Plants for Sun.

Planting in full sun means that the plant has to cope with heat and potentially dryness on a far greater scale than normal. The leaves on these plants tend to have a thick skin and are usually hairy and often silver to reflect light away. They also tend to have deep rooting systems.

The list of plants is extensive, but why not try for the more exotic plants now available in the garden centres, but remember that they will almost certainly need protecting in the winter from frosts. If you have heavy clay soil this can affect the choice as some sun loving plants may be difficult to grow.

Varieties can include Lupinus, Cineraria, Cistus, Euonymus, Genista and Salvia amongst others.

Also try:-

Acalypha hispida 'Fire Tail' (Chenille Plant)
Achillea x 'Galaxy Hybrids' (Summer Pastel Yarrow)
Bougainvillea x 'Barbara Karst' (Red Bougainvillea)
Canna x generalis 'Dwarf'
Canna x generalis 'Orange Tangerine'
Catharanthus roseus 'Parasol' (Madagascar Periwinkle)
Celosia argentea plumosa 'Kimono Yellow' (Cockscomb)
Colocasia esculenta (Elephant's Ear)
Cuphea viscossisima (Desert Jewel)
Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Euphorbia)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus)
Kniphofia uvaria 'Springtime' (Common Torch Lily)
Lagerstroemia indica 'Potomac' (Crape Myrtle)
Linum perenne (Blue Flax)
Portulaca grandiflora 'Sundial' (Sun Plant)
Rosa 'Bewitched' (Hybrid Tea Rose)
Rosa 'Pristine' (Hybrid Tea Rose)
Rosa 'Europeana' (Floribunda Rose)
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (Orange Coneflower)
Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Grey Cotton)
Strelitzia reginae (Common Bird of Paradise)
Verbena canadensis 'Roseum' (Rose Verbena)
Verbena x hybrida (Garden Verbena)
Viburnum suspensum (Sandankwa Viburnum)

Plants for Boggy Areas.

A balance has to be achieved with young plants to ensure that there is enough water to assist growth, but not enough to drown them. Again protection in the winter is vital. However there are a number of plants that enjoy these conditions such as the shrub forms of Salix (Willow) and even the Sambucus (Elder).

Probably the most stunning of the bog plants are the Gunnera manicata and the Rheum palmatum but be careful as they can grow to a massive size. Don’t forget the humble Iris pseudocorus (Flag Iris) or the Lobelia cardinalis with its deep purple foliage. (We have these in the pond as well as on the margins.) The Mimulus luteus with its bright colours, as well as Ligularia and Lysichiton add colour, and ferns can add shape and texture to the planting.