My husband has been planting impatiens every summer for the last 4 years.  He didn't listen when I told him they had to be planted in shady areas and proceeded to plant many of them in full sun.  He waters them daily and fertilizes them, and they thrive, spreading and blooming all summer long.  We get many complements on them.

Impatiens are great because they are easy to grow, come in a wide variety of colors, and will bloom all summer.