Posts Tagged ‘sun perennials’

Daisies for long lasting color in your garden

There is nothing that speaks of summer than the iconic daisy.  Shasta Daisy Becky (Leucantheum superbum) which stands upright with pristine white flowers. The yellow gold flowers of  Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Goldsturm) extends the bloom time  in this combination  by flowering a bit later. Fragrant pink Coneflower (Echinacea Kims Knee High) is nestled in the middle. You got to love this eye catching color that last for months and the fact they are perennials that come back year after year makes this a sound investment.   If you are looking to fill your empty vases with something cheerful – don’t forget the daisies.

Easy Care Blue Combo of Stokesia & Caryopteris

There is nothing like the fresh summer blooms of Stokesia.  Stokes Aster is a easy care perennial. Chris & I are particularly fond of the variety Peachie’s Pick because of their large almost daisy-like blooms which flower well in heat & humidity.  Stokiesia Peachie’s Pick is easily grown in full sun

Blue Mist Shrub - Caryopteris makes a long lasting cut flower

Stokes Aster is paired here with drought proof  & long blooming  Caryopteris Grand Bleu.

Both are EASY CARE garden plants that thrive with good drainage and make a terrific cut flower.  They both add a punch of color often needed in the mid-late sun perennial garden.

I often get asked by newbie gardeners that have a combination of sun & shade in their perennial garden how to go about determining what to plant.  A number of years ago, I planted a number of sun loving perennials beneath a tree that had not leafed out yet – then wondered why I didn’t have very many blooms on my plants later that summer.

Hydrangeas grow well in shade but need sun to flower well

Because light angles & intensity varies throughout the season it is best to assess your site during the summer months (particularly when trees are fully leafed out)  to determine whether you have a shaded or sunny site.

Every spring I would set aside a day or so just to move plants that did not bloom well the previous year because they were in too much shade.  I would be sure to mark all my plants with a  painted stake the year before so I knew which plants needed moving. One thing I learned is that Hydrangeas can grow in full shade – but really need some sun to flower well.

Don’t Hesitate to Move

To bad I can’t get frequent flier mileage every time I moved a plant.  I’d be flying free for the next ten years.  Bottom line, don’t give up on your plants if they are not blooming or performing well. There are factors such as soil & moisture that affect a plants overall performance but chances are if the foliage is burning – they are in too much sun.  If they are not flowering well or at all – they are probably in too much shade.

When to Select Shade Loving Plants

Blue Hostas will retain their color if protected from the hot afternoon sun

If part of the garden is in morning sun and afternoon shade – select shade loving plants.  Often times shade loving plants need some sun to flower well and achieve good foliage coloration (such as Hostas & Heuchera)  Shade loving plants just don’t like the hot sun ALL AFTERNOON. A few hours of hot sun is probably fine depending on what part of the country you are living in.

When to Select Sun Loving Plants

If part of the garden is in morning shade and afternoon sun – select sun loving plants.  Sun loving plants  take some shade and if you have a combination of both – just make sure that you have at least 4-5 hours of sun during the day

Spring is a good time to move a majority of  perennials. After all, you are making room for all those NEW plants you must have and can’t live without.