Light Requirements – Sun
Each plant has different sunlight requirements. Plants that require full sun perform best when they have 6 or more hours each day of direct sunlight, including the midday hours. If your garden or patio receives a significant amount of sunlight each day, full-sun plants may be for you.
Light Requirements – Shade
Each plant has different sunlight requirements. Plants that require shade perform best when they are not exposed to direct sunlight, especially during the mid-day hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If your garden or patio is not exposed to much sunlight, shade plants may be for you.
Light Requirements – Part Sun
Each plant has different sunlight requirements. Plants that require part-sun perform best when they are exposed to a moderate amount of sunlight. These plants typically can tolerate some mid-day sun, and perform better with morning sun, rather than afternoon sun. If your garden or patio is exposed to a moderate amount of sunlight, part-sun plants may be for you.
Heat Tolerant
Heat tolerance is an important quality for annuals planted in the Southeast. There are plenty of choices that thrive in the heat all summer long. Unless a plant is labelled as drought tolerance – remember even heat tolerant plants require regular water to survive the heat!
Landscape
Be sure to choose annuals that thrive when planted in the landscape if you are looking for easy, season long color. Mixing colors and heights can add interest to your annual planting and since annuals need to be replaced every year you can always try something new!
Container Components – Thriller
A beautiful container garden starts with a “thriller”: a centerpiece plant that is taller than the other plants, and the focal point of the container.
Container Components – Filler
Once you’ve selected your thriller, add in different “filler” plants, which will become the bulk of the container, but not grow as tall as the thriller.
Container Components – Spiller
Finally, “spiller” plants are those that will trail over the edge of your container garden, adding interest, a pop of color and additional dimension.
Drought Tolerant
Drought tolerance and heat tolerance are not the same. It takes a special plant to be drought tolerant – remember this is once the plant is established, all plants need water to get established! Drought tolerant plants may still need occasional water once established, but they are tougher than the average plant.
