How about dwarf Cavendish bananas? Mine are grown in large pots and were about 5-6 ft tall this past year. If you patio is hot, I would recommend that you use large pots as smaller pots will dry out too quickly.

Also Cannas can be grow in pots! They would give you nice foliage and blooms.

How about papyrus? I would love to grow these but don't have enough sun. Get some big pots or buckets or old washtubs etc. and make a semi-water garden. I love the ferny look of the tops against the stiff stems.
Calla lilies would also do well in pots.
Both would have to come in for the winter.
Come to the Knoxville swap and you can have one of my night blooming jasmine cuttings. It loves full sun and will shoot up fast. Does nicely in a pot. Again, not hardy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Papyrus

Thanks, great suggestions, never thought about Cannas in a pot.