Best Full Sun Outdoor Trees of 2026

Toby Butcher Avatar
Toby Butcher
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2026

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For those who want to add some natural beauty to their outdoor space, full sun outdoor trees are a great option. These trees are specifically chosen for their ability to thrive in direct sunlight, making them a great choice for gardens, patios, or any other outdoor area that receives plenty of sunshine. With a variety of sizes and colours to choose from, these trees can provide shade, privacy, or simply add a decorative touch to any space. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, full sun outdoor trees are a great way to enhance your outdoor environment.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Acer palmatum Taylor - Japanese Maple Tree Plant Cover #TOP 1
Acer palmatum Taylor - Japanese Maple Tree Plant
ftb score rating icon 9.8
2 Silver Birch 5-6ft Stunning Mature Specimen Trees Cover #TOP 2
2 Silver Birch 5-6ft Stunning Mature Specimen Trees
ftb score rating icon 9.7
YouGarden Photinia 'Little Red Robin' Tree Cover #TOP 3
YouGarden Photinia 'Little Red Robin' Tree
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Full Sun Outdoor Trees

Acer palmatum Taylor - Japanese Maple Tree Plant

ACETAY-9C
Green,Pink
20-30cm (Incl. Pot)
Acer palmatum Taylor - Japanese Maple Tree Plant Cover
Acer palmatum Taylor - Japanese Maple Tree | Large Outdoor Garden Ready Plant in Pot (20-30cm Incl. Pot)

The Acer palmatum Taylor is a beautiful slow-growing shrub that can be cultivated as a small tree. Its five-lobed leaves start off a delicate pale pink in spring, providing a stunning visual for your garden. As summer arrives, the foliage transitions to a delightful green with a cream border. Come autumn, expect a vibrant lime green shade. This tree thrives in partial shade, making it perfect for areas with less sunlight, and it adapts well to a variety of well-drained soils, ensuring ease of care for you.

What We Like
Attractive seasonal foliage
Easy to maintain
Grows in partial shade
Adapts to various soils
#TOP 2

2 Silver Birch 5-6ft Stunning Mature Specimen Trees

green white
2 Silver Birch 5-6ft Stunning Mature Specimen Trees Cover
2 Silver Birch 5-6ft Stunning Mature Specimen Trees, Betula Pendula 3fatpigs®

Features
Betula Pendula Is A Medium Deciduous Tree, Typically Reaching 15-25 M Tall, Exceptionally Up To 39 M , With A Slender Crown Of Arched Branches With Drooping Branchlets.
These Are BARE ROOTED Plants Which Can Be Planted From The End Of October Until May And Will Be Dispatched As Soon As The Weather Turns Cold And They Become Dormant.The Dispatch Date Depends On The Autumn Temperature And Varies From Year To Year.
The Plain Silver Or Common Birch, Sometimes Called 'the Lady Of The Woods' Because Of Its Outstanding Elegance, Is A Great Landscape Feature, Especially In Autumn And While Still Young - Older Trees Can Become Enormous, But Without Dominating Or Shading The Garden Too Much. When Planted 60cm (2ft) Apart, The Trees Make A Fine Hedge, Or May Be Grown 2.4m (8ft) Apart As A Screen Or Windbreak, Which Can Be Trimmed Each Winter.
Common Name: Silver Birch Genus: Betula Species: Pendula Skill Level: Beginner Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade Hardiness: Hardy Soil Type: Well-Drained/light, Clay/heavy, Acidic, Moist, Sandy Height: 2500cm Spread: 1000cm

YouGarden Photinia 'Little Red Robin' Tree

3_510183
Green,Red
YouGarden Photinia 'Little Red Robin' Tree Cover
YouGarden Photinia 'Little Red Robin' Standard Tree (Approximately 65-90cm Incl. 3L Pot). Photinia Red Robin Tree in Pot Ready to Plant. Trees Outdoor Garden Ready. Trees for Garden

The YouGarden Photinia Tree offers year-round colour with its striking red foliage. This tough shrub, known as 'Little Red Robin', features smaller leaves that bring a bold touch to your garden. The new leaf growth is a vibrant red, gradually transitioning to dark green while still retaining red tones throughout the year. Ideal for large pots or as a border feature, this plant thrives in full sun, ensuring it remains visually stunning with minimal effort on your part.

