It looks like I have learned something new thanks to your excellent questions. Like the Black-Eyed Susan, it appears the name Moss Rose can also apply to 2 different plants. The Moss Rose I was referring too is also called Portulaca and not related to the common Rose as the Moss Roses in your link. If you like the Moss Roses you might want to try them in your garden as most roses are hardy to zone 9.

The Pompon (correct spelling) Dahlia is just a variety of Dahlia. AS it does well in all zones this little ball of color should enjoy Okinawa. They are an excellent cutting flowers and as they look like little oval balls of honeycomb, will make quite a statement either singly or in a group in any indoor display. As too which bloom would look better singly in a vase, I will have to leave up to your personal taste. However, if you prefer a modern home with a touch of whimsy I would go with the Pompon. If your tastes run more toward the traditional and elegant than the Snapdragon might be a better choice.

See you when I return from vacation!!
Emma

I’m afraid that the good answers you give me inspire more questions. Please forgive my ignorance and please forgive my curiosity. I’m just learning about gardening and flowers, and my interest is growing like Lantana!

I noticed that you refer to “moss rose” with a singular verb. You do not write, “Moss roses are . . .” When I researched the plural I found this: http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/mosses/index.html. And it confused me. Is “moss rose” a plant altogether different from “moss roses”?

Also, I have been reading further on dahlias. I came across photos of pompons which really struck me. However, once more I am confused. Is pompon a “kind” of dahlia, or is it merely another name for a dahlia? I find “pompon” as one word, as two words, with the letter “n” at the end, and with the letter “m” at the end. Do you know what is correct? Since dahlias will do okay in zone 9, and are in bloom in August, I am assuming the same would be true for pompons, yes?

You mention snapdragons as being nice cut flowers, Emma. For a single flower placed in a narrow-necked vase, which would you recommend to me: a snapdragon or a pompon?

Richard

Here are the anwers to your last set of questions.

The Moss Rose is one of my favorite plants. Its shallow root system makes it perfect for a sunny windowbox and it will bloom all summer long. It is also a great filler plant to cover up empty spaces in a garden too. Moss Rose is a short plant and will never turn into a large lush bush but what it lacks in size its bright red, pink, & yellow blooms make up for in beauty. I highly recommend this one!! It is also fairly easy to grow from seed.

You just cant kill Lantana. No matter how hard you try! I have 4 large Lantana bushes in my backyard and other than an a yearly pruning I just leave them alone. They do wonderful in direct sunlight or partial shade. They can be planted in window boxes and actually look lovely spilling out over the box. The are great at attracting butterflies too! You do need to keep an eye on them as they are so hardy, and such fast growers, they can quickly overwhelm and strangle other plants around them.

I have not had any direct experience with Purslane but my research tells me it is related to the moss rose and actually eaten as a vegetable in Europe and Asia. It will flower through August but is seems the flowers only appear on sunny mornings for a couple of hours. It is tolerant of dry conditions and I speculate it would also do well in a windowbox in the sun. But please keep in mind I am not speaking from experience.

The Snapdragon was one of the first flowers I ever grew from seed when I developed my initial interest in gardening about 12 years ago. Another sun lover, this plant will do well in a window box or any other container. It also looks lovely as a cut flower in a vase indoors. And of course, the flowers bloom all summer and into the beginning of fall.

Pentas are another plant I have not had experience cultivating. However it will probably do very well in Okinawa as its hardiness zone is 10. This plant does love full sun and seems to be similar to the Lantana with small flowers in clusters. My research tells me it is considered a small shrub so it will do well in a windowbox. I would just be sure to monitor its growth rate closely and trim back frequently to keep it size appropriate for your windowbox.

The term Black-Eyed Susan is a little confusing as there are two flowers by this name. The first, also called Thunbergia is a vine with small yellow flowers that bloom throughout summer and fall. This plant loves the sun and would do well spilling out over your windowbox, or, climbing up a small trellis at the back of your windowbox. The second flower known as the Black-Eyes Susan is also called Cone Flower and looks just like a Yellow Daisy with a big black button center. This Black-Eyed Susan does best in zones 4-9 so it will tolerate the Okinawa climate. While it is sun loving and flowers in late summer the plant can get up to 3 feet tall and may be a bit overwhelming for a windowbox. However it would do well in a larger container with perhaps, moss rose planted at its base.

I hope all this information helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Emma

Petunia
Begonia
cockscomb (also known as Celosia)
Gerbera Daisy
African Daisy
Dahlia
Easter Cactus (Also looks great in a hanging basket)

In a larger container you can try:

Hibiscus
Amaryllis
Peruvian Lilies

In a larger container with a trellis you can grow:
Chalice Vine
Blue Trumpet Creeper
Bougainvillea (These also look quite nice in hanging
baskets as long as you keep them trimmed)
Morning Glory

All the other flowers I have recommended I have no experience growing in containers so it would be trial and error on your part.

Flowers that will probably not bboom in August include:

Shell Ginger as it is a late spring/early summer
bloomer.

Chalice Vine/Solandra Maxima-this tends to bloom more in the spring and early summer but there may still be blooms of a deeper golden color in August.

Tawain Flowering Cherry is a spring bloomer.

Bird of Paradise is a spring bloomer.

Bougainvillea tend to bloom in the spring or in autumn. However, down here in Florida, a climate very similar to Okinawa, they bloom almost year round so they might be worth the risk as they are such a beautiful vibrant flower.

Easter Cactus, as the name implies, is a spring bloomer.

As I mentioned in my comments about the Bougainvillea, because Okinawa has such a tropical climate many flowers that are considered seasonal bloomers in other areas of the world may bloom year round here. If you fall in love with a flower that looks like is may bloom only in the spring give it a try. Come August you might be pleasantly suprised that it is still a riot of bloomin’ color!!

I’m working on an answer to your last question, so that will be in a seperate comment.

Maybe some of our other readers can give you some thoughts on the matter as well. Also, you may want to check out the forums at Garden Guides – http://my.gardenguides.com/forums/forum/268 – I have found them to be most useful.

Once again, my deepest appreciation for your thoughtful replies, Emma.

Richard

I continue to read over your great advice to me. I am so pleased that you took the time and trouble to post a link on your site for my benefit. Wow! You really know your flowers. You’ve given me some great ideas – some real beauties!

If I may, one further question: Are there any flowers that you have listed which would NOT be in bloom in the month of August (the hottest month in zone 9, I believe)?

Many thanks for your kindness and for sharing your expertise with me. Your site is a treasure trove!

Gratefully,

Richard

I have a another question, ma’am. If I don’t have the land that I expect to have in Okinawa, may I ask you which flowers would grow (and which would not) in flower boxes (on an outdoor deck, for instance)?

Warm regards,

Richard