* Location is Walnut Creek, CA. USDA zone 9a-10a and sunset zone 14-15.
* This will be on a covered patio 8x20 facing Northeast. There is morning sun, but one side of the patio has more filter light from evergreen tree across the street.
* Weather will be quite dry most of the year except winter.
* Plants will be grown in containers using some cord trellis hooked to the ceiling, so it can't be too massive.
* There is a cat, so plant cannot be poisonous.
* Irrigation are not allowed by the HOA, so perhaps a self-watering pot will be used to reduce watering intervals.
* Plant should have pretty flower. Attracting hummingbird is a plus. Leaves should stick around all year.
* Flowers cannot be white and should not have a strong scent.
* A long bloom time for flowers.
* Vine should be easy to grow.

Based on the criteria, I was thinking about the following:

* Clemantis - I have grow some variety in partial shade. IT takes a while to get established.

* Trumpet Vines - attracts humming bird, but may not work in partial sun.

* Black Eyed Susan Vine - unknown.

* Bougainvillea - may require more light than the patio can support.

* nasturtium - it's edible, so it must be safe for pet?

Anyone have opinons?

Paul

Trumpet vines grow up through trees, so not a lot of sun is needed and they are drought-tolerant. They do hold their leaves year around. They also bloom most of the year.

Black eyed susan vine will look crappy in a short time - spider mites consider this vine a smorgasboard and eat at it constantly, plus, it requires lots of water. It is also an annual, so will die when it gets really hot and humid.

Nasturtium requires regular watering and is an annual, so won't last year around. It also gets hit with a virus that is difficult to control.

This site, from the ASPCA, has a loooooong list of poisonous and non-poisonous plants for animals:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/plant-list-dogs.as px?print=t