Types of Small, Full Sun Perennials

Delosperma

• Delosperma is a native plant in South Africa, where it develops in full sun in some of the mountainous terrain. Growing to just 2 inches high, but spreading out as wide as 18 inches, delosperma is a suitable ground cover. The parent species turns out yellow flowers from May through September and belongs to a group of perennials known as ice plants. Hybrids of delosperma include Starburst and John Proffitt. The former features lilac-purple blooms and grows to 4 inches tall; the latter's flowers are shades of fuchsia. Climates no colder than those of USDA plant hardiness zone 6 support these small perennials, which withstand both heat and drought.

Stonecrop

• A tendency to sprout from rocky ledges gives the perennials known as stonecrops their names. They do great in full sun, hailing from Europe where they grow to 6 inches. Stonecrops are evergreen, making them a good ground cover choice. The flower colors vary between species and cultivars. Some have star shapes and are yellow, while types such as Coral Carpet are shades of white and pink. Stonecrops are hardy little perennials, standing up in the face of poor quality soils, hot weather and drought. Species such as white stonecrop grow from USDA zones 3 through 9.

Thyme

• One of the suggested uses for wild thyme is as filler for planting between stepping-stones on a pathway or a patio, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden. Several types of thyme exist that remain small, with most less than 6 inches high. Thyme fares poorly in wet soils, with root rot developing and killing the plant. Well-draining sites where the sun beats down support these perennials, with their small flowers attracting bees. Thyme cultivars include Pink Chintz, Minus and Lime. These plants stay green in regions where winters are not too harsh.

Speedwell

• In some instances, speedwell continues blooming during the summer after its initial flowering period of late spring. This full-sun perennial from parts of Turkey and Russia grows to 6 inches, keeping it small enough for use in rock gardens or the front portions of perennial borders. Speedwell cultivars such as Giles Van Hees are 6 inches tall, but their flowers grow on spikes over the plant and attract butterflies. The colors of the flowers depend upon the hybrid; some are blue like Blue Reflection while others are purple, such as those of Sunshine.