Hello, I live in the north west corner of Utah, (high desert) my front flower bed is south facing, but only has full sun from 12-3p.m. I would like to know what you would think could grow there. I love Hostas but worry they will burn. I like to use plants that are zone 4 but I'm told we are somewhere between zone 5-6a

I would think that you should be able to grow salvias, penstemons, agastaches, succulents, poppies, lavender, herbs, grasses, etc.

It might help to know what kind of plants you like the looks of so folks can make suggestions that will suit your tastes.

As for hostas, no, they probably won't appreciate intense sun in the early afternoon, but if there are spots that are shaded by trees or structures, I'd think it would be a worthwhile experiment. I always think that if a certain plant really appeals, we can usually figure out a way to grow it, or at least a substitute that has a similar look. I would recommend checking in with the Hostas forum to ask for tips about how you might be able to grow them in your garden.

If you really like a woodland garden look with hostas, dicentras and ferns, for example, you may need to get creative to find out which plants will give you the look, but still be appropriate for your high desert conditions.

If you need a small tree or two to provide shade, I wonder how Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) would do for you?
https://www.highcountrygardens...

http://www.laspilitas.com/natu...

Hopefully, someone who lives in a climate more like yours will chime in with some suggestions.

Good luck,
Virginia

I love lavender but thought it needed more sun than three hours. I'm good with any suggestions. Just looking for something that will servive with intense heat between 12-3. What about hydrangeas? I have 100 ft trees on both the East and West side of my yard. So at three I'm back into deep shade

With deep shade after three, you may be right that lavender won't work, despite all the claims that "there's a lavender for everbody"... But there are sages with the look of lavender that you may be able to grow quite well. Sadly, I don't know of anything that smells like lavender that ISN'T lavender.

It may be useful, though, to keep in mind a coupla things about garden rules: a) they were mostly made up by European gardeners with rather different conditions from yours or mine, and b) plants can't read, so they may or may not follow the rules, even in the gardens belonging to the rule-makers. Plants that need 6 hours of full sun in London or Boston may need quite a bit less sun in gardens where the UV index is higher.

Still, you're most likely to have success with plants that are native to your area or to a place with similar growing conditions. It may be fun to occasionally experiment to see what rules you can break, but to get a garden established a less risky approach is likelier to pay off. If there's a good nursery or public garden near you, that might be a good place to start to see what grows well near you, and that you like the looks of.

Still hoping someone else will chime in who gardens in conditions more like yours...

Have fun deciding,
Virginia

Jean! Nice to meet another high desert gardener.

I've struggled with hostas and can never get them to grow well. They end up dying after a few years.

Here's a list of things that do well for me.

Sedums, agastache, penstemon, alliums, irises(I have tons of those), roses, carex, clematis, geraniums... There are many more that may work for you.

Can you get a pic or 2 of the area so we can get a better idea?

If you want hydrangeas, review the most drought tolerant oakleaf hydrangeas and the smaller leafed hydrangea paniculatas. For more info, contact Milkcreek Gardens in SLC:

http://www.good4utah.com/good-...

Additional info from USU:

https://www.deseretnews.com/ar...

The difficulties in Utah will be moisture and wind. Like here in Tx but our temps are much higher than yours. Give the oakleafs & non-paniculatas morning sun only thru 11am or so (paniculatas can handle much more sun). Blocking windy areas helps to protect them from drying out via the leaves. Especially the large-leafed mopheads. But again, touch base with Milkcreek Gardens.