How can I create a garden in my small backyard that has a lot of sun?

Purple heart, ice plants, lavender, lamb's ear, and daylilies are a variety of perennials that work well in full sun. If you have rocky soil with good drainage you can also have succulents or put them in pots.

upload a pict...an arbor comes to mind with a trellis to help block some sun...

You could try using raised beds around the area. Customizable to the size you need, and can be moved when you want a different look.

Lots of sun makes gardening easy. Most garden plants prefer full sun. But, first, what do you want from your backyard? Do you want a flower or vegetable garden? Vegetable gardens don't have to take a lot of space. A 2-ft wide bed along a fence or the edge of your house is wide enough, and anything over 3-ft makes it difficult to reach the back of the bed to pick beans or tomatoes. Whatever type of garden you want it is important to break up the soil and add organic matter before you plant. You don't need raised beds to have a garden, but you should have a border to keep the soil contained and the lawn grass out of the garden. You can have both a vegetable and flower garden by combining them as a cottage garden, and utilize companion planting to discourage insects. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z10qsIKEM0o/UurBya5KW3I/AAAAAAAAAGw/cab4Jct72iY/s1600/front+yard+organic+vegetable+garden+danna+cain.JPG

Do you want a garden for relaxing or entertaining? You should have a deck or patio right out your back door, and hardscape is important for areas where people walk regularly. 12" concrete pavers run around $1.00 to $1.50 each which seems cheap, but a 10x10 ft area requires 100 pavers. For reference, it's recommended a space be twice this size for entertaining. You can add pavers each year to an area. You can also mix materials, combining pavers with gravel or lawn. When buying gravel remember that a truckload is cheaper than individual bags. Crushed gravel, IMO, is easier to walk on than round gravel because it meshes together. http://atmedia.imgix.net/8294b0a5aab530992a5661af1e0763ac0c016dde?w=1500&fit=max

Draw a plan of your yard showing where you would like to have hardscape and where you would like to have garden beds. Be sure to show paths to a garden shed or an alley. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7a/ff/14/7aff142add1ee945fbfb6957165bc448--garden-landscape-design-landscape-plans.jpg Buildings and eyesores can be hidden with shrubs and small trees though these take time to grow. You won't be able to do everything all at once, even if you can afford all the materials, so decide which projects have priority. Your plants may like sun, but people prefer some shade, especially in the summer. Consider planting a tree on the southwest side of a sitting area. You can add shade immediately by using a shadesail. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/7f/b9/18/7fb918751351860441582d5da892600b.jpg

In general, you should do the largest projects first—decks, patios and buildings, because the construction will damage any plantings around the area. Then plant shrubs and trees where they block eyesores, or provide shade or privacy. Dig planting beds and borders where they provide interest. You don't have to wait to add planting beds, but you should not put them where future building will damage them. Finally, add a fountain, statue and other garden art. http://allbackyardideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/small-garden-pond-fountains.jpg http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/garden-pebble-stone-paths-7.jpg