Generally when we think of putting plants in the wrong location, we think of placing shade-loving plants in full sunlight where they can literally burn to death. Putting sun-loving plants in the shade can be just as damaging.

The cells of sun loving plants are generally smaller, which gives them the ability to retain water and withstand strong sunlight. In the shade, these plants will slowly die because they do not receive sufficient sunlight to manufacture food properly.

The sunniest areas on properties generally have eastern, southern or western exposures.

Annuals which need strong sunlight include marigolds, petunias and snapdragons. Marigolds are known for their yellow, orange and russet hues and grow from six to 30 inches tall depending upon the variety. Petunias come in almost every color and can grow to upwards of a foot high. Some varieties are trailing in nature and work well in planters, as well as the new mat-forming ground cover types. Dwarf snapdragons only grow eight to 12 inches high, but the standard snapdragons can reach two and a half feet high, and make excellent cut flowers.

Many perennials need strong sunlight for maximum growth. Those that do particularly well in strong light include daisies, day lilies and irises. Daisies can grow from 12 to 30 inches high and bloom from the middle of spring to fall, depending upon variety. Day lilies bloom from early summer to fall and grow from one to four feet high, depending on the variety you choose to get a sequence of bloom. Irises bloom just after the snow melts through early summer and are known for wide varieties of color. They can grow from six to eight inches high up to two and a half feet tall.

Euonymus and ivy are two evergreen groundcovers that keep their color all year long and do well in sunny areas, as well as in shade. Ivy is known for its trailing or climbing capabilities and dark green foliage. One variety of the euonymus is the 'Purple Winter Creeper', which turns burgundy after the first freeze in the fall. Plumbago is another sun loving groundcover with beautiful blue flowers in mid-summer, which turns purple in the fall. However, it does lose its foliage in the winter.

Most evergreens need full sun except for taxus, or yews, which can also tolerate considerable shade. Pines, spruces, junipers and arborvitae are the most popular. The false cypress is fast growing in popularity and is known for its golden leaf varieties.

Most grass for the lawn and ornamental grasses need full sun, as do flowering crabapple trees.

For sunny areas, consider these plants, and many more, which can grow to their maximum height and beauty under sunny conditions.