Question
QUESTION: Hi Nick!  I asked a question yesterday about suggestions for my 42" terracotta bowl which gets all day sun and you asked me about the climate zone we live in.  The climate zone is 10 and it gets very hot in the summertime the exact location is Hemet, Ca.  Just over the San Jacinto mountains West from Palm Springs,Ca. I hope this information helps you.

ANSWER: Hi Cindy, Ok thats a big container, so your choices are pretty extensive, so I am going to ask you for one more follow up, what exactly is your desire, flowering, just color (foliage) easy care, medium care, maybe a small dwarf fruit tree? let me know what you like in plantings so I can better narrow it down. Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Nick, In answer to your question, lots of flowers and color.  I'd like to start the middle of the bowl with some large to medium sized flowers in the middle and then step down from there ending with some kind of a flower that trails over the bowl rim.  Preferably easy care but will do medium care also.

Answer
Ok Cindy, got a handle on it now, a great beginning would be "trailing Lantana", it has a cascading growth pattern, covered with purple flowers, it is a heat lover and very easy care, just water enough so it doesn't dry out (weekly), it is a low grower, carpet like growth, so work this into your design. For a higher center piece, (again we have to consider the extreme heat that is forthcoming) think about Mexican Petunia, again a heat lover, that has either pink or blue flowers (two different varieties). You could go with an Ornamental Grass in the center instead of the Petunia, this way you have a taller center piece with the color of the Lantana spilling over the edge. I would try these suggestions, again , consider the extreme heat that is coming and the fact that you want as little care as needed and long term use. Nick