Shrubs for afternoon sun not only provide relief from intense heat and light, but they can also add curb appeal to your property. Evergreen shrubs add texture and interest to landscapes and can even act as living screens. While many evergreens can withstand heat and intense light, not all do. To find out which shrubs can tolerate afternoon sunlight, read this article. You’ll be glad you did! Read on to find out what you should grow in your yard today!
Potentillas
One of the easiest ways to grow a potentilla shrub is to take a cutting. These plants grow best from stems that are semi-ripe. For the best results, you should take your cuttings during July or August. Look for stems that are a little woody on the base but soft at the top. Ideally, you should take a cutting from the top of the plant where the stem is fully exposed to the sun.
This beautiful shrub grows best in medium to rich soil, slightly alkaline and superbly draining. In addition, potentillas tolerate drought and grazing from larger pests. However, they are susceptible to root rot. Therefore, you should be careful when planting potentillas in your garden. If you notice that the leaves are yellow, your potentilla may be lacking sufficient iron.
Depending on the species, the leaf shape of potentillas can be palmate or three-leaf, with three to five leaves. The leaf edge is serrated, which lends the shrub its fine texture. The leaves vary in color and shape. Depending on the species, you can find one that suits your garden’s conditions. Some potentilla species are evergreen, so they can grow even in a partially shaded area.
Japanese barberry
You may be wondering if Japanese barberry shrubs grow well in afternoon sunlight. Fortunately, they do well in both. Japanese barberry shrubs have simple, alternate leaves arranged in clusters along the stems. The leaves vary in size, shape, and color. They may be narrow at the base, but wide at the apex. They are highly adaptable to a variety of soil types and temperatures. Pruning a Japanese barberry shrub will help you shape it according to its preferred location.
Once you have decided on a spot, Japanese barberry shrubs are surprisingly easy to grow. You can start by taking a cutting of one of these shrubs, clean out the pulp and plant it. Once the cuttings are established, move them into a larger pot. Once the Japanese barberry shrub has roots, you can transplant it into the landscape in late fall. After the leaves have formed, you can begin caring for your new shrub.
When it comes to pest control, barberry shrubs aren’t particularly susceptible to disease or insect problems. Although they have little natural enemies, they do suffer from an aphid infestation. This insect feeds on the sap of the plants and then leaves behind sticky honeydew. Insecticidal soap is one of the most effective treatments for barberry aphids. Aphids will lay eggs in the foliage, which you can treat with insecticidal soap.
Bougainvilleas
In order to ensure the best flowering results from your bougainvillea, make sure that your plant receives ample amounts of afternoon sunlight. Most of these plants will thrive in full sun. They are moderately salt tolerant and drought tolerant. Bougainvilleas are easy to grow in a wide variety of soil conditions, including zone 9B and higher. A trellis, arbor or fence is a good place to plant them. If you prefer a smaller plant, you can train it into a hedge or topiary. Some people even train them as bonsai plants!
There are hundreds of varieties of bougainvilleas, ranging in plant size and flower color. Some varieties are thornless or low-growing, while others have a narrow stem and a long, slender leaf. Some varieties are suited for containers and hanging baskets. They can reach up to 20 feet in height. If you want a large shrub, however, you may want to select a semi-dwarf variety.
In general, bougainvilleas grow best in full sunlight. Some varieties do better in part shade, but they tend to bloom less frequently and with fewer flowers. If you are growing bougainvilleas for your front yard, make sure that you give them plenty of afternoon sun. However, you can try growing them in containers if you don’t have a garden. A trellis with a sloping slope will also work well. If you want to grow them in pots, try planting them in early spring or after the winter season.
Hebe
Hebe shrubs for afternoon sun are an excellent choice for hot-humid climates. The shrubs are low-growing and compact, with blooms that range from pale lilac to a beautiful shade of white. Hebe plants are low-maintenance and insect-friendly. They are also excellent butterflies and bee-attractors. Read on to discover more about Hebe shrubs. Listed below are several varieties to choose from.
The Hebe genus contains over 90 species, including dwarf shrubs, small trees, and hybrids. Hebe shrubs make great container plants due to their compact growth habits. In addition to their attractive foliage, they are also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, so they are well-suited for a variety of climates. Here are some tips on selecting Hebe shrubs for afternoon sun:
Plant hebes in spring. While they can be planted throughout the year, early spring planting will allow the roots to settle before the first frosts. If planting them in containers, choose compact varieties that will survive low temperatures. Hebe shrubs should be planted at a depth of the same level as the soil it was in its pot. Once it has established itself, it can be transplanted to the ground or into a larger pot.
Oakleaf hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea shrub plants grow up to six or eight feet tall and with similar spreads. They are a welcome addition to shrub borders and can stand on their own as a specimen. They are also well suited for planting near the edge of a wooded area. Their large, coarse foliage makes them easy to grow and they are widely available in the nursery trade. Several cultivars are named after their characteristics.
Unlike mophead hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas tolerate full sun in northern zones. They tolerate afternoon shade well in southern climates but may not survive well if they are exposed to direct afternoon sunlight. If they are in full sun, check for invasive roots, juglone, or other pests. They also tolerate shade quite well in partial shade.
Planting an oakleaf hydrangea in afternoon sun requires little maintenance after they have been established. However, they may need occasional pruning to maintain their shape and size. Follow UF/IFAS guidelines for planting shrubs. If you have any questions about planting oakleaf hydrangeas, contact your county Extension office. They can offer you the proper advice for your particular garden and climate.
Rose of Sharon
The rose of Sharon, or Althea, is native to eastern Asia. It can thrive in most USDA plant hardiness zones, and can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall. It is ideal for privacy borders, and it may reseed if given the chance. This means that if you want to grow one for yourself, it’s easy to divide it and give it to a friend.
For best results, rose of sharon shrubs need full to partial sunlight, with at least six hours of direct sunlight. If it receives too much shade, you can transplant it. Excessively hot weather will cause flowering to stop, but the blooms will resume once the temperature cools. Summer rains may damage flower buds, so avoid spraying your rose of sharon shrub in the summer.
When planted in the garden, Rose of Sharon shrubs require six feet of space above ground. If you’re lucky enough to get six hours of afternoon sunlight, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful, multi-colored blooms. This shrub is also versatile enough to be a part of your garden scheme, and the different varieties can form a multi-colored privacy screen. To learn how to propagate rose of sharon, you can consult the experts at Ask the Experts, Nature Hills Nursery, and Home Depot. The photos in this article were obtained via Shutterstock and are uncredited.
Foxglove
Choosing the right foxglove shrubs for your garden is crucial for optimal blooming, and they require good air circulation. In fact, a foxglove plant is poisonous throughout, from the leaves to the flower stalks. This shrub is often regarded as the ideal shrub for gardens because it attracts pollinators and deters slugs and snails, which are often attracted to its sweetly scented flowers.
While choosing the perfect foxglove plant for your garden, keep in mind that this particular type can be aggressive and will overgrow quickly if planted too close together. You can separate the plants once they begin to overwhelm each other. You can choose from different kinds and colors of foxglove, including pink and purple foxglove. But no matter what type of foxglove you choose for your garden, make sure to keep its spacing between the plants between six and 18 inches.
As a biennial plant, foxgloves are easy to grow. They will bloom in their second year, but will reseed easily if left to their own devices. If you want to enjoy a garden full of blooms, try growing taller varieties as they will add height to your garden and cut through loosely structured plants. Foxglove shrubs are great for wildlife, and some species have long-tongued bees that visit their tubular blooms to collect nectar.