Whether your idea of sunny perennial gardening involves a very small planting along the sidewalk or a full blown perennial bed that blooms from spring to fall, native plants fit the bill. The basis of wildflower gardening in sunny situations is the same in any case: six to eight hours of direct sunlight, soil that is enriched with organic material and adequate moisture during dry periods. Sun-loving plants that don't see sufficient light tend to be uncharacteristically lanky. As they stretch for the light, they are much more likely to flop in the wind and rain. Remember that plants are very strongly oriented toward the light, and their flowers almost always face the sun. Place your native perennial bed where the flowers will be facing the direction from which they will be viewed most often.
To grow healthy perennials, you must provide healthy soil. When starting a new sunny native perennial bed, it is important to add organic material in the form of rotten leaves, compost, topsoil or other amendments that are rich in organic material. This kind of organic material increases soil fertility and attracts a multitude of beneficial soil organisms. It also acts like a sponge that can retain moisture and make it available to the roots of your plants during dry periods. Here is a sampling of some of the many garden-worthy, sun-loving native wildflowers.
