A variety of perennial plants grow best in the morning sun, including zinnias. These plants are easy to grow and are great for most regions. Another excellent choice are violets, which are both beautiful and easy to grow. A little more difficult to grow is grapevine, which produces beautiful berries and flowers while needing lots of sun to thrive. This plant is perfect for people with little or no experience growing perennials, so long as it has good soil.
Desert roses
If you’re looking for the best plants for morning sun, consider a desert rose. They remain semi-dormant during the winter, but you can easily save them from winter damage by pruning them regularly. Using hand clippers or sharp shears, cut off dead wood, and prune off any crossing branches. Plants in the desert rose’s blooming period bloom only in the winter and early spring.
Desert roses thrive in sunny windows, but will be sheltered from the harsh afternoon sun. The rays of the afternoon sun can scorch the leaves of this succulent plant. This plant is native to tropical regions in Southern Africa and Arabia. It is used to warm, dry conditions, and poor soil. If it doesn’t get enough sunlight, prune it back every spring. You can also take cuttings from your desert rose in fall and propagate them through spring.
To propagate the desert rose plant, you can use seeds or adenium seed pods. However, seeds can be slow to sprout, so make sure they are fresh. Fresh seeds germinate faster. Plants can be transplanted into containers in a month after germination. If you’re growing desert roses for the first time, it’s a good idea to buy a plant that can withstand the morning sun.
Impatiens
Impatiens grow well when planted in partial shade, but if they get too much direct sunlight, they can wilt. If they have morning sun, however, they are hardy enough to grow in full shade, as long as they receive indirect sunlight. After the last frost, you can move them indoors for the winter. If they don’t get enough light from the window, you may have to add plant lights.
The Old-Fashioned variety can grow from eight inches to two feet tall, depending on the cultivar. The flowers are one to two inches across, and the taller plants have larger flowers. They look like miniature roses. There are also dwarf and large-flowering varieties of impatiens, including the ‘Accent’ and ‘Blitz’ series. The latter cultivars are great for containers and are very drought-resistant.
When choosing impatiens for planting in morning sun, it’s important to choose the right type for your conditions. They need a soil with a pH around six to 6.5. In addition to moist soil, impatiens need soil with good drainage. Adding compost will help retain moisture and add nutrients to the soil. You can also use straw mulch to improve the soil pH.
Another flower to consider for shaded areas is the impatiens. Because they grow in a variety of conditions, they don’t need full sun. They can tolerate morning sun but need filtered sunlight. The early morning sun is milder and less likely to burn you. Besides that, the flowers are a beautiful, easy-to-grow annual. The blooms on the impatiens last for months until the first frost.
Lantanas
Lantanas are easy to grow from cuttings. You should take cuttings in early spring, strip them of lower leaves, and coat them with a rooting growth hormone. Plant the cuttings in a small pot filled with damp soil. Apply a little rooting hormone to each cutting before planting. Keep the cutting moist, and then transplant it into the garden, allowing it to grow in the ground, or into a larger container.
Lantanas need bright, early morning sun and a well-drained soil. They are susceptible to cool temperatures, and may begin preparing for winter dormancy. Once the weather warms, they will resume normal growth. Plants in containers must be planted in a well-draining potting mix. In high humidity, you may notice yellow leaves. This is a sign of Botrytis Blight, and you should prune the plant to prevent spread of the disease.
Lantanas can tolerate part shade, and they will thrive in a partially sunny area. Part sun will allow them to grow well, but they do best with morning and afternoon sun. If you do plant a lantana in a sunny location, make sure you adjust the soil to provide sufficient moisture. Know your climate before planting to avoid root rot. You should also know when to cut the plant back, or else the plant will lean.
Calico plants
If you live in a sunny location, you can plant calico plants, which need morning sunlight for optimal growth. Plant them four to six inches apart and prune them occasionally to keep them bushy. You can also propagate calico plants by taking 1 to 2-inch cuttings, which root quickly in potting soil. If you’re planting them in the ground, you can add 8 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard of soil, or 3.6 ounces of ground rock sulfur per square yard. Wood chips or composted leaves are also effective at lowering soil pH. Water calico plants regularly, but don’t over-water them.
A calico plant blooms in red to green with splotches of red. They are average water-lovers, but should be watered regularly without over-watering. Water the plant whenever the soil feels dry. Don’t forget to mulch to prevent the plant from becoming too dry. Afterwards, you can plant it in the garden. But it’s best to choose a place where it receives direct sunlight, so it doesn’t get too hot or too cold.
Another great choice for a calico plant is the calico aster. This plant produces huge masses of tiny flowers. It is water-wise and good for local wildlife. Once established, it won’t need any fertilizer. If you don’t have the space for a large pot, try growing calico aster in a container. Make sure that the pot is at least 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep, and that the container gets even moisture throughout the growing season.
Hydrangeas
Some plants thrive in partial sun, such as hydrangeas. In the morning, they’re especially attractive with their large bloom clusters. As summer progresses, the flowers turn pink. As the blooms fade, the plant continues to grow and produce new white flowers on its panicles. Even with the morning sun, the flowering time is still early, when the temperature is low enough for hydrangeas to bloom well.
When growing hydrangeas, it’s best to choose varieties that grow well in dappled light. Many varieties are more difficult to grow in direct sun, but they’ll bloom reliably every year when grown in the morning. There are several varieties to choose from, including ‘Niko Blue,’ ‘Endless Summer,’ and ‘Pee Wee.’ ‘Pee Wee’ is a dwarf hydrangea that grows to just a foot or so tall. ‘Limelight’ is a large, floppy variety that’s hardy and resistant to slug damage.
Bigleaf hydrangeas will change color as they age. The exact color depends on the pH of the soil. Some varieties will produce pink flowers, while others will bloom blue. Depending on the soil pH, hydrangeas can have pink or blue blooms. Some varieties will even produce both pink and blue flowers in one season. You can experiment with soil pH levels to see which types are best for your area.
Feather reed grass
It is best to grow this perennial in a sunny location. It does not spread uncontrollably, but will need a moist soil and regular watering. If it does not receive enough sunlight, it may not grow plumes. Plant it among other ornamental grasses or with colorful perennials. It does not compete with their showy blooms, and its feathery foliage adds interest.
If you’d like a colorful plant in your yard, feather reed grass is a good choice. It has plumes that add vertical movement to winter landscapes. The leaves remain tan or golden into late fall. Feather reed grass loves boggy soil, so you can plant it in a rain garden if you live in a dry climate. It is also a good choice for a rock garden because it will thrive alongside colorful perennials.
This plant will tolerate shade and morning sun and has clumps of narrow green leaves. Its spring flower spikes are feathery, and it will grow a foot tall in just a few months. Despite its cool-season growth, feather reed grass will flower and produce seed heads in early summer. The flowers will last well into the fall, and the plants will hold on to their plumes throughout the winter.