Why was the tree removed? Was it sick, too close to the house, ugly, or what? Stumps can be ground out and the soil can be leveled. I've paid $100-$150. for stump removal (grinding) for small and medium stumps, and I live in an expensive area. Your cost may be less, and well worth it if this is in a prominent area of your yard. It sounds like you are missing your shade. It could be that you need to plant another tree, but perhaps further away from your house (garage??? Can't tell what that brick structure is). A planting bed should not be an island on it's own. It needs to fit within its context. From that picture, I know very little about the context. I can't tell if this is a front or back corner of a house, garage or shed. I don't know if it is on a 1/3 acre suburban lot or on many acres surrounded by farmland or forests. Is the brick building part of a one story, 900 square foot rancher, or a 6,000 square foot, 3 story estate home? What you plant near one may not be appropriate near the other. Please post a broader picture so we can see the context.

I think you would be fine with hydrangeas there. If salvias are too floppy, try some veronicas or agastaches. You might even be able to grow baptista (false indigo). I have a similar exposure in my zone 5 Iowa yard. Trees along one side, and then it slopes too, so it is a bit of an odd long bed. It used to be grass and mostly invasive Asian honesuckle shrubs. I have only been gardening at this house for 1 1/2 years, so I am still experimenting; plus I am new to this zone and previously lived in zone 9. I first considered this area part shade and planted accordingly. Now I see there are pockets of more and less sun. In this area the plants doing best are: Hostas--This surprised me, but I see them in full sun around town now that I have started looking. Not sure if it is the same for zone 6. Foam flower--this looks GREAT right now with tidy foliage and is still blooming. I had some red tulips behind the foam flower and they looked lovely. Columbines--flowering nicely with airy foliage. Agastache--the one I have has short white flowers, but blues are common I think. Overwintered and re-sowed abundantly. My soil drains well so may be why they like it there. Garden phlox--were small plants last year from Bluestone spring sale. SO far they are growing nicely but will see if they flop. Today the whole area seemed to be in so much sun! Daylillies--will see how they do this year Foxglove--sowed last summer, getting ready to bloom, seems to be good for them in this spot. Monarda, bloomed last summer and no flopping. Soloman's seal--in a shadier pocket, but still gets some afternoon sun. Doing really well right now. helleborus--one little helleborus which has been doing great so far this spring, to my surprise. When I realized how sunny the spot was, I thought I'd move this little plant, but it is doign well. Toad lily--these are growing nicely and had attractive late flowers last year. Lobelia--there are some nice blue lobelias available. low growing veronicas--doing very well and blooming profusely. Happy planting. :)

Hybrid Rhododendrons for Sunny Locations 'A. Bedford' 6', -5F, ML, 4/3. This large growing, vigorous rhododendron tolerates exposure to full sun. Its funnel shaped flowers with ruffled edges are pale mauve to lavender-blue with a distinctive dark blotch. This is a good selection for a background plant. 'Alena' 5', 10F, EM. Introduced from the Czech Republic, this sun tolerant plant has fragrant white flowers with yellow spotting in the throat. There will be a slight blush on new flowers. Dark glossy leaves cover the broad, mounding plant. 'Anah Kruschke' 6', -15F, ML-L. A good looking rhododendron that grows well in sunny, hot locations. Its reddish-purple flowers are held in medium sized, tight trusses. Dense and lush foliage with dark green leaves. 'Aunt Martha' 5', -10F, M-ML. Hardy, vigorous, densely foliated and heavy blooming plant. Plenty of leathery leaves enable the plant to grow well in full sun and moderate heat. Bright red-purple flowers are speckled with gold in the center. 'Barto Alpine' 3', -10F, EM. Orchid-rose flowers open all along the stems of the densely branched plant. It has the spicy scent of freshly ground nutmeg. Its dense upright growth habit is a form well-suited for planting as a short hedge or screen reaching 5'. 'Belle Heller' 5', -10F, M. Here is hardiness, sun tolerance, lush foliage, and a lovely flower all in one. The large flower is pure white with a striking gold blotch, set in large, ball shaped trusses on a vigorous grower. 