Best Container Plants for a Hot West-Facing Patio (Zone 8b)

For a west-facing patio with intense late-day sun in Zone 8b, these heat-tolerant container plants thrive:

• Verbena (bonariensis, canadensis, 'Homestead Purple', 'Appleblossom')
• Heliotrope
• Nicotiana (jasmine tobacco)
• Nasturtium ('Whirlybird' series, bush type)
• Petunia ('Tidal Wave Silver', double cascade)
• Calla lily
• Cynoglossum (blue and pink)
• Pelargoniums (including scented)
• Annual grasses (Pennisetum 'Rubrum', 'Villosum', Eragrostis tef)
• Salvia (viridis, farinacea 'Victoria')
• Borage, Feverfew, Impatiens balsamina

Most can be grown from seed (*). Combine several in large pots for full, colorful displays. The expert's own west-facing garden featured many of these.