Green Plants That Do Well in Full Sun

Mediterranean Garden

• When choosing the right plants for a garden with full sun, consider the climate of the region. Many homeowners choose a Mediterranean-style yard for its low maintenance and water-wise needs. There are a variety of green plants that thrive in a full sun Mediterranean garden. For annuals that bloom with quick color, choose zinnias, salvias and marigolds; all are a good fit for both containers and borders. For a sun-loving space with a south facing view, grow wisteria and bougainvillea on a trellis or along fences. Many shrubs will grow favorably in areas of little rain and high heat such as acacia, crepe myrtle and lantana, which showcases bright orange flowers throughout the summer. Adding a layer of mulch to planting beds will help the garden retain moisture and keep weeds back.

Full-Sun Container Garden

• A full-sun container garden can be beautiful and easy to maintain. Many green plants that are actively flowering will have to be dead-headed routinely to allow the plant to continue to bloom. Rosemary is a continually successful sun-loving plant that will scent the garden and provide herbs for cooking. Full sun plants that flourish in containers include candy tuft, petunia, sunflowers and coleus. Miniature roses that are available in a variety of colors are another popular choice for containers. All plants selected should have similar growing conditions and will require regular watering.

Large Sun-Loving Plants

• For gardens that have plenty of space, then larger plants should be considered. Roses are a favorite among sun-loving plants and can grow large, proudly displaying blooms several months of the year. For the most success, roses should get at least 6 hours of sun a day. Lavender will grow large and come in a variety of species including Spanish lavender, French and English lavender. These should be trimmed back in late fall and will come back in the early summer. Add day lilies to the garden to fill in space; these hardy plants require full sun and grow in well-drained soil. This particular variety will not work in a drought-tolerant garden and require regularly watering cycles.