<p>Looking for flower suggestions for my deck railing planters. It gets full sun all day and is really hot. (summer temps can easily top 100 - north/central NJ). </p>
<p>In the past I have tried petunias, but they bolt to seed in mid-July. Coleus did OK if I remembered to water them daily (which is not a guarantee). I’m not a huge fan of marigolds.</p>
<p>Not necessarily annuals - cistus, sedums, rosemary, grasses, sage…
Mix the plants for contrast. Small leaves with spiky, and blues with reds etc.
[Information</a> about mediterranean gardening - Plant notes](<a href=“http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/plants.html]Information”>http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/plants.html)</p>
<p>I’m surprise the coleus worked, I thought they were a shade plant!</p>
<p>I have luck with geraniums (even ivy geraniums in window boxes) for the sunny deck. Also porticula thrives in heat, sun and not too much watering. </p>
<p>The key is daily watering, deadheading, feeding.</p>
<p>Lantana. It survives the heat and comes in lovely shades of yellow and lilac.</p>
<p>Oh goodness – impatiens. It grows well in full sun, has beautiful colors, and will last well into October. Easiest annual to plant and grow, IMHO.</p>
<p>I second the lantana option. It also mixes well with ivy geraniums, especially if you can match the colors of a yellow/violet lantana with a violet ivy geranium</p>
<p>Impatiens? That’s a winter annual down here in south Florida. By March we have to dig them up because they’re nothing but yellowed stems and leaves. I wouldn’t think they’d survive 100 degree temps on a hot deck, even in NJ.</p>
<p>Lantana, portulaca, zinnias, and marigolds. I’m going to try a pot of succulents this year. For a perennial, try lavender.</p>
<p>I have luck with petunias. They come in several varieties and colors. Maybe you could try a different type.</p>
<p>Vinca – it looks similar to Impatiens but takes more direct sun. You’ll need to water daily but I’ve had very good luck.</p>
<p>Impatiens in full sun would never last the heat in the midwest either!</p>
<p>Impatiens would never make it in zone 6 either. I have never found an annual that can take full sun on my deck. I finally gave up. Even with constant watering they withered. I think all annuals need SOME shade break during the day, and my deck doesn’t get any shade whatsoever.</p>
<p>We plant begonias in Texas.</p>
<p>Geraniums love full sun, come in a bunch of bright and fun colors, and do well in pots.</p>
<p>Petunias are also a good choice. Look for the ‘Supertunias’ which have an abundance of flowers. (Okay, I just saw that petunias didn’t work for you…)</p>
<p>If you want something for hanging pots, try fuschia, which trail over the sides and look like bright pink fireworks.</p>
<p>PS: I’m with you on marigolds: they smell disgusting.</p>
<p>Lantana, lantana, lantana! Mix in with some geraniums for height…You and I have the same kind of deck…Full sun, absolutely NO shade. Can get as hot as H-E-double hockey sticks!!</p>
<p>I second begonias and vinca. In NC impatiens are planted in more shaded areas or they die a quick death in the Carolina sun.</p>
<p>In Colorado (very strong sun here) impatients are also sold as shade plants.</p>
<p>Vinca, petunias, lantana and begonias do well in the hot sun here in Tennessee. I plant impatiens in mostly shaded areas because they don’t really do well in the sun. In the fall, I plant pansies so that we’ll have some color during the cold months. By mid-May, they’re dying and ready to be pulled out.</p>
<p>I think geraniums look great, but they have almost as funky a smell as marigolds. I grow nasturtiums outside my back door in a concrete planter - they get some shade, but seem to be pretty forgiving and you can put them in your salad! Apparently if it’s too shady they don’t put out flowers, so they may be just the ticket.</p>
<p>BeachgirlNY: Do you grow your portaluca from seed or do you buy established plants?</p>