Growing Trees in Full Sun
Below you will find a list of flowering and shade trees from our plant database that can grow in full sun. If you click on any of the photos, you will see a Virtual Plant Tag that may contain plant descriptions, usage suggestions and a link to where you can buy that plant for your landscaping. The concept of a tree can be difficult to define since different people might consider the same plant a broadleaf evergreen, needled evergreen, conifer, bush or shrub.
Uses for these trees vary by variety, and may also thrive in partial shade, partial sun or even full shade. Trees that flourish in sunny areas may do equally well in wet soil, average moisture or dry conditions.
Some less well-known native plants for sunny spots that deserve wider use in the home garden are Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) which is summer blooming and has nice fall color; American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) with it's smooth silvery bark is good for large spaces; American Elm (Ulmus americana) and the improved selections and hybrids; American Holly (Ilex opaca); American Hophornbeam or Ironwood (Ostyra virginiana) and American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana); American Linden or Basswood (Tilia Americana); American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana); American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua); American Planetree or Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis); Black Tupelo, Black Gum or Pepperidge (Nyssa sylvatica) has exceptional Autumn color; Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa); California or Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens); Carolina Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera or carolina); Chinkapin or Yellow Chestnut Oak (Q. muehlenbergii); Cucumbertree Magnolia (M. acuminata) and several very interesting hybrids; Downy Serviceberry, Juneberry or Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea); Laurel Oaks (Quercus hemisphaerica, imbricaria and laurifolia); Mountain Pepperbush or Cinnamon Clethra (C. acuminata); Nannyberry Viburnum (V. lentago); Nuttall Oak (Q. nuttallii); for southern gardens, Ogeechee Tupelo (Nyssa ogeche); Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a natural beauty with distinct horizontal branches which adds nice texture to the landscape; Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra); Possumhaw (Ilex decidua); Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia); Rusty or Southern Blackhaw Viburnum (V. rufidulum) is hardier than thought; Shagbark and Shellbark Hickory (Carya ovata and laciniosa); best known as Sourwood but also as Lily-of-the-Valley Tree, Sorrel Tree and Oxydendron arboreum, this native is lovely in all seasons from being draped in a veil of spring flowers to awesome red Autumn leaves display; Sweet Birch (Betula lenta);Winged Elm (Ulmus alata).
