Expert: nick mccann - 4/27/2009

Question
Hi,  I live in western Pennsylvania and my boss asked me to get some plants for the planters around the pool.  This is a very hot area and I'm not sure what would be good.  Just annuals.  16 planters 10.5 X 48.

Answer
Hi Heidi, 10.5 inch deep container will be fine for just about any of the annuals that grow well in Penn.; I would go with any of the following, Marigolds (many different varieties..), petunias (they will cascade over, which will give a different look for you..), Vinca, Zinnias and sweet william will work fine and you can mix non-flowering in with them for a balance, like Gold leaf Hosta, (make certain its "Gold" leaf and not "Blue" leaf, for Blue leaf likes shade and gold leaf likes sun). Just make certain whichever annuals you chose, are kept well irrigated, mulch the top couple of inches to keep the roots cool and viable. Nick