Are you allowed to put something on the manhole and block access to it? (I've never seen a manhole in someone's yard before. Is that common?) I'd check into that before doing anything.

There are flowering plants that do well in a southern/southwestern/western exposure, including lantana, moss rose, datura, sunflowers, verbena bonariensis, zinnias, cosmos, celosias/amaranths, canna lilies, liatris, penstemon, Maximilian's Sunflower, 'Laura Bush" petunias, scarlet sage, autumn sage, red hot poker, tithonia (aka Mexican Sunflower) and many native wildflowers. It is hard to list the wildflowers without knowing if your soil is sandy, silty, clay, rock or whatever because different wildflowers have evolved to fit different niches, including different soil types.

You also could grow vining flowers on the fence. As they grow taller and shade the fence, they'll reduce the amount of heat/light reflected off the fence which will help reduce how much heat the other flowers have to endure. I grow all kinds of vines on fences that face the south and west---among the annual vines that tolerate heat and sun are morning glories, moonflower vines, mina lobata, black-eyed susan vine, cypress vine, cardinal climber and purple hyacinth bean vine (also available in a white flowered form).

I think tall colorful zinnias would be pretty!!!

I loved to mix purple and blue morning glories with the hyacinth bean vines--thought it was spectacular. Oh my, Dawn! When I was talking vines up the vegetable fence--I wasn't even thinking flowers! How cool. Vines, here we go! Gotta get some black-eyed Susan vines up one side, morning glories and hyacinth beans up another! Woo-hoo! Thank YOU! I was picturing vines growing up your fence, too, Canokie. What kind of light do you have in that corner? Is it full sun or is there some shade? Does it get hot hot in that corner? Dry? I love Joe Pye weed--it can get really tall--8 feet or more; but doesn't like dry soil (not wet either). I don't know if it can take heat well. Does anyone else know? I've read that it does well in Oklahoma and I know I can find a place for it in my yard--got some ready to seed as soon as I take them out of the freezer in a couple weeks.

I had never before been a huge fan of zinnias, but those little flowers are workhorses, aren't they? I'm putting in some giant violet queens this year. What colors do you like, Canokie? I am also loving the lantanas, Oklahoma friends, and so do the butterflies and bees! Who knew. And verbena for low-lying flowers--I have been so delighted to see the verbena, lantana and black-eyed Susan vines grow like crazy down here. My lantana plants grew into 2 1/2 feet bushes! Lovely. The verbena spread and bloomed continually. And reseeded!

I would think what flowers would do well is going to depend on the available sun, how much heat is in that corner, and how dry (or wet) it is.

Oh--ps--I always like to read up on their blooming times! I tend to go for the biggest bang for my buck ones--that is, ones that bloom the longest.

Thanks so much everyone! This corner faces southwest so it's hot, sunny, and the soil is clay, though I plan to amend it.

As far as colors I like - the house has some rosy color in the brick and the shutters are burgundy. My favorite color is purple and I've always favored the pinks, purples, burgundies, cherry reds, blue, blue-green or gray-green foliage. I'm not as fond of yellows, oranges, orange reds, yellow greens... I guess I prefer the cooler, blue-based side of the color spectrum.

Love the idea of vining, climbing flowers!

One concern - I have two dogs who love to eat weird stuff... so I need to avoid anything poisonous.

Dawn, yes, the manhole thing is weird and I wasn't happy with it. They told me just to not put anything on it that couldn't be moved, which is why I was thinking a water fountain or strawberry barrel.

I'll go check out these recommendations now - thanks so much!