Do you have green fingers or aspire to have some? This can be a difficult task if you lack the know-how regarding plants that can survive on your patio; wait, no, not survive, we want them to thrive! The secret ingredient here is to choose plants that are resilient and something for the eye. Plants that can withstand the sun, rain, a week of neglect, another week of over-loving, and still be able to bloom through it all. Following is a list of 9 plants that can make your patio bloom no matter the weather (and care).
1. Lavender
Lavender is a bush plant with small purple-blue flowers and a long, thin stem that smells amazing. Because the flowers grow close together, it has a soft and colorful effect on the plant. Typically, this is an easy-to-take-care-of plant, mainly when it is already established. Lavenders preferably need 6 hours of full sun daily, and it is always good to have a well-working draining system to prevent root rot. At first, these plants require a lot of watering, but it is only necessary during their first growing season. Remember to prune the bush after flowering, which will encourage new growth! It’s nice to know that if you have lavender in your garden, you invite important pollinators to keep it healthy.
2. Agapanthus
You might know this beautiful plant as a lily of the Nile. It is mostly known for the balls of blue, purple, or white flowers that resemble fireworks in bloom. These plants flourish best in full sun and can at least handle dry conditions because they store water in their thick roots. This is a good plant to put into pots because they like having crowded roots with a sound drainage system. If you live in a cold area, keeping these plants indoors in winter would be best because they will not do well in frost or soggy soil. They are also a natural attraction for bees and butterflies to keep the patio buzzing (literally).
3. Black-Eyed Susan
Also known as a Rudbeckia spp., it is a hardy perennial (this means the plant lives for more than two years and can withstand cold winter temperatures, typically returning year after year.) It is bright yellow to orange, similar to a daisy flower with a dark center. These flowers thrive in full sun and bloom during the summer until early fall. Local ecosystems love this perennial because it also attracts butterflies and bees. The only thing this flower does not enjoy is a lot of shade and wet roots.
4. Mandevilla
This low-maintenance plant is a tropical vine recognized by the beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers you can see in red, pink, or white. Even though this plant enjoys the full sun, it likes to cool down in the shade on hot days. You need to regularly water this plant and ensure well-drained soil because it should never sit in waterlogged soil. If you prune the vine, it will look neat and encourage more blooms. So, we have already covered which plants can attract the bees and butterflies. Add this plant to the mix, and you might spot some hummingbirds around, too! Please note that Mandevilla is toxic if humans or pets ingest it; the sap is also known to cause skin irritation, so it should be handled carefully.
5. Beardtongue
Here is another perennial plant known as Penstemon spp. Like the previously mentioned flowers, it really likes the full sun and well-drained soil. These plants also have long stems with groups of flowers that almost look like they have two lips, and if you look closely at the inside, you can see a resemblance to a fuzzy tiny tongue or beard. Not only do they attract pollinators, but these lovely flowers also provide seeds late in the season for birds to enjoy, which also adds to the ecological value of your garden.
6. Fuchsia
If you want to hang some plants in the air, Fuschias do well in hanging baskets or containers. They are popular plants known for their beautiful pink, red, and purple hanging flowers. They can brighten up those shady, dull spots on the patio. They need a heavy prune late in the winter or early spring to stay healthy. If you want a fuller-looking bush, you can pinch the tips during the growing season. If you live in colder areas, moving them inside during the winter is recommended.
7. Sweet Potato Vine
Another name for this vine is Ipomoea batatas. People grow them primarily because of their bright and colorful deep purple or green-yellow leaves. This plant can grow in full sun or somewhat shady areas. While they enjoy being watered regularly, the Sweet Potato Vine does not like to sit in water. If your patio leaves an empty feeling, purchasing some of these plants would be good as they can add a complete look to the garden, especially in hanging baskets or pots. What makes this an ideal plant is that even though it doesn’t have bright flowers that catch your eye, the leaves still leave your patio fresh all year round.
8. Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
The Ribes Sanguineum blooms in spring with bunches of pink flowers that attract hummingbirds. What makes this plant special is that it has round green leaves with a few small sections, and the leaves feel slightly wrinkled. Then, before the leaves fully grow in early spring, the bush produces bunches of bright pink or red flowers hanging down. After that, later in the summer, it grows small blue or purple berries that birds like to eat! It is like having a 3-in-1 plant throughout the year. Once this plant has found its feet, it will grow well in full sun to limited shade. It will be able to endure drought and heat, too.
9. Bougainvillea
The Bougainvillea is a bright and colorful plant with an almost paper-like flower. They come in pink, purple, orange or white. This plant thrives in full sun and doesn’t need much water. It doesn’t like cold weather or too much rain (although it can seem to be a plant that requires a lot of space; rest assured, it can be grown in pots that can be moved indoors during the winter). Feeding it with plant food during the growing season helps it make more flowers. Bougainvillea is an excellent choice for sunny patios because it’s easy to care for and looks impressive.