Top 10 Perennial Plants For Dry Sunny Areas

More often than not I seem to be writing about plants that will grow in shade, but this time it is all about full sun. The sun loving perennials on this list cover five different categories including low-growing, mat-forming types, plants with tactile leaves and succulents. The plants are described in an article by David Beaulieu which I found on The Spruce website.

If you have dry, sunny areas on your property and wish to grow plants there, you need to select full-sun plants that are known for their drought-tolerance. Following is a list of perennials that qualify. Many of these perennials are popular in rock gardens. Also see my companion piece, 10 Best Perennials for Sun.

Picture: full-sun plant, snow-in-summer growing in the Thuja Garden near Bar Harbor, Maine. David Beaulieu

Note that a location in your landscape is considered to be in “full sun” if it receives?6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily (on sunny days).

Table of Contents

Toggle

Examples of Low-Growing, Flowering, Full-Sun Plants

1. Yellow Alyssum Flowers
My first two choices for full-sun plants are both low-growing, mat-forming plants effective as ground covers and popular in rock gardens. The first is yellow alyssum, a perennial not to be confused with annual or “sweet” alyssum.
2. Snow-in-Summer Plants
Second on my list of full-sun plants is a rock garden favorite, snow-in-summer. That picturesque name derives from its appearance in bloom, but snow-in-summer is grown just as much for its silvery foliage as for its mass of snow-white flowers.

Full-Sun Plant for Tactile Delights

3. Lamb’s Ear Plants

Another full-sun plant with silvery foliage is lamb’s ear. This low-maintenance perennial is not only drought-resistant but also deer-resistant. And you will not be able to resist reaching out and stroking its velvety leaves.

Examples of Succulents

4. Hens and Chicks Plants

We continue with the “barnyard” theme with the present entry, hens, and chicks. Like the following entry, it is a hardy succulent, providing Northern gardeners with an instant “Southwestern” look.