I don't know where Bushnell is but I'm in Sarasota and the only annuals which have survived here in full sun are Zinnia's, Geraniums and Gallardia. I have lost so much money on other annuals which just fizzled in the hot sun.

Jane

Stop planting annuals unless you've got the cash to waste. There are hundreds of flowering shrubs that grow year round in Florida. Check out your local nurseries and big box stores.

I've seen potted ruellia - even the tall variety - doing very well.

Not sure if it's listed there,but here's a link to Floridata.com & its plant lists - just select 'containers' & 'annuals' or 'perennials' for a lot of possibilities. Sorry I cannot link directly to it - you have to click through to the Master Plant List..

http://www.floridata.com/

So many drought tolerant plants nevertheless need frequent watering when they're in a container in full sun. Most of us don't have the structure to display a B.I.G hanging basket that holds sufficient soil/moisture to keep a plant happy in these conditions. We have the typical shepherd's hook and 12-14" basket. In the high 90's, those baskets dry out quickly.

This year I tried something different and I'm pleased...crown of thorns. It started by necessity. I couldn't resist a cute COT in one of the big box stores this spring and brought it home. Then the problem - where to put it. At the same time, I wanted something for the hanging basket. It took awhile to put the two needs together but when the light bulb finally came on I thought "why not". The COT has grown, flowers continuously and gets extremely little supplemental water from me. It's been a real workhorse.

No, the basket isn't "lush" with greenery and flowers spilling over the sides, but the plant is happy, green and flowering.

In past posts I've admired Fawnridge's beautiful bromeliads. I think they appreciate some shade. I have one that is very generous with the pups so I had plants with which to experiment. I acclimated a few to full sun and they're doing well. They're paler than the same variety that gets some shade, but they're still acceptable. They would definitely do well in the dry conditions of a hanging basket. - June

I

Thanks everyone for all the advice! Here's a pic of my containers from last winter when they were full of petunias

I agree with Jane but would add cosmos (the yellow/orange variety not the pink/rose type). Mine take the 90+ sun and do fine. Chenille does well too but needs protection from mid-day sun.

Jane....Blue spires salvia, coreopsis, cosmos, vinca, coleus, dianthus are some that survive the Tampa summers. Pentas definitely. Most other annuals can plant in late Sept. early October and pray for no freezes. This promises to be a bad winter this year with the super el nino. El nino winters here are harsh. Lots of cold fronts and squall lines sweeping in from the Gulf. Last bad one in 1997 (strong el nino) got down to 26 in Clearwater. This Fall any planting I do will be in pots and planters due the impending winter. Joe.