Sun Seekers: The Best Flowers for Jamestown’s "Sun Spots"

Hello neighbors, Jeremy Klice here.

We talk a lot about shade in Jamestown—mostly because we have so many big, beautiful trees. But every yard has that one spot. You know the one. It’s the patch of dirt that gets blasted by the sun from 10 a.m. until supper time. It bakes in July, it freezes solid in January, and it’s where your delicate ferns go to die.

“Full Sun” is a gardening term that means an area gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. In our humid summers, that can feel more like a broiler. But don’t worry—you don’t have to stare at a patch of dirt. You just need plants that actually like the abuse.

Here are my top picks for sun-loving perennials that can handle our heat, survive our winters, and make you look like a gardening genius.

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea): The Prairie Powerhouse

If this plant were a person, it would be the guy who wears shorts in winter. It is tough. Native to the North American prairies, the Purple Coneflower is built for extremes. It thrives in full sun and laughs at drought once it's established.

• The Look: Distinctive purple-pink petals that droop slightly around a spiky, copper-brown cone.

• Why I Love It: It blooms from mid-summer until the first frost, giving you color when everything else is looking tired. Plus, if you leave the dead flower heads up in winter, goldfinches love to eat the seeds.

2. Peony: The "Drama Queen" (That Lives Forever)

Okay, Peonies are a little dramatic with their massive, fluffy blooms, but they earn their keep. They are often called the "queen of flowers" for a reason.

• The Look: Huge, fragrant, densely petaled blooms in pinks, whites, and reds.

• The Toughness: Despite looking delicate, these things are tanks. They are incredibly cold-hardy (surviving down to -40°F!) and can live for 100 years. That means your great-grandkids could be mowing around the same bush you plant this weekend.

• Pro Tip: Plant them in full sun to prevent them from getting floppy, and don't bury them too deep! The "eyes" (buds) should be just 1.5 to 2 inches below the soil surface, or they will refuse to bloom out of spite.

3. Daylily (Hemerocallis): The "Plant It and Forget It" Option

If you have a brown thumb, start here. Daylilies are famously unfussy. They tolerate a wide range of soils and don’t need to be coddled.

• The Look: Trumpet-shaped flowers that open for—you guessed it—one day. But don't worry, a mature clump produces hundreds of buds, so the show lasts for weeks.

• Why I Love It: Their thick, arching foliage is great at smothering weeds. Just give them at least six hours of sun for the best flower show.

4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): The Late-Summer Hero

Just when you think summer is over, Black-Eyed Susans show up to the party. These are iconic American wildflowers that bring a burst of sunshine-yellow to the garden from July through September.

• The Look: Golden-yellow petals radiating from a chocolate-brown center.

• The Perks: They are incredibly drought-tolerant and attract butterflies like crazy. Like the Coneflower, leave the seed heads up in winter to feed the birds.

5. Sedum (Stonecrop): The "Camel" of the Garden

If your hose doesn't quite reach the far corner of the yard, plant Sedum. These plants hold water in their fleshy leaves (like a succulent), making them extremely drought-tolerant.

• The Look: Thick, succulent leaves with clusters of star-shaped flowers that bloom late in the season. 'Autumn Joy' is a classic variety that turns a deep rusty-red in the fall.

• Why I Love It: They look good almost all year round. Even in winter, the dried flower heads look great peaking out of a snowdrift.

6. Russian Sage (Perovskia): The Aromatic Haze

If you want something that looks soft and dreamy but is tough as nails, go for Russian Sage.

• The Look: Silvery stems and airy clouds of tiny blue-lavender flowers.

• The Perks: It blooms from mid-summer to fall and is resistant to deer and rabbits (they don't like the herbal smell). It loves heat and needs very little water once established.

Ready to fill in those sunny spots? Whether you want a patch of Peonies or a jungle of Coneflowers, getting them in the ground correctly is half the battle. If digging in the clay isn't your idea of a fun weekend, give me a call. I’ll bring the shovel; you bring the lemonade.

- Jeremy 🤙