For landscape contractors and designers, working with full-sun spaces can feel both inspiring and challenging. Soil runs hot, water evaporates quickly and plants must work hard to hold their own.
But when the right varieties are thoughtfully selected – plants bred for hardiness, drought tolerance and sustainability – landscapes become vibrant, low-maintenance spaces that bring out the best in color, pollinator support and environmental benefits.
At Loma Vista Nursery, we’ve seen time and again how full-sun plantings can be one of the most rewarding design strategies, especially when you work with plants that give more than they take. The key is choosing species that offer long bloom periods, structural integrity and ecological function, without requiring constant upkeep. For projects located in USDA Hardiness Zones throughout the Midwest, we grow and recommend a dependable lineup of sun-loving perennials and shrubs that stand up to heat and drought while supporting pollinators and protecting the soil.
Orange Glow™ Knock Out® Rose (‘Radslam’)
Orange Glow Knock Out Rose
Orange Glow™ Knock Out® Rose is a showstopper in full-sun planting beds. It brings rich, fiery color to the landscape from late spring through frost, thriving in zones 4 to 9 with minimal pruning and no need for deadheading.
Contractors appreciate its resilience against disease, while clients love its low-maintenance performance and nonstop color. When planted en masse, Orange Glow™ Knock Out® creates bold structure and interest. It requires little beyond a spring cutback to maintain its shape.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed is another essential plant for full-sun landscapes. This North American native does more than just add vivid orange blooms to hot, dry landscapes. It provides critical habitat for monarch butterflies and nectar for countless pollinators.
Hardy from zones 3 to 9, this plant’s deep taproots make it ideal for stabilizing soil on slopes and in tough-to-plant areas where erosion is a concern. Butterfly Weed settles in and stays put, thriving in sandy or rocky soil with barely a drop of added water once established.
Goldstrum Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgia)
Goldstrum Rudbeckia
Goldsturm Rudbeckia is a workhorse perennial plant for full sun landscapes and for good reason. Its golden, daisy-like blooms provide a sunny backdrop from mid-summer through fall in zones 3 to 9.
This tried-and-true variety is low-fuss, deer-resistant and beautiful when naturalized in large sweeps or paired with grasses. It supports pollinators while offering visual impact and dependable growth, making it a favorite for commercial and residential designs.
Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea x ‘Moonshine’)
Moonshine Yarrow
When a landscape design calls for soft foliage and a burst of color, Moonshine Yarrow steps in. This Achillea cultivar grows well in zones 3 to 8, where it thrives in dry heat and attracts pollinators from early summer through the peak of the season.
Yarrow’s roots support and help improve soil structure, while its bright lemon-yellow flowers offer lasting color in even the most exposed areas of the landscape. This perennial is a true champion for xeriscapes and tough borders where water is scarce and performance matters.
‘Miss Molly’ Butterfly Bush (Buddleia x)
‘Miss Molly’ Butterfly Bush
Landscape designers looking for bold color and late-season pollinator support often turn to ‘Miss Molly’ Buddleia. Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this shrub brings rich magenta blooms and a compact shape that’s easy to tuck into perennial beds or anchor foundations and borders.
A sterile variety, this buddleia doesn’t reseed like older butterfly bushes, but still provides ample nectar for bees and butterflies. Its extended bloom time makes it a valuable player in pollinator gardens and in commercial installations.
Echinacea Artisan™ Collection Brillant Rose (Echinacea x hybrida)
Artisan™ Brilliance Rose Coneflower
The Artisan™ Rose Brilliance Echinacea offers a modern update to a native favorite. Hardy in zones 4 to 10, it features strong branching, long-lasting rose-colored blooms and a tidy habit that’s ideal for formal beds or mixed borders.
Echinacea plants like this and the following are pollinator favorites. This variety performs reliably in tough soils with minimal irrigation once roots are established.
Double Scoop™ Watermelon Deluxe Coneflower (Echinacea hybrida)
Double Scoop™ Watermelon Coneflower
In landscape desings that call for an extra pop of saturated color, Double Scoop™ Watermelon Echinacea does not disappoint. Its bright, full blooms and sturdy stems stand up to the heat and sun of zones 4 to 9. Deadheading encourages rebloom well into late summer. Clients love this coneflower for its beautiful color and cut-flower appeal. Contractors love it for its resilience and form.
‘SuperBlue’ English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
‘SuperBlue’ English Lavender
Another go-to for sun-drenched gardens is ‘SuperBlue’ English Lavender. This compact variety produces vivid, fragrant spikes and dense silvery foliage that thrives in zones 5 to 9.
Its tolerance for dry conditions and poor soil makes it a standout along walkways and on dry slopes, where it binds the soil while attracting bees and beneficial insects. Once established, ‘SuperBlue’ English Lavender requires little more than seasonal shaping and good drainage.
‘Cheyenne Spirit’ Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’)
‘Cheyenne Spirit’ Echinacea
For a dynamic blend of warm, saturated tones from one plant – including bright reds, yellows, purples and oranges – choose ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ Echinacea. Hardy from zones 4 to 9, it blooms all summer, tolerates drought and supports a wide range of pollinators. Landscape designers interested in creating pollinator corridors, naturalistic vignettes or bold mass plantings will want to select ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ for its tremendous visual interest and ecological return.
Establishment is Key
In full-sun landscapes, establishment is key. We recommend consistent watering during the first season to develop deep roots, followed by seasonal maintenance and selective deadheading for prolonged blooms.
Full-sun plants are bred to work hard, but the reward comes in year two and beyond, when they flourish with little input. When combined with good soil preparation, proper spacing and smart mulching, these perennial plants and shrubs deliver color, form and habitat without taxing irrigation systems or maintenance crews.
More than just pretty, full-sun plants build living soil, protect against erosion, create habitat and beckon pollinators. As you plan your next full-sun project, consider the dual return of beauty and resilience. We’re here to help with plant selection, availability and guidance to ensure every sun-filled space becomes one that thrives today and sustains tomorrow.
Learn More About Loma Vista Nursery’s Landscape Plants
Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of plants for sun and shade conditions. These include flowering shrubs, perennial plants, groundcovers and trees for Midwest independent garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors. Our team of plant experts helps people learn about plants and the healthy varieties we grow.
Review Loma Vista Nursery’s plant catalog for information and visit our website to learn about our values and best practices as a wholesale Midwest plant grower. For help with orders and plant-related questions, send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com or call (785) 229-7200.
Connect with Us
Stay up-to-date on Loma Vista Nursery’s plant recommendations, species highlights, growing tips and more by following our blogs online and our posts on social media.
