Gardening Plants & Flowers Shrubs

10 Best Full Sun Shrubs

By
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/28/23
Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
beautyberry shrub

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Many of the best shrubs for full sun are grown for their floral displays. But that's not all you can get from a sun-loving shrub. Some of these shrubs feature beautiful foliage during just one season (often autumn) or throughout the entire growing season. Others sport evergreen foliage that gives a garden interest year-round.

Moreover, you might find berries or catkins (flowering spikes) on some shrubs, which gives them extra appeal. Plus, some of these shrubs have colorful or peeling bark, as well as unusual branching patterns.

Here are 10 shrubs that grow best in full sun.

  • 01 of 10

    Flamingo Willow

    Japanese flamingo willow in a garden

    Solidago / Getty Images

    Flamingo willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') is a cultivar with reddish-pink coloration on its stems and on its new leaves in the spring, which is how the shrub got its name. The shrub also features small yellow catkins from April to May.

    This plant likes full sun but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates. Also, it prefers evenly moist soil but can tolerate somewhat dry conditions. Prune to maintain its shape in the late winter or early spring.

    • Name: Flamingo willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo')
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
    • Flower Color: Yellow
    • Mature Size: 4 to 6 ft. tall, with a spread of 5 to 7 ft.
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 02 of 10

    Diabolo Ninebark

    Diablo ninebark

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo') is a sun-loving shrub whose foliage is interesting in spring, summer, and fall. During the spring and early summer, it sports dark purple foliage, which contrasts well next to brighter plants. The foliage tends to get greener as the weather heats up. Pretty clusters of fruit and exfoliating bark add additional interest.

    Prune your shrub to shape it immediately after its blooming period, which typically is from May to June.

    • Name: Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo')
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Average, slightly acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
    • Flower Color: Light pink
    • Mature Size: 8 to 10 ft. tall
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 03 of 10

    Dwarf Fothergilla

    Dwarf Fothergilla fall colors

    The Spruce / David Beaulieu

    The dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii 'Mount Airy') is a sun-loving plant, but it also can tolerate a little shade. This shrub only grows to around 3 to 5 feet in height and spread, and it sports profuse white blooms in the springtime. The flowers have a pleasant honey-like scent. Moreover, its foliage has excellent fall color in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

    Make sure to provide your plant with good drainage, and regularly water it throughout the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist.

    • Name: Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii 'Mount Airy')
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Average, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White
    • Mature Size: 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 04 of 10

    Oakleaf Hydrangea

    Oakleaf hydrangea

    seven75 / Getty Images

    The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is often used as a garden accent or as part of a shrub border. It grows to around 6 to 8 feet in height and spread. This shrub features pyramid-shaped panicles (branching clusters of flowers) in the late spring that go from white to a purplish-pink.

    Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so prune your shrub immediately after it’s finished flowering to allow it to develop next year's buds. Be sure to give it some winter protection, such as with a burlap wrap or mulch, in colder growing zones. This shrub is toxic to humans and animals.

    • Name: Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) 
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Rich, medium moisture, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White, pink
    • Mature Size: 4 to 8 ft. tall, 4 to 8 ft. wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 5 of 10 below
  • 05 of 10

    Beautyberry

    beautyberry berries

    RichardBarrow / Getty Images

    Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is one of the few shrubs to feature purple berries. Its insignificant blooms, which appear in the late spring and summer, develop into these bright purple fruits that remain attractive on the plant until cold weather hits. Full sun results in more abundant fruits.

    Beautyberry is a fairly low-maintenance shrub. Pruning isn’t always necessary unless you need to remove dead, broken, or diseased portions. 

    • Name: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
    • Flower Color: Purple, pink
    • Mature Size: 3 to 6 ft. tall, 3 to 6 ft. wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 06 of 10

    Pussy Willow

    pussy willow branch

    ands456 / Getty Images

    Pussy willow shrubs (Salix discolor) produce catkins, which are the fuzzy ornamental buds you see on their leafless branches. Catkins appear in the late winter and early spring. The male plants feature a showier display.

    Keep your shrub consistently moist through regular watering and rainfall. You may prune it close to the ground every three to five years to rejuvenate growth.

    • Name: Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Average, medium to wet, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White
    • Mature Size: 6 to 25 ft. tall, 4 to 15 ft. wide
    • Deer Resistant: No
  • 07 of 10

    Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

    Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') is grown for the twists and turns that its branches take. Some other common names for it that reflect its form are contorted hazelnut and corkscrew filbert. Its screwball branching pattern adds interest to a garden, especially in the winter when its branches are bare. The pretty, golden-yellow catkins add interest.

    Water the shrub regularly to maintain soil moisture, but avoid planting it in heavy clay soil. Also, remove any root suckers to help maintain the plant’s appearance.

    • Name: Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta')
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
    • Flower Color: Yellow-brown
    • Mature Size: 8 to 10 ft. tall, 8 to 10 ft. wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 08 of 10

    Tatarian Dogwood

    tatarian dogwood

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima') is a multifaceted shrub. Its resume includes variegated (multicolored) leaves, flower clusters, and berries. But its main claim to fame is its colorful red bark, which is especially apparent in the winter and early spring. Likewise, yellow twig dogwood (Cornus servicea 'Flamiramea') features golden bark.

    Pruning isn’t always required, but you can remove about a quarter of the old growth each spring to promote new stems. 

    • Name: Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima')
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White
    • Mature Size: 6 to 9 feet tall, 8 to 12 feet wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
    Continue to 9 of 10 below
  • 09 of 10

    Adam's Needle

    Adam's Needle

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is an evergreen plant that grows to around 3 to 8 feet tall with a 3- to 5-foot spread. It features a rosette of long, sword-shaped green leaves around its base. And in the late spring or early summer, a tall flower stalk arises from that rosette, which sports bell-shaped panicles of creamy white blooms.

    This plant is fairly low-maintenance and can tolerate poor, sandy soil, as well as some drought. Just make sure you plant it in an area with good drainage. This plant is toxic to pets.

    • Name: Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11
    • Light: Full sun
    • Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
    • Flower Color: White
    • Mature Size: 3 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide
    • Deer Resistant: Yes
  • 10 of 10

    Japanese Falsecypress

    Closeup of foliage of Gold Mops cypress

    robcocquyt / Getty Images 

    ‘Golden Mop’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is a slow-growing dwarf shrub with long drooping tips. During its first decade of growth, it likely will only reach around 2 to 3 feet in height and spread, eventually topping out at around 5 feet. It features yellow foliage throughout the year that appears similar to a mop head, hence its cultivar name.

    Pruning is rarely necessary for this plant. Ensure that it has adequate soil drainage, and plant it in a spot that's protected from strong winds.

    • Name: ‘Golden Mop’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7
    • Light: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
    • Flower Color: n/a
    • Mature Size: 5 ft. tall
    • Deer Resistant: Yes

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about the different types of shrubs that you can add to your landscaping, read on.

Tip

It's important to give a shrub the proper sun exposure it requires. A planting site is considered to have “full sun” if it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Partial shade may mean four to six hours of sunlight a day. While some plants in the "full sun" category thrive under these conditions, others might need a little protection from the hot afternoon sun during the warmest months.

The 1/3 Rule for Pruning Shrubs
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Hydrangea arborescens. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.

  2. Hydrangea. ASPCA.

  3. Yucca. ASPCA.