15 Shrubs That Are Perfect For Full Sun Areas In Your Yard

When it comes to your yard, you might enjoy the fact that there are shady spots for flowers to grow, while also appreciating that there are sunny areas ideal for plants that thrive off of a lot of light. When it comes to the latter, plenty of shrubs will both survive and thrive in direct sunlight.

There's a range of small trees and sun-loving shrubs that can either attractively line your property, create a natural fence around your house, or charm you with their beautifully blooming flowers. Some options stay on the smaller side and act as perfect accents to your garden, while others can grow and spread across any space that you give it. Whether you're looking for something beautiful, functional, or a little bit of both, you won't be able to resist these 15 shrubs that are perfect for the full sun areas in your yard. They will upgrade your landscaping in no time.

A pretty pink member of the willow family, flamingo willow (scientific name Salix integra "Flamingo") or dappled Japanese willow tree will flourish if you give it a place to soak up the sun. However, according to The Spruce, this stunning shrub also needs moist soil and plenty of pruning to be kept in tip-top shape.

Bloom Season: early spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 4 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: rich and moist but well-drained

Size: 4 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide

If you want a willow shrub in your yard but aren't into the flamingo willow, then you might want to opt for a pussy willow (scientific name Salix discolor). The Spruce notes that it's a common — and fuzzy — variety that is easy to grow if you give it both space and sun.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 2 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: rich and loamy

Size: 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide (but can get up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide)

While the cranberries that you enjoy during the holidays likely came from a bog, you can enjoy an American cranberrybush (scientific name Viburnum trilobum) as a sun-loving shrub in your yard. Although it's not technically part of the cranberry family, it does produce fruit that is edible, according to Gardening Know How.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 2 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: moist and well-drained

Size: can reach up to 12 feet tall

The butterfly bush (scientific name Buddleja) needs full sun to bloom, and once it does, you'll get to enjoy the sight of butterflies stopping by for some nectar. While the bush will add a touch of whimsy to your yard, there is one thing to watch out for. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, many areas in the U.S. consider the shrub an invasive species, so you'll need to see if it's safe to plant in your neighborhood before you pop one in your yard.

Bloom Season: summer to early fall

USDA Growing Zone: zone 5 to 9

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: well-drained

Size: 4 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 8 feet wide

Add some whimsy to your yard by opting for a hebe "magic summer" (scientific name Hebe). The Royal Horticultural Society states that this plant prefers lots of sun to grow optimally, so you don't have to worry about direct sunlight singing its leaves. This stand-out shrub will cast a spell on you with its lovely purple shades.

Bloom Season: throughout summer and fall

USDA Growing Zone: zone 8 to 10

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: moist and well-drained

Size: 1 to 2 feet tall

Oleander (scientific name Nerium oleander) is a shrub that's easy to care for and that's willing to grow in a range of conditions, per the Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center. However, it will do best — and reward you with fantastic flowers — if it gets a nice sunny spot in your yard.

Bloom Season: early summer to mid-fall

USDA Growing Zone: zone 8 to 10

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: can handle most types of soil but won't do well if overdry or overwatered

Size: 3 to 12 feet tall but depends on the specific type

Although gold mound spirea (scientific name Spiraea japonica) will put up with a bit of shade, it will do best in an area with full sun, according to Gardenia. If kept healthy, your shrub will offer beautiful flowers during late spring and vibrantly colored leaves during the fall. 

Bloom Season: late spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 4 to 8

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: clay

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

The black lace elderberry (scientific name Sambucus nigra) is an ornamental shrub that looks as beautiful as its name suggests. The Spruce describes black lace elderberries as having dark leaves and pink flowers that smell like lemon. And if you let it grow to its full potential in a sunny spot, you'll end up with beautiful blackberries that you can eat.

Bloom Season: summer

USDA Growing Zone: zone 4 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: moist and well-drained

Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide

Treat yourself to a fabulously flowering shrub by planting an oakleaf hydrangea (scientific name Hydrangea quercifolia) in your garden. Gardening Know How notes that with lots of sun, this attractive plant will continue to bloom throughout the warmer weather before the leaves transform into shades of red and orange during the fall. Then during the winter, the shrub's inner bark comes out, showing off its darker tone.

Bloom Season: throughout spring to mid-summer

USDA Growing Zone: zone 5 to 9

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: rich and well-drained

Size: 4 to 8 feet tall and wide

Most people agree that lilacs (scientific name Syringa) look as gorgeous as they smell. However, The Old Farmer's Almanac explains that if you want your lilac to grow its incredibly fragrant flowers, then you'll want to make sure that it's in a spot that will get no less than six hours of sunlight each and every day.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 3 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: loamy and well-drained

Size: 8 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide

If you want a shrub that will not only add color to your yard but also make you feel like you're on vacation, then check out the tropical hibiscus (scientific name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). The Spruce explained that since they're tropical, they will need lots of sun to produce blooms consistently. The flowers also come in a range of colors, including orange, pink, peach, red, purple, yellow, and white.

Bloom Season: summer to fall

USDA Growing Zone: 9 to 11

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: moist and well-drained

Size: 4 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide

Japanese flowering quince (scientific name Chaenomeles japonica) is a bold, red flowering shrub. While it's beautiful, The Morton Arboretum points out that it can also be thorny, so some caution is needed. While you want to plant the shrub in a spot that gets lots of sun, you'll also want to avoid areas with heavy foot traffic since people can get scratched.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 5 to 9

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: loamy and well-drained

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide

Add some dark drama to your yard with a diablo ninebark (scientific name Physocarpus opulifolius "Diabolo"). This shrub may look like it prefers to live in the shadows, but you'll get the most out of its purplish-black leaves if you give it a spot with full sun, according to The Spruce.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 3 to 7

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: moist and well-drained

Size: 8 to 10 feet tall and wide

Harry Lauder's walking stick (scientific name Corylus avellana "Contorta") sounds and looks like something out of a fantasy movie. According to Fine Gardening, it grows heart-shaped leaves during the summer and leaves behind spellbinding twisted shoots during the winter. This shrub will be a magical addition to your yard.

Bloom Season: spring

USDA Growing Zone: zone 4 to 8

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: rich, moist, and well-draining

Size: 10 feet tall and wide

You may appreciate roses (scientific name Rosa) when they come in a bouquet, but why not also enjoy them as a shrub? They're a stunning way to adorn the edges of your property or add a punch of color to the middle of your yard. For optimal blooms, The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends that they get at least six hours of sunlight throughout the day.

Bloom Season: spring through fall

USDA Growing Zone: zone 7 to 9

Growing Conditions: full sun

Soil Type: well-drained

Size: depends on the variety of rose