By Jennifer Poindexter
Do you have a growing location with full sunlight that would be a perfect location for perennials? If so, it’s vital to understand which perennials are hardy in your planting zone and which can handle direct sunlight.
If you plant perennials in the wrong planting zone, they may only serve as annuals which would be a waste of your time and money should you wish to start a perennial garden.
Also, if you plant a shade-loving perennial in an area of full sunlight, it won’t do well. Understanding why planting the right perennial is so important, may lead to the question of, “Which perennials do I go with?”
You’re in the right place. I’ve compiled a list of sun-loving perennials and included which planting zones are suitable for each type of plant.
Continue through this list to find the sun-loving perennial right for your area:
1. Dahlia
Dahlias are colorful flowers with layered blooms. These flowers thrive in growing locations with full sunlight. This should equate to around six to eight hours of direct sunlight throughout the day.
Plus, dahlias prefer well-draining soil. As far as soil types, this flower isn’t difficult to get along with. Obviously, the richer the soil, the better the flowers. Expect dahlias to remain hardy in planting zones eight through ten.
2. Bearded Iris
Bearded irises have similar foliage to daffodils. However, their heads pop open and spill over in a fancy design with bright colors.
Should you wish to add this look to your growing area, be sure to supply a growing location with full sun and well-draining soil. The bearded iris is hardy in planting zones three through ten, depending on the variety.
3. Peony
Peonies are large, pink, fluffy flowers that standout for both their texture and beauty. If you need a larger perennial that will produce gorgeous blooms and withstand the sunlight, consider adding a peony to your landscape.
When growing peonies, they’ll need full sunlight, well-draining soil, and some shelter from strong winds. The large blooms of this plant can make it easy for it to get knocked down. Peonies are hardy in planting zones three through eight.
4. Daylily
Daylilies are larger plants with colorful, open blooms. They make excellent border plants and are a great way to liven up dull areas around your home.
Keep in mind, daylilies must have full sunlight and well-draining soil that’s evenly damp. These flowers are hardy in planting zones four through nine.
5. Verbena
Verbena produces small, colorful blooms which cluster together to form even larger blooms. These flowers are a great fit for growing in the ground or in containers.
Should you choose to grow verbena, be sure to supply a growing location with ample sunlight and well-draining soil. However, verbena can grow in both low- and high-quality dirt. These plants are hardy in planting zones five through eight.
6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are a great way to brighten up your home. These plants come in many different shades and are a great way to add a burst of color in late summer and fall.
When growing chrysanthemums, it’s vital that they be provided well-draining soil to avoid potential disease. These flowers also require full sun. Mums are hardy in planting zones four through nine.
7. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is sometimes known as tickseed. These flowers produce bright yellow blooms with long stems. Some varieties are darker, others are lighter, and some are a mixture of colors, so pay attention to this to ensure you get the look you desire.
If coreopsis is of interest to you, be sure to provide a growing area with at least six hours of sunlight and evenly damp, well-draining soil. Coreopsis is hardy in planting zones four through nine.
8. Dianthus
I’ve grown dianthus for years and love it! This plant produces small pink, purple, or white flowers. They love full sun and can be grown in the ground or in containers.
Personally, I divide my plants every few years to spread the wealth around my property even more. Be sure to supply dianthus with well-draining soil. In return, expect these plants to be hardy in planting zones four through eight.
9. Salvia
I love plants which bloom vertically. They tend to add color and height to most landscaping designs. If you’re after a similar look, salvia might be for you. This plant produces a mound of green foliage at the bottom, long stems, and colorful, vertical blooms at the top.
When growing salvia, be sure to provide a location with full sunlight and well-draining soil. Salvia should remain hardy in planting zones three through eight.
10. Catmint
Catmint is a bushy perennial that produces long green stems and foliage with purple blooms all over the plant.
If this sounds like something you’d like to grow, catmint grows best in planting zones three through nine. This plant can thrive in both full or partial sunlight. It also needs well-draining soil.
