New California balcony planter idea and recommendation

Hi,

I have had these planters on my patio wall facing east (lots of sun) with some cacti (and a dead plant) in them but they don't look too good at this time (see the photo attached, the first floor patio wall). I've decided to take on the project to making these beautiful to give my condo a nice curb appeal and give it some colors.

I'd like to start with one planter in the photo below and start with putting something that will grow over the years and do a waterfall effect over the planter and down toward the street.

I was thinking about using White Potato Vine (Solanum Jasminoides) to do this job. My wife and I like the flowers and I read that it is heat resistant and grows pretty fast.

The planters are 34" wide, 8" wide and 9" deep. Would this work well to grow at least 3 ft down the wall over time.

I will put some other perennials or annuals behind these to make it colorful on the top. Eventually I also want to put a Bougainvillea on the first floor balcony.

What do you guys think?

I think the planters are a bit too small for Solanum jasminoides. Also, it wants to grow upwards, is not very good at hanging down.

I would look into smaller plants, even if they just grow as annuals. That way you would get fresh plants whenever these get bad looking.

White, hanging plants for summer: White Cascade Petunia, White Lobelia, White Alyssum. These are also available in other colors. Some Lobelia trail better than others. White Alyssum is not really trailing, just low growing.
A relative of Petunia is Million Bells, it is a wonderful hanging plant.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/124686/#b

Other ideas: There are several sweet potato cultivars, grown for leaf color. Many of these will either climb or trail.
https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/ipomoea/blackie-sweet-potato-vine-ipomoea-batatas

There is a Dichondra relative that trails really well.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=259475&isprofile=0&force=1

Another trailing plant is sold as Bacopa. It is really Chaenostoma cordatum, but may also be called Sutera cordata.
https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/sutera/snowstorm-white-bacopa-sutera-cordata


Bougainvillea comes in many varieties. If you get one of the smallest you might be OK. Perhaps something like 'Raspberry Ice'.

I love Dichondra argenta 'Silver Falls' for a cascading effect. I use it every summer in some of my hanging baskets. Calibrachoa and colorful Cascading and Wave Petunias are great for sun. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/differences-between-wave-cascading-petunias-60621.html

I agree with Diana that annual flowers will probably work out best. Those long shallow planters really won't suppost most perennial plants. My husband has a couple on our back deck and enjoys replanting them each spring.
I do have another suggestion, succulents. I have some that trail good and succulents come in a variety of colors and shapes and sizes making them interesting to look at. They do flower and don't require near the space or the care as most plants.

Petunia and Calibrochia ( comes in various flower shape and colours and some are fragrant too. ). Lobelias, Pansies- Violas, Nemesia, Trailing Fuchsias, Bacopa, Evolvus Hawaiian Blue Eyes, Variegated Ivy, Varigated Ipomoeas, Lysimachia Nummularia.. the lists are endless.