Shrubs for full sun are the perfect choice for homes and gardens with little to no shade. They are tolerant of heat, drought, and pollution. Dwarf mugo pine, for example, is low-growing, drought-resistant, and requires only occasional pruning to maintain its size. Other great options include Nanking cherry and Camellia. Read on to learn more about the benefits of each variety. It may surprise you to discover which one suits your landscape best!
Hydrangea
A Hydrangea shrub planted in full sun requires a slightly different soil type than a shady spot. A garden with loam soil or one rich in organic matter will be ideal for hydrangeas. In addition to good drainage, hydrangeas in pots require plenty of water to survive. Potted plants also need more space to spread. Aside from full sun, hydrangeas need good drainage, fertile soil and plenty of space to grow.
A variety of hydrangeas thrive in the full sun, and there are several new varieties to choose from. ‘Limelight’ hydrangea produces enormous lime green flowers in midsummer. ‘Limelight’ can handle full sun and part shade, but the lime color will be enhanced if it gets a little shade. Arborescens hydrangeas flower profusely, and bloom even after pruning them severely. These plants are hardy in zones 3 to eight.
A mature hydrangea shrub requires little maintenance, but regular deadheading is essential. Avoid overfeeding, as it will burn its roots and cause more foliage than flowers. Instead, use compost or well-rotted manure to topdress the soil every year. These materials will supply the plants with nutrients, and improve the soil’s moisture retention. If you live in a very cold climate, you may wish to plant your hydrangea shrub in a sheltered location.
Camellia
To ensure that your camellia shrub can thrive in full sun, plant it in partial shade. While camellias do better in partial shade, they also benefit from morning or afternoon shade. Camellias prefer shade, although they will tolerate more sunlight as they grow. The key is to plant them at least five feet away from any structure or building. This way, they will be protected from damaging winds and heat during the summer.
Camellia sasanqua is a good choice if you have a sunny area. This plant produces beautiful flowers in the spring and summer that are surrounded by bright orange berries. The petals of the crimson king camellia are ruffled and pink, like a ball gown. This plant is a great choice for containers, but be sure to prune the flowers after they bloom to prevent them from getting out of control.
A good camellia will not bloom well if exposed to hot, harsh summer sun. The foliage will suffer from stress, and the flowers will become discolored. Camellias thrive in soil that is slightly acidic, and they need regular moisture to grow. Avoid a soggy garden as the soil will rot the roots. You may also need to consider other factors when choosing the right camellia for full sun.
Lantana
Lantana prefers well-drained soil, but they can also grow in partial shade. Plants grown in part shade will have fewer blooms and be more susceptible to insects and disease. Lantanas do not require intense soil preparation, so you can plant them in just about any well-drained soil. Use a commercial soil-less mix if you plan on growing them in containers.
A Lantana plant is very toxic to people and pets, so make sure you keep pets and small children away from it. If they accidentally ingest a bloom, you could end up in the emergency room. But if you want a colorful shrub, you can try Lantana Bandana. This shrub produces bright orange or dark yellow flowers and does well in gardens and rock gardens. The flowering season of Lantana Bandana is long and beautiful, lasting through the spring.
Lantanas are a hardy, tropical American native. Their flowers bloom in clusters during warm weather. Their foliage has a pungent odor, which makes them highly attractive to butterflies. Lantanas tolerate most soils, including acidic ones. The foliage does not attract deer, but hybrid lantanas may attract them. However, if you have the space and the time, a Lantana shrub in full sun will be a perfect fit.
Nanking cherry
Depending on the species, you can plant a Nanking cherry shrub in full or part sunlight. Its optimum growing conditions are a ph of 8.0 or greater. This plant is hardy in most regions, but it does prefer sandy soil. If you want to grow this shrub in the full sun, you need to plant it in a pot or planter. Then, wait two to three years to harvest its fruit.
The leaves of the Nanking cherry shrub are textured, dark green, and downy. This species is also known as Downy Cherry. As it grows older, it will develop a lustrous dark reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in thin strips. Nanking cherries are hardy and can tolerate hot summers and drought. They produce small clusters of fruit each year, but they are suited for gardens that are exposed to full sun.
The fragrant shell pink flowers of the Nanking cherry bloom in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The shrub produces a large number of tiny, clustered cherry-shaped fruits in the middle of summer. These fruits are edible but have a pit inside. The trees are a favorite of wildlife, and are great for gardens. The Nanking cherry shrub can survive both hot and cold weather. In addition to its ornamental qualities, the Nanking cherry is frost-tolerant.
Eleagnus
An elaeagnus shrub will add texture and beauty to your landscape. Unlike other plants that spread, elaeagnus will grow upright and dense, producing glossy foliage with silvery scales on its undersides. Small, silver-scaled flowers bloom from October to November. This evergreen shrub is drought tolerant and can be grown in containers for a low hedge or accent plant.
Eleagnus can be planted in full sun or partial shade, but they grow best in slightly acidic soil with decent drainage. Despite its relatively low water needs, this tree is tolerant of poor soil and can tolerate moderately salty air. Because of its rough texture, it doesn’t attract deer, which is another plus for this plant. This shrub is relatively disease-free, but spider mite can infest it once it is established.
For planting an elaeagnus, you should prepare the soil. The native soil should be removed and mix with a variety of soil amendments, ranging from 25 to 50 percent of the total soil. Add the amendments gradually, so they won’t overwhelm the root ball. A berm around the root ball will help retain moisture. It’s not necessary to amend your soil, however, if your soil is average.
Ninebark Amber Jubilee
The Amber Jubilee Ninebark is a tough shrub that does well in almost any climate. It tolerates temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in zone 2 and thrives in warmer climates. It can also thrive in rocky soil, but its foliage is most attractive in full sun. In addition to being drought resistant, the ninebark also requires little maintenance, aside from pruning. If you’re unsure whether to plant it in your yard, consider starting with a single or two-foot-wide section, and let it grow naturally in the other two.
The foliage of this medium-sized shrub will be showy, with glowing orange and yellow veins on its rounded stems and branches. The foliage remains beautiful throughout the entire growing season, from spring to fall. This ninebark also produces delicate white flowers in spring. If you have the space in your yard, you can plant it near windows and enjoy its gorgeous fall foliage color. If you want to grow your own hedge, this is a great choice.
Clethra
The Clethra shrub is native to North America, and is a perennial that is well suited for a range of growing conditions, including full sun and partial shade. It has a dense branching structure, and it thrives in zones three to nine. It has a low maintenance requirement, and is fairly deer resistant. To grow this shrub in your garden, you can propagate it from stem cuttings in early summer or from seed planted in fall.
If you have limited space in your garden, a clump of Clethra will fit in nicely. It’s best grown in acidic soil with adequate drainage. Heavy clay soils may require a little soil amendment to make them more drained, but Clethra tolerates short periods of drought. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix soil conditioner (20% by volume) into the soil. It will bloom best in a moist environment, but can tolerate full shade and part shade.
Japanese flowering quince
The Japanese flowering quince shrub is an outstanding heritage ornamental that produces a dramatic floral display during early spring. This plant, a member of the rose family, has been cultivated throughout Asia for thousands of years. It is a popular tree on farms due to its edible fruit, which is the main reason why it is often grown as a hedge. In addition to its beauty, flowering quince care is relatively easy and involves only occasional pruning.
Planting the Japanese Flowering Quince is an excellent choice for a landscape. It is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, and can be planted about 3-5 feet apart. It is not as ornamental as other cultivars of Chaenomeles, but it can still make an excellent accent plant. Its habit is open and wide, with many interlocking thorny stems. The Japanese Flowering Quince blooms on old wood.