What kind of flowers?

Beth&Derek

I'm new to this board (normally on D&R and my anniversary board), but I really need some flower-choice help! I got a personalized ceramic planter for Christmas that I love and I want to put it out on the porch within the next month or so. The problem is, I know nothing about flowers and really don't know what I should put into the planter! I want something with color that will do well through the spring and summer. I know this is a total newbie question, but like I said, I'm clueless.

TIA! 

tlv204

How big is the planter? If it's at least 12" or so across, I really like crape myrtles. They have a bunch of bright flowers and bloom for a long time. They're normally trees, but they've started making smaller ones for planters. I really like some of the mini crape myrtles at crapemyrtle.com, and they're cheap, but there is a minimum order of 6, so that might not work.  If you get one that is hardy enough in your growing zone (and most of those minis are more hardy than normal crape myrtles), it dies back in winter but comes back every spring. I've also heard they're easy to grow and don't require a whole lot of attention (I'm pretty new at this too but plan to order some for this year).

Beth&Derek

The planter is a decent size. I haven't measured it, but I would say that it's at least 12" across. Thanks for the suggestion!

dirtyred

I wouldn't do crape myrtle--they're not hardy in your area, so you'll have to overwinter it or it will die.  It flowers in late summer, so you won't have any color for spring.

Since you're new to this, I'd recommend Calibrochoa.  They look like mini petunias, only they're less work.  They like sun, can tolerate some drought, and bloom like crazy all season.