Whether you’re caring for a backyard garden, houseplants, lawn or landscape, every gardener runs into questions along th…
make life beautiful
The Best Annuals for Sun & Shade
Choosing the right annuals for your garden starts with understanding how much sunlight your space receives. Planting sun-loving flowers in the shade, or shade plants in intense afternoon sun, can lead to weak growth, fewer blooms and stressed plants.
The good news? Once you know your light conditions, selecting the right plants becomes much easier.
Understanding Sun vs. Shade
Full Sun
Full sun areas receive at least 6 or more hours of direct sunlight each day. These locations are typically the hottest parts of the landscape and often include:
- South-facing gardens
- Open patios
- Sunny front entrances
- Areas with little tree cover
Plants that thrive in full sun generally produce the most blooms and vibrant color when given plenty of light.
Part Sun / Part Shade
Part sun or part shade areas usually receive 3–6 hours of sunlight daily, often with morning sun and afternoon shade. These areas are ideal for plants that enjoy some sunlight but benefit from protection during the hottest part of the day.
Shade
Shade gardens receive less than 3 hours of direct sunlight or filtered light throughout the day. Common shady areas include:
- Covered porches
- Under large trees
- North-facing beds
- Areas between homes or structures
Shade-loving annuals are often grown for both their flowers and beautiful foliage textures.
Best Annuals for Full Sun
Some of the best annuals for sunny locations include:
- Petunias
- Geraniums
- Calibrachoa
- Lantana
- Marigolds
- Angelonia
These varieties thrive in heat and sunshine while producing continuous blooms throughout the season.
Best Annuals for Shade
For lower-light areas, these annuals provide beautiful color and texture:
- Begonias
- Sunpatiens
- Coleus
- Fuchsia
- Caladium
- New Guinea Impatiens
These plants are excellent for shady porches, patios, containers and garden beds.
A Simple Way to Shop for the Right Light
At English Gardens, many Proven Winners® hanging baskets and containers feature color-coded tags that make it easy to identify the right light conditions for each plant combination.
These tags help quickly indicate whether a basket or container is best suited for:
- Yellow: Full Sun/Part Sun
- Purple: Shade/Part Shade
It’s a simple way to confidently select plants that will thrive in your outdoor space.
Create Beautiful Containers All Season Long
Whether your porch is filled with sunshine or tucked into the shade, there are beautiful annuals for every space. Choosing plants that match your light conditions is one of the easiest ways to create healthier, fuller containers and hanging baskets all season long.
Visit any English Gardens location to explore our wide selection of annuals, hanging baskets and porch pots.
More Good Advice
Nothing adds instant color and curb appeal quite like hanging baskets and porch pots. Whether you love bright blooms on …
Many of us enjoy creating a backyard sanctuary for wildlife, but deer can quickly turn your garden into an all-you-can-e…