What are the best annuals for full sun gardens?

Annuals that require full sun provide non-stop color when other plants wither. These tough flowers can take over six hours of direct sun per day. From zinnias both bright and hot, to portulaca that spills and cascades, they will take toughness and heat and turn a barren or harsh space into a colorful display. First, start with a soil test, as most require 6.0 to 7.0 for optimum pH.

Create a plant design that has a thoughtful purpose. Pair spiky blue salvias with low, mounding marigolds for good contrast. A client was able to create a butterfly haven in their sloped yard just by planting these two combinations. For height, you can add some sunflowers as the seed will feed the birds, and stalks provide a trellis purpose for climbing beans.

Welcome, experimentation into your garden. I learned the cooling effect of dusty miller after a failed petunia bed where its silvery leaves perked up the corners that got too hot. Don't keep your discoveries to yourself. Post a photo of your container combinations or designs that held up in extreme heat and tag the people who taught you, for feedback. Shared creativity is a respectable garden quality, both gritty and graceful.

Read the full article: Full Sun Annuals: Blooms That Thrive in Sunshine