28 Best Small Full-Sun Perennials

Yellow Alyssum

Also known by the common name basket-of-gold, low-growing yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) is a mat-forming flowering ground cover that is easy to grow and maintain. Grow it in areas where you would prefer it to spread and cover unsightly bare patches.

Not to be confused with sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), yellow alyssum bears bright yellow flowers in the spring. To maintain its shape, cut the plant back by up to half after it flowers. Also, avoid poorly drained soil and excessive watering, which can kill the plant.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
• Mature Size: 6 to 12 inches in height, with an 18-inch spread
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average to sandy, dry, well-draining

Snow-in-Summer

A rock garden favorite, snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) gets its picturesque name from its appearance during late spring or early summer bloom: white flowers against a background of silver foliage. This low-growing perennial spreads easily over sunny areas and pairs nicely with colorful blooms, such as roses (Rosa spp.) and coneflowers (Echinacea). Remove faded blooms; otherwise, it will self-seed. While removing faded blooms, it's also ideal to remove any dead or diseased foliage and tidy up the plant's shape.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
• Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 9-12 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Sandy, dry, well-draining

Lamb's Ear

Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is another full-sun perennial with silvery foliage. This low-maintenance plant thrives in dry soil conditions and is deer-resistant. Its velvety leaves are soft enough to snuggle with, and in late spring, its tiny purplish-pink blooms add one more element to your garden. Although blooms are insignificant and barely noticeable to humans, bees are highly attracted to them.

This plant tends to rot and develop diseases in humid conditions, so protect it by locating it in well-drained soil. Watering usually isn't necessary except in prolonged periods with little rainfall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 12–18 in. tall, 12-36 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Hens and Chicks

Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a carefree succulent consisting of parent rosettes (the hens) and tiny offspring (the chicks). It might look dainty, but this hardy perennial can tolerate drought and rocky or sandy soil. Make sure this plant has good drainage, and do not overwater it. Once a reddish-purple rosette blooms, usually in the summertime, the parent plant will die. Remove these rosettes from the plant to allow the offspring plants to fill the gap.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 6–18 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

'Autumn Joy' Stonecrop

'Autumn Joy' stonecrop (Hylotelephium 'Herbstsfreude') derives its name from its late blooming cycle. Its pale pink or red flattened head of tiny clustered blooms arrive in September through October, long after most other perennials are past their prime. 'Autumn Joy' is an easy-to-care-for perfect addition to a four-season-interest garden and serves as a late source of food for pollinators. Bees are attracted to all varieties of stonecrop.

Avoid soil that is too rich and ensure that soil is well drained. To promote sturdy plants, prevent flopping, and delay flowering until fall, cut back foliage by half in late spring and again by half in midsummer.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: 1.5–2 ft. tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a medium-sized plant that produces beautiful flat-topped white flowers. Cultivars provide flower colors in pinks, reds, creams, yellows, and bicolor pastels. Yarrow is particularly attractive to butterflies. Give this plant some room to spread, and be prepared to pull it out when it exceeds its bounds. In the right conditions, it can spread aggressively. Cutting back the plant during the growing season after its first flowering might encourage additional blooming and keep its shape in check.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Shasta Daisy

The shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky'), with its white ray-like petals radiating from a bright yellow disk, makes a summer statement in the garden. Shasta daisies thrive in dry, sunny areas and can tolerate a cold snap. But wet soil, especially in the winter, can kill them, so good soil drainage is necessary. Remove faded flowers to encourage reblooming. Under ideal growing conditions, these daisies can grow and spread independently, not needing much care except ensuring they stay within bounds.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 3–4 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a perennial that readily self-sows; in no time, one plant can generate hundreds of seedlings. Even if your garden has plenty of space, crowded plants reduce air circulation, and a lack of airflow can foster powdery mildew and other diseases. Remove or divide extra plants to provide sufficient airflow to reduce the chance of disease. Although birds feast on black-eyed Susan seed heads, deadheading the faded yellow, red, or orange blooms in the summer and fall prevent self-sowing.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
• Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

Threadleaf Coreopsis

Threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), also known as tickseed, has a long blooming period from June to August. This easy-going plant can spread somewhat aggressively via underground rhizomes and self-seeding. Removing the faded yellow blooms prevents self-seeding. Pruning the plant in late summer will clean up its growth and can encourage a fall rebloom.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: 2–4 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Sandy or rocky, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

English Lavender

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) serves more than one purpose. Its wispy greenish-gray foliage and purple blooms look beautiful, and its soothing fragrance helps keep pests away. You can also harvest this aromatic herb to enjoy its wonderful aroma indoors. Its dried blooms are perfect for making sachets to add scent to a drawer, closet, or under your pillow.

