It's not impossible to maintain a beautiful flower display in your garden planters through the heat of the summer, just make your flower selection from the following flowers that can take the heat for the best chance of success.

Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)
6 in. to 15 in.
Red, pink, orange, yellow, cream
Resents transplanting. Sow seed; deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; wet soil

Euphorbia bicolor (snow-on-the-prairie)
18 in. to 24 in.
White bracts
Milky sap is toxic. Easy to grow.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil (yields floppy stems)

Gazania hybrids
6 in. to 15 in., varies with cultivar
Red, pink, bronze, orange, yellow
Good for hot, windy spots.
Can't Tolerate: Rain; wet soil; humidity

Gomphrena (globe amaranth)
12 in. to 30 in., varies with cultivar
Rose, orange, purple, lavender, white
Good cut flower, fresh or dried.
Can't Tolerate: Cold soil; poor air circulation

Ipomoea quamoclit (cypress vine)
6 ft. to 25 ft.
Scarlet
Resents transplanting. Easy to grow from seed; self-sowsCan't Tolerate: No problems

Lantana
1 ft. to 6 ft., varies with species
Red, pink, orange, cream, lilac, purple, white, and bicolors
Buy transplants. Berries are toxic; look for nonfruiting varieties.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; night temps below 60 degrees F

Melampodium paludosum (medallion flower)
8 in. to 24 in.
Yellow
Good for hot, humid climates; very tough plant.
Can't Tolerate: Rich soil; wet soil

Mirabilis jalapa (four o'clocks)
2 ft. to 3 ft.
Red, pink, salmon, yellow, white
All parts of plant are poisonous. Best direct-sown; self-sows.

Nicotiana (flowering tobacco)
8 in. to 5 ft., varies with species
Rose, pink, green, purple, white
Easy to grow from seed. Some types fragrant; some will self-sow.
Can't Tolerate: Wet stems and leaves (water from below)

Petunia
6 in. to 24 in., varies with cultivar
All colors
Deadhead for continuous bloom.
Can't Tolerate: Humidity; frequent rain

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