- Columbine, lenten rose, bleeding heart, foxglove, ferns, hosta, yarrow, redbud and monkey flower are perennial plants that are grown in shade or light morning sun. Lenten rose grows and blooms in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9 and is a mainstay in many perennial cottage gardens. It blooms in mid-spring in many shades of white, pink and purple. The Pasadena red monkey flower is a drought-tolerant California native that blooms deep red in shade or morning sun.
- Petunias, salvia, lobelia, pansy, forget-me-nots and moss rose are annuals that thrive in the gentle heat of morning sun. Annuals grow well in nutrient-rich soil amended with compost. Their growth cycle is one season. Good native plants for morning sun include scarlet salvia, jewelweed, Indian tobacco and Venus’ looking glass. Native annuals drop their seed in the fall and re-emerge as new plants in the spring. They require little or no watering.
- Rose, iris, coreopsis, carnation, blanket flower, phlox and peony are traditional perennials for sunny garden spots. Perennial native plants that thrive in midday sun include sage, salvias, mountain lilac and penstemon. Sage is a perennial plant native to many parts of the U.S. Butterflies, bees, other beneficial insects and hummingbirds are attracted to sage plants of all varieties. They thrive in non-composted soil. The 3-foot-tall flower spikes of penstemon create a good perennial border.
- Sunflower, zinnia, marigold, cosmos, cornflower and snapdragon thrive in midday sun and complete their growth cycle in one season. Purple false foxglove and Texas pricklypoppy re-seed and return the next season. Desert sand verbena is a soft haired, sticky native annual plant with clusters of bright pink trumpet-shaped flowers. It grows 3 to 6 inches high with a spread of 20 inches.
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