Tired of plants dying in your sunny yard? Been there!
After lots of dead plants and wasted money, I finally found 7 bushes that actually love the sun.
Even better – they’re nearly impossible to kill (and I should know, I’ve tried!).
Top 7 Sun-Loving Shrubs for Your Garden
I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first started planning my garden beds. Through lots of research and plenty of plant casualties, I’ve found these seven shrubs to be absolute winners for sunny spots.
1. Gold Mound Spirea
This little showstopper has become one of my absolute favorites in my front yard.
The foliage puts on an incredible color show throughout the seasons – starting with gorgeous golden leaves in spring that transition to chartreuse in summer.
Come fall, you’ll be treated to a stunning display of yellows, oranges, and reds that’ll make your neighbors stop and stare.
I’ve found that giving it a good haircut in late winter helps keep it looking fresh and encourages more blooms. Just watch out – this enthusiastic plant loves to spread its seeds around!
2. Flamingo Willow
If you’re looking for something unique, the Flamingo Willow is your girl.
The stems have this gorgeous reddish-pink color that adds such beautiful interest to the garden. In spring, the new leaves come in with the same pretty pink tones.
While it loves basking in full sun, I’ve noticed mine appreciates a little afternoon shade during our brutal summer days. Just keep the soil consistently moist, and it’ll reward you with lovely yellow catkins in spring.
3. Diabolo Ninebark
This dramatic beauty has become the talk of my neighborhood with its deep purple foliage in spring and early summer.
Don’t worry if the leaves get a bit greener during hot weather – it’s totally normal. The peeling bark adds such wonderful winter interest when everything else looks bare.
I usually give mine a quick trim right after it blooms in late spring, and that’s all the maintenance it needs!
4. Fothergilla Mount Airy
This compact charmer has stolen my heart with its honey-scented white blooms in spring.
At just 3-5 feet tall, it’s perfect for smaller spaces or as a foundation planting. The fall colors are absolutely incredible – like a sunset in plant form!
One tip I learned the hard way: make sure you’ve got good drainage, or this beauty will throw a fit. Keep the soil consistently moist, and it’ll be your best garden friend.
5. Oak Leaf Hydrangea
This stunning shrub has become the centerpiece of my garden border.
The large, cone-shaped flowers start out white and gradually turn the prettiest shade of pink-purple. At 6-8 feet tall, it makes quite a statement!
Just remember to prune it right after flowering if needed – I made the mistake of cutting mine back in spring once and lost all my blooms for that year.
6. Rock Cotoneaster
This is my go-to problem solver for tricky spots where nothing else wants to grow.
While it stays nice and low at 2-3 feet tall, it spreads up to 8 feet wide, making it perfect for covering bare ground under trees or along slopes.
The tiny pink spring flowers bring in the bees, and the bright red berries in fall are simply gorgeous. Plus, it’s practically bulletproof – perfect for busy moms like me!
7. Beautyberry
Talk about a conversation starter! The purple berries on this shrub never fail to make visitors ask, “What IS that?”
I love how low-maintenance this shrub is – literally plant it and forget it. The more sun it gets, the more berries you’ll have.
The only time I touch my beautyberry is to remove any dead branches, and it rewards me with the most spectacular display of purple berries that last well into the cold weather.