Summer heat can be brutal on your garden, turning what was once a lush landscape into a wilted mess if you’re not careful about plant selection. Not all greenery can handle those scorching rays beating down hour after hour. I learned this lesson after watching my beautiful hostas crisp up like potato chips during a July heatwave.
Knowing which plants need protection from intense summer sun can save you time, money, and the heartbreak of watching your garden struggle. For me, moving a few shade-lovers to more protected spots made all the difference between constant watering battles and a thriving yard.
The good news is that for every sun-sensitive plant, there’s a heat-loving alternative ready to soak up those rays. By swapping out just a few vulnerable varieties with sun-worshippers, you can create a landscape that actually looks better as temperatures climb, rather than one that needs constant rescue.
1. Hostas
Under the summer sun, these popular foliage plants quickly develop scorched, brown edges that ruin their appearance. Morning light works fine, but by afternoon, they need protection.
The broad, often variegated leaves act like solar panels, absorbing too much heat and causing moisture loss faster than the roots can replace it. I had a row along my west-facing wall that looked magnificent in May but resembled crispy lettuce by July.
Try planting hostas where buildings or taller plants cast afternoon shadows. They’ll reward you with lush, tropical-looking foliage that stays attractive all season long.
2. Impatiens
Despite being garden center staples, traditional impatiens wilt dramatically when placed in direct summer sun. Their delicate stems and thin leaves simply can’t handle intense heat or direct rays for more than a couple morning hours.
Water requirements skyrocket in sunny spots, often leaving you with sad, flattened plants regardless of how often you irrigate. My front porch boxes taught me this lesson when they collapsed by noon despite morning watering.
These colorful bloomers perform best in dappled light or areas that receive filtered sun through tree canopies, where they’ll flower continuously without the constant stress.
3. Astilbe
With their feathery plumes and fernlike foliage, astilbes create woodland magic—until placed in full sun. The delicate fronds quickly crisp and turn brown when exposed to intense summer heat, especially in warmer regions.
Even consistent watering can’t fully compensate for improper placement. After moving mine from an open garden bed to a spot beneath a maple tree, the difference was remarkable—lush growth replaced the perpetually stressed appearance.
Morning sun followed by afternoon protection gives these perennials the light they need without the stress that causes premature dormancy and poor flowering.
4. Bleeding Heart
Those distinctive heart-shaped blooms make bleeding hearts garden favorites, but summer sun sends them into early dormancy. The delicate foliage simply can’t withstand heat intensity, causing the entire plant to yellow and die back by midsummer.
Many gardeners mistakenly think they’ve killed these spring beauties when they disappear. My first bleeding heart vanished so completely by July that I dug up the spot, only to have it reappear the following spring!
Plant these woodland natives where deciduous trees provide filtered light that mimics their natural forest floor habitat, allowing them to perform their natural summer rest without stress.
5. Japanese Forest Grass
The cascading, variegated foliage of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa) turns from stunning to sad when placed in hot afternoon sun. Those beautiful gold stripes become scorched brown edges that spread inward, ruining the plant’s graceful appearance.
Unlike many ornamental grasses that thrive in full sun, this woodland species evolved in the dappled light of forest edges. My container of ‘Aureola’ looked stunning on the patio until June heat arrived—then crispy tips appeared despite regular watering.
Eastern exposure provides the perfect balance, giving morning brightness that enhances the golden variegation while protecting from harsh afternoon rays.
6. Hydrangeas
While some hydrangea varieties handle more sun, most—especially the big-leaf types (Hydrangea macrophylla)—struggle in full summer exposure. Those gorgeous mopheads wilt dramatically by midday, even with adequate soil moisture.
The large leaves lose water rapidly in direct sun, causing stress that affects both current blooms and next year’s flower buds. After watching my blue beauties struggle for years in my sunny border, moving them to morning-only sun transformed their performance.