What We Like
Year-round vibrant colour
Tough and hardy shrub
Perfect for pots and borders
Easy to maintain

YouGarden Pair of Easy-to-Grow Bay Trees

3_680235
Green
Pair
YouGarden Pair of Easy-to-Grow Bay Trees Cover
YouGarden Pair of Bay Tree Standard Trees, 70-80cm Tall, Evergreen, Easy to Grow, Cooking Herb, Supplied as Stablished Bay Trees for Gardens & Patios

The YouGarden Bay Trees add a stately touch to your garden or patio. They are easy to grow, making them perfect for anyone looking for low-maintenance greenery. You can enjoy their stunning appearance in pots framing your door or pathway. Additionally, the aromatic foliage is not just for decoration; it can enhance your culinary creations by adding a delightful flavour to marinades. These trees thrive in moist, well-drained soil, ensuring they remain a beautiful and functional addition to your outdoor space.

What We Like
Stately appearance for gardens
Easy to care for
Useful culinary herb
Thrives in well-drained soil
#TOP 5

A Pair of Potted Olive Trees

One Click Plants
Green, Grey, Silver
A Pair of Potted Olive Trees Cover
A Pair of Potted Olive Trees, 80-90cm Height Including The 18cm Wide Growers Pot

Features
GROWING CONDITIONS: Olive Trees Thrive In Full Sun Positions And Well-Draining Soil, Perfect For Patios, Balconies Or Gardens
DIMENSIONS: Two Mature Olive Trees, Each Measuring 80-90cm In Total Height Including Pot, Supplied In 18cm Diameter Growers Pots
PLANTING OPTIONS: Can Be Repotted Into Decorative Containers Or Planted Directly Into Garden Soil In Frost-Free Areas
DECORATIVE VALUE: Distinctive Silvery-Green Foliage Provides Year-Round Mediterranean Charm And Elegance To Any Outdoor Space
CARE REQUIREMENTS: Drought-Tolerant Once Established, Requires Minimal Watering And Occasional Pruning To Maintain Desired Shape
#TOP 6

Loropetalum Chinense Fire Dance Tree

Pink,Purple,Red
70-80cm (Incl. Pot)
Loropetalum Chinense Fire Dance Tree Cover
Loropetalum Chinense Fire Dance Tree | Evergreen Patio Trees for Small Gardens | Straight Standard Stem | Ornamental Garden Plants | 2-3ft (70-80cm (Incl. Pot))

Features
The 'Chinense Fire Dance' Tree Will Thrive In Rich Well-Drained And Moist Soils. Be Sure To Plant In A Full Sun Area With A Little Shelter To Help During The Winter Season. After Planting, It Is Advised To Water Regularly, Giving The Tree Time To Settle In Its New Environment. As The Second Half Of The Year Occurs, Reduce Watering.
Loropetalum 'Chinense Fire Dance' Is A Stunning Round Evergreen Ornamental Tree Which Produce Short Branches With Thin Petals - Followed By Outstanding Reddish-Purple Leaves That Provide A Fresh And Vibrant Look To All Patios, Mixed Containers, Borders And Small Gardens.
This Ornamental Plant Is Known For Their Hardy And Bushy Structure, Resulting In Them Being A Fairly Low Maintenance Plant To Monitor And Care For. Loropetalum Trees Don't Need Regular Pruning - The Occasional Trim Here And There Won't Do Much Damage, Just To Help Keep Their Shape. Prune Away Any Dead Or Weak Branches As This Will Encourage Fresh, Healthy Shoots And Improve Flowering For The Following Season.
Loropetalum Trees Are Valued All Year Round For Their Vibrant Display Of Colours And Stunning Structure. Emerging In Spring With Shiny Red, Purple And Pink Flowers - Producing A Very Eye-Catching Ornamental Tree For Your Garden. As The Year Continues, A More Natural Green Colour Will Exchange The Pink And Red And This Will Carry On Through To Autumn. Due To Being Evergreen, This 'Fire Dance' Tree Will Keep Its Colourful Leaves All Year Round.

Stunning 4-5ft Silver Birch Tree in Pot

Brown
Stunning 4-5ft Silver Birch Tree in Pot Cover
1 Silver Birch Jacquemontii 5-6ft Tall in 2L Pot Stunning Tree, Himalyan White Birch, Betula 3fatpigs®

The Silver Birch Tree is a beautiful addition to any garden, standing at 4-5 feet tall in a convenient 2L pot. This medium-sized deciduous tree features striking white bark, which adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Its dark green, drooping leaves turn a lovely yellow in autumn, providing seasonal interest. With male catkins appearing in early spring, you can enjoy the tree’s unique features from the outset, making it a delightful choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

What We Like
Attractive white bark
Seasonal colour changes
Easy to grow
Suitable for various soil types
#TOP 8

