7 sun-loving plants to have a garden in bloom all year round

There is no denying that flowers bring joy and color to the home, as well as a pleasant feeling of freshness. However, knowing how to choose the right species for the climate where they will be planted is the secret to a successful and long-lasting garden . In Brazil, where much of the territory is exposed to high temperatures for most of the year, sun-loving plants are a good choice. Therefore, we have prepared a selection of seven species that grow well in full sun and also produce colorful and exotic flowers. Check it out!

1. Hibiscus

Popularly known as vinegar plant , sorrel and sour caruru , hibiscus ( Hibiscus sabdariffa ) is a plant belonging to the Malvaceae family and is native to India, Sudan and Malaysia. The genus comprises more than 300 species, of which 33 are registered in Brazil. The hibiscus flower is recognized as a Non-Conventional Food Plant (PANC) and is characterized by its nutritional richness, which includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic compounds, among others. It is usually consumed through tea made from the flower's calyx, which, in addition to offering benefits to the body, has a pleasant flavor and aroma. It is worth mentioning that the edible hibiscus is of the Hibiscus sabdariffa species. The ornamental hibiscus, which is the symbolic flower of Hawaii, in the United States, and used in gardens, is of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis species and is not edible.

2. Alpinia

Alpinia ( Alpinia purpurata ), also known as red ginger, is a medium-sized tropical plant that produces inflorescences with small white flowers and red bracts on erect stems that grow 1.5 to 2 meters tall. It likes soil rich in organic matter and regular watering. It should be grown in full sun or partial shade , in a well-ventilated area. Alpinia also grows well in very humid areas and propagates by cuttings that form in the bracts or by dividing the clumps. Maintenance is simple and requires only pruning for cleaning, with the removal of dried leaves and flowers.

3. Geranium

Native to India and tropical regions of America and Africa, lantana is a genus that includes about 530 species of perennial plants. It includes herbaceous plants and flowering shrubs, which reach up to 2 m in height. The most common species are Lantana camara and Lantana montevidensis . The tiny flowers are grouped on stems and appear almost all year round. They also come in a variety of colors, such as red, yellow, orange and white. In addition, they attract pollinators such as butterflies, insects and birds. They like warm, humid climates and sandy soil, rich in organic matter.

5. Eleven o'clock

You've probably heard of the Eleven-o'clock ( Portulaca grandiflora ) — also known as purslane —, a plant from the Portulacaceae family, native to South America, generally found in southeastern Brazil as far as Uruguay and Argentina. It is an annual plant, small and fast-growing. It usually reaches about 30 cm in height . It has thick, fleshy leaves and produces flowers between 2 and 3 cm in diameter , which can be red, orange, salmon, pink, white and yellow. In Brazil, it got this name because its flowers begin to open around 11 o'clock. It is a plant that needs plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.

6. Desert Rose

The popular name for the flower Adenium obesum , the desert rose is native to Africa and is part of the Dogbane family. It has thick stems and delicate flowers, which make it a highly sought-after species to enhance a garden or the decoration of a room — since it can also be grown in pots . It is recommended to place the desert rose in places with at least six hours of sunlight per day . This plant can remain alive even in high temperatures because of its trunk, which has a widened base and, therefore, can store enough water to withstand periods of drought.

7. Strelitzia

The Strelitzia reginae is also known as the bird of paradise. It is a perennial herbaceous species, native to South Africa, which can reach approximately 1.20 m in height. It has hard, large, ovoid leaves and long petioles. It is usually grown in gardens in tropical and subtropical regions, and is known for the exotic beauty of its flowers, which are approximately 15 cm long and orange and blue in color.