I have a 6' x 20' concrete east-west direction rectangular backyard?

my only choice to grow anything is planter.

so far i have no luck, either not growing well or died in a few days after i get the plants.

the east side of lot gets about 1/3 days of tree shade.

i'd love go grow something flowering and fragrant, i bought a gardenia from home depot, died in one week, and many other flowering plants.

any suggestions?
I have a 6' x 20' concrete east-west direction rectangular backyard?
Well, let's start with the very basics...where are you? That will help in determining what plants we should recommend to you. If you are in the US, list the nearest big city so we can find your USDA Zone.



Thanks



EDIT: Okay, I'm in N. Cal. so I know a little about your climate. Here is a link for some helpful tips on container gardening. What you also need to know is that with your heat and reflection off the concrete, you may have to water every day or every other day during the summer months. Perhaps with your other plants, you didn't provide enough water?

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardendesi...



When selecting your pots and plants, determine if you are going to mix more than one type of plant in the pot or just use one. If more than one, they have to have similar sun/shade and water requirements.



In the area receiving shade from the tree, stick to part shade plants. In the rest of the backyard, choose full sun plants if it gets more than 6 hours of sun.



Here is a link with some container layouts to give you some direction:

http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/re...



If you are doing mixed planters, choose annuals and/or tender perennials as they will give you the best result. Know that they will only look good for about 3 months and then you need to change them out.



If you are just choosing specimen plants (one per pot), be sure you give it a nice sized container to grow in.



Okay, some plant suggestions to consider... There really are a ton of options. Going to a good local nursery will help dearly (I don't do big box stores), they will be able to direct you to plants to help you succeed. Here are some annual and tender perennials that will do well:



Coleus (there are sun tolerant varietes now)-invaluable for foliage color and can use in sun or shade

Diascia (twinspur)-many colors available, use in sun

Nemesia-many colors available, use in sun

Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato vine)-good for foliage color and can droop, use in sun

Ipomoea (morning glory)-pretty vine with tubular flowers, use in sun to part shade

Calibrachoa (mini petunia)-sooo cute, many colors to choose from and flowers prolifically, use in sun/part shade

Petunia and 'Supertunias'-there are many available, use in sun

Sutera (bacopa)-good for drooping over the edge of a pot, probably best in part shade for you

Scaevola (fan flower)-good for drooping over edge, use in sun to part shade

Osteospermum (cape daisy)-so many to choose from, great container plants!, use in full sun

Lobelia-trailing types, flowers so much, part shade for you

Helichrysum petiolare (licorice plant)-great for foliage and for containers, use the gray one in sun, the variegated one in part shade and the chartreuse one in shade

Lantana (polecat geranium)-lots of variety, use in sun

Pelargonium hortorum (zonal geranium)-great container plant, use in sun to part shade

Pelargonium peltatum (ivy geranium)-another great container plant, use in part shade to shade

Verbena-Tapien and Temari series are good ones to use, lots of options, use in sun

Bidens-lots of yellow daisies, use in sun

Angelonia-great container plant, use in sun to part shade

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' (creeping Jenny, moneywort)-drapes over pot, use in shade

Impatiens-lots of options for shade

Heliotropium (heliotrope)-fragrant!, use in sun

Aquilegia (columbine)-new ones are treated like annuals like the 'Origami' series, use in sun to shade

Cleome (spider flower)-nice container plant, adds height, use in sun

Nicotiana-great for pots, look for 'Domino' series or something similar, sun to part shade

Cosmos-tons of choices

Zinnia-lots of options

Marigold-again, lots of choices

Heuchera-good for foliage, new 'Dolce' series is good for pots and adds color, sun to shade



Also, consider ornamental grasses. They are easy, add color and texture and offer great foliage choices.



Hope this helps you out. Good luck!
Reply:Go back to Home Depot or preferable a local Greenhouse and tell the workers your dilemma. They should be able to point you in the right direction as far as shade/sun, soil prep and the best type of plants for your area. I will suggest marigolds and petunias because they are super easy to grow.