Great Poolside Container Plants

First, I am not a green thumb, as the subtitle suggests.  Secondly, I am even worse at container plants.  So when something works for me, I feel like it can work for anyone.  Container plants by the pool, in the South can be a big challenge.  Because it's hot as hell.

The plants I am talking about are Moss Roses.  Now, I am not an expert but I have two? types.  One has pointy leaves and one has fatter leaves.  I have both and the fatter leaves works much better for me.

These are the flowers they produce.  They aren't really roses.  I believe they are succulents.  They open when the sun hits them and then close for the day.  BUT, they are okay with the heat.  The concrete, also, increases the heat to the plants so if these girls can deal with it, kudos to them.  I water them but most container plants I have had here will dry up in about an hour.  So, my suggestion is to try moss roses.  They aren't winter hardy...so you either have to replant them or move them inside during the winter.

The pool is on the northside of the house so they do get some morning shade.  But make no mistake, I couldn't sit out there all day on that spot.  Could you?

The long containers have the other type of moss roses.  They are doing okay, but they aren't near as hardy.

This is the second type.  Sometimes, I think they would prefer more shade.

Other container plants

I have a porch that gets very little sun, as it is the North side of the house but I have some other heat tolerant plants (and shade) that seem to be doing okay.  This is a thorned begonia.  It may, also, be called a winged begonia that is doing quite nicely.

Around the pool, I also have Mexican Heather.  But you may notice a irrigation tube going to it.  It will tolerate heat but needs more water than the moss roses.  However, it stays in constant bloom and can be very tidy looking.

Mexican Heather close up.  Oh, and the bees love them.

 There are some plants that get no sun at all, but it's very bright here.  Here is a Macho Fern, Snake and Ivy plant (also, call Mother In Laws Tongue)

Under the covered porch, they never receive any sun but as you can see how very bright it is.  Here you see, ferns, begonias, and a jude plant.

 This Thorned Begonia has really thrived in this spot.

Close-up of the waxed begonia.  Oh by the way, I put them in a horrible spot last year.  I put them in the green house.  This particular plant had MAYBE two leaves on it.  Point is they are pretty resilient and forgiving.