Question
QUESTION: Hello!
The pool takes all of my back yard there is only cement around and along the wall/ fence there is a one foot wide one foot deep channel the previous owner filled with dirt and river rock (I want to keep some of the rock), I have planted a Lavender bush and it's doing OK!. What can I plant in there? it is full sun all day and very hot due to the cement and the wall. Can't be something whit thorns because of the pool. I love Hummingbirds and fragrant plants please help. Also, what can I plant in containers to put in my all cement patio? (it is covered by Red wood)

ANSWER: Hey, Rosy.

Ah, hummingbirds and fragrant plants! A woman after my own heart!

I wish I knew what state you were in, though, (see last paragraph) but it sounds like you have an excellent site for container gardening with a variety of plants! I love container gardening because then I never have to pull weeds, and I can add a little pizzazz with a variety of container styles, colors, etc.

If you want a tropical look, which almost everyone does around a pool, try some succulents, especially the aeonium family. They are very adaptable, some with gorgeous flower spikes, require little water, and can take just about anything you can throw at them (lots of water, no water; lots of sun, no sun).

Depending on what state you are in, ice plants can add some vibrant colors during the year.

For some good ideas for small areas, hot & dry areas, and low-water use plants, download this document: http://www.abouthomes.info/reports/Vegetation.pdf and look specifically at Figures 7-9 (ice plants), Figures 10-11 (verbena), Figures 15-16 and Figure 25 (aeoniums),

If you like hummingbirds, plant almost anything that has red or yellow flowers, especially long tubular flowers, such as the aloes (see Figures 20-22). The aloes have "thorns" but they typically are very soft thorns, not like a rose, or the thorns are very compact so that one can touch the plant and thorns without being pricked.

The dracaenas can provide some vertical lift to the area to match the fence; see Figure 34. Or a nice vine can cover the fence; see morning glories (Figure 37), honeysuckle, and jasmine.

There are an endless variety of geraniums/pelargoniums with beautiful flowers, leaf colors, and even scents (lemon, lime, chocolate, etc.).

And we shouldn't neglect the begonia family either (see Figures 53-55). They are always blooming, but stick with the wax begonias and the angel wings; the tuberous begonias, while absolutely gorgeous, go dormant and are more trouble than they are worth, especially since you should be swimming in the pool and enjoying the plants rather than spending all your time taking care of them.

Everything I've mentioned can also be grown very well in containers and can be grown in most areas of the country. In the far north, some of them will need to be brought in during winter weather or covered with blankets like my grandmother used to do. If you're in a heavy rain area, like Washington/Oregon, or along some areas of the Gulf Coast, some of them can get waterlogged and rot. Of course, with container gardening, you can move the plants in and out during freezing weather, re-locate them to provide "new" landscaping, and any excessive rain should drain through the bottom (make sure all your outdoor exposed planters have a drainage hole).

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

QUESTION: Hello Ray, I found what I want in your web site; photo #16 looks like what I want on that channel I told you.  I have a corner for the Angel trumpet, and will plant Propeller plant,kangaroo paws, California Fuchsia and aloe in pots around the whole place. I need all info on planting these. Did
I mentioned I have a brown thumb?

Answer
Hey, Rosy.

You've picked plants that can survive with brown thumbs. The angel's trumpet will be the most difficult of those you have chosen because it likes bloom fertilizer and a little more water in order to perform its best.

All of them can be planted in the ground or in pots using standard potting soil and following the standard directions that come with the plant from the nursery.

After you plant them, make sure you water them thoroughly. If they are in pots, water them until the water drains out the bottom hole. With the hot weather that we're having, you might protect them some from the very hot sun until they get established.

You'll have a gorgeous, fragrant, hummingbird friendly place when you finish, to relax and enjoy. The hummingbirds really like the red kangaroo paws in my backyard.

If you need some more help, feel free to check back. Happy gardening!