Southern states are known for intense temperatures.
Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite flowers that thrive in the often blistering sun of Southern climates.
They look good in the summer, spring, or fall, as long as the sun shines.
Credit: VisionsofAmerica / Joe Sohm / Getty Images
Plant them in acontaineror put them in a beautiful flowerbed to add some color and personality to the garden.
No matter how you plant these full-sun flowers, the blooms will be magnificent in the sunshine.
This sun-loving, summertime bloomer looks striking in a pot on your patio or in a border along pathways.
Credit:Getty Images
Agapanthus thrives with weekly watering but must have well-draining soil.
In frost-free areas, it will continue blooming into fall.A.
africanusprefers acidic soil, but other species can handle neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
Credit: VIDOK / Getty Images
Plant bulbs in fall in rich, well-drained soil (most can be grown in Zones 4-9).
They rarely need watering and happily soak up the sun until they bloom in late spring or early summer.
Angelonia
This beauty is also known as the summer snapdragon.
Credit: Van Chaplin
It’s an excellent choice for hot, sunny spots and can thrive in a container.
Angelonia is oftengrown as an annualbut is perennial in Zones 9-11.
Black-Eyed Susan
Theblack-eyed Susanis one of the easiest flowers to grow in full sunlight.
Credit: Timothy Carroll / EyeEm / Getty Images
Flowers appear in late summer and early autumn and resemble daisies, bearing yellow petals surrounding a brownish-black center.
Deadheading encourages a longer blooming season.
Plant in Zones 4-9.
Credit:gubernat / Getty Images
This species is an annual, while the hybridG.
x grandiflorais a short-lived perennial.
These spiky pollinator plants are often purple, though you might find white and pink varieties.
Credit:Getty Images / Sharon Dominick
Many types of blazing star grow well in poor, dry soils.
spicatalikes well-drained soil but can handle more moisture and even grow in rain gardens.
Like other milkweeds, it is a host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Credit: Janet Foster / Getty Images
Otherbutterflies and beeswill visit plants for the nectar.
Plant butterfly weed in Zones 3-9 in any average, well-drained soilpreferably one that is on the dry side.
Catmint
Catmint blooms all summer and doesnt mind the heat of theLower South.
Credit: Neil Holmes/Getty Images
Once established in any well-drained soil, it is drought tolerant.
Small purple or blue flowers attract bees and butterflies, but deer typically stay away.
Shearing off spent flowers will encourage more growth and blooms.
Credit:Getty Images / Wirestock
Plant it along walkways so you could enjoy the minty aroma as you brush past.
They thrive in the heat, making them a good choice for long, hot Southern summers.
Celosia prefers rich, well-draining soil and does not like heavy clay.
Credit:Songsak Paname/EyeEm/Getty Images
Some varieties reseed prolifically.
Chrysanthemum
Autumn mums form tight, flower-covered mounds when they bloom in fall.
Deer do not like mums, so they are safe to plant and enjoy all season.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Water mums regularly and pinch off spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
you’re free to grow them as perennials in Zones 5-9.
Coneflower
Thesenative wildflowersthrive in heat and humidity in Zones 4-9.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
They bloom best in full sun but can tolerate a little afternoon shade.
Coneflowers can be drought-tolerant but should be watered regularly in their first season.
Thewildflowers attract birds, bees, and butterflies and make excellent-cut flowers.
Credit: Grace Cary / Getty Images
Coreopsis
Also known as tickseed, the availability of coreopsis has exploded.
Many are familiar with the ferny foliage and light yellow flowers of ‘Moonbeam’ or sunny yellow ‘Zagreb.’
tinctoriahas showy burgundy or reddish centers.
Credit:Getty Images / Tomohiro Fujita
Today’s hybrids also come in whites, reds, oranges, and pinks.
Flower petals often look notched and can appear from summer to fall.
Some coreopsis types are drought-tolerant; these plants don’t do well in heavy or wet soils.
Credit:Alison Miksch
Originally from Central America, cosmos can withstand bright sun for a half day or more.
The flowers look most striking when planted in large masses that attract birds and butterflies.
About a week after germination, they require little watering or care.
Credit: Steve Bender
There are hundreds of varieties ranging from a compact 15 inches to a stately 4 feet tall.
Buy plants in the spring or start tubers in pots four to six weeks before your last frost date.
They like to be planted in warm, rich, well-drained but moist soil in full sun.
Credit: AndreaAstes / Getty Images
Delphinium
Garden varieties of delphinium have tall spikes that reach for the sky.
Plant delphiniums in well-draining soil amended with organic matter and stake tall plants or shelter them from the wind.
They may bloom in spring or summer, depending on the species.
Credit:Van Chaplin
Dianthus thrives in Zones 4-9 in well-draining, organically rich soil in full sun.
The plants appreciate regular watering during the summer but are fairly carefree when planted in a good site.
These drought-tolerant plants come in various forms, foliage, and flower shapes.
Credit: Mandy Disher Photography / Getty Images
The unique flower bracts make it highly coveted for ornamental plant gardens.
Many types have interesting, evergreen foliage with stripes or spikes.
Some euphorbias are hardy in Zones 3-9 and others have a much narrower range.
Credit: Van Chaplin
This sprawling plant grows fast without needing to be pruned and rarely has setbacks from pests or disease.
The Australian native doesn’t blink during hot, dry weather.
