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Hi @carteblanche,
You will want something that is both heat-tolerant and capable of putting on vertical growth without quickly outgrowing the pot. Cordyline is one of the most reliable options for this situation, as it copes well with full sun, offers an upright form for screening and handles life in a container very well. Tall varieties of dianella are another good choice, providing a softer screen with strappy foliage and excellent tolerance to heat and reflected sun. If you are happy to include flowers, cannas perform extremely well in hot, sunny positions, grow tall in pots and give a strong visual impact through the warmer months. For something tougher and more architectural, yucca or a compact agave will thrive in full sun and require very little ongoing care once established. A compact hibiscus can also work well if you are after height and colour, provided it is watered consistently during hotter periods.
Whichever plant you choose, keep in mind that terracotta pots dry out quickly in hot weather, so regular watering will be important, especially in summer. Using a good quality potting mix, adding a slow-release fertiliser and applying a mulch layer on top of the soil will help reduce heat stress and keep the plant performing well on an exposed patio.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
