I need all day, sun loving plants. I have no problem with watering when we have a lack of rain.

By necessity, everything that grows around the patio (moonlit garden) grows in a container. Before I converted the entire area to a container garden, our dogs responded to cool, damp soil like a pig takes to a hog wallow. So far, none of them has shown any interest in climbing into a container to cool off.

As long as you meet a species' needs and provide supplemental TLC (irrigation, fertilizer, compost, mulch) to compensate for not being rooted in the ground, you can grow anything but a shade tree in a container. Our sagos are doing well in 25G pots (one per container) and our crinums have the requisite depth in 30G grow pots (four per container). Our other container denizens include daturas (native and exotic), Arabian jasmine, Cestrum nocturnum, hymenocallis, butterfly ginger (needs a lot of lateral space), confederate jasmine, crossvine, passion vine, Rangoon creeper, almond verbena, moonflower, queen of the night cactus. I could go on and on.

Before you combine different species in the same container, make sure none of the species is invasive. I lost a few hymenocallis by foolishly combining them with Datura wrightii. Live and learn.

There are so many possibilities! You could play with cacti and succulents (I would not plant them together just because they have different watering needs), annuals and perennials. I have pots with agaves, graptopetalum, dianthus, oregano, strawberry & cream grass, mint, morning glory, roses, thryallis, sage, variegated yucca, bluebells, scallions, bougainvilleas, cannas, hibiscus and more. I think growing plants in containers is easier than growing them in the ground. Just make sure you get good soil and fulfill their watering needs.

Omar

All my container plants will need regular watering. Many will need to be watered even if you get a rain.

You will need a good draining potting mix for the container. Do not use soil or any product that says soils such a gardening soil or even potting soil.

You will need a slow release fertilizer or fertilize with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Most slow release fertilizers only last about half the time advertise due to high temperatures in the summer.

If your containers are large enough, multiple plants look really nice. I like Allen Smith's rule of thumb -one plant that stands straight and tall, one that's round and shrubby and bushy, and one that Trails over the edge. Maybe a succulent pot, with a mother-in-law's tongue, a rounded form of sedum, and ice plant or moss rose.

They call that the thriller, the filler and the spiller.

:)

Carol in Jacksonville

Thanks everyone, especially re:not using just any potting soil! Who knew? I actually have a couple of pots I did last year and the plants are still alive, not thriving, but have re-bloomed. Is this normal or did I just *happen* to choose plants which do better in containers? I don't remember what they are. ;)

If your pots are tall, or even if they are medium and you are only planting annuals, fill the bottom of the pot with inexpensive pine bark nuggets. It will promote draining, does not hurt the plants, and costs you a lot less than filling the entire pot with mix.

Carol

Carol, you are a genius! I usually buy a bag of landscape stone and it does make the pots quite heavy, and if I decide to move them, that become a problem. Your suggestion is greatly appreciated. ;)

Patty, some folks use pieces of styrofoam (ok), styrofoam peanuts (I don't like - very messy to separate out later), or empty water bottles or other plastic bottles (ok for me if lids are on). Of all of the choices I have ever heard/read, I still prefer pine bark nuggets.

By the way, I put one-to-three inches of pine bark mini-nuggets in the bottom of ALL of my potted plants. Purpose is to promote drainage. When/as the pine bark breaks down, doesn't hurt a thing. Plant roots invade that deep? Doesn't hurt a thing. Works great for me all the way around.

Carol

bostedo, that is a great plant/planter combo. I am going to buy the white firecracker plant if I ever find it in-person.

Carol