| What are some hearty plants for an area that gets a lot of morning sun but not much water and has color for zip code 20902? |
| There are many hardy perennials you could use in full morning sun. Some colorful perennials for full sun and a somewhat dry soil would include daylilies (Hemerocallis), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Coreopsis, Sedums, german bearded Iris, Penstemon, and to extend the season you could also plant spring blooming bulbs such as daffodils and crocus. For all season color you might also try some annuals such as marigolds, cosmos, and sunflowers. Your local professional nursery staff should be able to suggest more plants based on a more detailed understanding of your planting site and your maintenance capabilities. In any case, all of these will benefit from careful soil preparation that includes adding ample amounts of organic matter such as compost, and they will also need to be mulched with several inches of organic mulch to help conserve soil moisture -- and keep down weeds. They will also need to be watered if the weather is dry during the initial establishment phase; they may also need to be watered in late summer if there is an especially hot, dry spell. Enjoy your flowers! |
