The Best Plants for a West Facing Garden
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If you have a west facing garden, you may have noticed that it can be a challenging area to plant. With intense afternoon sun exposure and potential for dry soil, finding plants that can thrive in west facing gardens can be a bit of a challenge.
However, with careful selection, you can still create a stunning garden that can withstand the conditions of a west facing garden. In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best garden plants for west-facing gardens.
From hardy perennials to drought-tolerant annuals, we'll explore a variety of west facing plants that can thrive in the unique growing conditions of a west facing garden.
Whether you're looking for plants that can add color and texture to your garden, or plants that can attract beneficial wildlife, we've got you covered. Read on to discover the best plants for west facing gardens and create a beautiful and thriving outdoor space.
Check out my other guides to the best plants for your garden based on which direction your garden faces:
How Many Hours of Sun Does a West Facing Garden Get?
The number of hours of sun a west facing garden gets can vary depending on several factors, including the location, season, and surrounding buildings or trees.
In general, a west-facing garden can receive direct sunlight for several hours during the afternoon and evening, particularly during the summer months when the sun is higher in the sky.
On average, a west-facing garden in a temperate climate can receive between 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day during the summer, and around 2-3 hours per day during the winter. However, this can vary based on the specific location and other environmental factors.
The Best Plants for a West Facing Garden
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis, also known as tall verbena, is a perfect choice for a west facing border.
This plant is highly tolerant of heat and light exposure, which makes it a great fit for gardens that receive plenty of afternoon sun.
It can thrive in hot and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for those living in warmer climates or in areas with low rainfall.
Secondly, tall verbena is a perennial plant that produces tall, thin stems that can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it an ideal choice for adding height to a garden.
It produces small clusters of purple flowers on top of the stems, which can add a pop of color to your garden. The plant has a long flowering period from mid-summer to late fall, which means it can provide interest and color for a significant portion of the growing season.
Finally, tall verbena is a low-maintenance plant that requires little watering or fertilizing, making it a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-care-for plant.
It can also self-seed, which means that it can spread naturally and create a lovely drift of color in your garden over time.
Overall, if you're looking for a low-maintenance, sun loving plants that can add height and color to your west-facing garden, tall verbena is an excellent choice.
Here is my recommended Verbena Bonariensis:
Phlox paniculata
Garden phlox is a perennial plant that produces clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It loves full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a range of soil conditions.
In a west-facing garden, garden phlox can be a good choice if the site receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. This plant prefers moist soil, so if your garden is prone to drought, you may need to water it regularly.
One potential challenge of planting garden phlox in a west-facing garden is the risk of powdery mildew, which is a fungal disease that can affect the leaves of the plant, causing them to turn yellow and wilt.
Powdery mildew tends to thrive in humid conditions, which can be a problem in some west-facing gardens. To prevent powdery mildew, it's important to plant garden phlox in a well-ventilated area instead of a sheltered spot, water it at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, and avoid overcrowding the plants.
Overall, garden phlox can be a good choice for a west-facing garden, as long as the site receives enough direct sunlight and the soil is kept moist. With proper care, garden phlox can add a lovely pop of color and fragrance to your garden.
Here is the Phlox Paniculata I recommend:
Hardy Geraniums
Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbills, can be an excellent choice for a west-facing garden.
These perennial plants come in a variety of colors and can add both color and texture to your garden.
Hardy geraniums are known for their ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, including those found in many west-facing gardens.
They are tolerant of both full sun and partial shade and can grow in a range of soil types. They are also generally drought tolerant, making them a good choice for areas with low rainfall.
One of the great things about hardy geraniums is that they have a long blooming period, usually from late spring through to early fall.
They produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and white, which can be a beautiful addition to any garden.
Additionally, hardy geraniums have attractive foliage that can add texture and interest to your garden, even when the plants are not in bloom. Hardy geraniums are also relatively low maintenance plants that require minimal watering and fertilizing.
They can be cut back after flowering to encourage a second bloom, or simply left to die back naturally in the fall.
Overall, hardy geraniums are a great choice for a west-facing garden. They are versatile, low maintenance plants that can add color, texture, and interest to your outdoor space.
Here is the hardy geranium I recommend growing:
Lavender
While lavender typically prefers full sun, it can still make a great addition to a west-facing garden.
Here are a few reasons why: Firstly, lavender is a hardy and drought-tolerant plant, making it ideal for areas with hot, dry summers.
In a west facing garden, the plant will receive the full afternoon sun instead of morning sun, which can help to promote healthy growth and encourage the development of its fragrant flowers.
Secondly, lavender is a low-maintenance plant that requires little care once established.
This can be a great option for gardeners looking for plants that don't require frequent watering or fertilizing.
