Planting Advice for Flowers in the Sun

Hundreds of flowering perennials and flowers exist, and most of them prefer partial to full sun. Local nurseries and garden centers carry plants that grow well in your area and many offer a guarantee on their plants. When buying plants, choose a complementary color scheme, and start with three or four favorites. A few well-chosen plant varieties generally look better than many different kinds of flowers, unless you have a large garden.

Plant Selection

Carefully select sun-loving flowers that thrive in your area. Perennials, such as coneflower, Jupiter's beard, lavender, salvia and coreopsis, grow in almost any soil and tolerate drought. Others, such as roses, clematis and lupine grow best in a sunny location with evenly moist soil. Choosing plants that thrive in the conditions naturally present in your garden creates healthier plants and reduces maintenance.

Soil Amendments

Few soils are the perfect combination of sand, clay or silt, known as loam. Adding a few shovelfuls of well-rotted compost or manure to soil improves drainage and texture and adds nutrients. Till soil for a perennial bed to a depth of 12 inches, since the bed is permanent.

Planting Times

Sun-loving flowers suffer some shock after planting, just like any other plant. To minimize transplant shock, plant in the spring and plant in the evening, on a cloudy day if possible. Water the plants thoroughly after planting and keep them evenly moist for the next four weeks, until new growth emerges. Perennials may be planted through the summer and early fall, but their growth may initially suffer because of hot weather. With adequate water, they rebound quickly.

Maintenance

Feed plants with a starter fertilizer after planting and thereafter, annually, in the spring. Many perennial and annual flowers benefit from deadheading (the removal of dead blooms). This practice keeps the garden tidy, reduces self-sowing and encourages more blooms. A wood chip mulch conserves moisture and minimizes weed growth. Mulches also stabilize soil temperatures, keeping soils cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.