subject: Flowers For Full Sun Gardens [print this page] Full sun perennial gardens, those garden which receive 6 to 8 hours of sun each day, require plants which thrive in the sun as they'll need tolerate the hottest summer days. They may also be subject to dry conditions which is typical of this environment. Once established most perennials need little care.
Full sun perennial gardens should be planned to offer interest all season long so early, mid and late season bloomers should considered. Through spring and summer a wide range of flowers can provide waves of colorful blooms. Late blooming, such as aster and sedum 'autumn joy' can add color to the garden throughout the fall months. Annuals, most of which prefer full sun, will bloom all season long provided they are deadheaded (the act of snipping off spent flowers) often. General garden maintenance, including deadheading and weeding will encourage your perennials and annuals to flourish all from spring right through fall.
Become familiar with the mature height of the plants select for your garden. Tall plants can act a backdrop to the lower growing perennials in the front. To aid in the selection of plants establish a color scheme and design your garden on paper first, before planting.
The following is a list of 10 perennial for full sun gardens.
Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea). grow 3' to 4' tall and has large daisy-like flowers. The purple variety is the most common but they're available in white and pink as well.
Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a very easy to grow, low maintenance perennial which complements Echinacea. Visually similar to the purple coneflower but blooms in shade of vibrant yellow. Birds are attracted to its seeds once it's done blooming. Also an ideal choice the cutting garden or for naturalizing the landscape
Daylily (Hemerocallis sp.) grows in endless colors and sizes. Extremely easy to grow, daylily is able tolerate almost any soil and can withstand dry conditions. Daylilies bloom all summer on long narrow stalks.
Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis sp.) is a low growing (12"-18") perennial that's perfect for the front edge of a perennial garden. Coreopsis has fern-like, airy foliage. Its yellow flowers, which bloom in mid-summer, are small, but abundant. Coreopsis is tolerant of poor soils (as long as they are well drained) and is low maintenance.
Speedwell (Veronica latifolium 'Crater Lake Blue') is great in the middle perennial border where its long spiky flowers bloom atop tall stems. Crater Lake Blue, as the name suggests, is a bright blue species. There are over 250 varieties of speedwell available to the gardener.
Catmint (Nepata sp.) is one of the most maintenance free perennials available for the garden. Cutting back in the fall and dividing every few years is about all this plant needs. Its blue, fragrant flowers make it an ideal plant for the planting near a patio.
Stonecrop (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'), is probably one of the best full sun flowers and is very easy to grow as it requires little maintenance. Its flowers, which emerge in late summer and persist through fall, range from pink to red. This perennial grows in large clumps may dividing this plant every few years as is continues to larger each season. This will help control its size and increase your plant inventory.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum) is a vigorous growing perennial. Its abundant white flowers (with bright yellow centers) bloom on tall stalks which grow up from lush green foliage. Shasta daisy will grow to the height of 3' and a spread 18-24". Staking is usually necessary to prevent the flowers from tipping over as they can become top heavy. This is particularly true after summer showers. Shasta daisy requires a little more water than other full sun perennials but it can still thrive in the full sun. Deadheading will encourage a longer bloom time. It's suitable for both the formal and informal garden, as well as the cutting garden. Shasta daisy is perfect for those looking for a low maintenance perennial.
Peony (Paeonia sp.) is a classic flower for full sun garden. Also ideal for a cutting garden, the peony's very large spring and summer flowers bloom in a wide variety of colors, including pink, red and white. Peonies are tolerant of dry and moist sites. Its large flower may weigh down its stalks so staking early in the season is recommended.
Yarrow (Yarrow sp.) blooms on tall stalks which emerge from a mound of lush fern-like foliage. Available in numerous colors yarrow is tolerant of dry soil and hot humid summers. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more growth and divide every few years. Yarrow attracts butterflies and is resistant to rabbit resistant.
Liatris (Liatris spicata), is a tall perennial with spike-shaped flowers which grow up from dark green foliage. The flowers open from the top down and bloom from June to September. Liatris should be planted in full sun in a well-drained area. Are wonderful perennials for the back of flower garden, liatris is a treasured cut flower. Liatris will also help attract butterflies to the garden.
