Full Sun Hanging Plants

Sunny decks and patios are, at times, a harsh environment for potted plants. Soil dries, leaves burn and flowers wilt so choosing the appropriate plants for bright locations is a must. Fortunately plants grow in all areas of the world, from cold to hot climates. There are many varieties of flowering plants naturally suited for your sunny deck’s microclimate.

This flower blooms in spring, lasts throughout the summer’s sun, and fades in fall. With over twenty varieties, such as Patricia White, Heatwave Blue Eye and Victory Deep Apricot, you are certain to find the perfect color blossoms to suit your tastes. A benefit of Madagascar Periwinkle is its ability to survive dry conditions.

Petunias are the favorite flowers of beginning gardeners. Simply put, they are hard to kill. The blooms start in spring and last well into autumn. Unlike the Madagascar Periwinkle petunias prefer moist conditions. If you are planting a combo hanging basket be certain to group plants in accordance with their watering needs. Trailing petunias, such as "Trailing Blue" and "Cherry Pink" are miniature versions of standard petunias. Combine the two in a hanging basket and you will create an easy to maintain container without losing any visual interest.

Lantana camera, or shrub verbena, has leafy green foliage and colorful flowers in shades of apricot, magenta and red. The color, as well as the fragrance, of these flowers attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. These plants require moist conditions so take care to water regularly throughout the summer.

The Swan River Daisy (Brachycome iberidifolia) is native to Australia and can thrive in soils ranging from sandy loam to clay. Horticulturists from the Botanic Gardens Trust of Sydney, Australia describe the flower as providing a garden with "a soft, dappled look." This plant works well in full sun as well as in hanging baskets. All daisies thrive in sunny conditions but some daisies reach heights of three feet and are not suitable for hanging containers. If you are growing the plant from seed then be aware of this before sowing into hanging containers. If upright daisies aren’t the effect you seek in your hanging display then try the Black Eyed Susan Vine for a trailing daisy look .

Like petunias, there are many varieties of geraniums, some trailing and some upright. They are also moisture loving plants. Geraniums have thick leaves so avoid packing them densely into hanging containers. The leaves will trap moisture and attract pests and disease. Master gardeners from Ohio State University suggest using geraniums as accents in container gardens. This will help prevent excessive moisture retention and makes better use of geraniums’ "bold foliage."