The ideal spot provides bright morning light but protection from intense afternoon heat, particularly in hotter regions where even “full sun” varieties benefit from a break.
7. Coral Bells
The colorful foliage that makes coral bells (Heuchera) so popular quickly becomes a liability in full sun. Those burgundy, caramel, or purple leaves scorch easily, developing crispy edges that ruin their ornamental value.
Lighter varieties typically handle more sun than darker ones, which absorb more heat. My purple ‘Palace Purple’ turned into ‘Palace Crispy’ when planted in an open bed, while the same variety thrived under the dappled light of a nearby redbud tree.
Eastern exposures work well, as do locations where taller perennials or shrubs cast afternoon shadows across these low-growing beauties.
8. Rhododendrons
Despite their sturdy appearance, rhododendrons suffer mightily in direct summer sun. Their leathery leaves actually sunburn, developing yellow patches that eventually turn brown and crispy.
The shallow root systems can’t supply enough moisture during hot periods to offset water loss through those large leaves. My side yard rhododendron struggled for years until a neighbor’s maple tree grew large enough to provide afternoon shade.
Morning sun with afternoon protection creates the sweet spot these flowering shrubs need—bright enough for good bloom production but sheltered during the hottest hours when sun damage is most likely to occur.
9. Ferns
Most fern varieties evolved in forest understories, making them poorly equipped for direct sunlight. Their delicate fronds quickly develop brown, crispy edges when exposed to summer sun, especially during afternoon hours.
The fine texture that makes ferns so appealing also increases their surface area for water loss. After watching my ostrich ferns struggle in a sunny spot, moving them to the north side of my house created the lush, tropical effect I’d been hoping for.
Deep shade sometimes limits growth, so the ideal location provides bright, indirect light without direct sun rays hitting the foliage for extended periods.
10. Coleus
The vibrant foliage colors that make coleus a container favorite fade quickly under intense sun. While newer varieties claim sun tolerance, most still perform better with some protection from peak afternoon heat.
Direct sun exposure often leads to bleached leaves, with those brilliant patterns washing out to a fraction of their potential. My porch containers taught me this lesson—the coleus on the shaded side remained jewel-toned while their sun-exposed cousins faded to shadows of their former glory.
Morning light followed by afternoon shade preserves the intense leaf coloration that makes these annuals so popular for adding season-long color to the garden.
11. Ligularia
With dramatic large leaves and tall yellow flower spikes, ligularia makes a bold statement—until placed in full sun. Those impressive dinner-plate sized leaves wilt dramatically at the slightest hint of heat, even when soil moisture is adequate.
The constant wilting stress eventually leads to leaf burn and poor flowering. My ‘The Rocket’ ligularia performed this wilting dance daily until I relocated it to a spot where my house blocks the afternoon sun.
These moisture-loving perennials perform best in locations that mimic their natural streamside habitats—bright enough for good flower production but protected from direct midday and afternoon sun.
12. Dogwood Trees
Our native flowering dogwoods evolved as understory trees, making them ill-equipped for full sun locations. Leaf scorch, premature fall color, and increased susceptibility to borers often plague dogwoods planted in open yards.
The thin bark can actually sustain sunscald damage on the southwest side of the trunk. My neighbor’s dogwood declined steadily until they planted a larger shade tree nearby, creating the dappled light conditions these flowering trees prefer.
Eastern exposures often work well, providing bright morning light while protecting from intense afternoon heat that stresses these woodland natives.
13. Lantana
When summer temperatures soar, lantana hits its stride with a profusion of multicolored blooms that butterflies can’t resist. This heat-loving perennial (often grown as an annual in cooler regions) actually flowers more prolifically as temperatures climb.
The woody stems and small, slightly fuzzy leaves are adaptations that help it thrive in hot, sunny locations where other plants surrender. After replacing struggling impatiens with lantana in my south-facing beds, I was rewarded with non-stop color from June through October.
