If you have a garden patch of soil that gets six or more hours of sun per day, consider yourself very fortunate; you have your pick of a vast array of flowers that will thrive in your summer garden.
As an added bonus, most sun-loving flowers are also easy-care and somewhat drought tolerant. From tropical to woodland flowers, the full-sun gardener will have no problem finding color for her garden.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones are a standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones. Here is a description of USDA Zones 1 to 11.
Zone 1
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: Below -50°F (-46°C)
- Climate: Extremely cold. Very short growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes northernmost Alaska and parts of Canada.
Zone 2
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -50°F to -40°F (-46°C to -40°C)
- Climate: Very cold with short growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes parts of Alaska and northern regions of Canada.
Zone 3
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -40°F to -30°F (-40°C to -34°C)
- Climate: Very cold. Long, harsh winters with short growing seasons.
- Regions: Northern parts of the United States, including parts of Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.
Zone 4
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -30°F to -20°F (-34°C to -29°C)
- Climate: Cold winters and short growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes areas like southern Minnesota, central and northern Iowa, and parts of New York and New England.
Zone 5
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -20°F to -10°F (-29°C to -23°C)
- Climate: Cold winters with moderate growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes parts of Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.
Zone 6
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: -10°F to 0°F (-23°C to -18°C)
- Climate: Mild to cold winters and longer growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes parts of Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, and the Mid-Atlantic states.
Zone 7
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 0°F to 10°F (-18°C to -12°C)
- Climate: Mild winters with warm growing seasons.
- Regions: Includes parts of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Zone 8
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 10°F to 20°F (-12°C to -7°C)
- Climate: Mild winters and hot summers.
- Regions: Includes parts of Texas, Georgia, and the Pacific Northwest.
Zone 9
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 20°F to 30°F (-7°C to -1°C)
- Climate: Very mild winters and hot summers.
- Regions: Includes parts of Florida, southern Texas, and coastal California.
Zone 10
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: 30°F to 40°F (-1°C to 4°C)
- Climate: Minimal frost with very warm winters and hot summers.
- Regions: Includes southern Florida and southern coastal California.
Zone 11
- Average Annual Minimum Temperature: Above 40°F (4°C)
- Climate: Tropical climates with warm temperatures year-round.
- Regions: Includes Hawaii, southernmost parts of Florida, and Puerto Rico.
These zones guide gardeners and farmers in selecting plants that are well-adapted to their local climate conditions, increasing the likelihood of successful growth and survival.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
This plant lives for sunshine. The coreopsis is, after all, related to the sunflower. The yellow and red flowers look a bit more like daisies than sunflowers, attract butterflies, and grow on stalks that can reach 4 feet in height.
Coreopsis loves warm weather and is generally drought-tolerant. It is hardy to USDA zones 3 to 9.
Coreopsis lanceolata, known as lanceleaf coreopsis, is a wildflower native to Texas that typically reaches a height of 2 feet. It is commonly found in prairies, glades, fields, and along roadsides. This plant features single, yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2 inches in diameter) with eight toothed yellow petals and flat yellow center disks.
Lavender (Lavandula spp)
Growing lavender, either in the garden or in pots on the patio, is like living next door to a perfumery. Lavender boasts a highly fragrant flower, and the more alkaline the soil, the stronger the aroma will get.
Lavender thrives in full, warm sun, isn’t particular about the soil and, once established, it is drought-tolerant. You can grow lavender in USDA zones 5a to 9b.
Lavender can be grown in USDA zones 5a to 9b. The USDA zones are a way to categorize regions based on their average minimum winter temperatures. Zones 5a to 9b cover a range of climates from cold winters (zone 5a) to warm winters (zone 9b). This means that lavender, which is a hardy and versatile plant, can thrive in areas with mild to moderate winter temperatures. If you live in one of these zones, you can successfully grow lavender in your garden.
Lavender is a highly popular herb for cultivation. However, growing lavender in certain regions, such as South Texas and other hot and humid areas, is quite challenging. While it is possible to grow lavender in these conditions, it requires considerable effort and expertise.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
When you plant black-eyed Susan you will also get the bees, butterflies and birds who are highly attracted to this plant. The yellow, daisy-like flower has a dark, almost black center.
The black-eyed Susan needs full sun, will grow to 36 inches in height and blooms profusely in mid-summer to early fall. Hardy to USDA zones 5a to 10b.
A plant described as “hardy to USDA zones 5a to 10b” can survive and thrive in regions where winter temperatures range from -20°F to 40°F (-29°C to 4.4°C). This indicates the plant’s ability to adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions, from cold to warm environments.
Rudbeckia hirta, also known as black-eyed Susan, is a widely found wildflower native to Texas. It typically grows in open woods, prairies, fields, roadsides, and waste areas across the state.
Canna lily (Canna spp.)
If you long for a more tropical-looking vibe for your garden, you can’t go wrong with a canna lily or two.
With banana-like leaves and an abundance of tropical colored flowers from which to choose, the canna is a true showoff. And, by the way, despite its name, it is not a true lily.
In regions with cold, icy winters, canna rhizomes are typically planted in the garden after the last frost date. Gardeners in warm regions often leave them in the soil over the winter.
Canna lilies thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11 due to their mild winters and warm summers. These regions provide the ideal climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 10°F (-12°C) in winter, allowing the rhizomes to survive. The warm growing season with ample sunlight helps Canna lilies flourish, ensuring vibrant flowers and lush foliage year-round.
Canna lilies thrive in Central Texas, sometimes so effortlessly that they can be overlooked. However, they are highly popular globally, with extensive hybridization efforts occurring in countries like England, Australia, the United States, and Israel.
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
The term “marigold” covers a diverse array of plant sizes and shapes. Plant height can range from 6 inches to 3 feet and flowers can resemble pom-poms, anemones or daisies.
Marigolds are adaptable flowers that thrive in USDA planting zones 2 to 11, meaning they can grow well in a wide range of climates, from very cold regions to very warm ones. This makes them suitable for most parts of the United States.
You don’t need to be a magician to find the ideal flower for North Texas. Joyful and robust marigolds can withstand high temperatures, thrive in poor soil, and yield stunning blooms.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
No list of sun-loving flowers would be complete without mentioning the sunflower. It’s name says it all, right?
Native to North America, the sunflower’s ideal climate is arid with temperatures between 70 and 78 degrees. Yes, you can grow them in the heat of summer, but they won’t be at their best unless given lots of water and protection from burning sun during the hottest part of the day.
Most sunflower varieties are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Sunflowers are robust plants that can grow well in various climates. The USDA zones 4 to 9 classification indicates the regions with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from -30 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 to -1 degrees Celsius). Most sunflower varieties are hardy in these zones, meaning they can endure the winters and flourish in areas with these temperature ranges, covering a significant part of the United States. This demonstrates the adaptability and resilience of sunflowers across diverse climatic conditions.
In Texas, sunflowers are cultivated for four main purposes: human consumption and bird feed (using large-seeded confectionary varieties), high-quality vegetable oil production and livestock feed (using hybrid oil types), bird feed mixtures, and food plots for wild birds like white-winged and mourning doves. Properly managed sunflowers can yield 1000 to 1400 pounds per acre on dryland, with up to 50% more under irrigation.
While all of these flowers are tolerant of the sun, if you live in the desert southwest or other areas that experience extreme heat in the summer, they may need shade during the hottest part of the day and extra moisture in the soil.
If you have any questions about garden flowers, reach out to Jennifer Yoingco, REALTOR®, and her team, The Houston Suburb Group. They’ll help you get ready to EXPERIENCE LIVING IN HOUSTON TEXAS!
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