New York is a diverse state that offers a wide variety of options to explore when it comes to planting. The state has hot, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters. Despite its sometimes extreme temperatures and weather, there are still lots of gardening options that include rooftop gardens and rural meadows.
It is essential to understand which plants need full sun to thrive in this state’s climate. I have compiled a list of plants that thrive in full sun and make great additions to New York gardens.
1. Swamp Milkweed
Swamp milkweed is an upright, clump-forming perennial with eye-catching clusters of fragrant, lilac-pink flowers. This plant’s flowers bloom nonstop from mid to late summer.
Swamp milkweed needs at least 6 – 8 hours of sunshine each day to flourish. Although it can tolerate typical well-drained soil, it grows best in medium to moist soil.
Plant swamp milkweed along sunny landscape borders, in cottage and butterfly gardens, or on damp meadowlands. It also thrives in rain gardens, bog gardens, and next to ponds and streams. It can also have a long life when planted in planters.
2. Blue Mistflower
Blue mistflower is a spreading perennial that produces thick foliage and clusters of dainty brilliant blue or violet flowers. Its flowers bloom from mid-summer until late autumn.
This plant grows best in full sun to partial shade. Blue mistflower also prefers moist, loamy, well-drained soil.
The blue mistflower is a beautiful plant that thrives in wildflower gardens, prairies and meadows, rain gardens, and along the edges of ponds and streams.
3. Cardinal Flower
The cardinal flower earned its name from its brilliant red flowers, which closely resemble the rich red hue of a Roman Catholic cardinal’s gown. This plant’s beautiful red trumpet-shaped flowers grow atop tall stems during the summer months and sometimes into the fall.
Cardinal flowers grow best in locations where there’s early sun and afternoon shade except in chilly regions; in cooler climates, they need full light to thrive.
For maximum growth and larger blooms, incorporate a lot of organic matter into the soil before planting. Also, ensure cardinal flower plants are planted in damp healthy soil.
Remove the flower stalks once cardinal flowers have bloomed unless you want the cardinal flower plant to self-sow.
Cardinal flowers are great options for naturalizing and creating wildflower meadows.
4. Canada Anemone
Another plant to consider including in your garden is Canada anemone. It produces thick clusters of brilliant green leaves with one-inch white flowers that bloom in late spring. The Canada anemone can grow as tall as 2 feet high.
Canada anemone thrives in complete to partial shade and can be planted in dry or moist soil. It performs very well as a tall groundcover and thrives in locations that are open and moist.
5. Wild Bergamot
Wild bergamot is a perennial spring wildflower. These herbaceous New York flowers have extended bloom seasons and are often ubiquitous and numerous wherever they grow.
This plant thrives in full sun when planted in dry to wet soil. It is resilient in that it grows despite drought and flooding. Hardy herbs like wild bergamot are ideal for naturalized regions and herb gardens.
6. Eupatorium Gateway
These cheerful pink perennials, often known as Joe Pye weed, provide color to gardens and landscapes through late summer and are quite simple to cultivate.
They grow well in clay soil and, although they can tolerate a broad range of growth conditions, they thrive in full sun to part shade. These garden plants are great for New York gardens because they repel deer, tolerate humidity, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
