Flowering Bushes That Are Good in Full Sun

USDA Zone 3

• USDA zone 3 supports several kinds of lilac bushes, despite cold that reaches as low as minus 40 degrees F. The common lilac grows in full sun up to 15 feet high across zone 3, with purple May flowers emerging in clusters, or panicles, as long as 8 inches. Cultivars of the common lilac include pink flowering forms such as Charm and white ones like Edith Cavell. Also adapted to zone 3's climate are the maidenhair tree, Japanese spirea and many sorts of hybrid rugosa rose.

USDA Zone 5

• The Japanese barberry is a versatile flowering bush for sunny sites within USDA zone 5. It tolerates urban conditions, drought and hot summers. The flowers are yellow on the parent species and most cultivars, but the foliage varies between forms, with some having green leaves, others gold and still others possessing red and cream-colored leaves. The shrub rose, butterfly bush and bluebeard shrubs come in assorted cultivars, catering to a landscaper's fancy. Another zone 5 bush that thrives in a sunny environment is the sapphire berry, an Asian species featuring creamy white flowers that turn into blue berries.

USDA Zone 7

• Landscapers working in USDA zone 7 have several types of crape myrtle bushes to choose from for full-sun habitats. Among them are cultivars with white, pink, red or purple flowers. Country Red grows to 10 feet, blooms from July into September and serves in mass plantings or as a specimen plant. The zone's sunny spots also support the Japanese barberry and butterfly bush species and many forms of weigela. Cultivars for full sun in the zone include Tango, Eyecatcher and White Knight.

USDA Zone 9

• Use crape myrtle cultivars such as Splash of Pink as a hedge or screen in USDA zone 9, where winter weather does not adversely affect this flowering bush. This cultivar features pinkish white flowers and loves sunny sites. Another bush that works well in sun throughout zone 9 is the chaste tree, with blue summer flowers and fragrant, green-gray leaves. Shrub roses dominate the list of bushes that thrive in full sun in zone 9. The swamp rose works for sunny but wet sites, growing to 6 feet and turning out pink flowers.