10 Plants That THRIVE in Full Summer Sun

5. Salvia: Spikes of Sizzling Color

Okay, get ready to explore a huge and amazing group of plants – Salvias! If you’re looking for flower spikes that bring intense color and attract some really cool visitors to your garden, you’re going to love these.

Seriously, the Salvia family (which includes culinary sage, by the way!) is enormous.¹ But the ones we typically grow for flowers? Wowza! They are fantastic full sun plants, and so many of them just laugh off the summer heat. I remember planting a big patch of bright red Salvia one year, the common bedding kind, and being absolutely mesmerized watching the hummingbirds buzz around it nonstop. It was like installing a hummingbird feeder made of flowers!

Sun Worshippers in Many Forms

Like the other plants we’ve talked about, many Salvia varieties adore full sun. They need that energy to produce those incredible flower spikes. And a lot of them, especially the perennial types, are quite drought-tolerant once they get established, making them great water-wise plant choices for sunny, dry spots.²

The cool thing about Salvia is the diversity. You’ve got annuals, like that classic Red Salvia (Salvia splendens) you see planted in big drifts for instant impact.³ Then you have amazing perennials that come back year after year, like the super popular ‘May Night’ or ‘Caradonna’ varieties with their deep, intense blue and purple spikes – such stunning colors!⁴ There are even shrubby types, like Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), that bloom like crazy in pinks, reds, and corals, especially loved in warmer climates.⁵ It seems like there’s a Salvia for almost every situation!

Vertical Interest & Vibrant Hues

One of the best things Salvias bring to the garden is vertical interest. Those upright spikes of flowers shoot upwards and really draw your eye! They look fantastic poking up behind lower, mounding plants, adding height and a different shape to your garden beds or containers. They really break up the flatness.

And the colors! While you can find lovely pinks and whites, Salvias are really famous for their incredible blues, purples, and reds. Those rich, saturated tones can be hard to find in other summer flowers, and they really make a statement.

Oh, and a little bonus: run your hand over the leaves of many Salvias, and you’ll notice they have fragrant foliage. It might be earthy, fruity, or just… sage-like! It’s a nice little sensory extra when you’re working in the garden.

Simple Care for Stunning Spikes

Want to keep your Salvias happy? The number one rule, like so many other sun-lovers, is well-draining soil. They really, really don’t like to sit in soggy ground. Good drainage is definitely key!

Water needs can vary a bit depending on the specific type you’re growing. The annual bedding types might need more consistent moisture, while many established perennial types are happy with moderate watering and can handle some dryness. Checking the plant tag for specifics is always a good idea.

To keep the flower show going, especially on the perennial types like ‘May Night’, deadheading is your friend. Just snip off the faded flower spikes right down near the foliage. This often encourages the plant to send up a whole new flush of blooms, extending that long blooming season. It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference! And of course, planting Salvias is one of the best ways to invite hummingbirds and butterflies into your yard – they just can’t resist those tubular flowers full of nectar.⁶ It provides endless entertainment!

So, whether you need a pop of annual color, a reliable blue or purple perennial spike, or a hummingbird magnet, there’s probably a Salvia out there for you. They offer so much variety, vertical punch, and wildlife value for the sunny garden.

Now, if you like the idea of masses of color, but maybe want something that spills and trails beautifully out of pots or over walls, you’ll want to hear about our next plant! Click the “next” button below, and let’s talk about the lovely, cascading Verbena…