Well, I would say something quite similar--your best bet is container-type plants and just get the dirt zone so it will look neat and not be muddy. You might think about achieving some sense of "enclosure" to your patio by having several large container plants at the periphery--depending on the crowd you are having and the furnishings you expect on your patio, you'll have to decide whether to have these on the actual edge of the patio or in the dirt/mulch just beyond. So one way to think about your choices, is whether you want to have the dirt area a true extension of the patio now, or separate it from the patio with container plants, and just make it a neat, clean mulch bed for now, or a combination--create enclosure on one side of patio, and have one side open to a grouping of things in the mulch area. Agree on some combination of some tall things--in my zone we might find hibiscus and other cheery tall blooming things at reasonable prices at box stores. Even "houseplant" trees like Ficus are available, 5'talll for $15 or so, sometimes depending on featured sales. If you have use for some lower, colorful things, then if you found your own containers (12-16") at reasonable price, you could put a reasonable-sized Wave petunia (or group of smaller transplants) in that and in 3 weeks would be bigger and blooming. Here is another thing to think about in terms of keeping costs down and yet "decorating"--if the "containers" that things are already in don't look so hot or are all different colors, & some have integral labels and writing, and if some of these are not going to be actually buried (as if you want some on the patio proper) you could find some fabric cheap, like burlap, and tie that up around the pots--so you get a cohesive look for less $$ than trying to upgrade the containers. This also allows you to use large black nursery pots--if you have or if friends have.

Tenderheart, Yes, it will easily grow and thrive in any zone 5 climate. This mini rose is very cane hardy. I have roughly 50% cane loss after each winter and this is almost unheard of for a miniature in my garden. MOst dieback to the ground or a few inches above. Graduation Day and Jalbert's Patio Wonder Series are like the "Explorer" series for miniatures. They are very hardy and disease resistant mini's. I'll post some pics of White Patio and Pink Patio Wonder later today or tomorrow.

Stacy, you have the cutest kids (and grandbabies!) Tanner looks so old..I'm used to him looking like a little kid! Too bad you live so far away...or we could hook him and Alyssa up!

Thanks everyone, especially those of you who said I looked great! Hehe. He had a job lined up with a store chain but they bailed out on him at the last minute. His major was business administration and he is jobless now! He is moving back home until he finds a job, which is okay with me! Now that our kids are growing up and moving out I'm wishing they would come back, and he will for a while! I know it's hard on him but I'm happy!