15 Best Annual Flowers for Full Sun

We add color to our outdoor living space every summer by decorating with annual flowers for full sun.  Because the sun can be so harsh we select plants which thrive with little to no shade.

You can create beautiful curb appeal by planting annual flowers in pretty colors in the Spring. Annuals can be enjoyed all summer when properly cared for. This list is printable for you.

First things first. Protect your skin! Before I begin my flower gardening for the season I always gather my necessities for doing yard work. You will want to protect your skin.

• A straw hat, like this one, to protect the skin on my face,
• Yard Gloves, like these, so I won’t get dirt under my fingernails or touch bugs
• Apply Sunscreen before working outside.

Now that we have talked about taking care of your skin in the sun, let’s talk about those beautiful summer flowers!

15 Plus Best Annual Flowers for Full Sun

Here in the deep south our summers can be brutal with temps in the 90’s or low 100’s which is compounded by humidity. We carefully select flowers, shrubs and plants which thrive in our environment and particularly flowers which continue to bloom in full sun. 

Here are more than 15 of the prettiest flowers for full sun which you can plant either in the ground or in containers.

1. Coleus

Coleus are especially easy to grow and come in a variety of colors some of which are very striking and bold.

2. Verbena

Verbena is planted in the center of this pot with Coleus around the outside. Verbena can be both an annual and a perennial depending on the variation and your planting zone. 

This Verbena is actually a perennial which I planted from seed not expecting it to return the next year so that was a nice surprise for me. It is in a large container on the deck in full sun.

3. Purple Feather Grass

3. Mexican Heather and Purple Feather Grass put on quite a show when planted together in large containers. Purple Feather Grass can be grown as a perennial in some zones. Both are suitable for container gardening.

4. Marigolds

One of my all time favorite annuals are Marigolds. The colors are so bold and they keep on flowering right on into late fall.

I enjoy planting Marigold from seed every year. See my tutorial Marigolds From Seed To Bloom here. 

How To Deadhead Marigolds

5. Angelonia

Angelonia also known as Summer Snapdragon thrive in heat and humidity and will continue to flower right into the fall. The plant above is Serena® Angelonia. Grow Angelonia in containers, as shown or in beds in the ground.

6. Golden Tickseed

Golden Tickseed also known as Coreopsis, produce an abundance of bright yellow flowers with a gorgeous maroon center. If you’re trying to attract butterflies, Golden Tickseed should definitely be in your flower garden.

Admittedly, Golden Tickseed resembles a weed but they are gorgeous blooming flowers you can add to your butterfly garden.

7. Portulaca or Moss Rose

Portulaca also known as Moss Rose have showy flowers which close at night and on cloudy days and then open in full sun. The plant above is all orange flowers but Portulaca comes in a variety of colors including mixed.

Pink Portulaca

Pink Portulaca are a good flower for hanging baskets in sunny locations. These Pink Portulaca are in our DIY Tea Cup Sconce Planter.

8. Celosia

Celosia, on the left and 9 Red Salvia are both beautiful showy flowers great for borders or containers. These are supposed to be annual flowers but I have had Celosia reappear the next year which was a pleasant surprise. 

9. Salvia

Salvia can be found in red, my favorite and a strikingly gorgeous deep purple color. These showy annual flowers can grow rather tall and are good for borders.

10. Zinnia

Zinnia are pretty little delicate flowers which do well in containers or in beds. They provide another choice with multi colored flowers and because they are tall work well for layered beds.

Plant these tall flowers in the back of your flower bed. Zinnia are also suitable for container gardening on your deck or porch.

11. Begonia

Begonia are a favorite in the deep south. They are great for front flower beds or containers on the porch or deck. Begonia create a striking look for curb appeal when used as a border plant in flower beds.

Although Begonia are considered an annual flower, they may sometimes volunteer to return the following year acting like a perennial. I kept one Begonia plant in a container on my front porch for several years. I waiting anxiously every winter to see if it would return again the next year. It lasted through about three summers.

12. Petunia

Petunia have long been a personal favorite. Wave Petunia are beautiful in hanging baskets. I found an old Canning Pot at an Estate sale and used it as the blue with Red Geranium and White Petunia to create  Patriotic Porch Decor.  Plant petunia in your flower beds or in containers as they drape quite well in hanging baskets.

Petunia are another annual flower that will sometimes volunteer to return conducting itself as a perennial. These can be found at your local garden center in a good variety of colors including deep purple that is almost black and velvety.

13. Sunflowers

Sunflowers scream Summer more than any other flower especially when planted in a field as above. They attract pollinators like the birds and bees as well as butterflies. 

Sunflowers are quite tall and create a striking backdrop in a big flower bed.

14. Ageratum

Ageratum can handle full or partial sun. The colors are quite bold and vibrant. With proper care these blue flowers will bloom from Spring all the way into the first frost. 

Ageratum was one of the first flowers I learned to grow in my front yard flower beds. A neighbor taught me to appreciate the purple ageratum while creating fond memories of flower gardening together.

15. Cosmos

Cosmos grow tall with gorgeous velvet petals. They also attract pollinators and stand up well to heat and sun. 

Cosmos remind me of Zinnia by the way they look and grow. This is another pretty flower that you can plant and expect a variety of colors as seen above.

Print This List

More Outdoor Living DIY Projects

• Our Deck Makeover Project
• 10 Ways To Create Curb Appeal
• DIY Americana Clay Pot Wreath
• How To Start Seeds in Milk Jugs
• How To Grow Your Own Salad Greens Year Round
• How To Get Your Gas Grill Ready for The Season

Geranium

Geranium are a must for our front porch every year, preferably red.

Geranium are not a full sun plant. They prefer sun the first part of the day then they would like some shade to pop over so we are not counting them in the 15 but they are a must have!

Where to Buy Annual Flower Plants

• Your local Garden Center, like Ace Hardware
• Shop your local Farmers Market for locally grown plants
• Home Improvement Stores, like Home Depot
• Amazon