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We're living in a condo with a deck; on the deck, we have 6 planters that get full sun from 10-2.
Hated last years' plants - drab, not showy
I want to plant colorful plants that can tolerate full sun. I'd like a very full and colorful plant with a non flowering vine or other plant to fill in between flowering plants.
Would appreciate suggestions (and I'm willing to order online if necessary, but would prefer to patronize our local nursery).
I bought a Hardy Hibiscus from QVC last year. The blooms were literally dinner plate size. They are not fussy and will survive even if you forget to water them not at all like the regular Hibiscus. Cottage Farms 4-Piece Luscious Hardy Hibiscus - QVC.com
I still have them in my garage and can't wait to pull the containers out this spring. They were the talk of the town. I bought a trio of them but I see they have added a white one this year.
Not only the size but the color was incredible with multiple blooms on each as I said they were the talk of the neighborhood. I will try to link a picture I took of a bloom for you.
Petunias are showy, lots of colors from which to choose. However, you expressed non-flowering vine so maybe they are too showy for your taste? What about some oriental or day lillies?
Has the OP considered actually using some of the containers for food gardening, tomatoes, berries, herbs, etc?
Wow, that's beautiful! Would it be appropriate for a window box type container (it fits over the railing). How tall does it get?
No, it gets about 2 - 3 feet tall and can be as wide too. It really is a beauty. I still have it in my garage in an 18 inch pot and it survived the winter (such as it has been) so far. It is still green and I will follow the directions to bring it out again this spring/summer.
For a non flowering vine you can use sweet potato vines. Some nurserys have them in a tri color variety. I had them last year and mixed them in with my ivy geraniums and they were spectacular.
Yes, that's what I'd like to do is mix flowery plants with non flowering vines (am sick of vinca vines), but need something that can tolerate mid day sun for about 4-6 hours.
I've read a bit about the sweet potato vines and they looked quite nice. I was thinking of geraniums as they're hardy, allow sun, and have lots of color. Will look for the sweet potato vines, thanks for the help.
Geraniums are one of the best for non-stop color in a window box, but I thought I'd give a few other suggestions:
Vinca flower/periwinckle
upright petunias
Osteospermum/African daisies
Argyranthemum/Marguerite daisies
I've found hibiscus in a 4" to 6" pots before and used them in window boxes
Potato vine is a great trailer, just don't put too many in one box as they can crowd out other plants or just won't grow to their full potential. I generally put no more than two in a 24" window box (use 3 geraniums or other upright flower) sometimes just one in the middle and no more than 3 in a 36" window box. My favorite varieties are "Blackie" (dark purple/black) or "Sweet Caroline" Bronze/red both mix well with purples and pinks.
One of my favorite combinations was mixing fuschia Geraniums with pink Gaura, bronze carex, and "Sweet Caroline" potato vine.
It may not be flashy enough for you, but I would highly recommend Gaura in window boxes. It has great height, waves in the wind, doesn't need deadheading, and is not water demanding. Gaura lindheimeri "Blaze" - Pride of Place Plants (http://www.prideofplaceplants.com/perennials/gaura_blaze.html - broken link) Gaura - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Other trailing plants to consider would be ajuga 'black scallop, creeping jenny, and wire vine. Also, if you want to use a flowering trailer, bacopa can't be beat. I've had good luck with everything I've mentioned both in my own containers and many of my clients containers.
Are any of these especially heat tolerant? I was going to have some fun with poppies in containers this year. I wanted to find a few other container plants to off set them.
The majority of them are heat tolerant; the African daisies are the least heat tolerant of the bunch. What kind of poppy? Not all of them are heat tolerant or terribly long lasting.
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