Thirdly, lavender is a great option for attracting pollinators to your garden. The plant's fragrant flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can help to increase biodiversity in your garden.
Finally, lavender has a wonderful scent and attractive foliage, which can add both visual interest and sensory pleasure to your garden. It can also be used for a variety of purposes, such as making potpourri or essential oils.
Overall, while lavender may prefer full sun, it can still thrive in a west-facing garden, especially in areas with hot, dry summers.
With its low-maintenance requirements, ability to attract pollinators, and attractive scent and foliage, lavender can make a beautiful and beneficial addition to your outdoor space.
To learn more about growing lavender, check out my guides How to Create a Lavender Hedge and How to Take Lavender Cuttings: A Step-by-step Guide.
Here is the lavender I recommend planting:
Ready more about lavender with my guides:
Daylilies
Firstly, daylilies are a hardy perennial plant that can tolerate a range of growing conditions, including both sun and shade.
In a west-facing garden, the plants will receive intense afternoon sun exposure, which can be beneficial for their growth and help to promote the development of their flowers.
Secondly, daylilies are a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established.
This can be ideal for gardeners looking for plants that don't require frequent watering or fertilizing. For more watering tips, check out my guide How to Use Watering Globes.
Thirdly, daylilies produce a wide range of flowers in various colors, which can add vibrant and eye-catching color to your garden.
They also attract beneficial pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds, which can help to increase biodiversity in your garden.
Finally, daylilies are a long-lived plant that will come back year after year, making them a great option for creating a low-maintenance and sustainable garden.
Overall, daylilies can be an excellent choice for a west-facing garden, providing a low-maintenance and colorful addition to your outdoor space.
With their ability to tolerate a range of growing conditions, produce eye-catching flowers, and attract beneficial wildlife, daylilies can help you create a beautiful and thriving garden.
Here is the variety of Daylily that I recommend:
Yarrow
Yarrow, also known as Achillea, can be an excellent plant for west-facing gardens for several reasons.
Firstly, yarrow is a very hardy and adaptable plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, including those found in many west-facing gardens. This plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil, but can also tolerate some shade and a range of soil types.
Secondly, yarrow is a drought-tolerant plant, making it an excellent choice for areas with low rainfall or hot and dry conditions. It is also a low-maintenance plant that does not require frequent watering or fertilizing, which makes it a great choice for busy gardeners.
Thirdly, yarrow produces attractive, fern-like foliage and delicate, flat-topped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and white, which can add color and texture to your garden. The flowers also attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which can help to pollinate your garden.
Finally, yarrow is a long-blooming perennial plant, which means that it will return year after year and provide color and interest to your garden for an extended period. With proper care, yarrow can bloom from early summer through to late fall, making it a great way to add color and interest to your outdoor space throughout the growing season.
Overall, if you're looking for a hardy, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant plant that can add color and interest to your west-facing garden, yarrow is an excellent choice.
With its attractive foliage, delicate flowers, and ability to attract beneficial insects, yarrow is a great way to create a beautiful and wildlife-friendly outdoor space.
Check out my guide to Companion Planting Yarrow: Attracting Beneficial Insects.
Here is the Yarrow I recommend:
Coneflowers
Coneflowers, also known as Echinacea, can be an excellent choice for a west-facing garden for several reasons.
Firstly, coneflowers are very drought tolerant and can withstand hot and dry conditions, which are often present in west-facing gardens. This plant can also tolerate a range of soil types and does not require frequent watering, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
Secondly, coneflowers are perennials, which means that they will come back year after year, providing color and interest to your garden. They produce daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and orange, which can add a pop of color to your garden.
The flowers also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them an excellent choice for gardeners interested in creating a wildlife-friendly space.
Check out my guide: The Perfect Partners: Echinacea Companion Planting Guide.
Thirdly, coneflowers bloom from early summer through to late fall, which means that they can provide interest and color for a significant portion of the growing season.
Additionally, coneflowers are easy to grow and require little maintenance, which makes them an excellent choice for beginner gardeners.
Overall, if you're looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that can add color and interest to your west-facing garden, coneflowers are an excellent choice. With their long blooming period and ability to attract pollinators, they are a great way to create a beautiful and wildlife-friendly outdoor space.
Coneflowers look incredible in a wildflower garden. Check out my guide to The Best Wildflowers for Shade —which includes coneflower!
Here is the coneflower I recommend growing:
In conclusion, there are many different plants that can thrive in a west-facing garden.
From succulents to daylilies to coneflowers, there are plenty of options to choose from.
By selecting plants that are well-suited to the conditions in your garden, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden that will bring you joy for years to come.
