Our patio area is only 16 feet by 8 feet. Our climate is hot and dry in the summer but we only get about four hours of direct sun and some areas get less than that. I wanted colorful shade loving plants that require very little care. We used terracotta chimney flue tiles for containers, which are available at major nurseries and construction supply stores. Coleus, impatiens, vincas and herbs filled the bill. The trellised plant is a clematis and the tree in the upper right is a California bay laurel.
Source: Sunset Western garden book for the chimney flue tiles idea.
Great Idea! Thanks for sharing. I have several places that are very rocky and I can't get plants to grow. This just may be the answer, as I can dig down deep enough to bury the flu and make them level, or stagger them at different levels.
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