If a grave is located in a spot that gets full sun all day, choosing the right plants is key to keeping it looking beautiful without constant maintenance. We’ve rounded up seven of the most popular summer plants for sunny gravesites, plus a little “insider tip” that’s becoming a real favorite.
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++Blue Fescue (Festuca cinerea)
This ornamental grass grows about 6 to 10 inches tall, forming tidy little mounds of narrow, blue-gray blades that stay on the plant even through the winter. Starting in June, delicate flower spikes appear, dancing just above the foliage. Blue Fescue is incredibly hardy, drought-resistant, and low-maintenance. It’s a fantastic “filler” plant because its unique color makes almost any flower color pop.
++Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Originally from Madagascar, this vibrant bloomer is a powerhouse throughout the summer. Its bright yellow, orange, pink, or red flowers look stunning against its glossy, dark green leaves. Because it’s a succulent, it stores water in its thick leaves, meaning it can handle dry spells like a champ. Just keep in mind that this heat-lover isn’t frost-hardy. If you want to save it, you can move it to a pot in the fall and bring it indoors for the winter.
++Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Summer heat, drought, and poor soil? Hens and Chicks actually love those conditions! Depending on the variety, you’ll see white, pink, yellow, or red flowers blooming from late May through August. While the main rosette dies after flowering, it’s already produced plenty of “chicks” (offsets) to take its place, making this a self-renewing choice. Since they keep their fleshy leaves all winter, the grave will look well-tended year-round.
++Stonecrop (Sedum)
The low-growing, groundcover varieties of Sedum are perfect for sunny spots. You won’t need to worry much about watering, as these succulents prefer being a bit dry over being too wet. Their star-shaped flowers in white, yellow, pink, or red bloom from June to September. Many types are evergreen, and they look especially beautiful when covered in a light morning frost.
++Marigolds (Tagetes)
Native to the Americas, Marigolds are tough as nails. They handle dry heat and rainy weeks with equal ease, blooming non-stop in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Most varieties grow between 8 and 20 inches tall—ideal for a gravesite. Their feathery foliage adds a nice texture, too. Since they aren’t winter-hardy, they are grown as annuals and replaced each spring.
++Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Upright geraniums are a classic choice for full-sun locations. They are relentless bloomers, pushing out new buds all summer long even when the mercury rises. They look great when paired with foliage plants for a bit of contrast. However, they aren’t quite as drought-tolerant as succulents, so they’ll need a drink on hot days. Also, be sure to “deadhead” (pinch off) spent blooms to keep them looking tidy and prevent rot during rainy spells.
++Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
With its silvery-green leaves and purple-blue spikes, lavender is a beautiful, aromatic choice for sunny graves. It blooms for nearly half the year, from late May well into autumn. It’s very low-maintenance and handles dry periods easily. In fact, it’s better to underwater than overwater lavender, as it doesn’t like “wet feet” (standing water).
%%Our Secret Tip: “Diamond Frost” Spurge (Euphorbia hybrid)
This plant is a relatively new favorite for gravesites, and for good reason! In a sunny spot, it produces a delicate, airy cloud of tiny white flowers all summer long. It looks like a floral mist or a “veil” draped over the ground. Because it’s so light and airy, it provides a perfect contrast to more compact, bold flowers and plays well with almost any other plant in the garden.
