The Magellan series of zinnia from Park's is very beautiful and would love the full sun location. They combine well with upright salvia farinacea...mealycup sage.

I've had begonias,coleus,mealycup sage, and ageratum(both the tall and short) in a north facing mixed bed.

I agree with Franeli about zinnias in the full sun location. Besides Magellan, there are several other compact varieties, including Dreamland. Magellan and Dreamland are available in separate colors. Also, the Profusions and Zaharas have smaller flowers, but they are resistant to powdery mildew.

If you want larger flowers, Burpee's Burpeeana Giants come on bushier plants about two feet tall. However, Burpeeana Giants are not available in separate colors. I guess you could grow them and save seeds from separate colors. Pinching can encourage their bushiness. This grouping of zinnias came from seeds saved from a Burpeeana Giant that I crossed with some other zinnias, including Burpee Hybrids.

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Coleus have done well for me in shady locations, but you have to start them indoors early because they have such small seeds.

ZM

Thanks franeli & zenman for chiming in! Zinnias have been on my radar recently. Love the colors.I'll research the combinations that franeli posted. OBTW zenman, I'm just down the road from ya in Topeka!

(Chuckle) I consider Topeka to be "up the road". I go to Topeka occasionally, when I have an appointment at the VA Hospital there. Topeka may also be the location of my closest Merry Tiller dealer.