Gardengal48 Do you have any suggestions for a taller plant/flower for these?

the taller the plants.. the higher the chance that the wind will blow them over and send the planter hurling to the ground ...

i simply dont think you can accomplish what you want.. with those tiny [compared to the plant height you want] planters ...

not to mention the watering issue with large plants and a small amount of media to hold the requisite water ... for multiple large plants ...

ken

Ken - The planters are attached very securely to the deck railing with zip ties (that you can't see). They are 10 inches wide. Do you have any constructive ideas?

I understand and appreciate your goals, but I agree with Ken. Is there any way you could plant perennial grasses in the ground along that side of your deck instead? Or plant sturdy blooming plants like geraniums in the planters?

The planters are just too small to accommodate most ornamental grasses, especially those that grow tall. You might be able to get away with some sedges but they tend to form smallish mounds with not much height.

For a grassy look, you could plant Dracena (Spikes). I’ve had them in very small pots, as well as a shallow window box. They got about 2 ft high ... so not very tall, but would still help a bit with screening. They're super hardy, too.

I usually plant something trailing with them (something annual).

Jinx Thank you! I am open to any and all ideas. I'm not looking for a full panel or wall, just a little height for screening.

Well, they’re very adaptable to any size container. I’ve had them in pretty much every size, small to large, and in the ground. I’d put three in each planter, and then add annuals for color. They’re very drought-tolerant and don’t like wet feet, so choose similar plants to put with them (if you want companion plants). My Texas heat and full sun don’t phase them a bit. In over 20 yrs, I’ve never not had them in several places, several homes, and gifts to friends. They’re just such great container plants. I do like them with portulaca/purslane for the toughest spots. Both are so hardy and don’t mind shallow planting situations.

I always buy them small, they’ll grow fast:

I’m usually able to overwinter them in my garage, even during that winter we just had (days upon days of below freezing).

You know, you might want to have a helper measure the distance above the planters that you want, while you are sitting in one of the chairs. You may not need as much height as you might think, to achieve your goal.

Also, once you have done that, if you don't end up needing something super high ... what about geraniums? They are cheerful and low maintenance, and they smell good. Ime, pretty tough to kill too. (I know everyone's heard about geraniums already, but I think they don't always get the appreciation they deserve...)

Do you have any constructive ideas?

==>>> lol ...

Need, can you have geraniums in full sun in SoCal? I’m genuinely asking. I love them so much, but they fry here. I can barely keep them in shade. I’m so envious of anyone who can have them all summer!

(Sorry to go O/T, OP.)

My friend has them in a narrow planter, growing with a creeping fig which has killed everything else. These particular geraniums bloom all year and are very tough. They are not getting full day sun though, more like half.

In the OP's photo, there is an umbrella ... maybe they will get some shade?

That is a good point though.