If you live in a hot climate, there are many plant varieties that are perfect for gardeners with afternoon sun. These include daylilies, ornamental sage, Icelandic poppy, and yarrow. For perennial border plants, try Hardy Geraniums, which have attractive, saucer-shaped flowers. Cacti are also great for gardens, especially the hedgehog species, saguaro and echinocactus.
Shasta daisies
The Shasta daisy is a great choice for gardens that get a good deal of afternoon sun. Its large, classic, white flower heads are topped with a yellow center and grow to be three to four feet tall. Shasta daisies grow best in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade as well. Shasta daisies are best suited for soil that has a high concentration of organic matter and that is well-drained.
The flat bloom of the Shasta daisy attracts pollinating bees, butterflies, and birds. The bright yellow center disk attracts ladybugs and other beneficial insects. Their attractive blooms are an excellent choice for a summer garden. The best part is, they make excellent cut flowers and will look great for years to come. They can also be planted with other summer-blooming perennials.
Afternoon-sun-loving gardeners can grow these perennials as clumps or as solitary plants. They spread through rhizomes and grow from creeping rootstocks. Popular varieties include the “Alaska” and the “Becky,” which have outstanding substance and wide petals with brilliant centers. Shasta daisies can be divided every year, but you may want to stake them for a longer season.
When planting, be sure to use rich compost or peat moss in your soil. These will provide the right foundation for the Shasta daisy. Add some humus to your planting hole, too, and you should have a beautiful plant in no time. While this flower is hardy, it is not drought-tolerant. It should survive Kansas City’s winter without any trouble. If the winter is too harsh, Shasta daisies will come back the next year.
Bougainvilleas
When choosing the best plant for your afternoon sun garden, consider the kind of light your bougainvillea will receive. Bougainvilleas thrive in sunny, dry spots, and need a bit of water in the morning and evening. Bougainvilleas need high-phosphate fertilizer and are best fertilized every few months. You should avoid watering your bougainvillea too much, however, because this can lead to its blooming delay.
When choosing a planting location, remember that the bougainvillea is one of the fastest growing plants. It can grow to thirty feet, so choosing a protected fence or wall is essential. They grow well in most soil types and can be pruned frequently if they are getting too big for their space. You can also train bougainvilleas to grow as a hedge or topiary plant.
The plant has thorns, so be careful to place them near walkways. They can also attract a variety of insects, including the bougainvillea mealybug, a white cotton-like insect that hides in the crevices of bougainvillea. Neem oil is one way to combat mealybugs, which can cause serious damage to your bougainvillea.
Although bougainvilleas are hardy in USDA zones nine through eleven, the occasional freezing temperatures can cause damage to the plant. As a result, you should cover bougainvillea plants to prevent winter damage. However, if you live in a colder region, you may want to choose varieties that are hardy and can withstand colder temperatures. In general, bougainvilleas do not require much water. However, the amount of moisture you should provide depends on the time of year you plant them. The hot season will require more moisture than cool seasons.
If you have afternoon sunlight in your garden, try growing some bougainvilleas. If your garden gets plenty of afternoon sun, they will grow up to 30 feet. If you have full sun and part shade, choose a variety with a hardiness zone of nine to twelve. They’re generally easy to grow, but don’t forget that you’ll need to take care of them.
Coneflowers
A good plant for afternoon sun is the coneflower, a perennial native to North America. There are three species: Echinacea angustifolia, Pale Purple Coneflower, and Echinacea purpurea. Both have narrow petals and long taproots and rhizomes. Both grow throughout the United States, but they are best in drier climates.
This plant produces flowers that attract pollinators and wildlife. This perennial also makes great cut flowers. The blooms of the coneflowers are stunning and make excellent arrangements. To encourage more coneflower blooms, you can prune the plant after the flowers have finished blooming. The blooms also attract wildlife and support self-seeding. In zones 3-8, coneflowers grow well and require less water and care.
Coneflowers should be planted after the last spring frost to maximize their blooming potential. They should be sown in open, well-exposed soil, with a layer of 2 to 4 inches of compost. You can also start seeds indoors at least eight weeks before the last spring frost. After they reach about 2 inches tall, thin the plants and transplant them into larger containers. Coneflowers are best transplanted in the spring or early summer.
Most coneflowers bloom profusely, so deadheading is essential. While you’re deadheading coneflowers, be sure to prune them back to the ground after the last blooms have faded. The seed pods are attractive to birds, and dead plants will provide them with food. Coneflowers will produce leaves and flower stalks in early spring. They need a sunny spot in order to bloom at all.
Zinnias
Zinnias prefer full sun with good air circulation. This prevents foliar diseases such as powdery mildew. Although they don’t need supplemental watering, they do prefer soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. The soil pH level should be 5.5 to 7.5. It’s best to amend the soil with compost if possible. Zinnias will grow in most soil types.
For best results, zinnias are best planted directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. They can be difficult to transplant because of their sensitivity to cold. Sow the seeds one-quarter inch deep, following the directions on the seed package. Then, wait about four to seven days and thin the plants to space them six to eight inches apart. Avoid pulling out seedlings as this will disturb their roots.
In addition to their fast growth and ability to tolerate heat, zinnias are easy to grow. Buy seedlings from your local garden center or start them from seeds indoors. They’ll germinate within five to ten days. Once they’re ready to plant, they’ll start blooming in about three to four weeks. You can repeat the process at least three times. They will continue to bloom for about three months after sprouting.
A few hours of full sun is sufficient for zinnias to thrive. Ideally, they receive at least eight hours of indirect sunlight per day. They grow well in well-drained soil, but partial shade will stunt their growth. They should be planted in bright and sunny locations, preferably in a spot with excellent ventilation. A little bit of afternoon shade will not hurt them, but it will hinder their blooms.
Alyssum
Alyssum is a perennial with small, fragrant white flowers. It grows up to four inches tall and spreads 12 inches wide. It grows best in full or partial sun with average water. It likes well-drained soil and is hardy in most climates. Suitable for partial shade and full sun, alyssum will grow quickly and bloom profusely. The sweet fragrance of this plant is a great addition to a garden.
This fragrant annual grows best in six hours of full sun. It will tolerate partial shade, but will bloom better when protected from hot afternoon sun. It has tiny flowers that attract pollinating insects and is suitable for planting alongside bushy vegetables such as potatoes. It can also form a living ground cover beneath arching plants like broccoli. It will self-sow, so plant more than one type to ensure that you get the best results.
Alyssum is one of the easiest plants to care for. Its blooms can be as small as four inches, yet it thrives in partial or full shade. It will also tolerate temperatures that are slightly cooler than average. Its roots are deeper than those of other plants, making it an excellent plant for full to partial shade. Alyssum prefers moist soil, but it will tolerate some shady areas.
Alyssum is a cool season annual. Sow seed before the first frost and plant it outdoors when the threat of frost has passed. Alyssum is best planted six to eight inches apart in a well-drained soil. Once seedlings emerge, move them to a sunny location. Alyssum will grow for four to six hours. You can transplant alyssum from seed or buy a potted plant and transplant it once the danger of frost is over.