'Black Eye' 5', -10F, ML. A sister seedling of 'Red Eye', this rugged plant stands sun well and blooms young. The deep red-purple flowers have a distinct "black eye" on the upper lobe. 'Blue Angel' 6', -15'F, M. It has lovely purple flowers with a contrasting yellow blotch. With strong green, sun tolerant, foliage the growth habit is much like its parent. 'Blue Diamond' 3', -5F, EM. A favorite of many gardeners, 'Blue Diamond' has small flowers all along the vertical dense, finely branched stems. A sunny location is best for this well shaped plant often used in a border. 'Blue Ensign' 4', -15F, M. Very hardy, sun tolerant, lilac blue with a striking purple blotch. Its truss is similar to 'Blue Peter' and while they both become huge plants, 'Blue Ensign' is more compact. 'Blue Peter' 4-5', -10F, M. Its frilled flowers are light lavender-blue with a prominent purple flare. The lush leaves are glossy green. It's vigorous, cold hardy, heat and sun resistant. 'Cadis' 5', -15F, ML. With long, narrow leaves and the fragrant, light pink trusses, this plant is a popular cold hardy hybrid from the eastern U.S. A sun tolerant selection. 'Cheer' 5', -10F, EM. Pink trusses signal the coming of spring. Plenty of glossy, dark green leaves dress 'Cheer'. Plant grows compactly forming a dense, round mound. 'Cherries 'n Cream' 4', 5F, M. A new plant with exceptional foliage. Sun tolerant and compact in growth habit, this plant sports large pink flowers that open from cherry-red buds. 'Chionoides' 4', -10F, ML. Tolerant of the sun and cold, this compact hybrid grows beautifully even when planted in locations often considered too exposed for a rhododendron. A broad, dense cushion measuring 5-6' high develops as the plant matures. White, dome trusses are bright and numerous. 'Christmas Cheer' 4', -10F, VE-E. Extremely early pink trusses. Tough, medium sized leaves are dense on this well shaped plant. It doesn't bloom at Christmas time as the name might indicate. 'County of York' 6', -15F, M. Vigorous growing plant with large, upright white trusses of good substance. Here is hardiness, good flower and large foliage, all in one hybrid. Apple-green, somewhat shiny foliage. Sun exposure and cold are well tolerated. 'Crater Lake' 4-5', -5F, EM-M. Flowers are electric blue, flat and saucer shaped, with ruffled edges. They are held in groups of three, with many on a single branch. New foliage is bronze, changing to green with maturity. 'Cream Crest' 3', 0F, EM. Compact in habit, it likes the sun, has good foliage, is hardy and vigorous, and has alluring, bright, creamy yellow flowers. 'Cynthia' 6', -15F, M, 4/3. An old favorite which is still one of the best for a strong growing, background plant. 'Cynthia' will produce a bounty of large, conical, rosy-crimson trusses. Sun and heat tolerant. 'Daphnoides' 4', -15F, ML. Rolled, glossy leaves are tightly spaced on the stems of this dense mound. Prolific pom-pom trusses are purple. 'Dora Amateis' 3', -15F, EM. Pure white flowers cling to this low growing, bushy plant. Its deep green, dense foliage is highlighted with bronze tones and is prettiest when grown in full sun. It is a spicy scented hybrid with great foliage. 'Fastuosum Flore Pleno' 6', -15F, ML. Double, lavender-blue flowers with a large golden flare on the upper dorsal lobe give extra interest to this hardy, sun tolerant hybrid. The growth habit is somewhat open but round on this fine plant. Its good foliage is dense and green. 'Gomer Waterer' 6', -15F, ML. This old standby is one of the best whites ever hybridized. Flower buds are a delicate pink that open to blush white blossoms containing a freckling of soft green in the throat. Large deep green leaves make this an outstanding foliage plant. Very sun tolerant. 'Hallelujah' 4', -15F, M. The leaves are a deep green, extremely heavy textured and have an attractive, downward curving form. The flowers are rose-red in a large, tight truss. It's an adaptable rhododendron. 'Hardijzer Beauty' 3', -5F, EM. A dwarf evergreen azaleodendron from Holland. This small plant is vigorous and sun tolerant. When in flower, clear pink blossoms open all along the stems. It is an excellent choice for a small bed or long, low border. 'Jean Marie de Montague' 5', -5F, M. Every new red introduced is judged against 'Jean Marie' (as it is often called) to see if it is better and few actually pass the grade. 