Expert: C.L. Fornari - 8/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: Can you suggest some plants for outdoor pots that don't require a lot of watering?

ANSWER: Charles,
If you want flowering annuals you can't go wrong with Portulaca - see photos of the Proven Winners Portulaca at: http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/default.cfm?doSearch=1&viewType=Perennial&pa

There are many succulents available at garden centers now that are drought tolerant - Look for Echeverias - beautiful, colorful foliage plants that also have delightful flowers. Hens and chicks and any perennial sedum are perfect for dry containers - you should be able to find sedum varieties in assorted foliage colors from yellow to purple, and there are types that grow tall or stay short.

If you are in an area where it seldom goes below freezing there are assorted agaves, cacti and yuccas that you could use - very sculptural!  Check out yuccado.com, cactus-mall.com and highcountrygardens.com for some more ideas. These nurseries specialize in drought-tolerant plants.

Purple Heart (Setcresia) and geraniums make a good combination and are both pretty drought tolerant although not as much as the succulents.

I hope this helps,
C.L.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am in the Atlanta area. The pots get full sun until early afternoon.

Answer
SInce you're in the Atlanta area you can use any of the plants I mentioned including the agaves, yucca and many cacti. My guess is that the portulaca won't be in your garden centers until spring, however.

Planting containers with succulents is coming into fashion right now so you should have a good selection at your local garden centers.
all the best,
C.L.