• Plants can enhance a patio with a touch of green.Patio mallorqu?-n image by Raulmah?3n from Fotolia.com
  
  Growing plants in containers around the patio or pool can help add greenery and charm to any landscape. While it's not tropical, the mild and temperate Georgia climate allows the plants to flourish in the summer. During the winter, when cold temperatures or an expected freeze is forecast, tender patio plants should be moved to a sheltered location or indoors because any plant grown in container is more susceptible to cold damage due to its exposed root system.
  
  

Christmas Rose

• The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) grows well in containers or in the garden in Georgia. The plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 8. Numerous cultivars are available that offer varying bloom times. Some exhibit their white and pink blossoms in mid to late spring, but the most popular cultivars bloom from November until springtime. The plants are often grown in patio containers so they can be skillfully placed around the yard as a useful holiday accent plant. It grows to a height of 1 foot with a width of approximately 1 1/2 feet.
  
  Grow in soil that is rich in organic matter. Keep the Christmas rose moist but not overly wet. It prefers a location that offers partial to full shade.
  
  Locate pots containing the Christmas rose away from areas frequented by children or pets because the leaves, stems and roots of the plant are poisonous, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
  
  

Hibiscus

• The flowers of the tropical hibiscus add color to the patio.hibiscus image by Gratien Jonxis from Fotolia.com
  
  The tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) thrives in a container. The warm, humid summers of Georgia allow the plant to produce a non-stop display of trumpet shaped flowers that measure up to 6 inches in diameter in shades of red, yellow, white and pink. If the temperature dips below 45 degrees F, the plant can easily be placed inside a garage or other location for protection.
  
  Maintain the tropical hibiscus plant in a slightly root-bound state to encourage its top growth and flower production. Keep the plant moist but not overly wet. Use a potassium-rich fertilizer to maintain the shrub's flowering. A water soluble 12-4-18 works well. Follow the directions on the label for application instructions.
  
  

Daylily

• Daylily varieties can produce spring or summertime blooms.Beautiful vibrant daylily variety "Misty Moonlight". image by Sharon Day from Fotolia.com
  
  The daylily (Hemerocallis) is an easy-to-maintain garden flower that thrives when planted in a patio container or directly in the garden. It grows from 8 inches to 5 feet in height, depending on the cultivar. The plant produces an abundance of blossoms throughout the long hot summer months. Flowers are available in a wide range of colors and sizes. They average 2 inches to 8 inches in width. Over 60,000 daylily cultivars currently exist, according to the Floridata website.
  
  Place daylily containers in full sunlight or partial shade for the best growth. The daylily can survive periods of drought well. Water the plant when the soil begins to feel dry to the touch.
  
  The daylily may require dividing every five years as the clumps become large.