golden state

PLANTING A SUN-LOVING, LOW-WATER GARDEN

WRITTEN BY MARESA GIOVANNINI

When kissed by the sun, buds unfurl to reveal vibrant blooms and verdant grasses stretch to greet the day. While sunshine is a key ingredient for a thriving garden, it can still be too much, too hot, too fast for delicate greenery. So if your outdoor space sees an abundance of direct sunlight, you’ll want to select the hardiest, sun-loving plants for success all season long. Here, we share some tips for creating a sunsational home garden.

Before designing a landscape, determine how much sun your garden plot truly gets each day. This will affect whether you choose full sun, partial sun, or partial shade plants. Per Penn State Extension, full sun is considered six or more hours of direct sunlight per day, although it doesn’t have to be continuous. All that sunshine can stress even drought-tolerant plants, so remember that water will play an important role in hot conditions. Whether you make morning waterings part of your summer routine or set up a drip system, ensure your chosen plants are well-watered per their specific needs.

For the sunny, flowering garden, there is plenty to choose from: black-eyed Susan, yarrow, Shasta daisy, poppy, bachelor’s button, calendula, celosia, cosmos, dahlia, snapdragon, zinnia, marigold, geranium, salvia, Russian sage, and lavender, among others.

Break up delicate flowers with filler grasses or more structured cacti and succulents. Golden barrel and prickly pear cactus provide coverage and interest; agave, pink ice plant, elephant bush, and sticks on fire are hardy succulents that aren’t prone to sunburn. Sedum can make a great ground cover or filler plant and it is available in a variety of colors. It needs true, full sun to maintain that color, though; without it, rich-hued sedums (like ‘Bronze Carpet,’) may very well fade to a traditional green.

Overwhelmed by all the options? Bring on a landscape designer or purchase a design from companies such as American Meadows. Their Sun Loving Pre-Planned Garden includes care instructions, a planting map and, and nineteen plants shipped in pots or bare roots.

One family of flowers that can infuse your garden with sunshine all day long: sunflowers. True to the name, they thrive in full sun and are heat tolerant (vibrant color easily attract pollinators, too). For healthy flowers, plant in nutrient rich, well-draining soil and in a location protected from the wind. And there are myriad colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from: “There are fifty-two species of sunflowers, all native to North America,” per the US Forest Service. When the growing season concludes, harvest the seeds to expand your garden next year or share with your neighbors for another cheerful, sun-drenched summer.

Photography provided by DoraDalton/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

lawn gone.

Traditional green-grass lawns are soft underfoot and can provide a safe place for kiddos to tumble around. But they also require gobs of water and attention. If you’re looking to ditch a high-maintenance lawn but keep your space looking kempt, consider a sun-loving substitute.

A lawn of native grasses is the simplest transition. Though exact plants will vary based on your region and growing zone, the California Native Plant Society recommends deer grass for a wild look and red fescue or meadow sedge for a turf-like replacement. Ground covers give the look of a lawn without the need for regular mowing. Many ground-cover plants flower too, attracting pollinators. Farmers’ Almanac suggests blue star creeper, Corsican mint, and creeping Jenny, among others. (Ground covers can be invasive and fast spreading, so ensure it is a native species or planted in a controlled area.)