You could rig up some shade if you really want to. But there are so many plants to choose from that appreciate that kind of hot sun situation you offer that you don't really have to. Remember that any plant can be grown in a container if you start small and attend to its needs properly as it grows. 1) Visit a good local garden center and see what they offer for full sun and drought tolerance. These types of plants will thrive under your growing conditions. Lots of very attractive plants from the southern hemisphere will be included in this selection - the grevilleas, coprosma, hebes, callistemons, anigozanthus, etc. And lots of southwest native plants - salvias, agastache, many of the sedums and succulents, etc. And anything with a Mediterranean origin - dwarf olives, euphorbia, cistus, figs, citrus, leucospermum, lavender, rosemary, germander. Also most ornamental grasses are well suited to containers and thrive in sun, heat and not much water. As will the vast majority of sedums, succulents and cacti. And don't forget the many CA native plants that thrive in this kind of environment - ceanothus, carpenteria, manzanita, toyon. You can also grow vegetables and a huge assortment of flowering annuals but these are not necesarily very drought tolerant. While they appreciate the sun and heat and even require it, they are much thirstier plants than the previous suggestions and will need more attention to watering. All of these plants will offer both interesting foliage colors and textures as well as flowers and even fruit. Pick some large growing plants - container gardening is a naturally dwarfing growing process - as well smaller shrubs, perennials, grasses and ground covers. You can have a full and lush looking year round container garden and never have to plant anything in the ground! 2) Invest in some generously sized containers. Larger containers that hold more soil don't heat up as much as do smaller ones. They also don't require watering as frequently. And you can group several smaller plants together in a larger container to create a composition - a mini landscape!! I have a big collection of large glazed ceramic pots I've gathered over the years. They insulate better than plastic nursery pots or HD cheapos, don't lose moisture as fast as terra cotta and they are far more attractive. Plus they come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and colors. I also use some resin containers and they are now available in better finishes and colors and in very contemporary shapes and styles. Their big advantage over the ceramic ones is that they are much lighter weight, so more easily moved. But the best ones are equally as expensive. I think selecting and grouping containers together so they compliment each other in size and coloring is as important as selecting the plants to go in them. Make them an important element of your container garden collection.

Thanks SO MUCH Toni! It's still very early in their lives (I've been at this "gardening thing" about a month now) but all the plants I've got growing right now seem to be doing quite well. My current window sill garden includes: 2 Strawberry Plants 2 Pansy plants in terrariums 1 Pineapple Mint 1 Jar of Pineapple Mint cuttings (for sharing with friends) 1 Lemon Thyme 1 Oregano 1 Rosemary 1 Dwarf Lavender 1 Purple Leaf Sage 1 Jade 1 Cutting of DiffenBachia with a small root that just sprouted... it's in a glass jar (it's not in direct sunlight though as I was told this plant likes indirect sunlight) The strawberries are actually at the point where the petals have fallen off the flowers and they are growing larger and resembling strawberries so I guess moving them hasn't done much damage. I asked my question because the south facing window they usually sit in (my bedroom) gets great afternoon sun but I read that Strawberries and Sage (and I believe a few other plants I've got) require 8-hours of full sun - Hence wanting to make sure it was ok to move them from the living room window with the great full morning sunlight, back to the bedroom window at noon for the great afternoon sunlight. They are all doing well except the sage which is a little droopy but I expected at least 1 casualty and it hasn't happened just yet. I am hoping if i move it to get full sun for 8 hours it will perk up again. And yes, i can open my windows a bit for them... I was worried about a draft but i suppose they like the fresh air as much as i do! THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! -Jake

It might be easier to list plants that wouldn't like a nice east window. That's primo real estate, IMO, where almost any plant would be happy except those that are extremely sensitive to direct light. East window offers plenty of bright beautiful sun but not the harsher rays and heat of afternoon. Coleus and AV are excellent candidates although Coleus may quickly outgrow the space (but wouldn't mind being pruned and pinched into whatever size/shape you like.) I would encourage you to investigate wax Begonias. They are such a joy the way they bloom all the time, would LOVE an east window. Comes in red, white, pink flowers.

I have a really nice perennial and EVERGREEN (!) vine that I would highly recommend, but some nurseries online list is as zone 5, while others say zone 6. I have had it here (zone 6b) for over 10 years now and it's been rock hardy. It's Gelsemium sempervirens "Margarita". If it's hardy for you, it would be great. It's a strong enough grower, but never overpowering the way Wisteria or Trumpet vines might be, and in that small planter bed it would be perfect. So, depending on which source you search, it may be something to try. If it succeeds, it might be great. Covered with yellow blooms in spring, and green shiny leaves all year. Here's what it looks like: