Patios and entertaining spaces can be surprisingly tough environments for plants, especially during long, hot summers. Containers dry out fast in full sun, heat radiates off paving and decking, and at a time when many parts of the US are battling heatwaves and drought conditions, missed waterings can quickly spell disaster for thirsty blooms.
After years of gardening in everything from formal courtyards to sun-baked terraces in southern Italy, I’ve found that some plants are far better suited to life in pots than others. The best patio plants earn their place by delivering long-lasting flowers, fragrance and foliage while coping remarkably well with heat, dry soil and a little occasional neglect.
