Try Broms such as A.blanchetiana and A.imperialis rubra or grasses such as Pennisetum rubra (Burgundy giant) and Purple sugar cane.

Try some Crotons if you are not in too cold a spot

As Andrew suggests, Crotons are the answer if your area is not too cold.
Avoid Petra and Norma for fun sun conditions, they prefer protection, but lots of the old timers and some of the newer ones love the sun.
Great article on crotons in this months Gardening Australia magazine. Also watch for the next issue of Tropical Topics which will feature crotons. If you consider crotons check out websites www.crotons.org, www.croton-mania.com or www.itfgs.org.

Hi Rob,

'Full sun' means different things at different times of the year - I have plants at the side of my home which have to take 12 hours of the harsh CQ sun in summer, and still survive on only 3 or 4 hours in Winter. As the canopy develops around them, the situation will be even worse.

Assuming that you are referring to a very exposed position, crotons may be the answer, but my *personal* view is that they look gaudy in isolation. Their appeal lies in their ability to 'blaze' against a predominately green background of ferns, philodendrons, strelitzia and other large-leafed plants. I also believe that this applies to many cordyline species, although many local gardeners would disagree with me if the massed displays of cordylines in Rocky front yards and landscaping are anything to go by.

Getting back to the issue of colour - a recent editions of Burke's Backyard featured a tropical resort which had capitalised on the gorgeous colours of the trunk of the 'lipstick palm'(see link below). Other popular choices for full sun are bougainvillea and tropical grevillea. Under the canopy, its flowering gingers and helconias for mine, but thats another topic for another time.

Good luck,

Artie

Thanks to all who contributed and it all makes sense except that most of the suggestions are for plants which will grow taller than 50 cms (except the broms which I have in another part of the garden).

If its smaller plants you need, prostrate Grevillea you should be investigating.

Grand Master Yoda

I'm in tropical N.T. and have recently planted a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis "Rose of Sharon". I collect rare and unusual plants but this one is pretty common and I am stoked with it. Big, puffball looking, snow white flowers open in the pre-dawn and slowly turn to a fantastic purple by afternoon. Mine already has several flowers a day but I have seen specimens covered with flowers in various stages of colour change. It also seems more disease and pest resistant than other hibiscus. Rain lillies are great for a burst of colour in the wet. Caesalpinias, broms, plumerias, ground orchids, caladiums.......................
Good luck,
BC

If its colour you want, Dwarf Bougainvillea will stay in flower for months, take full sun or part shade.
I have two here in pots and in the ground they would be well under 50cms tall and about the same wide.
Keep them pruned to keep them short that way you will get a beautiful show in the cooler months.....MM.

Alogyne heugelii has a lovely blue to mauve hibiscus-like flower and can be pruned to any height or shape you like.
Tony

Coleus and rhoeo (in moderation please) would fit the bill, as would purple fountain grass, if you can get it at a reasonable price, and its seeds are sterile, so no weed potential.

Begonias have both lovely flowers and some very interesting foliage and don't grow too tall.
Cheers,
Dee.