BY HOLLY CROSSLEYPUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO
Q: I have a patio that gets full sun for most of the day, meaning it gets very hot in the summer. I want to plant up some containers with flowers – are there any particular types you would recommend that will thrive under these conditions?
A: Container gardening is a great way to brighten up a patio and welcome butterflies and bees to your yard. It’s true that not all flowers will tolerate high levels of heat and sunshine, but many will flourish in a sunny setting, especially if you look after them properly.
1. PELARGONIUMS
Pelargoniums are beautiful summer bloomers
(Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)
Pelargoniums, sometimes called geraniums, are beautiful patio plants with their flushes of red, pink, or white flowers and aromatic leaves. A popular choice for Mediterranean garden schemes, they love the sunshine, and don’t need much upkeep to look their best.
‘Plant your geraniums in well-draining soil and water them thoroughly once a week to keep them healthy,’ advises Aaditya Bhatta(opens in new tab), the Editor and Founder of Plants Craze. ‘For new growth, remove spent flowers by deadheading,’ he adds.
Winterize geraniums by bringing them indoors and they will reward you with more flowers the following summer.
2. ZINNIAS
Zinnias will attract pollinators to your garden
(Image credit: Jasmyn Litherland / 500px / Getty Images)
Zinnias are easy flowers to grow from seed and dazzle in the garden with their bright and cheery blooms.
They need good drainage, so make sure to amend soil with perlite, pumice or similar, advises Plant Expert Vladan Nikolic(opens in new tab). ‘Deadhead to encourage more blooms,’ he continues, and feed monthly using a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content.
‘Avoid getting the leaves wet to reduce the chances of powdery mildew.’
Burpee’s ‘State Fair Mix’ zinnias(opens in new tab) produce huge flowerheads in a range of show-stopping shades.
Vladan Nikolic is a houseplant expert with over 10 years of experience, and the Founder of the houseplant-care blog MrHousePlant.com. He is also a social media influencer who helps newcomers in the houseplant world become great plant parents.
3. SUNFLOWERS
Helianthus annuus ‘Firecracker’ has a striking appearance
(Image credit: Deborah Vernon / Alamy Stock Photo)
‘Sunflowers are iconic flowers that are well-suited to growing in containers in full sun,’ says Zahid Adnan(opens in new tab) of The Plant Bible. ‘They are known for their large, cheerful blooms and can add a dramatic focal point to any container garden.’
They require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive, Zahid continues. ‘They are also drought-tolerant and can withstand hot, dry conditions.
‘To care for sunflowers, use a deep container with well-draining soil, water them deeply but infrequently, and provide support for tall varieties to prevent them from toppling over.’
Try Burpee’s ‘Sunray Yellow Hybrid’ sunflowers(opens in new tab) for compact, branching plants that produce up to 14 flowers each.
Zahid is a renowned figure in the gardening industry, with extensive experience and hard-earned skills in horticulture. As the Founder and Editor of ThePlantBible.com, he provides top-tier content and professional advice to fellow gardening enthusiasts on a daily basis. In addition to his work, Zahid manages a 10-hectare agricultural land and maintains an exceptional garden in his own backyard.
4. MARIGOLDS
These flowers are easy to grow
(Image credit: sheryl caston / Alamy Stock Photo)
Marigolds are a great choice for sunny containers. ‘They come in various sizes, from dwarf varieties that are perfect for small containers to taller varieties that make a bold statement,’ says Zahid Adnan.
‘Marigolds are also known for their pest-repellent properties, making them a natural choice for organic gardening,’ he adds. Try using them as companion planting for nearby vegetables grown in pots.
‘To care for marigolds, provide them with well-draining soil, water them regularly, and deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.’
5. SALVIAS
Salvia nemorosa ‘Salute Ice Blue’
(Image credit: Botany vision / Alamy Stock Photo)
Salvias are popular shrubs that offer spikes of flowers in purple, red, pink, and white. They are ideal for a wildlife garden, as the nectar-rich blooms will attract beneficial pollinators as well as hummingbirds. You can also make new plants for free by propagating these plants from cuttings.
Provide good drainage, deadhead the spent flowers, and water them regularly throughout the growing season.
Nature Hills has a good range of salvias(opens in new tab) to choose from.
6. LANTANA
Lantana makes a splash with its vibrant hues
(Image credit: Chris Clark / Alamy Stock Photo)
‘A vibrant and robust plant like lantana is ideal for container gardening in full sun,’ says Aaditya Bhatta. ‘It produces clusters of tiny, vivid flowers that draw hummingbirds and butterflies.
‘Plant your lantana in soil that drains well and water it frequently, letting the soil dry up between applications. Regular pruning will promote bushier growth.’
Try lantana ‘Landmark Rose Sunrise’ from Burpee(opens in new tab) for its pretty pink and yellow blooms.
7. PORTULACA
Portulaca are easy-care plants that love the sun
(Image credit: flowerphotos / Alamy Stock Photo)
‘Portulaca is a succulent plant that is easy to care for and drought-tolerant,’ says Taha Arooj(opens in new tab), an in-house Horticultural Expert at Chase Horticultural. ‘It comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and white.’
Also known as the sun rose, these annuals can also be grown as ground cover plants, and will spill over the edges of containers to create a stunning display. Pruning isn’t necessary. Allow the soil to dry out between each watering.
Burpee’s ‘Sundial Hybrid Mix’ of portulaca(opens in new tab) makes a statement with its sensational colors.
8. AFRICAN DAISIES
Brighten your container display
(Image credit: Saxon Holt / Alamy Stock Photo)
Also known as osteospermums or Cape daisies, these tender perennial plants offer large blooms in various colors which love to soak up the sun’s rays. In fact, the flowers close overnight in most varieties.
Provide slightly acidic soil in your containers and good drainage, and feed with a general fertilizer throughout the growing season. Watch out for aphids.
9. PETUNIAS
Petunias suit all sorts of garden schemes
(Image credit: Mode Images / Alamy Stock Photo)
A favorite for hanging baskets and window boxes, petunias are classic bedding plants that offer trumpet-shaped blooms and a cascading growth habit.
Plenty of sunshine encourages prolific blooms. Water deeply and fertilize them regularly, and pinch out dead flowers to channel the plants’ energy into making more.
A wide range of petunias are available at Burpee(opens in new tab).
10. COSMOS
These fast-growing plants will quickly fill a container with attractive foliage and pretty flowers
(Image credit: Zena Elea / Alamy Stock Photo)
Cosmos offer feathery foliage and masses of pretty, daisy-like flowers with silky petals. They’re another sun-loving annual that’s easy to grow from seed, and they add a touch of romance to a container display.
If growing them from seed, remove the shoot tips of your seedlings with a sharp knife to encourage strong side shoots and a bushy habit, recommends gardening expert John Negus. ‘Then, position the plants on a warm, sunny windowsill or in a frost-free greenhouse to grow for transplanting outdoors when frosts finish in late May or early June. Give seedlings lots of light for good growth.’
Try planting ‘Lemonade’ cosmos, available at Burpee(opens in new tab), for pale yellow flowers.
