What to plant

[kancheta]

I just bought 2 big oak half barrels and can't decide what to put in them. I want something that flowers a long time but can stay outside in the winter. Those things are going to be pretty heavy full. Any suggestions? They will get morning and early after noon sun then shade later in the day.

[txbeyer]

It really depends on where your barrels are placed. Are they in a protected area (e.g. south or east facing side) or near anything that will protect them from winter wind and cold northerly blasts? I grow Gereniums year round outdoors in such a protected area in north Austin and they bloom constantly except for perhaps 3 months of the year. You might want to consider adding colorful foliage plants in lieu of flowers to color up your barrel plantings. I have success with miniature roses in a variety of colors. Try colorful varieties of sedums. Actually, your choices are much more than you realize. Hope some of these suggestions help.

[kancheta]

They are out in the open pretty much on the outside corners of my patio. I guess it would be pretty much east the sun rises on the back left corner and sets on the opposite front corner so the house casts some shade there in the late afternoon. I think I will try a mixed planting and just see what does good. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Annette Shelton]

Kancheta,

I would suggest Wild Verbena if you want a perennial plant that is extremely hardy. It stays green in winter, and starts blooming in early spring. Hot dry temperatures don't bother it, either. Go to the photo gallery to see on that I'm going to upload.

Annette in LA

[kancheta]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have something similar but more miniature that a friend gave me that I used as a ground cover under my tropical hybiscus and it is doing very well.