Pointers from the experts Choose your plants carefully; climbers like Clematis or climbing Hydrangea will cover an unsightly wall or railing, shade plants like Hostas are good for decks with little sun. Remember that "Full Sun" plants require 4-6 hours of sunlight a day. Conserve water by mulching or covering open soil with ground cover plants or shards of broken pottery. One good, organic, bug remedy is other bugs; Lady bugs and their nymphs like to eat aphids.