Newlands · Garden inspiration
Plants for Sunny Gardens
Make the most of a bright garden with fragrant lavender, flowering salvias, airy verbena and colourful perennials. Explore sun-loving plants for borders and patio pots, choosing for your soil, space and shelter.
Build a sunny border with colour and texture
Repeat lavender, Nepeta or compact salvias along the front of a border, then add Achillea, Echinacea or Rudbeckia for flowering colour. Verbena brings light, airy height, while Festuca adds fine-textured foliage and low sedums suit free-draining edges. Plan flowering times and mature sizes before combining plants. A sunny site can still have damp or heavy soil: match each plant to its preferred moisture and drainage, and check hardiness for more tender salvias and French lavender. Explore our cottage, coastal and seasonal collections below, or bring garden photos to our horticulturists in Clondalkin for advice.
Watch the sunshine
Check how much direct sun reaches the planting area through the day, allowing for shade from trees and buildings.
Match soil and water needs
Group plants with similar needs. Lavender and sea thrift need good drainage; Helenium and Rudbeckia appreciate moisture-retentive soil that drains well.
Plan colour across the season
Compare flowering months and combine different heights. Water new plants while they establish and check patio pots regularly in warm weather.
Complete your planting project
Bring garden photos and measurements to our qualified horticultural team at Newlands Home & Garden Centre. We can help you compare plants and plan a combination suited to your space.
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