Tips for Pretty Summer Planters Plus the Perfect Plants for Full Sun and Full Shade
Whether you are relaxing at the beach, on your way home from vacation, or just trying to make it through this heat, I hope you’re having a wonderful summer so far! And with the heat comes the time to give your plants some extra summer love! Following spring and the first half of the sweltering summer weather, I like to call July the “third season.” It’s completely possible that your plants got fried during these warm—to put it mildly—days, so it’s likely time to refresh your containers, window boxes, and flower beds.
First, pull out dead or bloomed-out plants. When it comes to planting new flowers, see some of my favorites below—for full sun and full shade—to add to your containers. Succulents are a great option, too, if you don’t have a lot of time for your plants. Other than in freezing temperatures, succulents can survive almost year-round! Don’t forget my favorite go-go juice: Adding Color Star fertilizer to any new plants will help extend their season.
Full Shade: This plant needs a little more love and attention, but it does great on a front porch. Caladiums and maidenhair ferns are just a perfect combination. The best part: I did not even plant these! I literally took them out of the pot and put them into a container with no holes. Both of these options love water; they are what I like to call water hogs. I give them two cups of water once a week and they thrive.
Full Sun: If you have followed me for awhile, you know I just love succulents! To me, they keep getting prettier and prettier every year. Of course, in the South, you have to replant them every year (unless you can bring them in every time there is a threat of freeze). But if you came back from vacation and everything is fried—and you’re just slap done with watering your containers—then simply stuff and shove in some succulents. They love the full sun and can take the dog days of summer just fine.
Full Shade: Hydrangeas, tropicals, and a mix of ferns always dresses up a container. If you water your hydrangeas well, they will eventually fade and look antique like the ones in this photo.
Full Sun: White Mandevilla, succulents, pink Angelonia, and pink Trailing Vinca love the heat and will put on a show for days!
Full Sun: Boxwood, purple fan flowers, Cuban oregano, and diamond frost also love the summer heat and full, intense sun.