Sun Loving Perennials
Gaillardia aristata SpinTop 'Copper Sun'
Deciduous perennial with copper orange blooms and golden yellow edges. Grows 10 to 14 inches tall. Ideal for containers, rock gardens, xeric plantings, and sunny borders. Zones: 3 to 9.
Sun loving perennials thrive in bright, open locations, bringing months of color, texture, and seasonal interest to the garden. Many produce abundant blooms during the warmest months of the year, while others contribute attractive foliage and distinctive forms that add depth to borders and mixed plantings. Their diversity makes it possible to create combinations that flower from spring through fall.
Well suited to beds, borders, and pollinator gardens, these plants often perform best with ample sunlight and good air circulation. By choosing varieties adapted to sunny conditions, gardeners can create colorful, long-lasting displays that hold up well through the heat of summer and throughout the growing season.
CONEFLOWER (Echinacea)
01
Coneflowers thrive in sunny borders, where their bold blooms and upright forms provide months of color and texture. Echinacea purpurea 'Delicious Candy' (shown here) produces fully double rosy-pink flowers, while Echinacea purpurea 'Green Twister' combines green petals with rose-pink centers for a distinctive two-toned effect. Their sturdy stems and coarse foliage create a strong presence that stands up beautifully to summer heat and bright conditions.
Flower colors and forms vary widely among the different selections. Echinacea Sombrero Salsa Red 'Balsomsed' bears rich red blooms that bring warmth and intensity to the garden. Their vibrant flowers combine beautifully with salvias, ornamental grasses, and other sun-loving companions, creating colorful displays that remain attractive well into late summer.
Related: Explore All Echinacea ➔
DAYLILY (Hemerocallis)
02
Daylilies flourish in sunny gardens, where their colorful blooms and arching foliage bring energy and texture throughout the summer season. Hemerocallis 'Forestlake Ragamuffin' (shown here) produces richly patterned peach flowers with ruffled edges, while Hemerocallis 'Margo Reed Indeed' offers elegant creamy white blooms accented by a soft yellow-green throat. The fountain-like foliage forms graceful clumps that provide structure even when the plants are between flowering cycles.
Each variety contributes its own character and color palette. Hemerocallis 'Pink Tangerine' bears warm pink flowers infused with peachy-orange tones that glow in full sun. Their showy blooms combine beautifully with salvias, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses, creating bright summer borders filled with contrasting forms and long-lasting seasonal interest.
Related: Explore All Dayliles ➔
SALVIA
03
Salvias thrive in sunny borders, where their upright flower spikes and aromatic foliage bring color and texture through much of the growing season. Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night' (shown here) produces deep violet-blue blooms that create bold vertical accents, while Salvia nemorosa 'White Profusion' offers elegant white flower spikes that brighten the landscape. Their compact forms and long flowering periods make them standout features in warm, open settings.
Each variety contributes a different mood and intensity of color. Salvia nemorosa 'Salvatore Blue' bears dense spikes of rich cobalt-blue flowers that provide striking contrast against green foliage. Their colorful blooms weave naturally among roses, grasses, and other sun-loving perennials, creating layered plantings filled with texture and seasonal rhythm from early summer into fall.
Related: See All Salvias ➔
SHASTA DAISY (Leucanthemum)
04
Shasta daisies flourish in sunny gardens, where their bright flowers and upright habits bring freshness and contrast to summer borders. Leucanthemum x superbum 'Real Charmer' (shown here) produces creamy yellow blooms that gradually mature to soft ivory, adding subtle color shifts to the landscape. The classic white flowers of Leucanthemum x superbum provide a timeless look that complements both traditional and contemporary plantings. Their clean forms stand out beautifully in open, sun-filled settings.
Flower shape and petal arrangement vary among the different selections. Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Victorian Secret’ bears fully double white blooms with a refined, layered appearance that adds elegance to the garden. Their cheerful flowers combine naturally with salvias, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses, creating vibrant summer displays rich in texture and color.
FRITILLARIA
05
Fritillarias bring height and drama to sunny borders, where their unusual flowers create memorable focal points in spring. Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra' (shown here) produces pendulous orange bells topped by leafy tufts, creating a bold architectural effect. The tall stems and distinctive silhouette add a sense of grandeur to mixed borders and bulb plantings. Their exotic appearance provides an eye-catching contrast to the simpler forms of many spring-flowering companions.