'Jean Marie' has bright red flowers so showy that you can't miss them. The thick, heavy foliage stands sun and is deep emerald-green. Few plants have foliage as green. Buds young. 'Jock' 3', -5F, EM. Rosy-pink flowers are everywhere upon this rolling mound of green. The plant gives best results in full sun and is easily rooted. 'Lady Clementine Mitford' 5', -5F, ML. A hardy plant with distinctive gray-green leaves. The flowers are beautiful, soft peach-pink. Its foliage looks like it was sprinkled with silver. Can withstand both sun and heat. Also known as 'Lady Clementina Mitford'. 'Manitou' 3', -25F, EM. This new hybrid is similar to 'Windbeam', only it is more compact in growth habit. It covers itself with luscious light pink flowers from top to bottom. Its small leaves will stand sun and makes a plant to be admired in the garden. 'Mrs. Charles E. Pearson' 6', -5F, M. Flowers are light pink with brown spots. It was developed in 1909, received an Award of Merit in 1933 and then a First Class Certificate as late as 1955. Super vigorous with lush foliage. Sun and heat tolerant. 'Mrs. G. W. Leak' 6', 0F, EM. Tall, vigorous plant with olive-green leaves. Clear, light pink flowers have a dark blotch in an upright compact truss. Grows in sun or shade. 'Myrtifolium' 3', -15F, L. For heat and sun tolerance this is extremely good. This plant has beautiful deep bronze-red foliage all winter and is a joy to view. It flowers very late in the season with small, medium pink flowers, great to extend the flowering time of rhododendrons. The plant is dense and well clothed in leathery leaves that are a rich, matte green in summer. A dependable rhododendron. 'Nova Zembla' ' 5 ', -25F, M. This rhododendron has true hardiness in a red. A vigorous plant that has good foliage and will grow in more difficult areas. This hybrid exhibits some outstanding characteristics. Of course, hardiness tops the list. A nice looking contrast with other plants. Extremely showy, red flowers make a real display in the spring.. Dark red flowers in a ball-shaped cluster. Broad, bushy plant. Cold and heat tolerant and sun and shade tolerant. 'Oceanlake' 30", -5F, EM. Deep violet-blue flowers make a charming display on this small-leafed hybrid. The foliage turns interesting tones in winter. Will take sun. 'PJM' 4', -25F, E. This hybrid is cold hardy as well as tolerant of heat and sun as well as shade. Its small, rounded leaves are green during the summer and mahogany colored in winter. 'PJM's' early bright lavender-pink flowers are beautiful against its dark colored winter foliage. One of the reasons the 'P.J.M.' group is such a heavy flowerer is that the plant does not set seed. They are very hardy, among the hardiest and most sun tolerant rhododendrons. They include the following: 'Black Satin' has a semi-erect habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, dark rose-pink flowers in mid-April. Fall and winter foliage is glossy and very dark purplish-black. 'Counterpoint' is a deciduous shrub with a spreading, upright habit, and bears an abundance of showy, semi-double, vivid, bright pink flowers in mid-April. 'Desmit' has a dense, mounding habit and bears an abundance of vivid, showy, pink flowers in early April. This cultivar has shown to be moderately resistant to sun scalding. 'Elite' is a vigorous, tall grower and bears an abundance of vivid, showy, rich pink flowers in mid-April. 'Henry's Red' has a broad, upright habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, deep red flowers beginning in mid-April. 'Laurie' is a slow grower with a compact habit, bearing an abundance of showy, single to semi-double, very light pink flowers beginning in mid to late April. 'Low Red Frilled' has a spreading, short, compact habit and bears an abundance of showy, frilled, vivid red flowers beginning in mid-April. 'Marathon' is a deciduous cultivar with a semi-erect habit, and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, magenta flowers beginning in mid-April. 'Molly Fordham' has a compact habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, white flowers beginning in early May. 'Northern Rose' has a semi-upright habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, bright pink flowers beginning in mid-April. This rhododendron is the result of a cross between R. 'Waltham' and R. mucronulatum 'Cornell Pink.' It was first developed by Dr. Robert Ticknor. 