Prune lavender in spring after new leaves appear to shape the plant. Remove faded flower stalks to prolong flowering from June to August. This plant thrives in dry conditions; overly wet conditions can kill it. In the right conditions, it blooms easily year after year.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
• Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: well-drained, less fertile, dry conditions (sand and gravel)

Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is an edible perennial containing an essential oil many cats love. This easy-to-grow plant tolerates drought and can even handle a little shade, especially during hot afternoons. However, wet soil can kill it, so water only when the soil dries out. Remove the white or pale purple flower spikes after they’ve faded to encourage further blooming, and divide established plants when they become crowded. This plant typically blooms from spring to fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
• Mature Size: 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Salvia

Salvia is one of the most popular perennials for full sun and requires minimal maintenance. People new to gardening might only know of the red annual Salvia splendens. However, the perennial types of salvia are mainly in the blue-violet color range, though there are a few pink cultivars from which to choose. Some hardier blue-violet cultivars include 'May Night,' 'Caradonna,' and 'Blue Hill.' Remove faded flower spikes to encourage further blooming from summer to fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 1–2 feet tall, 9–18 inches wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower or Gaillardia is an easy-to-grow, short-lived perennial with orange, red, yellow, white, purple, and peach daisy-like flowers. The plant forms a slowly spreading mound, "blanketing" an area. Gaillardias are long bloomers, from early summer to fall, working well in borders and containers. Blanket flowers do well with other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 24 to 36 in. tall; 12 to 24 in. spread 
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta spp.) is a perennial herb in the mint family, including catnip (Nepeta cataria). It is straightforward to grow and has few pests or problems. Nepeta has slightly aromatic gray-green foliage with a delicate, lacy appearance. Its billowing foliage is topped with white, pink, or purple spikes of flowers in early summer, blooming until the fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 10-24 in. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
• Soil: Enriched, well-drained

Daylily

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are easy-to-grow perennials. They are drought tolerant, handle the heat well, and can grow in most soil conditions. These plants are a good choice for borders and edging. Blooms come reliably in red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink from spring to late summer. These clumping plants vary in size depending on the cultivar.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Mature Size: 6 in. to 5 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Acidic, deeply fertile medium loamy soil 

Heucherella

Heucherellas are clumping perennial hybrids that are a cross between coral bells (Heuchera) and foamflowers (Tiarella). This low-growing compact plant produces attractive foliage and abundant flowers; however, it doesn't like more than six hours of full sun daily. It gains brilliant foliage from heuchera and unique leaf patterns and shapes from tiarella. Heucherellas produce pink or white flowers in open sprays during spring and summer.  

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11
• Mature Size: 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun
• Soil: Moist, rich, well-draining

Hostas

Hostas are synonymous with shade plants; however, some hostas, like gold-leaf varieties, need partial sun to thrive and develop their rich color. It's best to keep all hostas out of hot, sunny areas; instead, consider a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade for the varieties that prefer some sun. Hostas will eventually bloom in the summer when fully mature after six years but usually require sun exposure to produce flowers. The showy purple or white blooms emerge from tall stems.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: 6–48 in. tall, 10–60 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun, shade
• Soil: Loamy, well-drained, acidic

Aromatic Aster

Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) is a native North American plant in the daisy family that grows in dense low mounds. Its showy, small purple flowers have a long bloom season lasting from late summer until the first frost. These plants work well as a border, edging, or mass planting for visual interest. Other key features are that deer and rabbits usually leave them alone, and they are drought tolerant.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature Size: 3 feet tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining

