If you’re interested in growing a variety of beautiful flowers in your garden, you’ve probably wondered which are the best plants for full sunlight. Here are some of the best. These sun loving flowers usually last only one season and are easy to remove in early fall and replant the following spring. Geraniums are another great option, as they produce beautiful flowers with long lasting blooms. Lantanas and Croton are other good choices.
Petunias
Petunias are perennials that do well in full sun. These brightly colored annuals grow up to 30 inches tall and can survive the harshest summers. These plants are very easy to grow in containers or direct sunlight. Marigolds have distinctive flowers, with funnel-shaped petals that are fragrant and repelling to pests. Marigolds do well in zones two to eleven and can grow as either annuals or perennials. They are easy to grow from seed, or you can purchase seedlings from a gardening center. If you prefer flowers that bloom early in the summer, you can try Zinnias, which come in a variety of colors, and have great color contrasts.
The Gerber Daisy is a great choice for full-sun annuals. Its long stems and lush green foliage are ideal for full-sun beds. This plant does best in slightly drier conditions and grows eight to 10 inches tall. Geraniums are another excellent choice for full-sun containers. The flowers of these perennials are large and tuft-like, and they’ll provide you with beautiful blooms throughout the spring and summer.
In the flower garden, consider planting some of these flowers. Verbena is a sun-loving plant, but its original appearance was as an weed. Over time, it has been improved and now produces brighter blooms and prettier foliage. Daylilies are another plant that thrives in full-sun conditions and will add a splash of color to any garden bed. They’ll die back during the winter but will come out once the ground is warm.
Geraniums
There are several varieties of geranium that can grow well in full sunlight and will not require additional care. Annual geraniums, which grow as biennials, need little care and are good choices for containers. Hardy perennial geraniums are excellent choices for gardens as they can tolerate cold winters without suffering damage. These perennials are also among the easiest to grow plants. In addition to the benefits of hardy plants, they can also be divided easily and do not require frequent division.
Plant geraniums in the spring. Fertilize the soil with a half strength organic seaweed or fish fertilizer. Then, plant the cutting in a mixture of 2 parts potting mix, 1 part vermiculite, and one part crushed pumice. Wait two to three weeks for the cutting to root. Geraniums can be moved to a sunny location during the summer to take advantage of the sunlight.
The Rozanne geranium is the most popular geranium today. It won the 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year award from the Royal Horticultural Society. Its white-eyed, purple-blue flowers have red-purple veins. Its long-lasting flowers are a nice addition to any landscape. Geraniums that grow in shade will be limited in vigor.
Lantanas
Aside from their lovely flowers, lantanas have many medicinal uses. Their leaves can be used to treat cuts and stings, and the berries are eaten by humans. In some areas, lantanas are even used as a food source, as they are poisonous in certain cases. If you have a lantana plant in your yard, it’s important to know about its safety before touching it.
Lantanas are perennials that enjoy six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. They prefer soil that is fertile, well-drained, and evenly moist. To plant a lantana, dig a hole that is slightly larger than its root ball and set it into the ground with the crown level with the soil surface. Once the root ball is set, tease the roots out and backfill the hole with the potting mix. Mulch the soil with a layer of coarse organic matter or gravel. Keep mulch away from the crown of the lantana plant.
Lantanas are drought-tolerant once they have established themselves. However, prolonged periods of dryness will lower their bloom and performance. It’s best to water them once a week during their blooming period. Too much overhead watering can damage the roots and increase the risk of diseases. In addition, lantanas respond well to pruning. Ideally, pruning should be performed in spring or early summer. Cut the plant back by a third of its size after blooming to keep it looking attractive.
Croton
You can find the best Croton for full sun in your garden by reading the package instructions carefully. Crotons require bright, indirect light. Providing a little more light will result in more colorful foliage. If you’d like your Croton to have a brighter, more vibrant appearance, try placing it in dappled or partial sunlight. Crotons also need a lot of care to survive, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully.
When you grow crotons, make sure they receive ample light. Too little light will result in fewer vibrant leaves. Make sure they are not overwatered, but also mist them with water every week. Place a tray of wet gravel near the plant to keep them moist. Also, wipe the leaves with a wet cloth at least twice a month to keep them healthy. If you notice the leaves of the Croton becoming wilted or turning yellow, you can use insecticidal soap to get rid of the infestations.
Because Crotons require bright light, you should place them in a sunny window. They will thrive in dappled light but will turn green if they don’t get enough light. Keep the temperature of your Croton around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It needs to be at least one inch of water per week. The humidity should be moderate to avoid causing the leaves to fall off. If you have too much water, you can move it into the bathroom.
Lamb’s ear
If you’re looking for a low-growing plant with a beautiful rosettes-like bloom, try a lamb’s ear. This plant has a low spreading habit and forms a compact mound. It grows to a height of six to eight inches (15-20 cm) and prefers average, well-drained soil. It will tolerate boggy conditions as long as it gets full sun.
To make growing lamb’s ear easier, divide a mature plant. It’s a faster and easier method than starting from seed, and its natural tendency to multiply will benefit you. Divide lamb’s ear early in spring and plant it in a sunny location. Lamb’s ear plants need full to partial sunlight, and you may want to amend the soil with organic matter or add a liquid fertilizer.
Lamb’s ears don’t struggle with pests or diseases, but they do have problems with excessive moisture. In particular, it’s important to avoid humid areas where the plant can become overcrowded. Lamb’s ears should be pruned regularly and divided every three to four years. To divide the plant, cut the leaves at their dead centers and discard them before they produce seeds. Disease-prone foliage can attract sow bugs, and lamb’s ears need to be carefully pruned to prevent it from spreading in your garden.
To grow lamb’s ear in full sunlight, choose a spot in the garden with full sunlight. Plant lamb’s ear seeds eight to ten weeks before the last frost. Sow the seeds in a high-quality seed starting soil. Do not cover the seeds, as they need sunlight to germinate. During germination, they take about 30 days. After that, they are ready to be transplanted outdoors.
Gardenia
The most common question people ask when planting a gardenia is, “Can gardenias grow in full sun?” This popular perennial is one of the hardest plants to grow, but it is remarkably easy to care for once you get the hang of it. Gardenias need at least five hours of full sunlight per day, but they also need protection from midday sun. In the landscape, gardenias do best in north or east facing windows. They also attract pollinators, so be prepared for competition.
The common gardenia can grow up to six feet tall and is a striking evergreen shrub. Its shape can vary depending on the cultivar. The flower color can range from a pale yellow with purple mottling to creamy white and has a sweet scent. Depending on the cultivar, gardenias can be double or single blossoms. The flowers are fragrant and can range from two to five inches in diameter.
In a sunny window, gardenias can tolerate full sunlight. Frostproof gardenias, which are cold-hardy, are particularly useful in gardens. They have a mounded, semi-dwarf habit and bloom in late spring and early fall. They’re also much larger than most gardenias. In colder climates, this gardenia variety is best placed near a patio.
