tolerant once established, so it requires minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance star for any sunny garden.
2. Snapdragons
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Snapdragons are charming flowers native to parts of Europe, America, and North Africa. They feature jaw-like flowers, which kids often love pinching to make them “snap” open.
These blooms come in almost every color of the rainbow and can add both height and texture to your flower beds.
Snapdragons do prefer cooler spring and fall weather but will flourish in full sun during milder summers. Just be sure to plant them in rich, well-drained soil and keep the soil moist for best results.
3. Spider Flower
With its exotic, spidery blossoms, the Spider Flower, or Cleome, is native to South America. It adds not only color but also an interesting texture to gardens with its long, leggy flowers in pink, violet, white, or rose.
Spider Flowers are incredibly easy to grow from seed directly sown into the garden after the last frost. They also prefer well-draining soil and will thrive in full sun, tolerating drought once established.
4. Larkspur
Larkspur, a close relative of the delphinium, boasts tall spikes of flowers and is native to the Mediterranean. Its blooms appear in hues of blue, purple, pink, and white.
Ideal for adding height to your beds, Larkspur seeds should be sown in autumn or early spring in cooler climates. They require well-draining soil and regular watering until they’re established. Full sun also helps maintain their striking colors and promotes healthy growth.
5. Petunia
Petunias are perhaps one of the most beloved full-sun annuals, famous for their vibrant and prolific blooms.
Native to South America, these flowers come in nearly every color and pattern imaginable, making them perfect for creating a colorful, low-maintenance garden display.
Petunias thrive in full sun and need fertile, well-drained soil. But, they do require regular watering, especially in containers, to keep looking their best throughout the season.
6. Zinnia
Zinnias are cheerful flowers native to Mexico and are known for their ability to attract butterflies. They come in a dazzling array of bright colors and shapes, with flowers that can look as detailed as dahlias or as simple as daisies.
Zinnias are incredibly easy to grow from seed, too, and love hot, sunny conditions. Just plant them in well-drained soil and keep them well-watered, especially during hot spells, to ensure continuous blooms.
7. Pentas
Native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Pentas are star-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, red, white, and lavender. These plants are excellent for attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.
Pentas enjoy the heat and will bloom all summer long in full-sun conditions. All you have to do is plant them in rich, well-draining soil and keep the soil consistently moist for lush growth and vibrant flowers.
8. Gerbera
Gerbera daisies, with their large, colorful flowers, are native to South Africa. They make stunning additions to any garden and can also be cut for bouquets.
Available in a wide range of bright and pastel colors, Gerberas need full sun and sandy, well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Water them deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
9. Lobelia
This delicate flower, native to the Americas and parts of Africa, offers vibrant blue, white, or red blooms.
Lobelia is perfect for adding a splash of color to the edges of your beds or as a trailing plant in containers. It just prefers cooler temperatures but will perform well in full sun if kept moist.
Regular deadheading will also encourage more blooms, keeping your garden vibrant throughout the season.
10. African Daisy
Last but not least, African Daisy, or Osteospermum, is a striking plant native to South Africa. Known for its cheerful, daisy-like flowers, it showcases a beautiful palette of colors, including white, pink, purple, and yellow, often with a unique blue center.
African Daisies thrive in full sun and can handle mild drought conditions once established, making them a resilient choice for sunny gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and should be watered regularly until they’re fully established.
Then, to promote continuous blooming, be sure to deadhead spent flowers regularly and provide a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
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