Creating a vibrant urban oasis in full-sun planter boxes is entirely possible, even in challenging conditions. The key is selecting plants that are naturally adapted to thrive with minimal water and maximum sunlight. For stunning structure and incredible resilience, succulents are unparalleled. Consider varieties like Sedum 'Autumn Joy', which offers beautiful pink flowers, or the architectural Agave and Echeveria. These plants store water in their leaves, making them perfect for hot, exposed locations.
For continuous color, several flowering plants are excellent choices. Lantana is a superstar, producing cheerful clusters of flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink from spring until frost. It's highly drought-tolerant and attracts butterflies. Another fantastic option is the Moss Rose (Portulaca), a low-growing plant with vibrant, rose-like flowers that love the heat. For vertical interest and a cottage-garden feel, Russian Sage (Perovskia) adds wispy, lavender-blue spikes that are both drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
Don't forget ornamental grasses for texture and movement. Blue Fescue grass provides a stunning silvery-blue accent and requires very little water. When planting, ensure your containers have adequate drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix, perhaps amended with some sand or perlite. A layer of gravel or small stones on top of the soil can help reduce water evaporation. With these tough yet beautiful plants, your sunny urban planters will be a low-maintenance, high-impact success story.