The warmer weather of summer prompts many people to spend more time outdoors. To make your deck, porch, or patio feel more welcoming, purchase plants. You’ll liven up the area and add color. Here are a few plants for your patio that are attractive and easy to care for.
What to Consider When Choosing Plants for Your Patio
Choosing the best plants for your patio involves more than going to a local nursery and picking out the plants you like. First, determine how much sun and shade the deck or patio receives daily, as each plant will have different requirements. Think about how you’ll water the plants. Do you have a garden hose nearby, or will you need to purchase a watering can?
Know your USDA hardiness zone, so you’ll be able to choose the best plants for the local climate.
Plants that Grow Well on the Patio
Hostas
Ideal for USDA 3-8 zones, hostas are beautiful, attention-grabbing foliage that looks great around the border of your patio or even in pots. These plants are available in shades of green and white and are ideal for shaded areas where many other plants won’t thrive. If potting hostas, choose a wider pot, as they have wide root systems. They can grow over three feet in width.
Alstroemeria
Commonly referred to as the Peruvian lily, alstroemeria is a plant native to South America that has an incredibly long blooming period in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. You can enjoy the Alstroemeria flowers in numerous colors, including purples, oranges, dark red, and pastel colors. It’s easy to grow in containers, but make sure the plant has good drainage. It isn’t too large, as it only grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Bay Trees (Laurus nobilis)
The beautiful green color of this plant will last year-round, but it does require full sun. It is hardy in zones 3-7. In other areas, plant your bay tree in a pot and bring it inside during the winter. Expect it to grow to 4.5 feet when planted in a container. One of the great things about bay trees is they’re virtually indestructible, which means they will continue to look healthy even when you forget to water them.
Bamboo Plants for Your Patio
Bamboo is a practical, beautiful plant for the deck, courtyard, or patio. It grows well in full sun and in lightly shaded spots. Bamboo has a striking upright growth habit and offers protection from the wind and privacy from the neighbors. Plant it in pots to manage its invasive tendency. Bamboo is ideal for USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8.
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