Hardy ginger, cannas. Although seashore mallow doesn't have very large leaves it may still have the effect you want -- and it grows in dry as well as wet areas.

Though not perennials in this area: Acalypha or Copperleaf plants (same group as Chenille Plants) Theres a millions varieties in every color. Alternathera or Josephs Coat, lots of colors and most are under 3 feet tall. Graptophyllum or Caricature Plant, showy leaves but needs lots of water if in full sun. And my personal fav Sanchesia or Tiger plant, big croton style striped leaves with dark stems. Hard to find and needs tons of water in the heat. And then theres all the short elephant ears.

Am I the only one who mixes veggies with flowers? I've got a couple of zucchini plants that look like they are planning to enter the state fair - gorgeous shape, deep dark green, giant leaves, and not a bug hole anywhere!

Besides, I can add the squash to my stir fry!

Zucchini plants ARE beautiful. Mounds of big leaves always give a 'landscaped' look to the veg garden and great for infill for new landscape beds with young shrubs.

Rudbeckia maxima is one of my favorites for contrast with finer foliaged plants. It puts up a tall bloom spike but the foliage is striking and stays low. I also use phlomis, broad leaved salvias like S. forskaohlei or S. argentea, patrinia, lamb's ear, lepechinia hastata, coleus, and the taller sedums, in addition to what others have already mentioned. Coleus and other tender plants like the acalyphas are particularly good for experimenting while I'm trying to decide what to do.

It may be a fluke, by my Nicotiana sylvestris has HUGE leaves. And you might want to look into Sun Power hosta, or Sum and Substance hosta. I grow both in at least 6 hours sun (considered full sun by many).

true mulleins have huge leaves. really bold would be some of the hardy wide leaved yucca type plants (can't think of the latin). dwarf ornamental bananas. some of the smaller ee's- like fallax. 'big ears' lamb's ear. also, the lower growing daturas- i'm thinking of the white one with upright blooms that blooms at night.

Some great suggestions. Thanks y'all! Alot of those I would never have thought of. Now I just need to keep those in mind and allow space for them as I'm planting all the small leaved plants I still have to put out. It'll take awhile to work a few into existing plantings.

It's bigger than you're looking for, but I also really like Hibiscus grandiflora foliage at the back of my sunny bed. And acanthus would be good in part sun, but it tends to be a permanent resident once planted so you'd have to be sure you really wanted it.

I have one H. grandiflora that I'll be planting soon. Have you tried rooting cuttings of it? I'm really looking forward to growing it. Love the texture.

I'm dealing with the same issue in my sun bed. Here are some possibilities I am considering: geraniums (not perennial but long blooming), heucherias (some can take full sun, such as Purple Palace, Agapanthus (dwarf Nile lily), daylilies, sedums (such as Autumn Glory).

Some hostas can take more sun, although I haven't had much luck with that in our hot NC summers. Supposedly the trick is to give them lots of water. Some hostas that can take more sun include Invincible, Guacamole, Fragrant Bouquet, Grandmaster, Golden Tiara, and many others.

You might also consider ornamental grasses with a weeping form, such as blue fescue, Prairie dropseed, various Carexes. Finally, there are many annuals that thrive in the sun and might do the trick -- petunias, geraniums, marigolds, etc.

Shari, I haven't tried cuttings from mine or starting any more from seed, although I collected some last fall with good intentions. You know, one other thing I use in my perennial beds to provide similar textural contrast is rocks/boulders. I've also got some great pieces of metal left over from when we burned our piano that are now garden fixtures.

Anyone growing Eucomis- pineapple lily? I'm wondering how it holds up in full sun.

I have three purple eucomis 'sparking burgundy'. I planted them for their strappy leaves and for the color. Actually I was helping a customer load her flower purchases and spotted it already in her trunk. I had to ask what is was and where she got it. Just had to have one. They are gorgeous in a mixed border. I have them in two different locations. They all get full sun but are probably shaded by taller perennials growing near them. Adele

I've got E. comosa, 'Sparkling Burgandy', and E. vandermewei in a sunny spot and they do fine.

Great there's another one!