11. Coneflower
Coneflowers get their name because they have beautiful petals which droop down. This causes the dark center to protrude. Hence, giving the plant a cone shape.
If you’d like to grow this durable plant, be sure to provide a growing location with full sunlight and well-draining soil. Coneflowers are hardy in planting zones three through nine.
12. Lavender
Lavender is another bushy plant that produces green foliage and stems while developing vertical purple blooms. This plant not only looks beautiful, but it smells wonderful as well.
When growing lavender, provide a space with well-draining soil and ample sunlight. These plants are hardy in zones five through nine, depending upon variety.
13. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s ear is a green plant filled with soft, fuzzy foliage. Each leaf resembles (and feels) like a lamb’s ear. If you’d like to grow something with a fun texture, don’t overlook this plant.
It can be a part of your landscape as long as you supply a growing location with full sunlight. This plant can grow in great soil or soil that’s severely lacking. The main thing is that lamb’s ear requires soil that drains adequately. This is a perennial plant in zones four through eight.
14. Russian Sage
Russian sage is a large plant that produces green leaves at its base. From there, purple blooms grow along the stems and put on a magnificent display of color.
If you’d like to introduce this plant to your growing area, it’s a good option for planting zones four through nine. Russian sage also needs well-draining soil, of any variety, and full sunlight. Sun is important as it encourages blooming.
15. Sedum
Sedum is a bushy plant that produces small, colorful blooms. These blooms come together to form larger blooms which put on quite a display when added to a landscape.
Should you like to add sedum to your landscape, be sure to provide a growing location with light, well-draining soil. Heavy, oversaturated soils can lead to rotting issues. This plant also needs full sun. Sedum is hardy in planting zones three through eleven.
16. Hardy Geranium
Hardy geraniums start as a mound of bright green leaves. From there, they produce small, bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors.
This plant could be a great addition to your yard or garden if you live in planting zones five through eight and have a growing area with ample sunlight and evenly damp, well-draining soil.
17. Columbine
Columbine is a unique flower. It produces a colorful bloom which opens and displays another bloom of a lighter shade.
If you’d like to grow something a little different, consider adding columbine to your growing space. This plant works best in planting zones three through eight and in a growing location with full sunlight and damp, well-draining soil.
18. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a bright flower with crinkly blooms. It certainly stands out anywhere it’s growing. If you need a focal point in your perennial bed, this could be the plant for you.
When growing bee balm, be sure to select a location with full sunlight and soil that drains adequately. It’s also important for the dirt to remain evenly damp and to be rich in nutrients. Bee balm is hardy in planting zones three through nine.
19. Bellflower
Bellflowers are brightly blooming plants that produce bell-shaped blooms. This plant certainly stands out thanks to the brightness of its flowers.
Once you know that you’d like to grow bellflowers, ensure you have the right growing conditions. Bellflowers are hardy in planting zones four and higher. These plants also need full sunlight and evenly damp, well-draining soil.
20. Hollyhock
Our last sun-loving perennial to discuss is the hollyhock. This plant has tall green foliage as a base and grows vertically. Blooms begin to appear all over the plant which demands attention due to its height and colorful flowers.
If hollyhocks are of interest to you, be sure you live in planting zones three through eight as this is where the plant is hardy. Plus, hollyhocks desire a growing location with nutrient-dense, well-draining soil and full sunlight.
You now have twenty different options to choose from when creating a perennial bed filled with sun-loving plants.
Now, it’s time to pick the plants you like, ensure you live in the right planting zone, and ensure you can supply the appropriate growing conditions. From there, start crafting your ideal perennial bed.
More About Sun-Loving Perennial Flowers
https://extension.sdstate.edu/growing-hollyhocks
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/dianthus.html
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/salvia/
Trying to grow my first flower garden at home. I don’t need a massive amount or anything I just need something to start a small little garden that’s easy to keep up with and not too expensive. I’m at home Depot any suggestions?