Easy Care Perennials for Hot Sun

If you have tried to grow perennial flowers on the south or west side of your house, or in full sun along a driveway that reflects the summer heat, or on a steep bank in full sun, you have probably noticed how some perennials really suffer in a hot, sunny spot. Even if considered to be plants for ‚”full sun” many perennials do not grow well in the combination of heat and sun these types of locations offer, especially since they also tend to be dry locations due to all that heat and sun. Here are a few winter hardy, easy to grow and low maintenance flowering perennial plants that generally tolerate this type of hot, sunny growing conditions.

Baptisia

Yarrow (Achillea)

Tawny Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Golden Marguerite (Anthemis)

Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)

Sedum

Sempervivum

Yucca

Thyme (Thymus)

Wormwood (Artemesia)

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Catmint (Nepeta)

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Poppy (Papavar orientale)

Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria – short lived perennial, self seeding biennial)

Dianthus

Prepare the Soil

When you prepare to plant in this type of location, take care to amend the soil with organic matter so it has good air and water holding capacity. Loosen the soil down about ten inches to encourage deep rooting. (Perennials are deeper rooted than annuals.)

Mulch your Flowers

Mulch around your plants with an organic mulch to help moderate the soil temperature, hold down weeds, and reduce watering needs. It also helps feed the soil as it breaks down over time.

A layer two to three inches deep in a flat layer is all you need. Do not allow it to touch the stems or cover the plant. The mulch layer should be fluffed or raked periodically and renewed as needed to maintain the recommended depth.

When to Plant

Although container grown plants can theoretically be planted almost any time the ground is workable, avoid planting in mid summer. In this type of location, your flowers will do better if planted in the early spring. That way they have time to become rooted and somewhat established before the heat of summer hits. Otherwise, wait until early fall to plant.

Watering Needs: Do Not Over Water!

Many of these plants are quite drought tolerant and in fact prefer well drained soil. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not they need to be watered. The old rule of thumb of an inch of water a week really does not necessarily apply. Check the soil with your finger; if it is still moist do not water yet. And as the soil begins to dry, watch your plants. If your plants seem perky and are doing well, do not water yet. Water only when it is truly necessary. It may surprise you how little these plants need, depending on your climate.

More Tips and Advice on Perennials and Flower Gardens

This planting guide provides ideas on low maintenance, easy to grow, hardy perennial flowers for hot and sunny sites and how to plant and care for them for best results in your flower garden.

ALSO SEE: For more tips on perennials, you might like Perennial Flowers All Season, Eight Easy Perennials or Big Bold Perennials Designed to Impress or Tips on Butterfly Gardens. For more design tips you might like my Flower Garden Design Series. And for general flower gardening advice, see Flower Garden Basics and my Top Five Flower Garden Tips.

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