We’ve been in our house for a year, and I’ve learned so much about what plants *actually* survives the sun and what’s better off in the shade. It’s been a journey!
As a follow-up to my post on shade plants, I’m so excited to share six of my absolute favorite plants that can handle the sun. I can’t promise they’ll be perfect for your yard, but I can say they’ve survived some serious heat (and even cold!) for me. Let’s look at some gorgeous inspiration!
Blue Agave
Let’s talk about the blue agave. Did you know that it’s also called the tequila plant? It’s true, tequila comes from its distilled sap! This plant is a total champ in hot and dry weather.
I just love its azure leaves, which are such a stunning contrast to all the other green plants in a garden. Below you can see one from my own front yard.
And these plants can get huge! I’m talking over six feet tall, which is just amazing. I’ve seen some almost that big in my neighborhood.
Their height and form make them such a perfect statement plant, whether they’re all over the landscape or just punching up a flowerbed. You can see below how striking they look against rosy pink muhly.
credit: www.d-crain.com
They also don’t need a lot of water. Some people only water them once or twice a month, depending on the weather. Blue agave is just beautiful and can handle the full sun. Mine have done so well, even in the most extreme heat and sunshine!
credit: www.austinarchitect.com
Dwarf Yaupon Holly
I really love the look of dwarf yaupon holly. It has such densely packed leaves and stays low to the ground, which makes it absolutely ideal for sculpting. I think it’s perfect for both modern and classic yards.
credit: VerdeGo
These are also drought-tolerant plants. You can even leave them unsculpted, and their bushy clusters add so much interest all on their own.
They make such a charming contrast to other plants you see in modern or xeriscaped yards, like cacti and native grasses.
credit: Animal Planet Gallery
Here’s a closer look at the leaves from a plant in my own backyard. I’m still trying to decide if I should sculpt mine or not. If I give it a try, I’ll definitely share the results with you guys!
Yucca
And then there’s the yucca. I adore this plant! There are so many species, so the possibilities for landscaping are just endless.
In my area, both the white and red yucca (named for their blooms) do so well. And those tall, flower-filled stalks that shoot up from the center? Just gorgeous! Talk about adding height!
credit: www.blisstree.com
Above is the white yucca, and below is the red. As you can see, this plant makes such a big statement when you group several of them together.
credit: www.desertxeriscape.wordpress.com
Caring for yucca is so easy. I love low-maintenance plants! They thrive in full sun and just need well-drained soil. In other words, don’t over-water them. They really don’t need much.
The white yucca plants do have sword-like leaves, so be sure to wear protective gloves when you’re tending to them. They probably aren’t the best pick for yards where kids or pets will be playing.
Silver Falls Dichondra
I have to admit, I am completely obsessed with “Silver Falls” dichondra. There’s just something about the way it shimmers in the sun.
I love how it cascades over the edges of planters and walls. It’s a ground cover that has such a magical feeling! Below you can see it in the rocky soil of my own front yard.
This trailing plant is a beautiful silvery blue-green. It’s hard to believe something so enchanting can also be heat and drought-tolerant!
And while “Silver Falls” (also called “silver ponyfoot”) loves full sun, I actually put it in three of my part-sun planters, and it is just thriving.
credit: www.southlandsnursery.com
Speaking of containers, there is nothing like the thick curtain of foliage it creates. It just falls like a sheet of water over the edge of a planter. The name could not be more perfect!
credit: www.american-farms.com
Cactus
Oh, the cactus! This plant can so beautifully handle heat and drought. With so many varieties to pick from, you can group them together for a really interesting garden or vignette.
credit: www.d-crain.com
It’s pretty obvious that cacti don’t need a ton of water. Many people water them maybe once a week, but that will change based on your specific conditions. Just pay attention to the soil, and try not to water if it’s already moist.
Below is a cool collection of cacti in a hand-built planter my brother Andy made. Remember that from my post on his amazing tiny house?!
Desert cacti just love the full sun, so don’t be afraid to put them right in the brightest spot! The cacti in the photo below are in cinder block planters in my backyard. They’re against a wall that gets so hot when the sun hits it.
Not many plants could survive there, but these cacti are loving it. I think it helps that the planters are a light color!
Mexican Feather Grass
Do you see the Mexican feather grass in the picture below? I put that in late this spring, and I’m so happy to say that it’s thriving.
I have to admit, I planted some last summer, and they didn’t make it. The reason? I gave them too much water!
Yep, this full-sun plant only needs water every now and then once it’s established. See how green it looks in that photo? As it gets older, it will get more of a golden color, especially when the flowers show up at the tips.
Not only is this grass known for being low-maintenance, but it also has a tranquil feel that gets even better when the wind blows. As it moves, it gets this modern, wispy look that I think is just perfect for landscaping in contemporary yards.
credit: www.huettldesign.com
So that’s my list of favorites! Thanks for letting me share a few snapshots from my own yard. I hope this gives you some ideas for your own sunny spots! These six plants have all held up under intense heat for me.
And when they haven’t survived, it was honestly my fault for over-watering or because of a really unusual cold snap. They are truly solid choices for those tough, sunny areas! Happy gardening!
