Plants That Thrive in the Sun (Specific to Pacific Northwest Climate)

“Here Comes the Sun…”

You know that famous Beatles tune?  Here in the Pacific Northwest, you may not feel it’s always appropriate with those gray days of winter!  Anyway, in this post, we’re giving you landscape design suggestions to make the most of summer, with a few flowers and plants that thrive in the Willamette Valley summer sunshine.

Let’s start with a plant that will last from spring all the way through to late fall when other flowers fade. The Hosta (Plantain Lily) is native to Asia and thrives in the mild Oregon weather.  There are many varieties of the Hosta, so you can find one to your color preference and size. They can grow to up to 3 feet and some have a slight fragrance. 

Depending on the variety, this plant grows best in partial sun, so put it close to a nearby tree, although some enjoy full sun too.  If you’re just starting out, this plant is a sturdy one to try. You’ll have a beautiful plant without much work at all!

For a dramatic touch to your garden, add a “Masterpiece” lupine (Lupinus) with its bold red/purple color and tall spires about 2 feet tall.  Butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to these tall flowers. They are a stunning addition for late spring into early summer.

Following the early summer lupine, the late summer/early fall Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) adds its bright red hue as the seasons move towards a cooler temperature.  It can grow 2-4 feet tall and is deer- and rabbit-resistant, too!

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a lovely yellow flower that opens early evening into the morning, and from summer into fall. They attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees and are best used as a border or in a wildflower setting. 

The leaves and flowers are also edible, so you can try something a little different in your summer salad.

Another lovely and cheerful yellow flower, commonly known as the “Black-Eyed Susan” (Rudbeckia hirta) will thrive in the Pacific Northwest climate. They are resilient and can survive with less rain if it happens to be a drier summer than usual.  They stand 1-3 feet tall and are versatile. Plant them as border flower, in a pot, or as an accent plant in a larger area.  

There are a great many more plants and flowers that can accent your garden. For more ideas and help, contact us at Graham Landscape for all your landscape design needs in the Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Salem, and Roseburg areas of Oregon.