'Olga Mezzitt'' is covered in Winter with mahogany colored, small leaves which are bright green in summer. In spring it is transformed by numerous trusses of clear pink on every limb of the plant. It's hardy and sun tolerant making it especially valued if you don't have much shade in your garden. 'Regal' is a vigorous grower with a broad, spreading habit which bears an abundance of showy, vivid, light purplish-pink flowers beginning in mid-April. 'Victor' is a slow grower with a compact habit and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, light purplish-pink flowers in early April. 'Waltham' has a dense, mounding habit, to 3 feet tall and wide, and bears an abundance of showy, vivid, pink flowers beginning in mid-April. Leaf spotting occurs when exposed to full sun. 'Weston's Aglo' With the same parentage as 'Olga Mezzitt', this flower exhibits many of the same super qualities, such as sun tolerance and early flowering. This upright plant has flowers of light pink with a reddish eye. 'Weston's Pink Diamond' is a semi-evergreen shrub with a spreading, upright habit and bears an abundance of frilled, double, vivid, pink flowers in early April. 'White Angel' is a semi-evergreen shrub with an upright habit and bears an abundance of showy, white flowers, which open from lavender buds, beginning in mid-April. 'Ramapo' 2', -20F, EM. Plentiful pale violet flowers are amid a bushy blue-green mat of leaves. This hardy dwarf can be grown in sun or partial shade, although in full sun it will maintain a more compact form. It is well suited for use in a low border or rock garden. 'Red Eye' 5', -10F, ML. This plant stands sun, buds young, branches readily and does not mind heavy cutting for propagation! It's a plant you can depend on year after year. The flowers are deep red-purple with an interesting eye. When the flower first opens, the eye is green gold and little by little it becomes red. It is an interesting contrast with the purple! 'Red Eye' is a misnomer because the "eye" isn't always red. 'Rose Elf' 18", 5F, E. Often there are six or eight flower buds per stem which open to a delightful pastel orchid pink. Jade green leaves are numerous along this bushy multiple stemmed plant. In full sun exposure the leaves take on a bronze cast. 'Rose Elf' forms a bushy low border. It is well suited also to rock gardening and bonsai culture. 'Scarlet Wonder' 2', -15F, M. 'scarlet Wonder' is a low, exceptionally compact plant with dense glossy green leaves that have an interesting texture. The plant will stand more sun and exposure than most. This is a great foliage that plant, that, when it blooms, turns into a mass of brilliant scarlet red. 'Sonata' 3', 0F, L. 'sonata' has tubular shaped, orange-red flowers edged in red. The mass of slender, dark green leaves do well in a sunny spot. 'Trilby' 5', -15F, ML. Beautiful flowers of deep crimson with black marking. Matte green leaves are set off against red stems to beautify the plant even when not in flower. Sun tolerant. 'Wissahickon' (parentage unknown) 5', -15F, ML. A good choice if you are looking for a vigorous growing variety that is sun tolerant. The bright rose flowers, with a deeper throat, have brownish spotting. A plant of good reputation in the East. 'Wyandanch Pink' 5', -15F, M. This is the rhododendron for that sunny spot in the yard as it does best in the sun. Excellent foliage highlight the vivid pink flowers spotted darker on the upper lobe. 'Yellow Hammer' 4', 5F, EM. Very deep yellow flowers are held on an upright growing plant. Can be trimmed easily and makes a good hedge. One of the few yellow rhododendrons that will do well in sunny locations. Here is a link that might be useful: Rhododendrons for Sun

I have lavender munstead in full sun, it gets sun for the entire day, and these plants are getting huge. I don't water it, letting nature take care of it. These plants are 2 yrs old and they have probably tripled in size. They are on their 3rd blooming this year, I absolutely love them. I think, at least for me, that lavendar is a plant that thrives on neglect. I do have them planted among other plants that don't seem to need a moist soil soil, and this seems to work out well for all of them. I was actually wondering, does anyone know how to divide them? They are actually starting to crowd other things out. Should I just dig up a portion of the plant, rather than dig the whole thing up and divide it? At the rate they are growing, they'll be taking over the entire bed very soon. And, while I LOVE these plants, there are other things planted in there that I like too.