Top 10 Specimen Plants for Full Sun

Top 10 Specimen Plants for Full Sun

Specimen plants, sometimes referred to as ornamental plants, are single plants specially picked to draw the eye and act as a conversation piece.  These plants are often exotic or picturesque and are sometimes more demanding than other plants in a garden and require more care or a special environment such as shade or special fertilizer.  Fortunately, several specimen plants grow nicely in the full force of the sun.

Sweet Gum

The sweet gum, also known as the red gum and the starleaf gum, loves a full sunlight environment and thrives in the areas of the southeast that have a good deal of sun and a long rainy season.  This tree grows quickly and is often used as a specimen plant because of its star shaped flowers.

Florida Arrow Root

Florida arrow root, or coontie, is a cyca that still provides flour to the Seminole Indians today.  This plant does have toxic roots if ingested, but is also widely used as a specimen plant because of its history and meaning to the Seminole Indians as well as its ability to grow well in a pot or hanging basket.

 Carol Mackie Daphne

If subtle color is what your garden is looking for, then the Carol Mackie Daphne will make a fine viewing specimen.  This plant can grow in part shade but thrives under the full sun, growing up to 4 feet tall. This shrub produces light pink to purple flowers in the mid-spring.

Kansas Hawthorn

The Kansas hawthorn, also known as the red hawthorn and the Eggert thorn, grows quickly in the full sun and is often used as a specimen plant either as a tree which can grow up to 20 feet tall or as a shrub that fits nicely in a large pot or as part of a small garden.  The plant has spade shaped leaves with red berries.

Silver Cloud

Another specimen plant that grows well in sun, the silver cloud or eastern redbud is also the state tree of Oklahoma.  Although this tree can grow up to 25 feet in 30 years, it also works well in large planters and is often used not only as a specimen but also as a decorative landscaping plant.

Highbush Blueberry

Highbush blueberry, which is native to the New England area, thrives in full sun and delivers fresh blueberries in the summer.  This plant also attracts birds and small mammals.

Fothergill            

The Fothergill can grow up to 10 feet tall and presents white flowers in the spring and yellow, red and orange fall foliage.  This plant grows well in full sun and is also tolerant of cold. 

Beebalm

The beebalm plant grows quickly in the full sun of the summer and attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.  This plant is native to New York but can be transplanted without fear of spreading invasively.

Red Maple

The red maple is native to New England and is often chosen as a specimen plant because of its tolerance of many soil conditions, moisture conditions and its ability to thrive in the full sun. 

Sweet Pepper Bush

The sweet pepper bush produces white flowers from July to August and is native to New England.  This plant attracts butterflies and produces sweet nectar.