Hmmm, that might be a fun experiment. I will have to see what I can do.

I am in zone 10a - not quite tropical.

Lynn, beautiful banner. I do love bougainvillaes.

Zone 10a does not matter to Crotons they require humidity. Your area must have high humidity plus the fact that the swimming pool is also helping. They don't like frost though.
Regards,
Masud.

Yes, we have a climate similar to the Caribbean, very humid summers.
Crotons are very happy here.

Thank you Jean. I have loved them since childhood.

I visited Florida when I was 16. It was so beautiful.

Thank you Hetty. There are a lot of Croton variety out there, can you shape them into small trees like in their native setting?
Regards,
Masud.

We do occasionally but most are used as medium to large sized shrubs, sometimes as hedges.

Nothing can compete with a Croton. I have seen trees of these and an eye catching sight they make. I have tried hard to grow them but frost in the end gets them. I have got one its name is Cuba(please don't ask), survives the frost with protection. Some slow day I might post a photograph of it on the plant ID forum to wake them up.
Regards,
Masud.

I love the crotons at the ST Louis B Garden. I guess you just have to grow these as a annual here in zone 6?

Has anybody ever tried lava rocks to deter cats? I use them in my plumeria pots. Works like a charm. I like the color and they are fairly light weight. Don't know if they affect the potting soil.

I've used foil to cover the bare soil and also chicken wire. Cats don't like to walk on either of them. Thankfully all 3 of my cats are fairly good about not getting into my pots.

I know Hetty uses it to keep cats out of her containers. I don't think cats like to walk on the lava rocks. Nice thick layer should do it.

OH great!!! I have been looking for something to physically lay down without spending all my lunch money to deter the neighbor's cat from doing her business on my front yard. Thanks for the tip on the lava rock. Can I ask what size is important or works best?

Bev, I've never used lava rock, so not sure about that.
I wonder if some one on the Cactus/Tender Succulent forum would know more about using lava rock?

Or maybe some one will come along and have more information?

I bought a bag of lava rock at walmart I think. It said something about landscaping rock on the sack. Some of them I had to break because they were just really huge. I guess how big they need to be depends on how big the pot is. You want them big enough that they won't get buried in the soil. I put them in plumeria pots because I needed something to keep the water from splashing on the plant when I watered but they are good cat deterrents too and I like the color.

Thank you for the great information Mary. It is so helpful to hear from some one that is actually using it and knows that it will work to keep the cats out of containers.
Would love to see a photo of some of your containers with the cat repellent lava rocks.