Top 10 Tall Perennial Plants for Full Sun Gardens

Tall Perennial Plants Full Sun

Are you looking to add some height and color to your full sun garden? If so, tall perennial plants may be just what you need! These plants can add a dramatic touch to your garden with their height and vibrant blooms. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right ones for your garden.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 tall perennial plants for full sun gardens. We'll discuss their characteristics, growing requirements, and how to care for them. So, let's dive in!

1. Delphiniums

Delphiniums are a popular choice for adding height to gardens. They can grow up to six feet tall and come in various shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. Delphiniums prefer full sun and moist, well-draining soil. They also require regular watering and fertilization.

Characteristics:

• Height: 4 - 6 feet
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Flower Colors: Blue, pink, purple, white
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, moist, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather
• Fertilize every four to six weeks during the growing season
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms

2. Coneflowers

Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, are a hardy perennial plant that can thrive in full sun. They can grow up to five feet tall and come in various shades, including pink, purple, and white. Coneflowers prefer well-draining soil and require moderate watering.

Characteristics:

• Height: 2 - 5 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Pink, purple, white
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every three to four years to prevent overcrowding

3. Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a popular choice for full sun gardens due to their vibrant yellow petals with a dark brown center. They can grow up to three feet tall and prefer well-draining soil. Black-eyed Susans require regular watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 1 - 3 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Yellow with a dark brown center
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

4. Peonies

Peonies are a classic perennial plant that can add elegance and fragrance to any garden. They can grow up to four feet tall and require full sun and well-draining soil. Peonies require moderate watering and fertilization.

Characteristics:

• Height: 2 - 4 feet
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
• Flower Colors: Pink, red, white, yellow
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Fertilize in early spring and midsummer with a balanced fertilizer
• Cut back foliage after the first frost

5. Russian Sage

Russian Sage is a tall perennial plant that can add a touch of gray-green foliage to your garden. It can grow up to five feet tall and prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Russian Sage requires moderate watering and pruning.

Characteristics:

• Height: 3 - 5 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Lavender-blue
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Prune in early spring before new growth appears
• Divide plants every three to four years to prevent overcrowding

6. Tall Phlox

Tall Phlox is a popular choice for full sun gardens due to its vibrant blooms and sweet fragrance. It can grow up to four feet tall and prefers well-draining soil. Tall Phlox requires moderate watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 2 - 4 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Pink, purple, white
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

7. Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed, also known as Asclepias tuberosa, is a tall perennial plant that can attract butterflies to your garden. It can grow up to three feet tall and prefers well-draining soil. Butterfly Weed requires moderate watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 1 - 3 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Orange, yellow
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

8. Helenium

Helenium is a tall perennial plant that can add a touch of gold, orange, and red to your garden. It can grow up to four feet tall and prefers well-draining soil. Helenium requires moderate watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 2 - 4 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Gold, orange, red
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

9. Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia, also known as Black-eyed Susan, is a tall perennial plant that can add a touch of yellow to your garden. It can grow up to six feet tall and prefers well-draining soil. Rudbeckia requires moderate watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 3 - 6 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Yellow with a dark brown center
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

10. Veronica

Veronica is a tall perennial plant that can add a touch of blue to your garden. It can grow up to four feet tall and prefers well-draining soil. Veronica requires moderate watering and deadheading.

Characteristics:

• Height: 2 - 4 feet
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
• Flower Colors: Blue
• Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-draining soil

Care:

• Water regularly, but do not overwater
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
• Divide plants every two to three years to prevent overcrowding

Tall perennial plants can add height, color, and texture to your full sun garden. From Delphiniums to Veronicas, there are plenty of options to choose from. When selecting tall perennial plants for your garden, consider their growing requirements, such as sunlight and soil type, as well as their care needs, such as watering and pruning.

FAQs

1. What is the best soil type for tall perennial plants?

Most tall perennial plants prefer well-draining soil. This means that the soil should be able to drain excess water quickly. If you have heavy clay soil, consider amending it with compost or sand to improve drainage.

2. How often should I water tall perennial plants?

The frequency of watering depends on several factors, including the plant's growing requirements, weather conditions, and soil type. As a general rule, most tall perennial plants require moderate watering, which means that the soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged.

3. Do tall perennial plants need fertilizer?

Yes, most tall perennial plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula, every four to six weeks.

4. How do I prune tall perennial plants?

The pruning requirements vary depending on the plant species. As a general rule, prune tall perennial plants in early spring before new growth appears. Remove any dead or damaged branches and cut back the remaining branches to promote bushy growth.

5. When should I divide tall perennial plants?

Most tall perennial plants require division every two to three years to prevent overcrowding. Divide the plants in early spring before new growth appears or in early fall after the blooming period is over.