1 Mountain Ash Plants/Sorbus Aucuparia 4-5ft Tall Trees

Green, Red
1 Mountain Ash Plants/Sorbus Aucuparia 4-5ft Tall Trees Cover
1 Mountain Ash (Rowan) Plants/Sorbus Aucuparia 4-5ft Tall Trees, Hedges 3fatpigs®

Features
1 Mountain Ash (Rowan) Plants / Sorbus Aucuparia 4-5ft Tall Trees, Hedges
A Native Wild Tree Producing Beautiful Sweet Smelling Blossom In Spring Followed By Red Berries In Autumn.These Can Be Used To Make Jelly.Thrushes And Other Birds Go Mad For Them.Rowan Makes An Excellent Hedgerow Or Garden Tree As It Dosn't Grow More Than 6m And Can Have Multi-Stems If Pruned.
Common Name: Mountain Ash Genus: Sorbus Species: Aucuparia Skill Level: Beginner Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade Hardiness: Hardy Soil Type: Well-Drained/light, Clay/heavy, Acidic, Moist, Sandy Height: 1500cm Spread: 700cm
The Mountain Ash Or Rowan Is A Native European Tree, Especially In High Altitudes Where Its Robust Hardiness Ensures Its Survival. Once Credited With Magical Powers And Often Planted Near Dwellings As An Insurance Against Misfortune, It Is Widely Planted In Gardens, Both As The Species And In Its Many Varieties.
The Trees Tolerate A Wide Range Of Soils And Sites, Regularly Producing Huge Crops Of Bright Red Berries In Dense Pendent Bunches, Which Attract Birds Of All Kinds. It Succeeds Particularly Well In Town Gardens, And Also When Planted Closely As A Screen Or Informal Large Hedge.
These Are BARE ROOTED Plants Which Can Be Planted From The End Of October Until April And Will Be Dispatched As Soon As The Weather Turns Cold And They Become Dormant.The Dispatch Date Depends On The Autumn Temperature And Varies From Year To Year.

GardenersDream Beni-Maiko Acer Tree for Gardens

PL-V-ACEBMK-3L
50-70cm (Incl. Pot)
GardenersDream Beni-Maiko Acer Tree for Gardens Cover
GardenersDream Beni-Maiko Acer palmatum Tree - Colourful Deciduous Japanese Maple Garden Plant - Outdoor Garden Ready Acer Plant - All Year Round Outdoor Plants for Gardens

The GardenersDream Beni-Maiko Acer is a stunning addition to your garden, showcasing bright pink to red foliage in spring that instantly brings vibrancy to your outdoor space. As a deciduous tree, it offers seasonal beauty by shedding leaves in winter, allowing for a changing landscape throughout the year. With a manageable height for easy planting, this hardy shrub can thrive in various soil types and tolerates full sun while preferring some shade. Its compact size makes it ideal for small gardens, serving as a striking focal point or complementing other plants.

What We Like
Bright spring foliage
Deciduous for seasonal changes
Hardy and versatile
Ideal for small spaces

YouGarden Hardy Phoenix Palm Trees for Gardens

3_680006
2 x 60-80cm Tall
YouGarden Hardy Phoenix Palm Trees for Gardens Cover
YouGarden Pair of Phoenix Palm Trees, 55-75cm Tall in 14cm Pots, Exotic Patio Plants Perfect for Gardens or Patios, Tropical Hardy Outdoor Plants, Garden Ready Mediterranean Palm Trees

The YouGarden Palm Trees bring a tropical look to your outdoor space, creating a holiday feel that lasts for years. Their dramatic fan-shaped foliage adds a striking element to any garden, while you can enjoy creamy-yellow flowers during hot summers. Despite their exotic origins, these palms are winter hardy down to -6C, making them suitable for the UK climate. Placing them in a sunny position ensures they thrive, providing you with a vibrant addition to your patio or garden.

What We Like
Tropical aesthetic for gardens
Winter hardy to -6C
Produces creamy-yellow flowers
Ideal for sunny positions
Established plants ready to plant
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our full sun outdoor tree research, we found 268 full sun outdoor tree products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 16,885 customer reviews through our big data system to write the full sun outdoor trees list. We found that most customers choose full sun outdoor trees with an average price of £22.32.

The full sun outdoor trees are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of full sun outdoor trees, including GardenersDream, 3FATPIGS, YouGarden, One Click Plants.

Written by
Toby Butcher Avatar

Toby Butcher is a Horticulturist, and he earned his title as a Master Gardener in 2016. Toby has acquired a 25-year experience as a home gardener planting, designing, grooming vegetables and flowers. He is the leader of a plant group in Durham. Toby owns a blog where he publishes articles on growing and growing your flowers at home, in a vase, or in a garden.