Warm colors and strong vertical lines give these bulbs a commanding presence. Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea' bears luminous yellow flowers that brighten the landscape and complement other spring bloomers. Their stately forms combine beautifully with tulips and other perennials, creating displays rich in color, structure, and early season elegance.
Related: Explore All Bulbs ➔
YARROW (Achillea)
06
Yarrows thrive in sunny borders, where their flat-topped flower clusters and finely divided foliage provide color and texture throughout the warm months. Achillea millefolium 'Alabaster' (shown here) produces ivory and soft pink blooms that bring a cooling effect to summer plantings, while Achillea filipendulina 'Coronation Gold' adds bold golden flower heads held above silvery-green foliage. Their feathery leaves create an airy backdrop that contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved companions in open sun-filled settings.
Each selection offers its own distinctive color palette and character. Achillea millefolium 'New Vintage Violet' bears rich violet-purple flowers that add depth and intensity to the garden. Their broad flower clusters mingle beautifully with salvias, ornamental grasses, and coneflowers, creating colorful displays that celebrate the warmth and abundance of summer.
BLANKET FLOWER (Gaillardia)
07
Blanket flowers revel in sunny locations, where their fiery blooms and compact habits bring vibrant color through the heat of summer. Gaillardia aristata SpinTop 'Red Sky' (shown here) produces rich red flowers with golden highlights, while SpinTop 'Copper Sun' offers warm coppery-orange tones that glow in bright light. Their tidy mounds of gray-green foliage provide an attractive foundation for the colorful blooms, adding texture and contrast to open borders and rock gardens throughout the season.
Each selection contributes its own blend of warm hues and cheerful character. Gaillardia aristata SpinTop 'Orange Halo' bears vivid orange petals surrounding golden centers that brighten the landscape. Their lively flowers combine beautifully with salvias, yarrows, and ornamental grasses, creating bold summer displays filled with warmth, movement, and lasting seasonal color.
SPEEDWELL (Veronica)
08
Speedwells bring vertical accents and cool-toned flowers to sunny borders, where their long bloom periods add rhythm and structure. Veronica teucrium 'Royal Blue' (shown here) produces dense spikes of rich blue flowers that rise above mounds of deep green foliage, creating striking contrasts with neighboring plants. The upright flower stems introduce a sense of movement and repetition that helps unify mixed plantings. Their colorful blooms provide a refreshing counterpoint to the warmer shades of midsummer.
Different species offer distinctive flower shapes and color combinations. Veronica longifolia 'Perfectly Picasso' bears rosy-pink flower spikes tipped with creamy white, creating a two-toned effect that changes as the blooms mature. Their graceful forms mingle beautifully with salvias, daisies, and ornamental grasses, bringing texture and seasonal harmony to sun-filled gardens.
DAHLIA
09
Dahlias flourish in sunny borders, where their extraordinary blooms bring richness and excitement from midsummer until frost. Dahlia 'Tuscany' (shown here) displays layers of peach and apricot petals surrounding a deep raspberry center, while Dahlia 'AC Andromeda' offers creamy white flowers with pale yellow tones and elegantly twisted petals. Their impressive blooms create eye-catching focal points that stand out beautifully in bright, open settings and cutting gardens.
Each variety contributes its own distinctive style and color combination. Dahlia 'Nick Sr.' bears dramatic red flowers highlighted by creamy white petal tips, creating a lively, almost painted effect. Their lavish blooms pair naturally with salvias, ornamental grasses, and other sun-loving perennials, bringing texture, contrast, and continuous color to summer plantings.
Related: View All Dahlias ➔
CATMINT (Nepeta)
10
Catmint thrives in sunny borders, where its soft mounds of aromatic foliage and clouds of lavender-blue flowers create a relaxed, flowing effect. Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low' (shown here) produces long wands of violet-blue blooms that rise above silvery-green leaves, bringing cool tones to the summer garden. The billowing habit softens pathways and border edges while adding movement and texture among more upright companions. Its extended flowering period keeps the display lively through the growing season.
The airy flower spikes provide a pleasing contrast to bold blooms and broad foliage. Their gentle color harmonizes beautifully with roses, salvias, and ornamental grasses, creating combinations that feel both natural and refined. In full sun, catmint lends a sense of softness and continuity that ties together a wide range of summer-flowering perennials.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckia)
11
Black-eyed Susans bask in sunny borders, where their radiant flowers bring warmth and energy from midsummer into autumn. Rudbeckia hirta 'Laura' (shown here) produces golden-yellow petals surrounding dark centers, while Rudbeckia 'Summerina Orange' adds rich shades of orange and copper that intensify the seasonal display. Their upright stems and bold flowers create strong focal points that stand out beautifully against green foliage and neighboring perennials.
