metal planter

metal planter
Help! Novice gardener here...Extremely clueless!! LoL!?

I live in South Florida and would like to plant some flowers in my big metal planters. I've been planting sunflowers...but they haven't been doing too well...I think it's too hot...and they seemed to NEVER get enough water...they always looked "exhausted." If that makes any sense...I just want to know what you would suggest I plant...I love colorful flowers, preferably low-lying ones...my sunflowers' stems would never hold up...So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!!
*Just a note: My planters are up on a second-story landing...so they are shaded part of the day and also get sunlight part of the day too....If this information helps any...I know certain things have to grow in shade only or sun only...right? Or maybe I'm wrong...lol...told you I am a novice gardener!

If you find the only location for your garden planters is a hot, sunny patio or balcony, make sure you select plants and flowers that can tolerate the heat.
Don't use dark colored or metal planters, as they tend to absorb and retain heat more than other materials. Be sure to soak terracotta and unglazed clay planters before planting to stop moisture from being robbed from the soil. Soak the clay planter when you water your plants.

Experiment with flower selections from the following heat-tolerant plants for container gardening:

Amaranthus (amaranth)
18 in. to 6 ft., varies with species
Red, orange, gold, green, purple
Notes: Resents transplanting. Direct-seed.
Can't Tolerate: Wet soil; shade

Arctotis hybrids (African daisy)
1 ft. to 2 ft., varies with cultivar
Red, pink, orange, yellow, white
Notes: Direct-seed after frost.
Can't Tolerate: Humidity; high night temps

Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle)
4 in. to 24 in., varies with cultivar
Red, pink, lavender, white
Notes: Difficult to start from seed. Buy plants instead.
Can't Tolerate: Temps below 60 degrees F

Celosia spicata (wheat celosia)
2 ft. to 4 ft., varies with cultivar
Red, pink, purple
Notes: Good cut flower, fresh or dried.
Can't Tolerate: Cold soil; cold water

Cleome hassleriana (spider flower)
3 ft. to 5 ft.
Rose, pink, purple, white
Notes: Easy to grow from seed; self-sows.
Can't Tolerate: No problems

Cosmos bipinnatus
2 ft. to 5 ft., varies with cultivar
Crimson, pink, white
Notes: Easy to grow from seed; self-sows.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil (yields few flowers)

Cosmos sulphureus
1 ft. to 4 ft., varies with cultivar
Scarlet, orange, yellow
Notes: Easy to grow from seed; self-sows.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil (yields few flowers)

Cuphea micropetala (cigar plant)
3 ft. to 4 ft.
Red
Notes: Buy transplants.
Can't Tolerate: No problems

Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)
6 in. to 15 in.
Red, pink, orange, yellow, cream
Notes: Resents transplanting. Sow seed; deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; wet soil

Euphorbia bicolor (snow-on-the-prairie)
18 in. to 24 in.
White bracts
Notes: Milky sap is toxic. Easy to grow.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil (yields floppy stems)

Gazania hybrids
6 in. to 15 in., varies with cultivar
Red, pink, bronze, orange, yellow
Notes: Good for hot, windy spots.
Can't Tolerate: Rain; wet soil; humidity

Gomphrena (globe amaranth)
12 in. to 30 in., varies with cultivar
Rose, orange, purple, lavender, white
Notes: Good cut flower, fresh or dried.
Can't Tolerate: Cold soil; poor air circulation

Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine)
6 ft. to 25 ft.
Scarlet
Notes: Resents transplanting. Easy to grow from seed; self-sows.
Can't Tolerate: No problems

Lantana
1 ft. to 6 ft., varies with species
Red, pink, orange, cream, lilac, purple, white, and bicolors
Notes: Buy transplants. Berries are toxic; look for nonfruiting varieties.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; night temps below 60 degrees F

Melampodium paludosum (medallion flower)
8 in. to 24 in.
Yellow
Notes: Good for hot, humid climates; very tough plant.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; wet soil

Mirabilis jalapa (four o'clocks)
2 ft. to 3 ft.
Red, pink, salmon, yellow, white
Notes: All parts of plant are poisonous. Best direct-sown; self-sows.
Can't Tolerate: No problems

Nicotiana (flowering tobacco)
8 in. to 5 ft., varies with species
Rose, pink, green, purple, white
Notes: Easy to grow from seed. Some types fragrant; some will self-sow. Can't Tolerate: Wet stems and leaves (water from below)

Petunia
6 in. to 24 in., varies with cultivar
All colors
Notes: Deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Humidity; frequent rain

Portulaca (rose moss)
4 in. to 8 in.
Red, magenta, pink, salmon, orange, yellow, white
Notes: Easy to grow from seed; rooted cuttings will overwinter.
Can't Tolerate: Humidity

Sanvitalia procumbens (creeping zinnia)
4 in. to 8 in.
Orange, yellow
Notes: Performs in partial shade, but plant close together for fullness.
Can't Tolerate: Poor drainage

Tagetes (marigold)
6 in. to 4 ft., varies with species
Maroon, orange, yellow, cream
Notes: Easy to start from seed. Deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil

Thymophylla tenuiloba or Dyssodia tenuiloba (Dahlberg daisy)
4 in. to 8 in.
Yellow
Notes: Short-lived, but reseeds.
Can't Tolerate: Poor drainage

Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican sunflower)
30 in. to 8 ft., varies with cultivar
Orange, yellow
Notes: Shrublike in growth. Deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Rain; rich soil (yields floppy stems)

Verbena peruviana (Peruvian verbena)
3 in. to 6 in.
Red, pink, white
Notes: Good as groundcover and on slopes; performs in partial shade.
Can't Tolerate: Wet soil

Verbena tenuisecta (moss verbena)
8 in. to 12 in.
Pink, lavender, purple, white
Notes: Shear plants to 2 in. tall if they become leggy.
Can't Tolerate: Poor drainage

Zinnia angustifolia (narrow-leaved zinnia)
12 in. to 15 in.
Orange, yellow, white
Notes: Mildew-resistant.
Can't Tolerate: No problems

Zinnia elegans (common zinnia)
4 in. to 4 ft., varies with cultivar
All colors except blue
Notes: Easy to grow from seed. Deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Wet soil; poor air circulation

hope this helps you

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