Flower Container Ideas for Full Sun

Learn about some of the best container plants for full sun, including which containers to use, plants to purchase, and how to arrange them.

A container planter on a patio with salvia, lobelia, stock and double petunias.

Growing a lush and beautiful planter in full sun is easy. There are many choices at the nursery, maybe too many, so it helps to have a game plan in mind before you go. These are some of the best choices I know that will thrive on a balcony, patio, or in window boxes where they get lots of sun and receive little if any shade throughout the day.

More Container Garden Ideas: Favorite Annuals.....Perennials in Containers.....Shady Planter Ideas

Full Sun Planter list for video

Salvia 'Black and Blue' - 1
Stock 'Harmony Purple'- 6 pack
Calibrachoa (million bells) Minifamous Double Pink Vein 3 - 4 in pots
Alyssum 'Clear Crystal White' - 2 - 4 packs
Lobelia 'Palace Blue' - 6 pack

Best Containers for Full Sun Planters

I like to plant in large containers. Typically, I use fiberglass and plastic because the industry is producing really pretty ones for today's market. They hold up well, are easy to move, and help retain water longer so that you don't need to get out the watering can or hose every day. Larger planters can also means that your plants will have some extra room to grow and pull moisture from. Finally, larger means more blooms, resulting in a very beautiful and lush planter.

Sun loving flowers in pot including, lobelia, calibrachoa, petunias, and sage.

Here's a similar planter to the first one photographed in the middle of the season last year.

My Formula and Favorite Container Plants for Sunny Spots

You've probably heard of the formula Thriller, Filler, and Spiller. I love it and find that it always works well when creating flower planters.

Purple salvia in bloom. — Annual Salvias attract butterflies and hummingbirds

Thrillers

Any tall plant for the middle or back if your planter is going to be up against the wall.

Salvia (shown above)
Angelonia
Cannas
Grasses like purple fountain grass

Trailing verbena white and pink. — Trailing Verbena with pink and white flowers

Fillers

Several mid-sized mounding type plants to place around the tallest or directly in front of it.

Supertunia
Verbena (shown above)
Stock
Sunpatiens,
Geraniums (standard)
Ivy Geraniums.

White and dark pink throated calibrachoa plant. — Calibrachoa - Grow great in the Sun

Spillers

Any trailing or vining plants to spill over the edge.

Calibrachoa (shown above)
Lobelia
Sweet Alyssum
Lantana
Vinca Vine
Sweet Potato Vine
Creeping Jenny

Full Sun Planter Tips:

Don't be afraid to crowd the flowers into the container. For the short amount of time they will be growing, usually 4-5 months, the tight space will not make a difference.
Make sure you leave about an inch of space between the soil and the lip of the planter so that water does not run over the edge while watering.
My watering schedule is every 3 days, with a good soaking, preferably in the morning. If it rains (not just a passing shower), you can skip watering. During the peak of summer, or if you live in a very hot climate with many days in the '90s, you may have to water more often.
Consider adding a slow-release fertilizer to your potting soil, like Osmocote. Or you can add a little liquid fertilizer (the blue stuff) every time you water.
The choice is yours, but I believe choosing colors in a similar hue is more pleasing to the eye. I tend to favor cooler colors, but if you prefer warm tones, there are tons of reds, yellows, and oranges, many in the varieties listed above, that will work just as well.

More Full Sun Container Garden Ideas

Create an herb garden. Most herbs, such as basil, rosemary, parsley, and thyme, thrive in full sun and can make a beautiful container garden.
Try creating a beautiful planter full of succulents. Most succulents, such as sedum, are drought-tolerant, love full sun, and can withstand the heat.
Try using perennials along with your heat-loving annuals. Coneflowers, Black Eyed Susan, and Shasta Daisies are great long-blooming choices for sun. Many can be found in dwarf varieties, and you can move them to the garden at the end of the season or overwinter them for next year.
Consider plants with interesting or colorful foliage or leaves, such as coral bells or dusty miller.
You can use these same tips for creating hanging baskets or window boxes in full sun.

Creating a full sun planter is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the beauty of nature. Gather your flowers and plant a stunning planter for everyone to enjoy the entire growing season.

Comments

Carole @ Garden Up Green

June 05, 2016 at 9:48 am

Great post and very helpful Patti.. I'm still learning when it comes to creating planters. Each season I get a little better and agree that deep planters offer the best success. I have some real pretty ones right now that are doing amazing and I believe it's due to the size of the container. Also having great luck with mixing perennials and annuals. I've agree with fertilizing, I'm using our llama tea which has been great. There is definitely an art to establishing beautiful planters. and you've nailed it. Very Lovely.