Growing conditions in Greater Columbus have been challenging for many gardeners so far this growing season.
After abundant rainfall in spring , many areas have seen only spotty rainfall and higher than normal air temperatures from June until now. The combination of these two factors has taken a toll on many plants and on some gardeners, as well.
With a changing climate, we as gardeners should expect increasingly higher temperatures to continue and should make strategic plant selections and planting-location choices accordingly in future growing seasons.
This is a good time of the growing season to assess how specific plants in your garden and landscape have progressed this season, and whether or not the higher temperatures were favorable for the specific plants which you are growing.
Depending upon conditions in your landscape, you may need to rethink which plants you should grow in different locations in your landscape. Full-sun locations that receive six or more hours of direct sun may require you to select plants which will thrive in full sun and heat.
While there are many flowering plants that thrive in full-sun and high-heat locations, let’s take a look at some of my personal favorites that are adapted for these types of conditions and are suitable for Greater Columbus landscapes.
Garden: The benefits of deadheading flowers
Annual plants
Marigolds ( Tagetes spp. ) are staples of many Ohio gardens and the good news is that most marigold varieties will thrive all season long in full-sun locations, even in average quality soil conditions. The warm shades of yellow and orange shine in summer and complement autumn colors until first frost.
Lantana ( Lantana camara ) is simply one of the most durable flowers in high-heat, full-sun locations. The plant features round blooms made up of multiple tiny flowers in solid or two-tone colors of red, orange, pink, blue and white. While lantana thrives in warm temperatures, it does best when soil moisture remains even and tends to suffer in drought.
Zinnia ( Zinnia elegans ) thrives in hot, full-sun locations and the variety of different colors of flowers and plant sizes makes this plant a versatile choice for any type of garden or landscape location. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds flock to colorful zinnias.
Cosmos ( Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnatus ) thrive in the hottest climates and are one of the least-needy flowers I have grown! Cosmos come in a variety of colors and features daisy-like flowers atop airy, fern-like foliage.
Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) are reliable and stunning plants in any full-sun location. There are many different types, colors and sizes of sunflowers to choose from, and shorter varieties make striking feature plants in different landscape settings.
Portulaca ( Portulaca grandiflora ) is commonly called moss rose and is available in a variety of bright-flower colors. This succulent does best in the heat and full sun in the dog days of summer and will flower until the first frost. This low-growing plant can be used as a ground cover.
Hibiscus ( Hibiscus spp. ) is a tropical perennial plant which is grown as an annual in Ohio. Because it is a tropical plant, it thrives in full sun and warm temperatures. While each hibiscus flower only lasts a day or so, summer heat and attention to soil moisture and fertility produce new flowers daily. Hibiscus varieties are available in many different colors, most of which are planted in large pots on my deck each summer! Tropical hibiscus is different than hardy hibiscus, which is grown as a perennial plant in Ohio.
Cock’s comb ( Celosia argentea ) features floppy flowers in rich shades of red, orange, yellow and pink. It thrives in high-heat and full sun but requires attention to soil fertility and moisture.
Pentas ( Pentas lanceolata ) are easy-care annuals which require almost no supplemental irrigation in most summers. Clusters of small star-shaped flowers make up the blooms in shades of red, pink, purple and yellow. Pentas do best in fertile, well-drained soils.
Perennial plants
Black-eyed Susans ( Rudbeckia hirta ) thrive in full-sun locations and in dry-soil conditions. The flowers contain pollen and nectar, which attracts bees , butterflies and moths . Black-eyed Susans are prolific self-seeders and quickly fill in open spaces of the garden.
Coneflowers ( Echinacea spp. ) thrive in full sun, warm temperatures and even drought. Ten of these prairie plants are native to North America and other varieties are available in assorted colors. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers and in late summer, goldfinches descend on my coneflower patch to feed on the seeds.
Asters ( Symphyotrichum spp. ) are late-season bloomers which add fall color to gardens and landscapes. This plant thrives in full sun and heat but requires a well-drained loamy soil to thrive. Many varieties of asters have a scent which deters insects and deer.
Garden: Versatile Boston fern doubles as houseplant and as landscape accent
Milkweeds ( Asclepias spp. ) serve as an important food source for monarch butterflies and thrive in full-sun locations and warm temperatures. Plants are 2- to 4-feet tall, depending upon the variety, and feature globe-shaped blooms at the top of the plant in pink, purple and orange.
Yucca ( Yucca filamentosa ) is a North America native with a basal clump of sword-like spiked leaves and a 5- to 8-foot-tall flower spike featuring white bell-shaped flowers. This plant does well in high-heat and full-sun locations with well-drained soil. This plant is very drought tolerant and performs well in rock gardens and xeriscapes.
Speedwell ( Veronica spicata ) is a perennial which features tall, spiked blooms which contain many small flowers in hues of purple, pink, blue and white, which attract bees and butterflies. This plant is drought-tolerant once it is mature and prefers dry soil.
Start making your list of which of these heat-loving plants you might incorporate into full-sun locations in your garden and landscape next season.
Mike Hogan is Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources and associate professor with Ohio State University Extension.
hogan.1@osu.edu
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Garden: Flowering plants that thrive in full sun and high heat
Local News
