What flowers will grow best on east side of house?

Question

I live in Zone 7b. I am wanting to do a flower bed next to my house facing east. My thumb is not green. Does anyone have any suggestions as to tall flowers for close to the house, mid-high flowers for the middle, and a good border flower? I would like to do a variety of different colored Foxgloves for next to the house and some Phlox for the border. Any suggestions?

There are no big trees nearby, just a tall thin bush/tree on the south side of the garden that doesn't realy give much shade. Otherwise it's pretty much open. It's in Oklahoma, like I said, zone 7b. so it can get pretty hot. I really don't want anything taller than about 4' or so in the back right up next to the house, that's why I was thinking Foxgloves. Something that is really too much taller than that would be too tall in my opinion. Any more suggestions? So far everything sounds great and maybe my thumb will have a tinge of green this year!

Answer 1

Does the flower bed get direct sunlight (no big trees around)?
or there are trees around?
To make your thumb greener, the most important thing is to learn about how much sunlight the area will get. Since the bed is next to the house, it won't get afternoon sun that is good for some plants.

Now back to the first question, if no trees around that will be more plants can grow there.
You can choose bulbs cause they are easy to grow.
For tall flower you can have Foxgloves, tall Lupines, Oriental lilies (3-4 ft) if you want taller you can get Orienpet Lilies (3-8 ft). Tall Bearded Irises can also grow to 3+ ft. Gladiolus is good too but you may need to cover them with mulch to make sure they come back next year. Remember that the taller the plant, it may need staking to support the stem.
For medium high flower: you can get Campanula (Bellflower), Liatris Blazing Star, Dutch Iris, Siberian Iris, or Columbine.
For Border: Daylilies like Stella d' Oro, Happy Return, Little Business. Phlox is better in open area that get more sun

If there are trees around, you can try:
Tall plant: Ostrich Fern, Rocket Ligularia, Azalea.
Medium plants: Toad Lily, Astilbe, Columbine, Helleborus, Bleeding Heart
Border: Variegated Liriope, Brunnera, dwarf Hosta or Impatiens (annual)

You can also add spring flowering bulbs like Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinth so there will be always something growing from Spring to Fall.

Answer 2

Without trees nearby, the east side of a house gets plenty of sunlight, especially in the morning. Avoid planting any flowers or plants that cannot tolerate high light conditions. Also, the east side of the house (like the south) warms up much quicker in the springtime (in the northern hemisphere).

I like your choice of flowers but I also suggest you add a little variety to the mix. Make sure too that you get dwarf phlox for a border.

Answer 3

It depends on the temperatures in your area. In hot areas, the north or east side of a structure is usually good, to shield the plants from excess sun and heat. If you live in a northerly area, the southern or western exposures are often better to give your plants the benefit of all the warmth they can get.

One of the tall plants I like best for a bed that's close to the house are gladiolus. They are bulb plants, and very easy to plant and grow. Your idea of foxglove and phlox for an eastern exposure sounds very good. Make sure the foxgloves are not where children or pets can get to them easily, as they are very poisonous; foxglove is the source for digitalis, a powerful heart medication.

Answer 4

If it doesn't get 8 hours of sunlight, you could go with privet or yew for the talls, then hydrangea and then hostas.