Just thought of this, to add Richard. An alternative plant that does beautifully here is Hibiscus schitzopetalus commonly called Chinese Lanterns. It has lovely pendant blooms of a nice coral/red color, very frilly and lacey. Mine blooms all year 'round unless we get a really nasty cold snap in winter.
It will grow into a fairly good sized shrub if you let it, but I've had mine in a container for 3 years. Just finally had to plant it in the ground last week because it kept blowing over.