Fan flower likes soil that is evenly moist, but let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Credit:Photolinchen / Getty Images
The cigar-shaped, bright bloomsattract hummingbirdsand butterflies.
Firecracker plant prefers light, well-draining, moist soil.
The plant is a perennial subshrub in frost-free areas.
Credit: YONCA60 / Getty Images
Geranium
These classic, sun-loving plants need bright light to thrive.
They will grow leggy in the shade and won’t bloom as profusely.
Depending on the variety, geraniums can be displayed in hanging baskets, borders, and window boxes.
Credit: Amarita/Getty Images
Flowers range in color from lilac to orange and even bi-color.
Ivy geraniums are trailing, while scented geraniums may smell of peppermint, citrus, or rose.
Water it regularly until established and then during hot, dry spells.
Credit: Getty Images
Globe amaranth makes great cut flowers and can be used in dried flower arrangements.
Hibiscus
Native to warm, subtropical, and tropical environments, hibiscus make perfect sun-loving flowers.
A slow-release fertilizer will help ensure this plant gets all the nutrients it needs.
Credit: Hector M Sanchez
Lantana
It’s never too hot for a lantana.
This drought-tolerant plant loves the full sunyou only need a few plants to put on a show.
Most marigolds are annuals, but some perennial species exist.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Calibrachoa is usually grown as an annual in containers in well-drained soil.
They do best in slightly acidic, loamy soil or potting mix.
Remove them when the heat starts to affect the foliage and replace with heat-resistant summer flowers.
Credit: Steve Bender
You cangrow pentasin any well-drained soil, where it will become drought-tolerant once established.
This bee-friendly flower blooms from spring through fall in white, pink, lavender, or red.
Pentas thrives in full sun but will bloom in partial shade as well.
Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images
In the Lower South, they can take light afternoon shade.
Peonies are known for their showy bloomssome of the truly huge types reach 10 inches wide.
Petunia
Getty Images/Olena Lialina
Trumpet-shaped garden petunias are a classic in summer containers and flowerbeds.
Credit: Dorit Bar-Zakay/Getty Images
Plant breeders have even developed ones that will glow in your nighttime garden.
Petunias need well-draining soil and benefit from pinching and deadheading.
Red Poppy
Thered poppyis also known as corn poppy, field poppy, and Flanders poppy.
Credit:Southern Living/Adrienne Legault
Poppies need at least six hours of full sun and well-drained soil to grow their best.
Poppies' self-seeding abilities allow this annual to return year after year.
Roses
Robbie Caponetto
Nothing beats the charm of a rose garden in summer.
Credit:Getty Images/Olena Lialina
Portulaca prefers fast-draining or sandy soil, light watering, and plenty of sunshine.
Russian Sage
Russian sage will spread, making it an excellent plant for extensive garden spaces.
The foliage impresses in the winter as it features silver stems, sometimes appearing a chalky white.
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
Salvia
Hummingbirds and butterflies love these attractive blooms.
Cousin to the culinary sage, these plants are grown primarily for show.
The blossoms get big, so keep in mind when planting that they need plenty of room to grow.
Credit:Ali Majdfar/Getty Images
it’s possible for you to find endlesstypes of salviared and blue are common colors.
This old-fashioned favorite can tolerate a lot of soils as long as the drainage is sufficient.
Shasta daisies will bloom prolifically in spring and summer in full sun.
Credit: Photo: White Oak Gardens
Snapdragon
Snapdragons will drink up the sun in the brightest spots in your garden.
Spikes of snout-shaped blooms bring instant cheer from spring through fall.
The flowers make excellent options for containers or to fill space in a flower bed.
Credit: Roger Foley
Though often grown as annuals, snapdragons like cool weather and can return each spring in Zones 7-10.
SunPatiens
Not all impatiens thrive in full sun, but SunPatiens does exceptionally well.
They don’t need as much water as other impatiens either.
Getty Images/OKRAD.
These flowers appreciate rich, well-drained soil.
Sunflower
The sunniest flower of all, the sunflower, loves full sun.
These sturdy plants are adaptable and drought-tolerant, though they appreciate regular watering.Annual sunflowersbloom in the summer and fall.
Credit: Getty Images
These excellent pollinator plants make a stunning statement in a sunny garden from late spring to fall.
The pure white, pink, rose, or white flowers have a white or red eye.
The flower was formerly known botanically asVinca rosea, and many people still call it vinca.
Yarrow has ferny, medicinal-smelling foliage and flat flower clusters traditionally in white or gold hues.
There are hybrids now in pinks, reds, and purples.
The flowers can be dried for arrangements.
Credit: picture alliance / Contributor / Getty Images
Zinnia
you’re free to’t ask for a more beautiful addition to your garden than zinnias.
The easiest annuals tostart from seeds, these bright buds will bloom in containers until an autumn frost.
Snip them just as they are beginning to open for a show-stopping centerpiece.
Credit:Diana Kirby
The plants will branch out and produce more flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shade-loving plants do not need sun exposure to thrive.
Some easy-to-grow shade flowers include impatiens, leopard’s bane, hellebore, and orchids.
Credit:Penpak Ngamsathain/Getty Images
Plants and flowers that thrive in full sun require at least six hours of direct daily sun exposure.
Some plants will tolerate more prolonged exposure, but it varies based on the temperature severity and species.
Credit: ChristopherBernard / Getty Images
Credit:Alison Miksch
