Beginner Gardening: Plants in Planters advice, 1 by ipodpal

ipodpal wrote:
A narrow (16") strip across the front of our house front has gravel and 6 'stepping' stones acting as Planter 'saucers' as we can't plant directly into soil there.
Any advice would be very much appreciated on what shape of planters to use and what plants would grow in them which receive no sun in the winter and full West sun during Summer afternoons. We can't seem to get anything to grow there. Last resort . . . pink, plastic flamingos?
Our home decor is mainly Southwest with a gravel front yard.
Thank you for any help you can offer!