Shrubs and Patio Plants

Dress up your patio with colorful flowers.

Shrubs and patio plants add greenery to a plain porch and backyard. Choose plants that are either native or grow well in your area. Some patio plants, such as African violets, should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Hanging vegetable plants also thrive outdoors on a patio, but transport them inside if necessary when it gets too cold.

Ivy

Ivy plants work well as patio plants because you can put ivy in a large pot on the floor of the patio or plant ivy in hanging baskets. All types of ivy work well on a patio, but some are better suited for certain areas. Boston ivy grows well in colder climates, but it also tolerates heat. Angel ivy has lace-like, delicate leaves and prefers a warmer climate, but you can bring the plant indoors when temperatures dip. Some types of ivy, such as English ivy, can begin as potted plants and then be transplanted to the wall of your house or fence and trained to climb. Ivy plants grow best in moist, well-draining soils.

Tomato

Tomato plants also work well as patio plants because they can grow in large pots. Leave them on the porch or hang them in baskets that border the patio. Choose varieties that thrive in your area or consider bringing the plant indoors during the winter. If you live in Arizona, choose Early Girl because it thrives in warmer temperatures and matures rapidly. Beef Steak tomatoes are quite large, so it's best to grow this type in large pots, as the tomatoes are too heavy and large to grow in hanging baskets. Choose small varieties or cherry tomatoes for hanging baskets. Most tomatoes prefer nutrient-rich acidic soil.

Bleeding Heart

Choose bleeding hearts if you want decorative rather than privacy shrubs.

Bleeding hearts are flowering shrubs that thrive in damp, rainy conditions, but this plant tolerates sunny, hot weather. This highly adaptable flowering shrub grows well in the Northwest and Eastern parts of the United States. The flowers stand out because of their heart-like shape and bold colors. Old-fashioned bleeding hearts have a clear, heart shape, but other varieties, such as the king of hearts, has more of a bell shape. The foliage is usually dark green, and the flowers grow on arching branches fanning outwards. Bleeding hearts prefer moist, well-draining soils and moderate sunshine.

Common Boxwood

Common boxwood thrives in cold weather and intense summer heat. This shrub serves as a privacy fence also because it grows 15 to 20 feet tall. Prune it twice per year to prevent overgrowth. The foliage is dark green and slender. This shrub grows best in nutrient-rich, alkaline soils.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Common Boxwood
• University of Illinois Extension: Selecting Shrubs For Your Home
• Cornwell University: Bleeding Heart
• Monthly Gardening Tips for South Florida Gardeners: Pot and Patio Plants
• North Dakota State University Extension Service: Ivy; Ron Smith
• The Telegraph: "The Telegraph"; Best Tomatoes for Hanging Baskets, March 2009

Resources

• Tropical Flower Farm: Patio Plants