13 Best Full Sun Shrubs

Gold Mound Spirea

The Spiraea genus is known for its flowering displays, and the blooms of the Gold mound (Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound') cultivar do not disappoint. But this sun-loving shrub is also known for its leaves. From golden in the spring to chartreuse in the summer and yellows, oranges, and reds in the fall, this shrub's foliage will hold your interest throughout the growing season.

The plant flowers on new wood, so prune the shrub in the late winter or early spring to maintain its shape and remove dead or diseased parts. Also, remove faded flowers to encourage additional blooming. This shrub can be an aggressive self-seeder.

• Name: Gold mound (Spiraea japonica 'Gold Mound')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: Pink
• Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft, tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Flamingo Willow

Flamingo willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo') is a cultivar with reddish-pink coloration on its stems and on its new leaves in the spring, which is how the shrub got its name. The shrub also features small yellow catkins from April to May.

This plant likes full sun but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot climates. Also, it prefers evenly moist soil but can tolerate somewhat dry conditions. Prune to maintain its shape in the late winter or early spring.

• Name: Flamingo willow (Salix integra 'Flamingo')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
• Flower Color: Yellow
• Mature Size: 4 to 6 ft. tall, with a spread of 5 to 7 ft.
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Diabolo Ninebark

Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo') is a sun-loving shrub whose foliage is interesting in spring, summer, and fall. During the spring and early summer, it sports dark purple foliage, which contrasts well next to brighter plants. The foliage tends to get greener as the weather heats up. Pretty clusters of fruit and exfoliating bark add additional interest.

Prune your shrub to shape it immediately after its blooming period, which typically is from May to June.

• Name: Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, slightly acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: Light pink
• Mature Size: 8 to 10 ft. tall
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Dwarf Fothergilla

The dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii 'Mount Airy') is a sun-loving plant, but it also can tolerate a little shade. This shrub only grows to around 3 to 5 feet in height and spread, and it sports profuse white blooms in the springtime. The flowers have a pleasant honey-like scent. Moreover, its foliage has excellent fall color in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Make sure to provide your plant with good drainage, and regularly water it throughout the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist.

• Name: Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii 'Mount Airy')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: White
• Mature Size: 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Oakleaf Hydrangea

The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is often used as a garden accent or as part of a shrub border. It grows to around 6 to 8 feet in height and spread. This shrub features pyramid-shaped panicles (branching clusters of flowers) in the late spring that go from white to a purplish-pink.

Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, so prune your shrub immediately after it’s finished flowering to allow it to develop next year's buds. Be sure to give it some winter protection, such as with a burlap wrap or mulch, in colder growing zones. This shrub is toxic to humans and animals.

• Name: Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) 
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: White, pink
• Mature Size: 4 to 8 ft. tall, 4 to 8 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Tiger Eyes Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a large shrub native to North America that can grow around 15 to 25 feet tall. But tiger eyes is a dwarf cultivar that only reaches around 3 to 6 feet in height and spread. This makes it ideal for landscaping and it is unlike poison sumac.

It features chartreuse foliage in the spring that matures to a bright yellow in the summer and picks up orange and red tones in the fall. The foliage contrasts nicely with its purplish stems.

Provide your shrub with good drainage, and make sure you're not overwatering.

• Name: Tiger Eyes Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: Green-yellow
• Mature Size: 3 to 6 ft. tall and wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Rock Cotoneaster

Rock cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a shrub that also works as a ground cover because of its low, spreading growth habit. It reaches around 2 to 3 feet tall with a 6- to 8-foot spread. In the spring, the shrub sports tiny pink flowers that attract bees. And in the fall, its foliage turns a reddish-orange. Plus, in the late summer and fall the shrub features bright red berries.

As long as you give rock cotoneaster an appropriate planting space, it usually requires minimal pruning. It tends to be a hardy, low-maintenance plant. Note that the plant is toxic to humans and animals.

• Name: Rock cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Loamy, moist, well-draining
• Flower Color: Pink
• Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft. tall, 6 to 8 ft. spread
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Beautyberry

Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is one of the few shrubs to feature purple berries. Its insignificant blooms, which appear in the late spring and summer, develop into these bright purple fruits that remain attractive on the plant until cold weather hits. Full sun results in more abundant fruits.

Beautyberry is a fairly low-maintenance shrub. Pruning isn’t always necessary unless you need to remove dead, broken, or diseased portions. 

• Name: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
• Flower Color: Purple, pink
• Mature Size: 3 to 6 ft. tall, 3 to 6 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Pussy Willow

Pussy willow shrubs (Salix discolor) produce catkins, which are the fuzzy ornamental buds you see on their leafless branches. Catkins appear in the late winter and early spring. The male plants feature a showier display.

Keep your shrub consistently moist through regular watering and rainfall. You may prune it close to the ground every three to five years to rejuvenate growth.

• Name: Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, medium to wet, well-draining
• Flower Color: White
• Mature Size: 6 to 25 ft. tall, 4 to 15 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: No

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') is grown for the twists and turns that its branches take. Some other common names for it that reflect its form are contorted hazelnut and corkscrew filbert. Its screwball branching pattern adds interest to a garden, especially in the winter when its branches are bare. The pretty, golden-yellow catkins add interest.

Water the shrub regularly to maintain soil moisture, but avoid planting it in heavy clay soil. Also, remove any root suckers to help maintain the plant’s appearance.

• Name: Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
• Flower Color: Yellow-brown
• Mature Size: 8 to 10 ft. tall, 8 to 10 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Tatarian Dogwood

Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima') is a multifaceted shrub. Its resume includes variegated (multicolored) leaves, flower clusters, and berries. But its main claim to fame is its colorful red bark, which is especially apparent in the winter and early spring. Likewise, yellow twig dogwood (Cornus servicea 'Flamiramea') features golden bark.

Pruning isn’t always required, but you can remove about a quarter of the old growth each spring to promote new stems. 

• Name: Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima')
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining
• Flower Color: White
• Mature Size: 6 to 9 feet tall, 8 to 12 feet wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Adam's Needle

Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is an evergreen plant that grows to around 3 to 8 feet tall with a 3- to 5-foot spread. It features a rosette of long, sword-shaped green leaves around its base. And in the late spring or early summer, a tall flower stalk arises from that rosette, which sports bell-shaped panicles of creamy white blooms.

This plant is fairly low-maintenance and can tolerate poor, sandy soil, as well as some drought. Just make sure you plant it in an area with good drainage. This plant is toxic to pets.

• Name: Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: White
• Mature Size: 3 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Japanese Falsecypress

‘Golden Mop’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is a slow-growing dwarf shrub with long drooping tips. During its first decade of growth, it likely will only reach around 2 to 3 feet in height and spread, eventually topping out at around 5 feet. It features yellow foliage throughout the year that appears similar to a mop head, hence its cultivar name.

Pruning is rarely necessary for this plant. Ensure that it has adequate soil drainage, and plant it in a spot that's protected from strong winds.

• Name: ‘Golden Mop’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
• Flower Color: n/a
• Mature Size: 5 ft. tall
• Deer Resistant: Yes