10 Herbaceous Perennials to Add Color and Texture to Your Full Sun Garden

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What are herbaceous perennials?

Herbaceous perennials are plants that live for more than two years and have soft, non-woody stems. They die back to the ground each winter and reemerge in the spring from their root systems.

Why choose herbaceous perennials for full sun gardens?

Herbaceous perennials are an excellent choice for full sun gardens, as they can tolerate hot, dry conditions without suffering from sunburn or dehydration. Unlike annuals, which need to be replanted every year, many herbaceous perennials will continue to come back year after year with proper care.

Our top 10 picks of herbaceous perennials for full sun

Here are our top picks for herbaceous perennials that will thrive in your full sun garden:

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
4. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
5. Coreopsis
6. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
7. Salvia
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
9. Catmint (Nepeta)
10. Sedum

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Description

Purple Coneflower, also known as Echinacea purpurea, is a North American native plant with stunning pink or purple flowers. It grows up to 3-4 feet tall and blooms from mid-summer to early fall.

Growing Tips

Purple Coneflower prefers full sun, but it can tolerate some shade. It prefers well-drained soil and can be drought tolerant once established. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Purple Coneflower is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, as it attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It also makes a lovely cut flower and can be used in herbal remedies.

2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Description

Black-eyed Susan, also known as Rudbeckia fulgida, is a native North American plant with bright yellow or orange flowers that have dark brown centers. It grows to be 1-3 feet tall and blooms from mid-summer to early fall.

Growing Tips

Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and does not require much water once established. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Black-eyed Susan is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and prairie gardens. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects and makes a lovely cut flower.

3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Description

Blanket Flower, also known as Gaillardia, is a North American native plant with daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. It blooms from early summer to fall and grows up to 2-3 feet tall.

Growing Tips

Blanket Flower prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Blanket Flower is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and prairie gardens. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects.

4. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Description

Russian Sage, also known as Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a perennial that produces masses of lavender-colored flowers in the late summer to fall. It grows up to 3-5 feet tall and is prized for its aromatic foliage.

Growing Tips

Russian Sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and does not require much water once established. Pruning back to a few inches above the ground in the spring will promote bushier growth.

Uses in the Garden

Russian Sage is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and cut flower arrangements. It attracts beneficial insects and can be used in herbal remedies.

5. Coreopsis

Description

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a North American native plant with yellow or pink daisy-like flowers that bloom all summer long. It grows up to 2-3 feet tall and has a bushy habit.

Growing Tips

Coreopsis prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Coreopsis is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and cut flower arrangements. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

6. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Description

Daylilies, also known as Hemerocallis, are popular perennials that produce yellow, orange, red, and pink flowers in mid-summer. They grow up to 1-4 feet tall and have strap-like foliage.

Growing Tips

Daylilies prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought tolerant once established and do not require much water. Removing spent flowers will encourage more blooms.

Uses in the Garden

Daylilies are an excellent choice for borders and mass plantings. They attract hummingbirds and make a great cut flower.

7. Salvia

Description

Salvia is a large genus of herbaceous perennials, many of which are native to North America. They have colorful flowers that bloom from summer to fall and grow up to 2-4 feet tall.

Growing Tips

Salvia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Salvia is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and cut flower arrangements. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Description

Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium, is a herbaceous perennial with flat white or yellow flowers that bloom all summer long. It grows up to 1-3 feet tall and has fern-like foliage.

Growing Tips

Yarrow prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Yarrow is an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, and cut flower arrangements. It attracts beneficial insects and can be used medicinally.

9. Catmint (Nepeta)

Description

Catmint, also known as Nepeta, is a herbaceous perennial that produces masses of purple-blue flowers from early summer to fall. It grows up to 2-3 feet tall and has mint-scented foliage.

Growing Tips

Catmint prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Pruning back by one-third after the first bloom will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Catmint is an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and herb gardens. It attracts bees and other beneficial insects.

10. Sedum

Description

Sedum is a large genus of succulent plants that come in many different shapes and sizes. They have fleshy leaves and produce clusters of small flowers in shades of pink, white, and yellow.

Growing Tips

Sedum prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and does not require much water. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage more flowers.

Uses in the Garden

Sedum is an excellent choice for rock gardens, containers, and green roofs. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects.

Herbaceous perennials can add beauty, texture, and color to any garden. When choosing plants for a full sun garden, it's important to select varieties that can withstand hot, bright conditions. The 10 herbaceous perennials listed above offer outstanding performance, stunning colors and textures, and will thrive in full sun gardens.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between a perennial and an annual?
   • Perennials come back year after year while annuals only last one season.
2. What are some other good full sun perennials?
   • Some other good full sun perennials include Eryngium (Sea Holly), Lavender, and Penstemon (Beardtongue).
3. How often should I water my full sun perennials?
   • Most full sun perennials are drought tolerant once established and do not require much water. Watering once a week or when the soil is dry to the touch is usually sufficient.
4. Do I need to fertilize my herbaceous perennials?
   • Herbaceous perennials benefit from