Lady’s Mantle

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is a mounding perennial with large, circular, scalloped leaves. In late spring, it develops sparse chartreuse flowers that appear in clusters. The foliage is the real star, looking good all season and grouping in clusters as a ground cover for sunny and shady areas. Lady's mantle self-seeds very freely, spreading independently, requiring some oversight to keep it in check.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature Size: 12–24 in. tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil: Acidic to neutral; medium-moist, well-drained

Garden Mums

Garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are herbaceous perennials in the daisy family that can be groomed in the summer to flower all fall. These perennial mums are reliable bloomers that grow fast, usually blooming in the first growing season. Mums have some of the largest color palettes: red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, maroon, bronze, and white. They're easy to grow and are often used in garden beds, borders, and containers, attracting butterflies in the fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 4 to 36 in. tall and 12 to 36 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Blue Star Creeper

Blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) is a low-growing perennial groundcover that can substitute for turf grass. It holds up to moderate foot traffic, only growing about 2 to 3 inches tall, never requiring mowing. It produces purple or blue star-shaped flowers from late spring to early fall. It can tolerate short droughts and spread itself to blanket bare patches.

• USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8
• Mature Size: 2–3 in. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil: Moist, well-draining

Russian Sage

Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial. It handles drought, heat, and high sun like a champ, making it optimal for a xeriscape or rock garden. It blooms throughout the growing season from summer into fall. It produces long panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers. Russian sage can grow tall and can handle severe pruning or trimming to keep it to a manageable, smaller height.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
• Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-draining

Coneflower

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are native North American plants that thrive in the full open-prairie sun. The most common variety is purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which features a fibrous root system contributing to its hardiness, drought tolerance, and long bloom time from early summer to first frost. Hybrid colors include pink, orange, red, white, and yellow. Birds and bees favor the coneflower's daisy-like flowers, which are rich in nectar.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature Size: 2–5 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a low-growing plant that can blanket an area as a groundcover. It blooms in late spring to summer with clusters of fragrant, five-petal, inch-wide pink, purple, or white flowers. This low-maintenance plant differs from garden phlox (P. paniculata), a much taller variety that can reach 2 to 4 feet tall. This low-maintenance plant's flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 9–18 in. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil: Loamy, well-drained

Blazing Star (Liatris)

Blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a long-blooming perennial wildflower in the daisy family native to eastern North America. However, blazing star does not look like a typical daisy. It has unique flower heads featuring tiny star-like blossoms arranged around a long upright bottle-brush spire blooming from summer to fall. The primary species type has bright purple flower spikes, but pink and white cultivars are also available. It can grow up to 5 feet tall; however, some varieties, like L. spicata 'Alba,' only grow about 18 inches tall. This plant requires very little care.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: 2–5 ft. tall, 9–18 inches wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil: Medium-moisture, well-drained

Rose Vervain

Rose vervain (Glandularia canadensis) is in the verbena or vervain family, but it is much hardier than other verbena plants, handling winter lows of -20 F. It returns yearly to zones with moderate winters and produces pink or purple flowers from late spring to late summer. This low-maintenance plant prefers full sun and rocky, sandy soil and can tolerate drought spells.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 6 inches to 2 feet tall, 12 to 24 inches wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil: Medium moisture; well-draining

Toad Lily

Toad lilies (Tricyrtis hirta) are white to light purple six-petaled blooms that look like orchids, with signature purple spots on tall stems. This low-maintenance plant typically flowers in summer or fall. They naturally grow at the edge of forested areas where they thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade. In areas with hot, intense sun, only use them in a spot that will get some cover for part of the day.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Partial sun, shade
• Soil: Loamy, moist but well-drained

Silky Aster

Silky aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum) is a native North American herbaceous perennial plant that can grow small or up to 2 feet tall. It features fall-blooming purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and gray-green leaves with silvery-white silky hairs, giving it a unique look. This plant can grow in poor, rocky, sandy soil and tolerate drought.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Mature Size: 6 inches to 2 feet tall and wide
  
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil: Well-draining