I put myself in charge of the containers at my job because I love gardening and couldn't resist. My boss agreed but it's just been a flop and I feel terrible I had big plans and high hopes but nothing really lives long in this container.

It get's about 4 hours of morning light it's near the river in brooklyn it hot in the summer windy dry. I tried all different types of flowering plants but I don't think it sunny enough for most flowering plants because they reach out over the container the problem with that is it's a business and they pull a gate down when we close and just chop who ever is in the way it's heartbreaking to see.

It's a wooden planter about 10" across and about 8-9" deep. I bought fresh soil, plant food ,water crystals.

And my boss loves flowers and only wants flowers. I learned this after buying this beautiful grass that thrived but she didn't like it so any ideas?

Hi Angela
First skip he water crystals, in my opinion they dry the soil. If they dry out they will pull the moisture from your plants. I put a small plastic saucer inside at the bottom of the container, used as a reservoir for water.
For plants there is a very nice variegated bacopa with white flowers. This stuff will grow anywhere.
Lobelia is good in the shade get the up right to use as a filler. Might find a shade loving fuchsia for a thriller.
Check out the data base here.
Those small Wax begonias might be good too. Look for the Cocktail series. They stay smaller.
These would all be a warm weather planting when you temperatures stay above freezing.

Thanks Julia those are nice choices. I've been looking everywhere but thought maybe just ask here in case I missed something this project is driving me a little crazy I want to get this right this year my boss has been really nice about the underwhelming job I did last year.

Geraniums hold up pretty well during the summer. Mums bloom in the north and our plentiful around Oct. I've got 1 pot of mums blooming now but most of them bloom in the fall and during the winter but
Fl. is quite different than your climate. From Conn. 45 years ago and I always had mums every fall. Love all the different colors.

I have used water crystals in many of my pots and they do retain water quite well but here it's so hot I still water pots every 2 days at least

How about a combination of Geraniums and this sedum as a ground cover?

I love these ideas. I just have to find the semi shade compact variety which I didn't even know was available if anyone has reliable sources please let me know.

I feel like the list is now manageable I should have come here last year

I found a great resource for pelargoniums http://www.herbsociety.org/fac...

Four hours of morning light isn't enough sun for full-sun plants. Plants labeled for part sun would be the most likely to do well where you described. A mix of plants usually provides more interest for a container of significant size.

Some that should provide some "Wow:"
New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'
Spur Flower (Plectranthus Mona Lavender)
Fuchsias
Fuchsias (Fuchsia)

Coleus are often so pretty, people don't notice there's no flowers,
Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
along with:
Many diff sweet potato vines
http://garden.org/plants/searc...
Tradescantia zebrina (wandering Jew)
Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
Caladium
Caladiums (Caladium)
Cane (angel wing, dragon wing) or wax Begonias, some flower more readily than others. Choosing ones with gorgeous leaves makes the flowers a moot point, in my eye.
Begonias (Begonia)

Great suggestions Tiffany. I missed the fact that the area in question did not get very much sun.

for that list Tiffany! Gives me a lot of food for thought.I was also thinking maybe some dwarf azaleas with violas hanging out around them. I would love a carefree container that will come back on it's own.

Everyone has those fantasies!

Azaleas only bloom for about 2 weeks, so IDK if that would have the impact you seek for a focal point container.

Forgot to mention Persian shield above, PURPLE:
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes auriculatus var. dyeriana)

Some of the multi-plant pics on here might lend some inspiration:

You Know this is me I'm so glad to see your post with my morning coffee. I love them all!
last fall I did this beautiful purple majesty grass with all different color mums and ornamental cabbage no pic and she hated the grass which actually looked awesome and thrived and the mums didn't do well but that could have been a lack of watering issue but it's not my garden and I think she just wants me to do it already but I want the plants to be happy

I am so in love with the pansy combo
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana 'Nature Mulberry Shades') I think that has enough flowers and so much color those little cuties really just get me.

Awww, the container you describe sounds awesome! Sorry it wasn't so well received. Best vibes for finding something that everyone likes and grows well!

Thanks for the kind words Tiffany I'll get it done and it will be beautiful thanks to everyone who gave me so much inspiration

Angelwing begonias should do well in only morning sun. they get big leaves and have beautiful color showing on them, require minimal fertilizer and are not water hogs. You might need to keep them pruned if they get too tall if height is an issue. I have seen them as hanging baskets on a porch and by the end of the year they were amazing. This year I picked up a 1/2 of a flat for hanging baskets and they come in red and pink.

Hi Carolyn, to ATP.
Wow, the begonias sound wonderful. I have never grown them. Do you have photo you can share with us?
I may have to try them. I do have a tuberous begonia (red) that I planted a couple of weeks ago. The bloom is stunning.

Hey everyone I have some underwhelming pictures but I think when summer kicks in everyone will been in full bloom hopefully

I chose Pansey Yellow and Orange


Then zebra primrose light and dark purple My new favorite flower


I have some columbine which are suffering from powdery mildew so no great pictures Yet!!!!

I also chose Sweet Asylume which are thriving


I also planted some astible which have not come up yet and some elephant ears which haven't come up yet.

You can see the renegade dahlia from last year they don't have enought light but insist on giving it a try. I'd love it if they bloomed! and the columbine which are struggling poor things.

It won't be long before they are all in full growth. That is going to be lovely Angela. Keep us updated with photos as they grow.
Looks like you have some kind of lily in there, I see buds on them.

Thanks lynn I am really happy with the pansey they really area enjoying that shady area those big heads are so cute. I will take more pictures as the others grow in.

Omg Lynn you reminded me of the lilies I forgot about from last year!!!!! I kept thinking they were dahlia but nope asiatic lily.

And I couldn't find the dahlia.