Time to spruce up your garden by adding some sun-loving blooms! Granted, locations that receive sunlight from sunrise to sunset are prime areas for delightful flowers, plants rich in colour and fruiting trees. So, which plants qualify and what more do they need besides full fun?
Indeed, these are questions you have to consider before going seed shopping. There is such a vast array of garden plants that thrive in full sun, so narrowing your options can be daunting. To make it easy for you, here are 8 plants that thrive in direct sunlight:
But first:
Understanding Full Sun
If you're looking for plants that thrive in 'sunny' or 'full sun' areas, you may be wondering what that looks like. If you're new to the world of gardening, you may also wonder what terms like partial shade mean. Well, you're in the right place.
Plant professionals and seed catalogues define full sun as 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day or more. Partial shade on the other hand refers to partially shaded locations receiving 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.
That said, before selecting plants for your sunny garden, establish how much unfiltered light your garden receives day after day and during different seasons.
Top 8 Plants for a Sunny Garden
1. Swan River Daisies
Swan river daisies (Brachyscome iberidifolia) are annual flowers native to Australia's southern states. They grow to a height of about 1.5 feet (46 cm) and produce flowers in hues from white to blue-violet.
They thrive in a variety of environments, including granite outcrops, swampy areas, plains, sandhills and clay soils. When it comes to light, they thrive in full sun. This is because they are susceptible to a foliar fungal disease called powdery mildew but when dry in full light, they can resist infection.
Moreover, they can become floppy and flower less if they are grown in too much shade. They are frost tolerant to a degree and maybe cultivated in most parts of Australia.
2. White or Purple Alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a lovely mat-forming plant with tiny flowers and a delicate scent. It is a low-growing ground cover with small purple, cream, pink, or white flowers. It grows in most zones during the growing season and is traditionally found by the seaside.
Although technically a perennial, it is commonly planted as an annual. Most people plant it as a border plant or in hanging baskets and containers. If you'd like to design a rock garden, these will give a unique cascading effect.
3. Agapanthus Blue Australian
Agapanthus or Lily of the Nile species are tough, easy-to-grow plants. They produce long stems with the typical blue flowers.
They tolerate soil dryness but good watering and feeding promote flower and foliage production. They thrive in full sun or partial shade, and any well-drained soil. You will enjoy this one because it's a perennial and can be propagated by division when the seeds establish.
4. Dwarf Morning Glory
Dwarf Morning Glory (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a delicate, non-vining, herbaceous perennial that is more commonly planted as an annual. It thrives in direct sunlight and must be sheltered from even light frost.
Once planted, it is drought tolerant. During root establishment, plants must be well watered for several weeks. While the plants can resist drought, constant rainfall is ideal for growth and flowering.
5. Pelargoniums and geraniums
Pelargoniums are resilient plants that prefer hot, dry conditions; they will grow in any part of Australia. They survive in all soil types although they prefer fertile, wet, and well-drained soil. Most pelargoniums prefer full sun, although some in the regal group, such as 'Lord Bute,' may withstand partial shade.
Geraniums are sun-loving plants that need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, or possibly longer in filtered light. The best exposures are usually to the south and west. They are relatively hardy and adaptable as long as their needs are met. Both pelargoniums and geraniums are perennials but are often grown as annuals.
6. Chamomile
Chamomile can be used in herbs in vegetable gardens, as well as in attractive beds and borders. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It's not only an attractive plant but it's highly useful as well.
It adds a graceful colour to the herb garden, planters, cutting garden, and dye garden, with daisy-like blooms and fluffy foliage. Chamomile is also renowned for its use in herbal medicine, beauty goods and, natural fabric dye.
7. Canterbury Bells
It is a tall biennial that blooms in the summer with stunning flowers in a unique cup-and-saucer configuration. It prefers full sun to moderate shade, as well as moist, well-draining soil and mild temps. It also prefers moderately wet soil and can't stand waterlogged soil or drought.
8. Crown Daisy
The Crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria) is a flowering plant that belongs to the daisy family. It's a simple annual to cultivate. The Crown Daisy is not only a lovely ornamental annual for your garden or walks, but it is also edible. It produces bright white and yellow blooms and does well in sandy, clay, loam, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Delightful Beauties for Your Garden: Contact Us!
Ready to spruce up your space? Meadow Flowers supplies beautiful wildflower seed mixes for a variety of applications, including planters, balconies, front gardens, and fields. Let us supply you with seed that will give a long term impressionistic display! Contact us today!
