Patio Plants

Seeds for growing patio and tub plants

The plants listed on this page are suited for growing in containers for displaying on a patio, balcony or pool deck.

TWT064 Heather ( Calluna vulgaris )

Also known as Scotch heather, an evergreen ground cover or low shrub for sun, blooms during late summer in various shades of red or pink. Heather thrives in USDA zones 3 to 9. This low-growing shrub definitely demonstrates year-round beauty, whether from its abundant summer blooms or its ever-changing foliage. Heather works great for use in sun-soaked garden spots from the border to along the driveway.
Heathers grow in nutrient poor, well-draining, acidic soils, in a bright sunny location. Calluna vulgaris will do very poorly in alkaline soils. When planting in the ground, space out the plants about 24 inches apart. Plant out in early fall or spring.
At spring, pruning of the dead dry stems produces fresher looking plants, cut the old stems off close to the ground. It is recommended to mulch before the onset of winter to protect from damage caused by the cold temperatures and wind.
Heather seeds are very small and should be surface sown and the soil needs to remain moist, with watering best done from below if possible.
Grows to about 24-36 inches tall. Normally takes about 28-35 days to germinate in 50-72 degree soil.

JB220 Bronze Spike ( Cordyline atropurpurea )

Also known as Purple Dragon Tree. This is a great houseplant, or patio tub plant with a unique look. A good container plant when young, and makes an architectural tree when mature.
Sun loving drought tolerant plant for patio, container or outside. Ornamental bark and striking foliage for all year round color and screening. Will stay smaller in container, will grow to about 12 feet outside when mature. This palm-like sub-tropical tree makes a striking focal plant with its fountain of arching bright burgundy and reddish-bronze sword-like leaves. For a more graceful plant, cut back when young to force multiple trunks. Mature plants bear clusters of small, starry, fragrant white flowers in late spring.
Also recognized as Cordyline australis 'Atropurpurea', this is a popular, naturally occurring cultivar which is purple leaved and slightly shorter than the original species.
Great inside or patio plant, or can be grown full time outdoors in zones 9-10.

LET607 Cotton Plant ( Gossypium hirsutum )

Also known as upland cotton or Mexican cotton, is the most widely planted species of cotton in the world. Globally, about 90% of all cotton production is of cultivars derived from this species. In the United States, the world's largest exporter of cotton, it constitutes approximately 95% of all cotton production.It is native to Mexico, the West Indies, northern South America, Central America and possibly tropical Florida.
It makes an attract tub plant with beautiful blossoms that attracts bees and butterflies, it is widely used in dry arrangements. Cotton is easily grown in a tub, it makes a very attractive patio plant.
Cannot ship to GA, SC, CA, TX, LA, MS, VA or FL. Some other southeastern states require a waiver or permit; contact your extension agency for more information.

IP190 New Zealand Flax New Hybrids ( Phormium Tenax )

A native New Zealander, this is pretty new on the scene here in the U.S. It has long been grown for its strong, upright and fast growth habit and is sometimes called an ornamental grass on steroids which makes a great accent plant.
Many gardeners know New Zealand Flax as a large and often colorful spiky plant that makes an arresting focal point in the garden or in containers.
Phormium Tenax has sword-like leaves that shoot up from the base of the plant and new hybrids are now available in shades of yellow, pink, red and bronze.
Hummingbirds love to feed on these nectar-rich blossoms. Phormiums are salt tolerant making them ideal for planting in coastal areas.
Can be rasised as a patio or container plant about anywhere, or outside in the garden in zones 7-10.

SF260 Lucky Gold Shamrock ( Oxalis valdiviensis )

A nice plant from Chile that can be used for baskets, containers and garden and can be use as a shamrock plant for St Patricks Day and also makes a good houseplant. An attractive plant that can be used as a summer annual The leaves are bright green and have a perfect shamrock shape with three leaflets.
Multiple seedlings in a small pot will give a good effect in approx 2 months from sowing. Flowers during summer with masses of orange-yellow flowers over a long period ideal for pots and bedding.

2258 Toothache Plant ( Spilanthes oleracea )

A must have plant for all of it's wonderful qualities. Bright, solid-yellow flower heads the shape of lemon drops, often having the common name of "Lemon Drops".
It has edible flowers, which have a spicy and citrus-like flavor, can be used as a garnish on ice cream and drinks.
Commonly known as toothache plant. Contains a natural analgesic which numbs the tongue and gums, relieving toothache pain. This numbing sensation arises from chewing either the flowers or leaves.
The full, mounding habit is perfect for containers and bed plantings. Heat tolerant.
A fast growing annual plant reaching 12-15 inches tall in about 90-100 days.

JF870 Jackpot Gold ( Melampodium )

Bushy plant, highly weather tolerant, compact mound, brilliant gold flowers, blooms continuously all season. Annual growing 12" tall, blooming in 10 weeks from seed.

SF335 Crocosmia ( Crocosmia Paniculata Hybrida )

Crocosmia are a popular and attractive flowering plant. Native to South Africa, Crocosmia are members of the Iris family and are easy to grow from flower seeds. Crocosmia plants grow two feet tall in a season. Tube shaped flower colors include red, yellow, orange-yellow, and orange with splotches. Crocosmia flowers bloom from July through October.
Crocosmia grow well in the flower garden and in containers on patios or decks. You should experience few problems with your Crocosmia. Use insecticide or fungicide, only if a problem occurs. Crocosmia are tough when it come to winter temperatures tolerating temperatures down to USDA Zone 5.

LET410 Purple Knight ( Alternanthera denata )

This highly reliable performer requires little in the way of care, and rewards you with an eye-catching display of royal purple foliage that deepens in color under full sun. Striking leaves on long stems arch outward, lending a graceful accent to mixed containers, beds and borders. Height: 16-20" Spread: 24-36". Annual.

LET411 Purple Prince ( Alternanthera denata )

Burgundy-purple foliage with plum-red undersides forms a compact mound with long-lasting color and texture for all-season. A vibrant addition to baskets and containers. Plant with contrasting colors for a colorful show.

Image: By Harvey Barrison from Massapequa, NY, USA (Cape Town_2012 05 14_0221Uploaded by Elitre) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2912 Lion's Ear ( Leonitus leonurus )

Also known as Lion's Tail and Wilde Dagga. Lion's Ear is a striking ornamental perrenial plant that grows 5-7 feet. A perennial in zones 8 and higher, easily grown as an annual in colder zones, only takes about 90 days to flower from seed. It is native to South Africa and gets its name from the resemblance of the flowers to the ears of a lion. The vibrant orange, velvety flower whorls emerge from the leaf axils in early summer. Lance-shaped leaves are opposite and 2-5 inches long. This also makes a great patio plant.