If you have limited space in your garden or patio, full sun flowering shrubs are perfect. Some of these can reach up to 9 feet in height, while others grow to only 20 inches. The following species will thrive in a pot and are native to Europe, Africa and Eurasia. Some will even survive a harsh winter. If you are considering planting a potted plant in full sunlight, consider one of these five species:
Petunias
If your plant’s location is in a spot that receives direct sunlight, consider petunias for pots in full sunshine. However, you should keep in mind that they don’t like too much heat. Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and daytime temperatures shouldn’t exceed 65 degrees. Use a fluorescent light to illuminate your potted plants without overheating them. Make sure to fertilize the new growth every other week, especially if you plant spreader petunias.
Depending on the kind of petunia you have, you might need to prune it by 30% after the first spring. This is because the leaves of petunias don’t grow as quickly as plants that are kept in a sunny area. When the weather gets cold, you may want to move the plant indoors. If you have a light source in the room, you can keep it on longer but will have to turn it off sooner.
Petunias for pots in partial shade require more frequent waterings and fertilizer applications than those grown in the ground. They also need more deadheading. During the dry period, petunias stop blooming and set seed. However, you can trick the plants into producing more flowers by shearing the flowers. Alternatively, you can simply give your petunias a deep watering.
Geraniums
To get the best blooming geraniums in a container, give them a little fertilizer about every two weeks. You can purchase a granular or liquid fertilizer that releases nutrients slowly into the soil. If you fertilize every three weeks, your geraniums will grow well all season long. If you don’t have a granular fertilizer, you can mix one teaspoon of Epsom salts with a gallon of water and add it to the pots every third watering.
Before planting geraniums in a container, you should know what type of sun the plant needs. You should also know the type of soil that they like, as the soil in certain areas may not be as moist during the winter months. It is also helpful to find out how they are grown in your climate before purchasing them. Geraniums that grow best in full sun are generally a bit more resistant to cold and extreme heat than those that need shade during the warmer months.
If you prefer a more vigorous plant, you can always start seedlings indoors in February or March and plant them outdoors once the last frost passes. Geraniums are easy to propagate through cuttings or sowing under a protective structure. When starting from seed, make sure to place them a few inches apart to ensure that the roots have adequate space to grow. Do not pack the soil too tightly with too much soil as this could prevent them from germinating.
Asters
When growing asters in pots, you’ll want to keep in mind their watering requirements. Asters need adequate moisture to bloom and thrive. If they receive too much or too little moisture, they will die off lower foliage and flower poorly. It helps to add compost and a balanced fertilizer to the soil around the roots. You should also stake them firmly so that they don’t fall over. Once they have started to bloom, you can move them to a larger pot.
To grow asters in pots, you can use multipurpose compost. Be sure to plant them early in the fall so they will survive winter. They may be hard to transplant during the winter, but if they are protected from cold, they will usually survive. When they are fully grown, they’ll be back the next year. They don’t mind being in partial shade and will even survive in a container. The flowers will bloom throughout the winter, so you can plant more than one.
Asters are best grown in full sun, but some varieties will do well in part shade as well. Soil should be moist, well-drained and loamy. Sandy or wet clay soil will cause root rot and the plant will wilt. Full sun asters are often bought as potted plants. They do well in a pot, and are best planted when young. Asters are best found in the perennial section of garden centers.
Marigolds
Marigolds for pots in full sunlight require little care once they have sprouted. Once the leaves have formed, they should be thinned to prevent them from flopping over. Hold the seedling by the leaves to avoid crushing the stem, and plant it gently in the hole. To keep plants bushy, pinch spent blooms to prolong flowering. Marigolds don’t need fertilizer the first month of growth, so they can tolerate drought conditions.
There are many varieties of marigolds available, including the classic French variety. French marigolds are typically smaller than their African or American cousins, and tend to be more frilly. They need moist but well-drained soil and full sunlight to thrive, and they bloom all summer. Once planted in a happy spot, they will reseed themselves. Alternatively, you can buy packages of 500 seeds from Burpee.
Marigolds prefer full sun, but they tolerate some shade, especially in the hottest regions. They also require well-drained soil, so don’t plant them in a pot filled with heavy clay soil. Excessive fertilizer can suppress flower production. Marigolds in full sun also need a consistent watering schedule. To ensure good growth, they should receive five to six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Zinnias
Growing zinnias is not that difficult. They’re relatively easy to grow as annuals that require very little maintenance. They are best planted in early spring, when winter frost is unlikely. Zinnias need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive and bloom. Zinnias should be watered once a week, but you can increase the watering frequency during hotter weather.
Depending on the variety you choose, you can choose between many different types of zinnias. Choose from the Queen zinnia, the Queen Double and the State Fair zinnias. You can also choose Cactus zinnias that will produce blooms on their stems. You can plant them four to 24 inches apart. They will grow taller and look more attractive in vases if they’re planted in full sun.
Zinnias can be grown in almost any type of container, including plastic and clay pots. For best results, use a well-drained potting mix with compost. Zinnias love well-drained soil and can adapt to most soil conditions. However, they’re best planted in soil that is rich in organic matter and has a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Using compost in your potting mix can help the plants grow much faster.
Celosias
There are many types of celosia, with some suited for more full-sun exposure than others. This popular flower is easy to care for and will bloom year-round. Celosias have a unique flower head shape, which resembles a brain or a rooster’s comb. Their fragrant, long-lasting blooms will attract butterflies and bees to your garden.
To propagate celosia, start seeds early indoors or outdoors after the last frost date. While they can be sown from seed, their growth requires bright light to germinate. Place the cuttings in a sunny window until they are strong enough to be transplanted. They may require more time than starting from seed, so plant them early. To propagate these plants, start them indoors between six and eight weeks before the last average spring frost date.
For best results, celosias for pots in full-sun areas require high-quality soil. Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. To encourage their growth, place them in full sun or partial shade. Loamy soil is ideal, but rocky soil can be harmful to them. Also, they prefer a humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Begonias
Begonias for pots in full sun require high-quality soil. The soil should be enriched with compost and organic matter, and it should drain well. If you plan to keep the plant in a pot all year, be sure to regularly mist the plants to avoid root rot. Begonias also like to be kept moist, so you can add mulch to the soil and water it regularly. For best results, fertilize your plants once a week. If you want to grow your plants more vigorously, use a liquid fertiliser designed specifically for begonias.
The best time to plant begonias in pots is mid-March through early July. They require six to eight inches of spacing to avoid crowding and to encourage healthy growth. Begonias will look more compact when planted closer together. If you are planning to grow your plants in flowerbeds, you should give them approximately one inch of water per week. You should aim for one or two light rainfalls a week to achieve this amount.
There are many varieties of begonias, including Elatior begonias that are heat-tolerant and are usually grown as houseplants. Rieger begonias are perfect for containers, as they bloom for six months each year. Their short days also make them perfect for indoors, making them a great plant for a winter houseplant. If you have hot summers, choose the Nonstop series of Proven Winners’ Nonstop.
