What trailing flower/plant would survive a hot Bronx window?

Hi, I bought a house here in the south bronx, and I am trying to find a plant to grow in planters which hang over my balcony in the front, which gets very hot and sunny in the summer time (even though it is east facing). I have triend growing margarita potato vines (which I like) and red verbena which I thought would do well in the heat, and trail down. Nothing seems to grow well. I was hoping someone could give me an idea of what to put in the planters. The planters are long and green about 6 feet long, 5 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. I was thinking of marigolds, but they dont hang. Any ideas? I do a pretty good job down on the street level (shadier) and people walk by and point, so I would like to put something in the windows (people in the Bronx dont normally do this, but Im orginally from another state and always gardened with my mother). Forgot to mention, also tried petunias also but they dried up fast, and also dead heading is a pain in the ass.

Jason from the Bronx

This message was edited Feb 27, 2010 10:28 PM

I was just telling someone on another post to check out

woollyplanters.com

Sometimes it isn't the plant as much as the planter
If the planter can support the plant with the right resources - the plant does better.

petunia?
some kind of trailing sedum (this would come back year to year but not sure if it does well in your zone) For uprights - maybe mexican heather

Have you thought about some ornamental grasses .. might look nice and funky even if not trailing...some are very beautiful and change color in the seasons to give interest.

maybe it is the planter. Perhaps the plastic generates too much heat in the hot sun. Thank you for the response

air and moisture retention are important and that is also related to the planting material/medium. There is a discussion on another thread where someone recommended the little crystals that hold water. The woolly planter folks recommend ecogrowth (I think that is the name) potting soil that is sold at HomeDepot.

According to Park Seeds, calibrachoa (know as million bells) are more drought tolerant than petunias. They look like mini petunias and many varieties do trail. I'm not sure, but I don't think you have to deadhead. I personally have not tried them, but they are supposed to be a good selection for sunny window boxes and pots. You might give them a try.

Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan vine)
Nasturtium
Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
Trailing Lantana(Lantana montevidensis)

I actually happened to buy black eye susan vine, I will definately put that one in the box, thanks!

I had African purple basil in pots last year, in a very hot sunny area, it looked good all season. Plus it smelled awesome, and you could eat the leaves if you want. I tried the million bells in the same spot, they also did well, and attracted hummingbirds, but they got leggy & tired looking before the end of season. You could mix the two together for a really pretty look. Here's the basil (with potato vine & petunias).

You can also try balcony geraniums. Mischels catalog has them. Also, try the crystals. Nasturtiums like flowerjen said are good also. Just be sure to look for the trailing ones because many are mounding. Good luck. I love the idea of adding flowers to the city.

I grew black-eyed Susan vine on a trellis in my front flowerbed which faces south. Down here that's a REALLY hot situation for a plant. They were some very tough vines--they grew and bloomed all summer. They looked great all summer too and I never deadheaded them which made them a breeze to care for.