Flowering Shrubs That Like Full Sun And Heat

Some areas of the country consistently get hot, dry summers. While bright summer flowers are appreciated everywhere, they are especially welcome where the hot season is truly hot and also very dry. Read on for some great flowering bushes for full sun and heat. 

Full Sun Flowering Bush

Full sun means one thing in mild climate areas like foggy San Francisco, but another thing entirely in the summer heat of Florida or the heartland. If you find yourself gardening where summer heat is truly hot, you’ll want to identify heat tolerant flowering bushes to add color to your summer garden.

One of the flowering, full sun shrubs we recommend without hesitation for this situation is the Nochi Shibari pomegranate (Punica granatum Nochi Shibari), an extremely attractive plant with crimson buds in spring that open to huge orange carnation-like blooms. They appear on upright branches. Though versatile and heat tolerant, this deciduous shrub may not produce fruit. 

Other plants to consider include crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.), a staple of the south, and rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Both bloom best in full sun and are extremely drought tolerant once established. 

Shrubs for Full Sun and Heat

If you find yourself in hot-weather zones like United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, we’ve got some shrubs for you. Take a look at Teenie Genie Compact Lantana (Lantana camara 'Monike' PP #17,612). This compact shrub produces a continuous display of blossoms all summer long and all year long in warm climates. 

Another good choice for flowering full sun bushes is a “found rose” called Spice. It produces repeat waves of double blossoms, a pale pink in cooler weather or white in heat. Their fragrance is slightly peppery. These drought-tolerant, evergreen roses grow well in a container on the deck. 

Swamp Hibiscus for Dry Areas

With a common name like “swamp hibiscus,” who would think this rose mallow shrub (Hibiscus spp.) with its gorgeous flowers would thrive in dry, full sun conditions? It does, however, and is incredibly versatile about site conditions.

The plants are called swamp hibiscus because, in nature, they are found in moist to wet soils. But these hibiscus plants also do just fine in average conditions that sometimes give way to drought. Full sun locations are best for these lovely flowering shrubs since they will produce a stronger plant and more flowers.