Each selection contributes a different expression of this classic summer flower. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' bears masses of golden daisies that brighten the landscape with remarkable intensity. Their vibrant blooms pair naturally with grasses, salvias, and coneflowers, creating colorful plantings filled with texture and late-season brilliance.
RED HOT POKER (Kniphofia)
12
Red hot pokers bring dramatic vertical accents to sunny borders, where their torch-like flowers create bold bursts of color throughout the warm season. Kniphofia 'Fire Glow' (shown here) produces glowing orange-red flower spikes that rise above clumps of arching foliage, adding excitement and strong lines to the landscape. The strap-like leaves provide year-round texture, while the upright blooms introduce movement and contrast among lower-growing companions. Their distinctive silhouettes are especially effective in open, sun-filled settings.
Different selections offer a range of colors and moods. Kniphofia 'Citrina' bears soft lemon-yellow flower spikes that provide a lighter, more refined look. Their striking blooms mingle beautifully with ornamental grasses, salvias, and yarrow, creating dynamic combinations that celebrate the brilliance and warmth of summer.
BELLFLOWER (Campanula)
13
Bellflowers bring graceful form and cool-toned flowers to sunny borders, where their upright stems and abundant blooms create a fresh, cottage-garden character. Campanula glomerata (shown here) produces clusters of rich violet-blue bells gathered tightly along sturdy stems, creating bold accents among summer companions. The mounded foliage provides a pleasing contrast to the vertical flowers, adding texture and balance to mixed plantings. Their luminous colors stand out beautifully against open garden settings.
Different species contribute distinct habits and flower arrangements. Campanula lactiflora bears airy sprays of starry lavender-blue flowers that create a softer, more relaxed effect. Their elegant blooms weave naturally among salvias, daisies, and ornamental grasses, bringing depth, movement, and cool summer color to sun-filled perennial borders.
POPPY (Papaver)
14
Poppies bring an airy elegance to sunny borders, where their silky petals and delicate textures create moments of beauty. Papaver nudicaule 'Champagne Bubbles' (shown here) produces luminous blooms in bright shades that seem to dance above finely divided foliage, while Papaver orientale 'Princess Victoria Louise' offers large soft-pink flowers with dark centers that command attention. Their satiny blossoms catch the sunlight beautifully, adding a sense of lightness and romance to summer plantings.
Different species contribute distinctive flower forms and personalities. Papaver hybridum 'Pink Heirloom' bears lavish double pink blooms with softly ruffled petals that create a sumptuous, old-fashioned appearance. Their graceful flowers mingle naturally with salvias, bellflowers, and grasses, creating colorful compositions filled with movement and seasonal charm.
RUSSIAN SAGE (Perovskia)
15
Russian sage flourishes in sunny locations, where its airy sprays of flowers and silvery foliage bring a sense of lightness to summer borders. Perovskia atriplicifolia (shown here) produces countless lavender-blue blooms along branching stems that rise above finely textured gray-green leaves. The open habit creates a soft, cloud-like effect that catches the breeze and adds movement throughout the season. Its cool tones provide welcome contrast to the warm colors often associated with midsummer gardens.
The combination of delicate flowers and aromatic foliage gives Russian sage a distinctive presence in the landscape. The hazy masses of bloom create depth and unify neighboring plantings without overpowering them. Combined with coneflowers, ornamental grasses, and yarrow, it brings texture, rhythm, and a relaxed elegance to bright, sun-filled perennial borders.
SEDUM
16
Sedums bring bold texture and changing color to sunny borders, where their fleshy foliage and broad flower heads provide interest from summer into autumn. Hylotelephium 'TNSEDECF' (shown here) develops rich pink blooms, creating a strong architectural presence among neighboring perennials. The dark succulent leaves form handsome mounds that add substance and contrast long before the flowers emerge. Their upright forms lend structure and visual weight to garden spaces.
Flower heads evolve beautifully as the season progresses. Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Joy' matures from soft pink to deeper rosy tones, while Hylotelephium spectabile 'Class Act' produces large deep pink flower clusters above blue-green foliage. Their rounded blooms pair naturally with grasses, Russian sage, and coneflowers, creating richly textured combinations that glow in late summer sunlight.
Related: Explore All Sedums ➔