Drought tolerance makes lantana especially valuable for hot spots where irrigation is limited or inconsistent, though occasional deep watering during extended dry periods improves performance.
14. Sedum
Those fleshy, water-storing leaves make sedum perfectly adapted to handle blazing summer sun without flinching. The succulent foliage minimizes moisture loss while providing interesting texture all season long.
Fall-blooming varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ develop increasingly colorful flower heads as summer progresses, creating a changing display that peaks when many other perennials have given up. My border stays attractive through August thanks to a ribbon of sedums that shrug off conditions that wilt neighboring plants.
Well-drained soil is essential—these succulents handle drought with ease but can rot if left in soggy conditions during summer thunderstorms.
15. Russian Sage
Silver-gray foliage is often nature’s signal for sun tolerance, and Russian sage exemplifies this adaptation perfectly. The aromatic, finely-cut leaves reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it, allowing this perennial to thrive in spots where other plants crisp up.
The cloud of lavender-blue flowers attracts pollinators while creating a cooling visual effect in the summer landscape. After struggling with various perennials in my west-facing foundation planting, Russian sage finally provided the carefree summer color I’d been seeking.
Once established, this plant requires almost no supplemental water, making it perfect for hot, dry locations where irrigation is limited.
16. Yucca
Few plants express sun worship more clearly than yucca, with its architectural form and sword-like leaves that stand at attention regardless of temperature. The dramatic silhouette creates strong vertical interest that only improves as summer progresses.
White flower stalks rise impressively above the foliage, often reaching 5-6 feet and creating nighttime garden magic as they glow in moonlight. My rocky corner spot remained barren until yucca transformed it into a focal point that peaks during the hottest weeks of summer.
Excellent drainage is essential—these plants handle drought effortlessly but can rot in heavy soils that hold moisture around their base.
17. Lavender
Mediterranean natives like lavender have evolved specifically to handle hot, sunny conditions that would stress less adapted plants. The silver-gray foliage and highly aromatic oils are adaptations that help it thrive in exposed locations.
Intensely fragrant flower spikes attract beneficial insects while providing sensory pleasure during garden strolls. After killing several lavenders by planting in partial shade, I discovered they actually perform best in the hottest, sunniest spots my yard offers.
Sharp drainage is non-negotiable—lavender roots quickly rot in heavy or water-retentive soils, especially during summer thunderstorm seasons.
18. Salvia
The extended bloom period of perennial salvias actually improves with heat, producing waves of flower spikes that attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout summer. Many varieties actually bloom more prolifically during hot weather than in cooler spring conditions.
Aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits while handling intense sun without stress. My garden border features several varieties that provide reliable color from June through September, even during drought periods when many neighbors’ gardens fade.
Cutting back spent flower stalks by one-third after initial blooming triggers fresh growth and a second flush of flowers during peak summer heat.
19. Coneflower
Native prairie origins have perfectly prepared coneflowers (Echinacea) to handle whatever summer throws their way. The taproots reach deep for moisture, allowing these perennials to bloom continuously through heat waves that wilt other garden flowers.
The distinctive seed heads provide food for goldfinches long after the petals have dropped, extending garden interest well into fall. When my garden center containers needed reliable color that wouldn’t require constant attention, coneflowers became my go-to solution.
While tolerant of less-than-ideal conditions, these natives perform best in well-drained soil with occasional deep watering during extended drought periods.
20. Ornamental Grasses
As summer progresses, ornamental grasses hit their stride while other plants begin to fade. The swaying plumes and seed heads create movement and sound that bring gardens to life during the hottest months.
Deep root systems allow these plants to access moisture far below the soil surface, explaining their remarkable heat and drought tolerance. My once-struggling hillside was transformed after planting a mix of grasses that thrive in the full southern exposure without irrigation.
Choose wisely among the many varieties—some, like Miscanthus and Pennisetum, handle blazing sun beautifully, while others prefer more moderate conditions.