The best full-sun plants for your Massachusetts yard!

by Jorge Melo

Full-sun spots in your yard don’t have to stay bare or boring. What should you plant in the full sun areas of your Massachusetts yard? Hardy perennials like coneflowers, daylilies, black-eyed Susans, and lavender. These plants don’t just survive six to eight hours of direct sun—they thrive in it, bringing nonstop color and pollinator activity from spring through frost. In our 35 years of business, we’ve seen sunny gardens turn into showpieces when the right plants are chosen. This guide highlights the best perennials for full sun in Massachusetts and how to keep them growing strong. What you need to know about growing full-sun perennials

Sunlight: Full sun means 6–8 hours of direct sun daily. Less light means fewer blooms and weaker plants.

Soil: Aim for moist but well-drained soil. Amend heavy clay or compacted areas with compost before planting.

Watering: Water deeply and infrequently to build root depth. In drought, one thorough soak per week is better than frequent sprinkles.

Hardiness Most Massachusetts landscapes fall in USDA zones 5b–7b. Check plant tags and pick cultivars suited to those zones.

The best types of full-sun perennials for Massachusetts

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Daisy-like blooms in purple, pink, white, and more. Native and excellent for bees and butterflies.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Buttery yellow petals with dark centers. Mass beautifully and return reliably.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Nearly bulletproof. Mix early, mid-season, and late bloomers for summer-long color.

Sedum (Sedum)

Fleshy foliage and late nectar from mid-summer to fall. Great in hot, dry beds.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Flat flower clusters with feathery foliage. Strong drought tolerance once established.

Lavender (Lavandula)

Fragrant purple spikes in July–August. Needs sharp drainage and full sun.

Peonies (Paeonia)

Show-stopping late-spring blooms. Long-lived, often thriving for decades.

Phlox (Phlox)

Fragrant clusters in pinks, purples, and whites. Provides mid-summer color.

Aster (Aster)

Late-season color in purple, pink, blue, or white. Critical nectar when other plants fade.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum)

Fall finishers with dense mounds of red, orange, yellow, white, or purple.

Great combos

Full-sun beds don’t have to be one-note. Mixing textures and bloom times creates a garden that looks full all season.

Try pairing bidens, salvia, lantana, angelonia, ornamental peppers, and fountain grass. Together, they bring nonstop color, heat tolerance, and bold contrast—from bright flowers to airy grasses.

(Combination adapted from UMass Extension’s “Annuals for Sun” guidance and tailored for Massachusetts conditions.)

Native plants for full sun

Use natives to boost ecology and reduce maintenance:

• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Lavender blooms that attract bees and hummingbirds.

• Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Monarch host with pink and mauve flower clusters.

• Yellow giant hyssop (Agastache nepetoides) – Tall yellow spikes and a pollinator magnet.

• Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) – Fragrant, long-blooming clusters loved by butterflies.

What full sun plants attract hummingbirds

Hummingbirds prefer tube-shaped blooms with rich nectar. In full sun, plant bee balm (wild bergamot), cardinal flower, and garden phlox. Group them in patches for easier feeding and stagger bloom times to keep visits going all season.

Can full sun plants get too much sun

Yes. Even sun-loving perennials can struggle in extreme heat. Protect with 2–3 inches of mulch, water deeply once per week in dry spells, and consider temporary afternoon shade for new plantings until roots establish.

Can full sun plants grow in part shade

Some can tolerate it, such as phlox, asters, and catmint, but expect fewer flowers. For the best performance, aim for 6–8 hours of uninterrupted sunlight daily.

How many hours is full sun for plants

Full sun means at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Anything less counts as partial sun or shade.

Are hydrangeas full sun plants

No. Most hydrangeas prefer morning sun with afternoon shade. For a true full-sun bed, choose coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, sedum, or yarrow.

FAQ about full sun plants

What are the lowest-maintenance full-sun perennials?

Daylilies, sedum, and black-eyed Susans. They are forgiving on soil and water once established.

How do I prep a new full-sun bed?

Remove weeds, loosen soil 8–10 inches, mix in compost for drainage, set plants at tag spacing, water thoroughly, and mulch 2–3 inches.

How often should I fertilize full-sun perennials?

Most need only spring compost. If blooming slows after a few years, top-dress again or split crowded clumps.

What’s the best spacing?

Close enough that plants touch at maturity to shade weeds—check the tag and resist over-crowding at planting.

When should I plant?

Plant in spring after frost or early fall while the soil is warm. Water consistently for the first 4–6 weeks.

FAQ about New England Tree & Landscape

Do you design and install full-sun perennial beds?

Yes. We handle site prep, plant selection, installation, and simple maintenance plans tailored to sunny exposures.

Are you insured and experienced with local conditions?

Yes. We are fully insured, with decades of field experience designing for coastal wind, heat, and salt exposure.

Can I get landscape design in Mattapoisett, MA?

Absolutely. We provide landscape design in Mattapoisett, MA with plant lists matched to full-sun sites and local soils.

Do you offer landscape design in Rochester, MA too?

Yes. We regularly deliver landscape design in Rochester, MA for new builds and mature properties.

Can I hire landscapers in Mattapoisett, MA just for installation?

Yes. Our crews serve as landscapers in Mattapoisett, MA for installs even if you already have a plan.

What about landscapers in Rochester, MA for seasonal care?

We also provide support as landscapers in Rochester, MA, including dividing perennials, mulching, and bed refreshes.

How do I get a quote?

Call (508) 763-8000 or email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com with photos and rough measurements for a fast estimate.

What’s your warranty?

We stand behind our installations. Plant guarantees are tied to proper aftercare, and we outline watering and maintenance in writing.

MLA citations

Moodscapes. “The Best Full-Sun Perennials That Thrive in Massachusetts Home Landscapes.” Moodscapes Design, Sept. 2024.

“Best Perennials for Full Sun Gardens in New England.” Gardenia, 2025, www.gardenia.net/guide/best-perennials-for-full-sun-in-new-england.

“Annuals for Sun.” Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2025.

Shell, Wyatt. “Native Plants of Massachusetts: 12 Options for Your New England Garden.” My Home Park Blog, Nov. 2024.