flowering plants for dry sunny tubs

[Bicnod]

I'm just getting into gardening and this is my first post on MN gardening boards so please be gentle with me

I've got a couple of troughs at the front of the house which need filling.

They are in full sunlight and get very dry very quickly. I do water them (when I remember ) but when we're away for weekend/week in the summer there isn't anyone to look after them for us so need some hardy plants.

I've already got 4 tubs of lavender out there which have (just about) survived so don't want to plant more of that. Does anyone have any ideas for pretty flowering plants that can withstand sunshine and dry soil?

Thanks so much

pelargoniums are very forgiving.

I agree on pelargoniums, you could add some water retaining gel when you plant them up to help retain moisture.

Otherwise a week without watering in a sunny spot may be too much even for them.

Some lovely ones here
www.woottensplants.co.uk/pelargoniums.html

Woottens often have special deals if you sign up with your email address.

Maybe you could move them inside if you go away for a week in the summer? They may not dry out as quickly if they aren't in direct sunlight.

Thank you very much for your help pelargoniums with water retaining gel it is.

And thanks for the tip of moving them inside - I hadn't thought of that... would they survive without sun for a week?

Yes fine without sun for a week, but probably easier just to move them into the shade outside though.

Thanks for all your help - pelargoniums now safely planted in troughs at the front of the house with water-retaining crystals mixed into the compost. Fingers crossed they will survive the summer

Now I just have to find some pretty flowers to plant in the shady bed in my back garden...