Vertical gardens are an innovative and space-saving solution for urban gardening, transforming walls and small spaces into lush greenery. But if your garden space is exposed to full sun, you’ll need tough, sun-loving plants to thrive in these conditions. Here, we’ll explore 20 plants perfect for a vertical garden in full sun, offering you a variety of choices to create a stunning, low-maintenance garden.
1. Lantana
Lantanas are vibrant, hardy plants that thrive in full sun and heat. Their bright flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and purple can bloom all summer long without needing much water. These are perfect for vertical gardens, adding bursts of color and attracting butterflies and bees.
2. Climbing Roses
Known for their stunning beauty, climbing roses can transform a vertical garden into a floral paradise. These sun-loving plants need at least six hours of sunlight daily to bloom their fragrant, colorful roses. They’re also great for adding vertical height and texture to your garden.
3. Clematis
Clematis, also known as the “Queen of Climbers,” is a beautiful vining plant with stunning flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink. It flourishes in full sun and can grow up to 20 feet, making it perfect for creating a living wall of blooms.
4. Morning Glory
This fast-growing vine is famous for its trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the early morning. Morning glories thrive in full sun and can quickly cover vertical spaces with a cascade of blue, pink, or purple blooms.
5. Salvia
Salvia, especially varieties like Rockin’ Playin’ the Blues, loves full sun and is a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies. These plants add vibrant blue and purple tones to your vertical garden while standing strong in heat and drought conditions.
6. Echeveria
If you’re looking for a succulent option, echeveria is a brilliant choice. This rosette-shaped succulent thrives in full sun and is a low-maintenance option that looks great in vertical wall frames. Its ability to store water makes it perfect for dry, hot climates.
7. Philodendron
Though not always associated with sun-loving plants, some varieties of philodendron do well in full sun. Their heart-shaped leaves create a lush, green look, making them perfect for filling in gaps in vertical garden designs.
8. Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a tropical climber with vibrant, colorful bracts that thrive in hot, sunny environments. It’s one of the best choices for vertical gardens where full sun is prevalent, and it can cover entire walls with its bright pink or purple blooms.
9. Hydrangea Vine
Hydrangea vines can grow up to 80 feet tall, making them ideal for large vertical spaces. While their blooms are usually associated with shade, many varieties thrive in full sun, producing clusters of white flowers in the summer.
10. Lavender
Lavender is not just a fragrant herb but also a fantastic plant for vertical gardens. It thrives in full sun, offering a calming aroma and beautiful purple flowers. Plus, it’s a great companion plant that can repel pests naturally.
11. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Known for its heat tolerance, coneflowers thrive in sunny conditions. Their bright pink, orange, or purple blooms are not only visually stunning but also attract butterflies and bees, making them ideal for pollinator-friendly vertical gardens.
12. Rosemary
Rosemary is a sun-loving herb that not only adds greenery to your vertical garden but also provides an endless supply of flavorful leaves for cooking. Its compact form makes it easy to integrate into small spaces.
13. Geranium
Geraniums are classic garden flowers that love the sun. Their compact growth and vibrant red, pink, or white blooms make them perfect for vertical gardens, offering bright spots of color and easy care.
14. Sedum
Sedum, a succulent also known as stonecrop, is incredibly hardy and loves full sun. Its fleshy leaves store water, making it a great option for low-maintenance vertical gardens in hot climates.
15. Orchids
Orchids, particularly epiphytic varieties, are excellent for vertical gardening. They don’t require soil and thrive in bright indirect light, making them an elegant addition to outdoor sunlit spaces.
16. Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants, especially the Summerific series, produce large, colorful flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. These plants thrive in full sun and can make a stunning statement in any vertical garden.
17. Passionflower
This exotic vine is a fast grower, producing intricate flowers in bold colors. Passionflowers love the sun and will quickly cover your vertical garden with their dramatic blooms and unique shapes.
18. Creeping Jenny
If you’re looking for a ground cover that climbs well, Creeping Jenny is a good choice. This plant loves full sun and can cascade down the edges of a vertical garden, adding texture and a vibrant green color.
19. Trumpet Vine
The Trumpet vine is another vigorous grower, known for its bright orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun and can quickly cover a vertical surface with its dense, lush foliage.
20. Sweet Potato Vine
For bold foliage, the Sweet potato vine is a great option. Its fast-growing nature and bright green or purple leaves make it an excellent plant for filling out vertical gardens in sunny locations.
FAQs
Q: How often should I water plants in a vertical garden?
A: Most sun-loving plants in vertical gardens need regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. However, drought-tolerant plants like succulents and lantanas require less frequent watering.
Q: Can I grow vegetables in a vertical garden in full sun?
A: Absolutely! Many vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers thrive in full sun and can be trained to grow vertically.
Q: Do vertical gardens require a lot of maintenance?
A: It depends on the plants you choose. Drought-tolerant plants like sedums and lavender require less maintenance, while flowering vines like roses may need more care, including pruning and fertilizing.
