What about a nasturtium? They tend to bloom better when they’re on the dry side; plus since they’re edible you wouldn’t have to worry about little ones “tasting” them.

Just to add: Whatever I get won’t be from seed, I’ll buy plants, so hopefully that would solve any “take too long to bloom” issue.

I’m in southern Ohio (if that matters any! – not sure if I’d find California poppies here).

Is the windowbox big and strong enough to support small pots that could be deeper?

Some sedums bloom, in bright yellow or bright pink, but not all summer. Interesting little challenge!

California poppy?

This isn’t exactly theirs, but the window box is the same size.

http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-5580481dt.jpg

xumusketeer, Ohio gets more rain than most of out here I think, so I am not sure about nasturtium, although it gets big quickly, and is edible. Marigolds are nice, and they are continuous bloomers all season. Moss rose is also a good suggestion. I also wonder about Dahlias. I remember that when I was a teen I grew them, and from seed. So they are easy to grow, and have beautiful heads of color, and although not as heat tolerant as some, they do pretty well. I don’t think they require much upkeep.

@martian77- I think that she means that because they seem to like hot and dry climate, that she doesn’t think her climate is right for them. I have a flower bed that is chock full of all types of drought tolerant flowers, and it is shaded for half the day also which makes it the perfect place for many types of flowers.
@ XUMusketeer- Take a look at my frontdoor flower bed for ideas, if you like.

“http://myfolia.com/gardens/5894-front-door-flower-bed-garden”:

Next time I’m out, I’m going to look for the Moss Rose. I think they would be great for my girls…many blooms in bright colors, fine with not being watered for a day or so when it is the middle of the summer (we get rain, but it can be pretty dry and hot here in the summer). And I am pretty sure I’ve seen them available as plants before.

Em is growing some flowers from seed in a pot (listed in my Backyard Patio garden), but for their playset flower box, they need plants – no waiting!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may look into others next year when we have time to grow things from seed, and for general planting around my yard!

I was just at our local flower sale place yesterday and they had both moss rose and gazania. And on the craigslist here they had nasturtium for 75 cents each. so at least around here all of those can easily be found already flowering.

I planted some moss rose plants in my kids’ garden and they’ve been a big hit… reliably colorful, easy to care for.

My personal fav is Blackfoot Daisy. It is a dainty, self-sowing, full sun, tough as nails flower that loves to be dry. It is happiest in fast draining soil with an occasional watering.